I’m joining the land of the living today. We’re headed to church soon and then later tonight, Josh and I are going out salsa dancing. At Maadi house they are having lessons followed by dancing.

We are getting a babysitter, but realistically, if Camille is upset while I’m gone, she’s only going to want Calvin once she figures out that I’m not there. She’s happier with him anyway. She’ll be totally fine — happy and playing and then I’ll walk in the room and she’ll start whimpering and crying like a crackhead jonesing for her next fix.

And when it’s time to put her down for a nap who has the magic touch? Calvin. He even has a special playlist on his ipod touch that he titled, “Camille’s Nap Music.” He will sit and pat her back in rhythm to the music. He perches his ipod on her back so she can hear the music, but not mess with it. His system works.

The other two boys are also pretty good at getting her to sleep. Last night she was fussing so Caleb climbed in bed with her and started singing “Away In the Manger” and patting her back. He would have been successful except each time she turned her head away from him he would climb over her and switch sides so he could sing right into her face. Not so sleep inducing.

Basically, if I want her to sleep, I have to turn her over to one of the individuals in this house with a non-functioning chest. It doesn’t keep her asleep, but it’s a start. All of them like to take over for me once I’ve given up and then a few minutes later, emerge from her room with a big grin that says, “Victory!” *sigh*

So, mama’s going out tonight and leaving the baby in good hands. Six of them.