For the last few months my little bean won’t fal asleep in my arms.

Mom’s shoulder = out cold.

Grandma’s shoulder = practically dead

Granpa’s shoulder = snoring like a whale (do whales snore?- well if they do- this is what she sounds like)

Needless to say, I found this not only a little bit frustrating, but also a bit hurtful. Whats wrong with daddy’s shoulder? There was my dillemma, how do I bond with my beanie? I’ve tried lots of things over the last few weeks: rhythmic walking, rhythmic patting, shushing loudly, shushing softly, sinking, etc etc. To tell the truth I finally gave up, and just let my wife put her to sleep. If my wife had trouble I wold just say “give her to the Pros, Grams and Grmaps”.

Today I was determined to do it though. I first strated with playing with her forever and ever. She loves it when I zoom my hands in and out and wiggle my fingers. This lasted for thirty minutes. She wasn’t anywher near tired. I then walked around with her for a while. I admit i got tired and passed her to my wife. However, she had to write a blog post so she passed her right back. I knew my mission. I had to put her to sleep this time. I grabbed her and slowly walked around and patted her back softly. I turned all the lights down and lifted her up higher on my shoulder than usual. I also leaned my head up against her sholder. As soon as I did that I felt a thud and a little exhale. I thought to myself. “I think I got it!” And I did. She fell asleep, i sat down in the rocking chair and she snored away for an hour.

I feel much better about myself now. For those dads out there who are having trouble my advice is stick with it. Don’t get frustrated it will happen.