The Undead

Many parents can appreciate how tiresome songs and books can become after singing and reading them for the 1000th time. Since singing has been our bedtime mainstay for the last month or two, I have completely run dry of enjoyment for Hadley's favourite songs. Indeed, she really does have only a few favourite songs and will get rather irate if we decide to introduce new ones. When I put her to bed, she pretty much fluctuates between 'The Wheels on the Bus', 'Old MacDonald [feminist version]', 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' and occasionally 'Hush Little Darling [anti-capitalist version]'.
Believe me, I've tried to add some more interesting songs, such as Cyndi Lauper and Culture Club songs but she won't have any of it.

So a few weeks ago I chose to add some new verses to 'The Wheels on the Bus'. First, it was the punks on the bus going 'Oi', then it was the sharks going 'chomp' (I owe this last idea to the local librarian). Finally, we settled on zombies going 'Rah', which easily became her favourite verse. Now there are only zombies on the bus; no wheels, no driver, no nothing.

Hadley can also now do all the zombie movements: arms out, reaching for brains; mouth open, moaning for brains; stumbling around the house. I suspect this craze will die off soon (no pun intended), and I can only hope that she opts for 'Metal Guitarist' as the next one to ride the bus.

Early thoughts

It's 5.30 on a Saturday morning.
I just brought Hadley back into the bedroom to lay with Alicia. We'll see if it works this time. She's been awake since about 1.30. There's only so long she can nurse before the milk runs out and the nipples get very sore. Alicia is also not a deep sleeper and finds it hard to go back to sleep once Hadley's woken her. In other words, she's been awake all night.
I know that sleep has been the subject of posts here before, and it seems to be the topic that has yanked me out of blog-free life again. It can be an endless conversation but right now, as the sun is coming up, I am all out of answers.
What often works is a walk around the neighbourhood in the carrier, or in the stroller. We've done both this morning, the last time stopping at the 24-hour cafe for a large dark with cream. The guy at the counter looked even more worn out than I feel. Surprisingly I actually feel pretty good. It's going to be a beautiful day.

Now Hadley is out in the living room again with me. She's watching a Sesame Street DVD. TV entertainment is always seen as a last resort in our home. She may only watch 1/2 an hour a week, and that's to calm down a mega-tantrum. I consider this a special occasion.

Wish us luck.