The Sound of Music

Dear Norah Bird,

Like most babies, you've loved music from a very early age. One of your first (of many!) gifts from your Nana was a glo-worm that lights up and plays musical lullabies. At first the glow worm scared you at close range. But "Glowy" (Daddy and I are real original with our nomenclature) quickly became a favorite. She buys me some time when I have to run out of the nursery to wash my hands after changing a diaper in the middle of the night. And she soothes you during your hospital stays when the nurses are checking vitals or poking you for a new iv line. Even at 7 months old she is still a favorite of yours. You're not cuddly and haven't taken to any of your cute little baby blanket "loveys" which I keep trying to force on you. But maybe you're just a musical-light-up-my-world kind of baby. Glowy is who you reach for and turn over in your arms in wonderment as she lights up your day with her lullabies. And she is turning out to be a comfort in other ways as I constantly find you chewing on her ear buds with your new teeth coming in.

Norah's second hospitalization with Glowy by her side.

Unfortunately neither of your parents are very musical. We sing to you often in our own way but we don't even know the words to most lullabies or common baby songs. Hence you get a country-pop mix of whatever is on our mind. And we're fond of making up our own songs.

Your Uncle Derek dabbles in song-writing and I'm sure he could teach us a thing or two. And your Aunt Erin and Uncle J are both musically talented as well. But you were born to tone-deaf parents who are lyrically uninspired and so you're stuck with our little ditties that go a little something like this:

Norah Bird Song
(Strangely this is sung to the tune of "Up on the Rooftop" - most likely because it was composed at 3:00 a.m. one morning around Christmastime)
Hey little Norah Bird I love you
And your Daddy loves you too
Hey little Norah Bird, it's okay
We love you more everyday
Oh - little Norah dove
Oh - you're our little love
Hey little Norah Bird I love you
And your Daddy loves you too
(Repeat as necessary or until you start attempting to throw yourself out of my arms.)


Another favorite of yours is the Girl in Delaware song we made up while dancing around your nursery one afternoon. I thought I could start telling you about your cousins this way.

Girl in Delaware Song
I know a girl in Delaware, little Norah Bird
with cheeks so rosy and skin so fair, little Norah Bird
Oh little Norah, little Norah Bird
Oh little Norah, little Norah Bird
She has a cousin in New York, Natalie Stace
who likes to run around and race, Natalie Stace
Oh little Natalie, Natalie Stace
Oh little Natalie, Natalie Stace
She has a little sister too, Alivia Shayne
who likes to dance in the rain, Alivia Shayne
Oh little Livvy, Alivia Shayne
Oh little Livvy, Alivia Shayne
They have a cousin in Delaware, little Norah Bird...
(and on and on...)

Considering these fine masterpieces, it's no wonder your musical tastes have turned towards instrumental pieces. Unfortunately for you, this has not deterred your father and I from trying to impress you with our musical abilities noise. Being the little songbird that you are, you enjoy hearing us whistle and on car trips when you get fussy we find ourselves whistling to keep you quiet. There have been times when we've gotten lightheaded from whistling for 230 miles until the next rest stop - all in an effort to keep you content. We've learned to take turns whistling so as to prevent the driver from passing out, resulting in a deranged sort of duet that you seem to enjoy. Although it's equally likely that you've shut up in absolute fear of the whistling idiots in the front seat that have somehow replaced your primary caregivers.

Luckily, your musical tastes are becoming more sophisticated and have evolved beyond what your dad and I are capable of. Last month we attended your Auntie Em and Unlce Ryan's wedding. You were a huge hit, by the way.

Just one of the girls.

As favors for their wedding guests, your super-talented aunt and uncle made cds of their ceremony music which featured your Uncle Ryan playing piano. While you were in your doorway jumper one day, I popped the cd in and the sound of Unlce Ryan's piano music filled the room. You stopped jumping and looked around in wonder. You were mesmerized for a few quiet moments. You were in love.

Video Link: Norah loves the Piano

Okay. Clearly we have an aficionado on our hands. In an effort to nurture your musical interest, we signed you up for a baby music class with a bunch of your other baby friends. Your Dad and I were skeptical at first. I mean, come on - baby music class? Okay - I get that babies need to be exposed to music at a very young age and they make cds and dvds for that sort of thing. But what could you possibly gain from a music class at 7 months old? Well, it turns out you LOVE music class! It is probably the best 45 minutes of your week spent away from your dog.

We love the drum!

Norah and her friends at Music Class with Miss Liz at the drum.

Firecracker scarf!

Video Link: Peekaboo Scarf Song

This is how we shake our maraca!

Or we can eat it...

Ba Ba Black sheep...which is actually white. Some lessons should not be left up to music teachers.

Let's sing 'Hello everybody!'

Video Link: Music Class 'Hello Everybody'

So while you may not have a lot of toys at home, based on your enjoyment of these classes and your budding musical interest, I think your father and I agree that this was money well-spent. And sometimes the best entertainment is free. You are most entertained by noises you make on your own or with the help of your parents. In particular, you love hearing your own vibrato as we tap our finger on your open mouth. And you even try to do it yourself with your fists or by bouncing your open mouth off my shoulder as I hold you. But you seem to enjoy the benefits of our speed and dexterity which you have not yet gained. You even move your voice up and down as we vibrato, experimenting with different notes.



Video Link: Ah ba Ba BA BA BABABABA!!!


We'll have to be sure to show Miss Liz at our next music class and maybe she can get you on the fast track to an advanced music degree.

Norah and her friends Declan, Charlie, Sophie, Riley, Henry, and Reese. 
Group photos are getting more and more difficult!

We're already looking forward to next Saturday morning when we can get together with your friends and make some more music together. Until then, we'll enjoy our own musical environment here at home.

Love,
Mom