Lullabies and happy music

I'm trying to make a playlist of music for baby. I have this thing called a Lullabelly - it's like a soft belt with speakers in it, I can hook my mp3 player up to it and it plays music to my belly. Apparently the little one is able to hear by now (although she won't start 'active listening' until 24 weeks).

So I'm trying to make a playlist - music that is good for little ears, that I can stand for pregnancy and beyond (since babies can recognize music they've often heard in the womb). It's hard. My husband wants to go classical, but I've read that the "Mozart Effect" has been disputed - and only really lasted for 15 minutes after exposure to the music.

Not that I have anything against classical music (I used to play oboe in a community orchestra and can certainly appreciate it), I just would rather listen to something that I can sing along to. So... help me out. Here's what I've got so far:

Sleepy/night music
Merman - Tori Amos
St. Judy's Comet - Paul Simon
Lullaby - Dixie Chicks

Happy/day music
Velvet Pony - Psapp
Wake Up - The Ditty Bops
I'm Into Something Good - The Bird and the Bee
Was a Sunny Day - Paul Simon

I'm not a huge fan of traditional kids' music. I know several artists have done contemporary versions, but so far I haven't heard any I like. Jewel's Lullaby cd, for instance, makes me cringe (and I like some of her music).

If you have any recommendations for me, give 'er! Thanks!

Easter deal on Sing-A-Long Favorites!

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Madacy Entertainment. All opinions are 100% mine.

One of the things I can’t wait to do with my child(ren?) is sing. I already do this with the dog (yes, I sing to our dog. Hush.). My repertoire is limited, though, mostly to music from the 90’s. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but Tori Amos’ Waitress might not be exactly the ideal song for young ears.

So I’ll be looking out for music that is a little more age-appropriate. For you moms who are ready for it now, here’s a little deal you may be interested in. On Easter Sunday (coming up soon: April 4, 2010), Amazon MP3 Will offer an "MP3 Daily Deal" on the digital album "Ultimate Countdown Kids Collection: 200 Sing-A-Long Favorites". This digital album normally sells for $11.99, but it’s going to be on sale for less than half off at $3.99.



This as an amazing collection of children's favourites that is perfect for sing a long fun! Many of them you will remember from your own childhood, and there are also songs that were new to me – maybe they’ll be new to you, too. I know that I can remember the chorus, or the first verse of children’s songs, but often not the whole song. I need a little help with that.

If you're looking for a fun way to spend some time with the kids, check this out!

U2 and a Style at Home contest

Wow! The U2 concert was awesome, despite me being exhausted from staying up way too late the previous night. They sound as good (better!) in concert than on their albums - I love that. Some musicians seem to be exclusively studio musicians and rely on so much equipment to make their sound. It was perfectly clear why U2 is a band that has longevity, style and amazing talent last night! We had great seats too :)

All that raving and I'm not even a huge fan - I like their music, but it's my husband who is the die-hard fan. He's been to a concert for every tour they've done in North America since the early nineties. He went to see them twice this time around; last night and the night before! (He did score a free ticket for the Wednesday night concert.)

Anyway, loved it. Didn't take photos, just enjoyed.

Okay, the other thing I want to share is the latest contest from Style at Home magazine. Of all the home decor magazines, there are two that I have subscribed to for years and faithfully read cover to cover. My favourite is Style at Home. I love that they feature regular homes of regular people that have great style. When I read the magazine I get so inspired for my own home, and love when the items in the homes are not outrageously expensive (take note, Canadian House & Home! I love you too but I don't have money trees in my life!).

Plus I was so honoured to have one of my paintings on the cover of Style at Home back in January (and featured in a gorgeous display room at last year's Fall Home Show)! Can you imagine how cool it was to open up my mailbox, feel happy to see the latest issue of one of my favourite magazines, and then realize MY painting was on the cover?! So I have a soft spot for Style at Home. My work has been in magazines before, but never on the cover!

So - to the contest. The Style at Home Makeover Contest 2009 is an awesome chance for two lucky winners to receive a $2000 gift card for Home Depot, and twenty other lucksters to win $50 gift cards from Home Depot. Um, YES PLEASE!

Here's the deal... you submit a photo and explanation of the room in your house that desperately needs a makeover, and then we all vote (voting starts on the 25th of September). The most desperate can win one of the two giant prizes, and voters/commenters can win one of the 20 HD GC's. Ends October 8th... plenty of time to get the camera out. It's for Canadian residents only, and is a daily entry (by that I'm thinking voting/commenting daily, not posting the same room entry day after day!).

Good luck folks - if you enter, I'd love to hear about it!