Whatever works

I am not a very good singer. The only person who has ever really heard me sing is Baby T. I don’t feel embarrassed to sing to him since he is my child. But I do get a red face if someone catches me mid-song.

I found out when Baby T was about six months old that rocking him and singing always alleviated his cold symptoms. I know it’s not a magical cure or anything like that but it’s been a soother for the last few years. I reserve my show only for Baby T when he isn’t feeling well or is overtired and needs a little help falling asleep. So from last week to this week he has come down with a pretty miserable cold. My cartoon loving, Lego-playing boy has turned into a “lay-in-bed with the blinds down” kind of kid. So he has asked me to sing our special song a few times a day.

Like I said, when Baby T was an infant I learned that singing soothed him but what I didn’t mention is I don’t know all the words to “Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word.” So I improvised and over time it has gotten longer and longer as both of us adds in our own little part. It goes to the tune of the song but it is way different. Here it goes:

“Hush little baby don’t say a word, Mommy’s going to buy you a mocking bird.

And if that mocking bird don’t sing, Mommy’s going to buy you a diamond ring.

And if that diamond ring don’t shine, Mommy’s going catch you a porcupine.

And if that porcupine don’t shoot (I’ve heard they shoot their quills, I don’t know), Mommy’s going to buy you a basketball hoop.

And if that basketball hoop’s too high, Mommy’s going to put you on a plane in the sky.

And if that airplane don’t take off, Mommy’s going to help you get rid of this cough.

So hush little baby don’t say a word, Mommy’s going to buy you a Monopoly board.

And if that Monopoly board don’t play, it’s ok if you demand your way.

Because nobody likes to be sick, so you can show me what berries to pick.

So hush little baby don’t say a word, Mommy’s going to buy you a mocking bird,

And if that mocking bird don’t sing, Mommy’s going to take you to see the Swamp Thing,

But oh no that’s way before your time, and what do you know it’s almost bed time.

So let’s shut all of these lights off, and you tell me about your cough.

Bring those covers up to your chin, and I’ll put your toys in their bins.

So hush little baby and close your eyes because it is now bedtime.

I’ll lay here so don’t you fear. Before you know it sunrise will be here.

And we can play when you wake up, so take a sip from your little cup.

Close your eyes and get comfy, because I love you and you love me. And no matter what you’re the boss of me.

So hush little baby don’t you cry and I ran out of words for this lullaby.

Maybe tomorrow we can look up the real words, since mommy only knows about the mocking bird.

So get some sleep and don’t you weep. There’s always tomorrow to stomp your feet.

I’ll stay here until you’re out, because I don’t want you to cry or pout.

There you go it’s na-night time and I’m running out of words that rhyme. So hush little baby and don’t cry.”

Yes, I know, corny but it works, and sometimes if he still isn’t asleep from me singing it twice we change stuff. But Baby T catches me when something doesn’t rhyme and tells me to fix it. He doesn’t care if it doesn’t make sense just so long as I sing it. So I am thankful that no matter what I say to improvise our song, the two of us have the same attitude…Whatever works.