Buby Loves: Empire State of Mind

One happy obsession in our house right now is Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. I can't remember when Buby first heard the song--I usually listen to country in the car--but MY OH MY he was instantly smitten with the beat and chorus. My Sweets downloaded it for us, and now it's part of our regular way-home-from-school soundtrack.


I know what you're thinking. For someone who is UBER careful about what {if anything} she lets her babies watch, there is an awful lot of language in this song. However, both "explicit" and "amended" versions are available. And for whatever reason Tom and I have not applied the same criteria to music as we do television and movies. We're a singing/dancing family, so we have equally vast arsenals of kid and non-kid music to listen to WHENever the mood strikes. So far nobody has repeated anything inappropriate.


Appreciation of music is contagious, and I dig that. Even if it means that once in a while our Buby hums around the kitchen to AC/DC's Rock 'N Roll Train, Kanye West's Love Lockdown, and Iyaz' Replay. Yes, he loves that song, too.

Love Story

It all began in the car one day. Taylor's "Love Story" played on the radio, and the kids instantly zipped it in an effort to hang on her every beat. It was love at first listen. Once we got home Buby asked me to play that "Jasmine Swift" song again. I don't know why he called her that, but he did. After dinner I pulled it up on You Tube, and the kids were NEVER. THE. SAME. AGAIN.


I remember hitting play on the laptop, maxing out the volume {sorry, Tom}, and running into the living room to dance with my babes. It was everything awesome. Months later we are still in the honeymoon phase. The romance lives on, thanks to a mixed CD My Sweets downloaded for us. Literally... morning, noon, and night the three of us make time to rock out with Taylor.


I'm not sure what it is about her, but Buby and Bleu are seriously smitten. Me, too. I like that she's her own artist. Part teen pop star. Part country crooner. Part sultry songstress. Part indie rocker chick. I read the Glamour magazine cover story recently and was quite impressed.


Enough that I was so tempted to buy 4 tickets to a NY area show in May, but I found out it's in a big coliseum. Too rock concerty for the little ones. Next time she's outdoors ~ at a Bethel Woods type location ~ we're there.


Here is Buby + Bleu's Top 10 Taylor, in very strict order.

1. You Belong With Me (Fearless Platinum)
2. Love Story (Fearless Platinum)
3. Teardrops On My Guitar (Taylor Swift)
4. Should've Said No (Taylor Swift)
5. White Horse (Fearless Platinum)
6. Fifteen (Fearless Platinum)
7. Tim McGraw (Taylor Swift)
8. Our Song (Taylor Swift)
9. Tell Me Why (Fearless Platinum)
10. Change (Taylor Swift)

P.S. The You Belong With Me video reminds me of Tom and I once upon a time.

~ Things I Love ~ Thursday

Country music for babies. Check it out here.

Pa Rum Pum

Don't you dare tell Buby that Christmas CDs are just for Christmas. Holiday tunes are a year-round staple here and have been since Buby was an itty bitty two month old. The only CD that could calm him on lengthy road trips was Baby Einstein's Baby Santa. It was all music, no words, so we didn't mind. We've since collected a few dozen seasonal CDs to listen to in the kitchen and car, and Buby adores each one. His pick de jour is Josh Groban's Noel all because of song #2. It's the most wonderful rendition of "Little Drummer Boy" we've ever heard. Buby sings it in the car while I do a little dance.

Song De Jour

I belted out a few lines of Achy Breaky Heart one night to elicit Bubylicious laughter. A few lines is all I knew. {We don't do Billy Ray Cyrus here.} But Buby couldn't get enough. He pleaded, "Again, Mommy, Again!" I was clearly making up the words, so My Sweets looked it up online. We found a kids country version of this song and other classics such as Take Me Home Country Road, I Walk the Line, Jambalaya, Coal Miner's Daughter, On the Road Again, and Gone Country. We all previewed it on the laptop and Buby danced around so cute. So we downloaded 24 tunes for only $5.42 then burned it onto a CD a minute later. Great for open-air Jeep rides. Achy Breaky Heart has turned us all into country bumpkins. It's a fantastic CD!! Click here to download.

Belly Music

Bleu is jamming to new belly tunes courtesy of her daddy. Boy, we really heart Daddy. He customized a delightful blend of Baby Einstein's playful tunes and Rockabye Baby's Lullaby Renditions of U2 on the ipod and hooked me up with some super stretchy headphones. Buby enjoyed music from about 5-months-in-the-belly on. I wonder sometimes if that's why he's so into his CDs, drums, guitar, and keyboard now. His latest: the violin.

In the Band

As you know, friends Matt & Alicia spent last weekend in Buby Land. Matt is a rocker in this band. He's a severely talented musician, and we knew Buby would get his sound. Shortly before our guests arrived, we played Matt's CD for Buby. He totally LOVED it. Dare I say better than the Doodlebops. So after our hiking adventure on Saturday, Buby took the opportunity to show off a bit. He jammed hard with his own five-piece drum set. Matt said that's it... his drummer is out and Buby is in. Whenever our guy is ready {and potty trained}, he's welcome to tour with them!!

First Act drum set shown from Toys R Us

Music Man

Buby and I started our fall MUSIC CLASS this morning, and it was utterly fantastic. We enjoyed every minute of singing {yup, parental singing is a big part}, live guitar by our sweet teacher Miss Andrea, maracas, hopping, and appearances from a few fuzzy friends. Buby hasn't been in this particular studio in about a year, and I was worried he would wander and explore instead of paying attention. Nope. At least not this week. He was totally into it and followed directions and participated the whole class. Hurray! He even gave Miss Andrea two big hugs at the end of class. Our little Music Man is tuckered out... and hopefully in for a supersized nap.

photo: flickr

Culture Through Music

The next two Putumayo CDs on Buby's wish list. We're already sold on the "French Playground." It's become one of Buby's go-to CDs in our car collection. Mama's an old Bob Marley junkie, so "Reggae Playground" is sure to win us over. And "African Playground"... well, the cover alone inspires some new dance moves. All available from Amazon for $13.99.


reggae


african

A mama friend of ours already has "Putumayo Folk," and we're just itching to hear that one. Hint! Hint!



folk

Must-Have Music

A mama friend let me borrow two of the best CDs for our road trip, and now we're hooked on two more artists. The first is Dan Zanes & Friends: Family Dance. Our favorite song? Probably "Jump Up." To hear a sample, simply click here. To order, try CD Baby.



The second CD is Elizabeth Mitchell: You Are My Sunshine. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Buby & I liked it equally I think. The title song has always been one of my preferred songs to sing to Buby--and Buby's Dada before that. Mitchell's is such a sweet rendition... sort of old-school rock, hippie stuff. To listen, simply click here. "Ooby Dooby" is our other fave tune. To hear it, click here.

Car Tunes

Buby may not know cartoons, but car TUNES are another story. The boy loves music and has a varied collection of CDs in the car at all times, something for every one of his toddler moods. All six slots are ready to go from the moment Buby is belted in. He readies himself to sing along with Mama and kick his feet to the beat. We sing as loud as we can with the windows down (hey, we have to sing over the blowing wind), and the music washes away any care in the world. Buby & Co. is road tripping this weekend. Here are Buby's 10 fave selections in the car right now.

SINGING MUSIC

Philadelphia Chickens
Laurie Berkner: Under a Shady Tree

DANCING MUSIC

Little People: Things That Go
Putumayo Presents: French Playground

SLEEPY MUSIC

Rockabye Baby!: Lullaby Renditions of U2
Baby Einstein: Baby Santa

GROWN-UP MUSIC--BUBY'S CHOICE

Norah Jones: Feels Like Home
Believe: Songs of Faith


Johnny Cash: 16 Biggest Hits

Beatles: 27 #1 Songs

all cd covers: amazon.com

Comfort Zone

Buby's favorites tucked inside his hospital bag.

Lulu. Buby's stuffed French Bulldog. She goes where Buby goes.

My First Pal Elmo. A tiny version of the big one Grams & Gramps got Buby for Christmas. He holds Elmo under one arm and Lulu under the other. Too cute.

Baby Einstein Baby Santa CD. For the 2-hour ride to the hospital. It'll still be dark, so hopefully Buby will sleep. And this will help. He has loved this CD since he was being swaddled. It's holiday music that we keep in our CD-1 slot all year and listen to whenever Buby is tired or fussy. It calms him.

Putumayo Presents French Playground CD. For when he first wakes up. It's amazing. We waited FOREVER for it to come. Totally worth the wait. It's good music, light, more difficult to sing along to since it's French, but Buby loves it as do I. And there are lyrics for every song in both English and French.

Little People Things That Go! CD. For the ride home, when we sing loud and cheery and dance in our seats. Buby should know all the words on this CD by heart. It's in slot-2, and we listen to it every single day. Crazy for Carlos the bus driver!

Playskool Wheel Pals. For entertainment. These are Buby's version of matchbox cars, and he's usually got one in his hand. He'll race them anywhere... on the floor, up your back, down his leg. And always makes the VROOM VROOM sound to go with.

Leap Frog Fridge Farm Magnetic Animal Set. For entertainment between the 6am mandatory check-in and whenever they start prepping for the 7:30am surgery. Not sure how Buby will feel about the wait... tired, hungry, thirsty. But if anything can turn his frown upside down, it's this. There are 25 possible combinations. When you mess up and pair a pig front with cow back, for instance, it plays a silly song. Buby loves it.

Happy Baby Words book by Roger Priddy. For when Buby needs to sit still on Mama's lap, this is his go-to book. He'll flip page by page and ID every single item in the book.

God Bless Me book by Helen Haidle and Susan Banta. For reading in the hospital or car. Buby hasn't even had this book a week (it was a gift), and he's already addicted. It's a close second to his go-to book. Sweet, short, nice illustrations, and it rhymes. Buby LOVES the dog!

Crocs, of course. For his feet.Like he would let us leave the house without them.

Non-skid socks to keep his feet cozy warm under the Crocs.

Goldfish Pretzels (couldn't find a picture of the pretzels) for immediately after he wakes up. It's his #1 special treat.

Earth To Buby

Happy Earth Day! Sure we celebrate this in Buby Land. Not in the cutesy tree ornament sense (as with other holidays), but we take the time to appreciate the earth today and every day. As a fam who spends lots of hours in open air (hiking, fishing, biking, strolling, eating, gardening, swimming, park hopping, camping, perusing farmers' markets, and following the festival circuit), I'd like to start some of our own Earth Day traditions so that our Buby has an even broader understanding and respect for nature's bounty as he grows.

I believe you're either a Land Person or a Water Person. I'm a Land Person. Not that I haven't blissfully swam in the ocean, braved the river wild on a raft, and fly fished in a rolling stream. Wave pools have their moments, too. But trees really are my thing. And luckily, Tom is with me on this. We'd sooner retire to the Rocky Mountains than to Florida. (Oh, I just made myself cringe.)

7 Ways To Love Trees
in Buby Land:


We stop to take in their heady aroma. This is a tree-lined street in our village, one we walk down several times a week. There are dozens of these blossoming beauties to admire. When the flowers fall, it is sad. And romantic. Buby and I stand in awe of the delicate pink ground cover. Our photo: spring '06.


We get married in a garden with hundreds of wise trees looking on. It was cold and rainy that late May day, and everyone said we were crazy for not moving it inside. My dress and satin shoes were torn and covered in mud. It was perfect!! Our photo: spring '00.


We fish often and in the most serene places. Here, Tom fished while Buby & I lunched on a blanket and collected rocks (a passion we share) on the shore. The hike in was about 45 minutes, and it was beyond sweltering. But worth it. Look at these trees! I still remember the drive home in our Jeep Wrangler. The top was off. The breezy air put Buby to sleep instantly... and gave him a mohawk. Our photo: summer '06.


We see real potential in a scrawny fake tree and invite it into our lives. This is Buby's potted tree to redecorate every month to whatever holiday beckons. I said I'd NEVER buy fake, but this is an exceptional exception. It is lit with white twinkle lights and inevitably covered in snowmen, lucky charms, Easter eggs, flags, birthday wishes, pumpkins, or turkeys. Our photo: spring '07.


We buy antique paintings of trees. This is one of two works leaning on our fireplace mantel right now. Both from a local antique shop. Oil-on-canvas framed in vintage gray-stained pine. It really inspires me, reminds me a little of laying in the hammock on my father-in-law's farm upstate. And the fact that I know nothing about its history--or where and with whom it last lived-- just adds to its appeal. Our photo: spring '06.


We happily climb trees even in unpleasant times. To say this trip was an experience would not do it justice. Camping on a private island on Saranac Lake, just Tom and me and droves of hungry, noisy night animals. An hour canoe ride to civilization, and barely any supplies. No bathrooms. Stomach troubles. Nasty rain storm. Freezing nights. Tent (with us in it) nearly blowing off the edge of a cliff. You get the picture. We had the best time. Seriously, and the trees around the whole lake were magnificent. But need I say, Tom hasn't planned a vacation since. Our photo: summer '04.


We sing "Under a Shady Tree" by Laurie Berkner in the car, super loud, over and over again. It's Buby's favorite song on Berkner's CD by the same name (probably in our top five CDs). Thanks to our friend Allison, Grace's mama, for introducing us to this hippie songstress and letting us copy her CD. Under a shady tree, just you and me... Buby.
Earth Day photo: google images

I'm With the Band

One more reason to cheer on site de jour PSYCHO BABY (www.psychobabyonline.com) is the vast collection of rock-on tunes put to Bubified lullabies. Quite impressive selection ranging from Metallica, Smashing Pumpkins, Pink Floyd, The Cure, ColdPlay, Nirvana and The Ramones to Bob Marley, The Beatles, and U2--which Buby & Co will sample first. And it couldn't come at a more sublime time. Buby has a fabulous music mix already, but if Mama has to sing along to "Itsy Bitsy Spider" one more time...

The Rockabye Baby U2 includes faves from every era. These Irish fellas have played a crucial roll in Buby's parents' epic courtship. Whether our first dance ("One"), our first smooch ("Wild Horses"), our DC days ("The Sweetest Thing"), or our wedding song ("Slow Dancing"), the band has been right there. Can hardly wait to share this new rendition (and over time, the story of us) with Buby!! If he grows up to be half the man his father is... he's set.

PS: The CD is $17 on Psycho Baby plus $10 shipping, but I just found it on Amazon for only $12.97 with free super-saver shipping.

I Hope You Dance

Lee Ann Womack's song "I Hope You Dance" is my favorite in the world. It means even more to me now as a mama. Buby already loves to dance, but he will know every sense of the word. The goal here is happiness, independence, faith, bravery, the ability to love, and a sense of humor about it all. It's a big bill, but if we can instill these qualities as parents, we will have done our part. Here are the lyrics:

" I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed

I hope you still feel small when you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake But it's worth making

Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance

I hope you dance! "

photo: google images

We're the Doodlebops?

If Buby could change his last name, it would be to Doodle. He's a total groupie when it comes to this Canadian rock band The Doodlebops. Loves Mo best (drummer in the funky orange duds) and is really into drums himself lately. Probably Mo's doing. That paper CD insert went everywhere with him for weeks. He'd sit on the floor and read it like one of his books... study the faces of Rooney, Deedee, and Mo while absorbing the music. Fave tune is #5 "Get on the Bus." Mama & Buby have choreographed a dance to match, and I'm ashamed to admit I listen to it in the car--even when Buby isn't around. www.doodlebops.com explains their educational angle, has interactive musical games kids can play on the laptop, and a link to the Doodlebops store. Though I've found Amazon has the largest selection of band paraphernalia.