Music is Life

Music is all around us. Sometimes it even starts in utero. With both Connor and sometimes Ellie, I would place an earbud on my belly button hoping that they would hear what was playing. At times, it was Baby Einstein, others it was Bob Seger. With Ellie, I threw in a little Enya.

Once our children were born, music evolved into nursery rhymes or lullabies. "You are my Sunshine" was, and always will be my song to Connor. I just don't feel right singing it to Eliana. That was my special song for my first child; my little boy. Ellie gets the less popular "Rock-a-Bye Baby," for no particular reason. I guess because it's short and she likes to be placed in her crib after her books. I just feel as though I should end our bedtime routine with a lullaby.

When Connor was a baby, I got to play whatever I wanted throughout the day. I would cherish his baby-ness and play "Playground" music; something a good friend gave me. He loved it and it filled our house with pleasant reggae, african, or dreamy music. Now that Connor is 3, his taste in music has changed and thus Ellie and I need to listen to what he wants. Not because I don't lay down the law that Ellie needs her music time too, but because he knows how to work the damn ipod and computer! I can't stop him.

So, now instead of singing "You are my Sunshine," "Wheels on the Bus," or "This Little Light of Mine," we listen to Cars Movie music, or Monster Truck music ("Bad to the Bone" and u2's "Vertigo") on REPEAT! Fun...

Time just goes by so darn fast. Connor used to have a Red Sox lullaby bear in his crib. Sometimes we would hear the faint noise of "Take me out to the Ballgame" play over the monitor if he woke up in the middle of night to soothe him back to sleep. Now, he says he doesn't want it in his bed. He wants to give it to his sister. I leave it in his bed. I'm not ready to take it away yet. We never hear that faint noise of lullaby coming from his room anymore. Instead we hear pages of books being turned, or conversations between Connor, Wally, and Blankie. As sweet as it is, his lullaby phase has passed. We are now onwards to real music; music our little boy can choose to put on his playlist all by himself (yes, he has a playlist).

As I sing Ellie her last lullaby for the night, I realize that soon enough, she won't need my voice to soothe her. She'll have her own opinions and her own playlist. I am reassured by the fact that music continues to evolve and will always be a huge part of our lives. Music is also a nostalgic part of life. I have a song for my children that I hope they will take with them forever. It makes me cry every time I hear it, but it is for them. I love you my beautiful baby girl, and my handsome little boy...