Dear Berkley: If You Will Go Back To Sleeping All Night, I'll Buy You a Cool Car When You Turn 16

The last couple of nights Berkley has decided to wake up screaming at about midnight. This is new. And while I do like these times because they involve lots of hugging, they must end and end now.

The first night he seemed to be in some sort of legitimate abdominal pain. We resisted the urge to rush to the hospital and have him tested for stomach cancer, but this didn't mean he instantly went back to sleep. Instead, after taking several laps around the house, rocking in the chair, and growing a steady migraine from the 30 minutes of screaming, I decided to throw in the towel.

By throw in the towel I mean I just took him into our bed, and sort of half rocked, half laid down and hugged him. He stopped the screaming, but I'm pretty sure it was because whatever ailed him calmed down. I don't claim magical baby-crying-stoppage powers.

Unfortunately, he also woke up pretty good in this process, and the rock, then back to bed trick wasn't going to happen. Being the disciplinarian, straight-laced, steady as a rock dad I am, I turned on the bedroom tv so he and I would watch. Much success!

He instantly started smiling, and flipped around so he could watch Toy Story (it just happened to be on at midnight and was a big hit with Berk. (Oh, thank you Disney Kids channel, I'll stay in the park when we bring Berkley there later, throw a few extra bones your way).

As he laid there on his belly, kicking his feet with happiness while he watched the TV, I was excited about how he's growing up and doing more "little boy" stuff. But not nearly as excited as I was when Courtney finally took him back to bed, and he slept the rest of the night.

But that was a Saturday night and I didn't have to work the next day. Last night, he repeated the behavior, but quit screaming as soon as Courtney got him up. We kept the up time very short, no TV just hugs, and he did peacefully go back to bed.

If this keeps up I will sell him, or trade him on Craig's List for a Char Griller dual fuel grill with side smoker box, which I have really been wanting. Let me know if you spot a good sale on Char Grillers, it may keep Berkley in the family.