Welcome to the World, Baby

"Welcome to the World" Newborn Song & Video

I welcomed my first baby (that’s him at five days old) to the world a little shy of two years ago. Not long after he was born, I was inspired to write the song “Welcome to the World” for all of my friends and family who were having babies of their own.

I’ll be welcoming my second baby, a girl, in a mere four weeks (give or take), and I wanted to do something special not only in anticipation of her arrival, but also to celebrate those of you who have welcomed your own beautiful babies into the world.

So I invited readers to send me photos of their newborns, and many of you graciously did! I had so much fun going through the photos and setting them to music for this video. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do each time I hit play.

Four weeks seems like an eternity after an already long 9 months of pregnancy, but I’m counting down to having a sweet baby girl in my arms — especially after seeing all these beautiful photos. Thank you so much to those of you who contributed.

Gather ‘Round the Drum

Gather 'Round the Drum

Last week, I announced my new songbook — Ring, Sing, Strum & Drum! — which releases on May 5. But I wanted to give a taste of this brand new song collection, so I made 3 of the 12 tunes (along with the sheet music) available when you preorder.

One of those tunes is “Gather ‘Round the Drum”, which I wrote specifically for the gathering drum. This is an instrument that I find myself including in sessions and early childhood classes week after week, because not only do my kiddos LOVE playing it, but it’s a great way to foster interaction and address social skills.

This song is a fun way to prompt everyone to come to the drum, and then from there it’s easy to adapt the lyrics so that the children have a chance to play the drum in all kinds of different ways.

Do you use a gathering drum in your own classes and sessions? If so, I hope this song comes in as handy for you as it has for me in the last few weeks I’ve been singing it. Grab your preorder copy of Ring, Sing, Strum & Drum! here.

P.S. Did you know that you can gain instant access to a vast collection of over 200 songs (mp3, lead sheet, and instrumental track), videos, tutorials, and visual aides, plus ALL new releases from Listen & Learn Music?

Learn more about Listen & Learn Plus

3rd Trimester

3rd Trimester Belly PhotosWe spent the first few days of my 3rd trimester in Florida, which was (as) relaxing (as vacation can possibly be with a toddler in tow). But there was nothing relaxing about the following month, which I spent feeling completely miserable with a never-ending sinus infection.

It didn’t help that I had a LOT going on in the month of March, including several performances, a new music therapy group, a speaking engagement at Illinois State University, and the list went on. Looking back, I have no idea how I survived that month without completely losing my sanity.

By the time April rolled around, I was finally starting to feel better and ready to try and enjoy my final trimester. And I have, for the most part — despite feeling pretty huge and uncomfortable. We’ve been making progress around the house (I finally unpacked my dining room with the help of my mother-in-law, hurray!) and I’m making plans for maternity leave.

The hard part is feeling like I’m overdoing it with just about every physical activity. Even simple things like taking Parker for a walk, leading a music class, or organizing around the house, completely wear me out. I fantasize about the day when just getting off the couch doesn’t require all my energy — and then I remember that I’m probably MONTHS away from that, if baby girl causes as much sleep deprivation as Parker did.

As I write this, I’m exactly 1 month away from my due date. I’m determined to make the most of these last few weeks of pregnancy, especially my one-on-one time with Parker before he loses his only child status. Oh, and sleep. A lot of sleep.

{Guitars & Granola Bars} Episode 14

GGB Episode 14: Brittany Scheer

What stood out to me the most during my interview with Brittany Scheer was her infectious positivity. This was one of those conversations I left feeling inspired and optimistic, simply because Brittany has such a great attitude towards her work, family, and life in general.

One of the podcast-related projects on my list is to go back and listen to all of the episodes and pull out guest quotes that resonate with me. I wrote down quite a few while I edited this one.

Brittany discusses her decision to leave her job as a hospice music therapist to open a private practice, the pros of doing so in a small town, and shares why she is the happiest she’s ever been in her life. in Episode 14 of the Guitars & Granola Bars podcast.

Be sure to check out the show notes page for more information about Brittany, along with links to the resources she mentions in the episode.

iTunesClick here to subscribe on iTunes, or search “Guitars & Granola Bars” in the podcast app on your Apple device.
Subscribe on Stitcher
Click here to listen and subscribe on Stitcher, or download and search the app on your mobile device.

Things are Getting Real

Parker Loves the Snoogle Pillow

Before I talk about just how real things are actually getting, I have to wonder why in the world I waited until week 35 to get out my Snoogle pregnancy pillow? It was a nighttime necessity from the beginning of my 2nd trimester on when I was pregnant with Parker.

It took our trip to Denver, where my newly postpartum sister-in-law so kindly left her Snoogle in the guest room, to remind me how amazing it is. As you can see from the photo, I’m not the only one in this house enjoying it :)

Anyway, on to the reality that I’m going to have a baby in a few weeks. People keep asking me if I’m getting excited, and the truth is, I haven’t really even had time to process it yet. Life has been so full and busy between keeping up with Parker and everything I have going on at work that the thought of a newborn in my arms rarely crosses my mind.

Does that sound terrible? I’m kind of hoping that’s a normal second-time mom thing.

But a couple things happened today that served as a BIG reminder of what’s to come. First was a meeting with Janet, my wonderful doula (who was the main reason Parker’s birth was such an amazing experience).

Talking to Janet about the labor and delivery process and figuring out my birth plan, which I haven’t really even thought about up until now, was a heaping dose of reality — in a good way. Of course I’m nervous, but staying positive was key the first time around and I plan to do the same this time.

And then tonight when I returned home from work, the furniture was all put together in the nursery. It’s been sitting in boxes in our garage for a couple weeks, but now I officially have two cribs in my house. Craziness. I have a feeling the nesting bug will hit me this weekend since I can finally start decorating baby girl’s room.

At this point in my first pregnancy, the nursery was completely finished, my hospital bag was packed, the house was completely organized, and I was already starting to wrap up loose ends at work. Of course, back then I also had time for naps and pedicures.

I’ll be back soon (although, no promises) with a recap of 3rd trimester so far. Until then, feel free to enjoy the pregnancy archives, most of which was written in my B.C. (before child) days.