And it reminds me

So the other day I posted two version of a Kate Bush song. When I was in the seventh month with the Bean and the hormones were kicking y butt both versions were more than able to start the water works.

My sister warned me that being pregnant would really make our Dad not being here feel harder. Some how that song really brought missing him in general and being sad that he's not here with us to celebrate his grandchildren home. So of course I feel the need to balance that sadness with a song that reminds me of our Dad's quirky sense of humour.



Do you have a song that reminds you of someone?

learning and listening

The Bean is starting to laugh. Mostly they are soft barely heard chuckles followed by delighted shrieks and always the smiles. Really it's her cheeks that make the smiles. The Bean has been gifted with the most delectable cheeks, cheeks that demand to be eaten up, that invite kisses and that glow when she smiles. I've managed one big loud laugh from her and just like with the Peanut those laughs are as addictive as cheese cake or butterscotch sundaes. I'm at the point where I'll do just about anything to get one.

I'm finding myself wondering if the little mannerisms that I remember from when the Peanut was itty and that I'm seeing the Bean make are something that the two of them share or if these are things that all babies do. The combination snuggle boob dive as she tries to recover the breast I've removed because she's almost asleep. The way she holds her hands just so on her chest and the way she lifts her left eyebrow ever so slightly when I'm talking to her.

And then there's the chest thumping she does when I'm reading while I feed her. The Peanut did this too; swinging her arms out and around so that the book I was holding was jostled before her little fist made connection with my chest. This is a big one for the Bean, especially if she's tired.

So I'm reading lots, and listening to music and I thought I'd share these two versions of one song that never fails to make me feel a little sad.

Kate Bush - This Womans Work by shyhonestjosh



Which version do you prefer?

It Makes Me Happy

Song number three on my list is a song that makes you happy.

So which song to choose? I've heard songs on the radio and immediately felt happier for hearing them, some of these songs are still able to lift my spirits up while others over time become tiresome to listen to. It may be because of over playing or just that the puzzle of the song has been figured out and I've moved on.

Over the years I've been made happy by hundreds of songs, songs by my favourite band, songs heard on a television show, on a commercials, on the radio, songs that my husband has played for me. I could list all of them here but instead I'm going to share one of the Peanuts favourite songs. It makes her happy; and since it's not Barney the Purple dinosaur it makes me happy too.



What song(s) make you happy? If you post about it leave a comment with a link to your post and I'll do my best to visit and comment.

A Song I Hate

I dislike to use the word hate, although I'm sure that I probably do use it (and often) when I'm not paying attention.

The thing about this list I'm working through is that it asks for my choices in music that it asks me to share music that I hate, used to love but now hate, consider a guilty pleasure from a band I don't like and so on. My husband is a musician, he plays all manner of musical genres and both of our music tastes range from on end of the spectrum to another. For the most part I can't say that I hate any one song or band or artist because on a certain level I can look at the music and see what it is that others see in it, them, him or her.

That is with the exception of this song:



I'll be honest here, I despise this song. I have never liked this song and I go out of my way to steer the Peanut (and now the Bean) from crossing paths with the big purple dinosaur so that I won't have to listen to it or be forced to watch the big purple dinosaur over and over and over.

Thankfully there are a few artists out there that make their music pleasing to both adult and toddler/kid audiences. Bobs & Lolo leaps to mind as does They Might Be Giants. There are also some fantastic compilations of kids songs out there done by rock and pop artists that are like a nice thick milk shake on a summer day. Mary Had a Little Amp jumps to mind as does the benefit album Do Fun Stuff put together by the uber talented photographer and blogger Ryan of Pacing in the Panic Room. These albums are ones I can listen to on repeat for a good chunk of time which; if you are a parent you'll know this, is generally what happens to a song or album when someone under the age of 5 or so (and sometimes those of us older than that) becomes obsessed with it.

Your turn: Is your hated song sung by an animated Doodle Bop? or is it an overplayed pop ditty? Write about a song you don't like and leave a comment here with a link to your blog post and I'll do my best to get to your blog and leave a comment.

Music Music Music

Now I don't know if you've noticed or not but I haven't been doing a lot of posting here; what with the Bean taking up a lot of my time and the Peanut taking up a lot of my other time. In fact writing this post has taken me about 3 hours so far.

So I'm following along on this facebook meme where I a song is posted each day that falls within a specific paradigm. (there now I've used a big ol' snazzy word I can feel like the Mommy brain isn't beating all the smarts out of my head). so I thought what a great way to keep up with posting than to transfer the meme to the blog?

Here's the thing about music; it's very subjective; it ties in strongly to our emotions; and while being very communal; (I think it safe to say that most people listen to music and in a lot of cases a lot of people listen to, and enjoy the same music) it's also very personal too (why one person may loves a certain song can be very different from why another person loves (or hates,) the same song).

Our lives are soundtracked with certain songs providing the key to events and moments in time. No matter where you are, a song can start to play and memories of the summer you were 16, the boy or girl you first kissed, the first big fight you had with your significant other, the moment you learned a bit of life changing news, will rise. See what I mean about music being personal?

So let's get started:


Depeche Mode - Enjoy The Silence by

A song that I love.

I know that I've said it here before but I'll say it again. I love Depeche Mode. Of all their songs there is a long list that would fit here. One of the reasons that I love this song is the lyrics
words like violence.... come crashing in to my little world
words are very unnecessary
words are meaningless and forgettable

Also on the list of reasons I love this song is the video. As well as being a fan of Depeche Mode I'm also a fan of Anton Corbijn's photography and videography and don't get me started on how much I loved Control, the rich blacks deep enough to get lost inside.....

And not least it's singable and danceable. Anytime I hear this song I am most likely singing along and possibly dancing around with my Peanut Butter and Jelly Beans.

So it's your turn, post on your blog about your favourite song include a video if you like. Tell us why that song and add a link in the comments below where we can find your post. I'll do my best to visit and make a comment too.