Sally and I were playing songs for each other from our iPods today. Sally is 2 and her iPod was actually a calculator. It was full of hits like "Wheels on the Bus," "ABC song," and "Twinkle Widdle Dar." I played for her a little Earth, Wind and Fire, Jackson 5, and Loretta Lynn.
Then she played me an exclusive preview of the Dixie Chicks' brand new single. And I really wished we weren't pretending. I miss them.
I guess with 8 kids between them, the Chicks need a break. But when a new DC album does come out, I really hope it doesn't have "Wheels on the Bus" on it.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Practice Practicing
Today I thought I'd try to play a little mandolin for George. A lot of kids can't really sit still to listen to a song, but I figured since he can't do anything BUT lay still, he'd be a captive audience. And I really needed to practice.
I forgot that he can also cry. And while I don't think it was my playing that upset him (though I do have a lot of work to do), he just got all fussy every time I got going. I'll try again. Hopefully he'll get out of this phase where he wants to be held while he's sleeping and I'll start working on helping him sleep through anything. Even the melodious twinkle of my mando strings....
I forgot that he can also cry. And while I don't think it was my playing that upset him (though I do have a lot of work to do), he just got all fussy every time I got going. I'll try again. Hopefully he'll get out of this phase where he wants to be held while he's sleeping and I'll start working on helping him sleep through anything. Even the melodious twinkle of my mando strings....
Friday, October 2, 2009
Editorial Comment
My girlfriend requested that she be called "Perry" instead of "Ellie." It's short for Periwinkle and it is apparently her soul name. Now her true essence will sparkle through this dramatization of her life.
I've been thinking a lot about names as I try to re-name the kids I'm writing about. Would their parents like the names I've chosen for them? Will I be able to keep them all straight? Or start calling them by their fake names when I see them in real life? Also, what's my name going to be? Nanny Montana, of course, but don't I need another name, too? Any ideas?
I've been thinking a lot about names as I try to re-name the kids I'm writing about. Would their parents like the names I've chosen for them? Will I be able to keep them all straight? Or start calling them by their fake names when I see them in real life? Also, what's my name going to be? Nanny Montana, of course, but don't I need another name, too? Any ideas?
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tired
I so wish I could work from my bed today. With the electric blanket on.
But there is a baby mama that needs me. Here I go, grumble, grumble.
If I were a full time rock star, I could sleep in! Actually, I'd probably have an interview on Good Morning America or The View or something, so I'd have been up hours ago getting made-up and blow-dried. Isn't that just the way? You think life is going to get easier and it just gets harder, busier. I should be happy for the chance to sleep until 8.
That's what I'll tell myself today anyway. Plus, I'll probably get to take a little snooze along with snuggly George if I play my lullabies right.
But there is a baby mama that needs me. Here I go, grumble, grumble.
If I were a full time rock star, I could sleep in! Actually, I'd probably have an interview on Good Morning America or The View or something, so I'd have been up hours ago getting made-up and blow-dried. Isn't that just the way? You think life is going to get easier and it just gets harder, busier. I should be happy for the chance to sleep until 8.
That's what I'll tell myself today anyway. Plus, I'll probably get to take a little snooze along with snuggly George if I play my lullabies right.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Sleeping like a baby
So I pulled my double babysitting shift, picked up my girlfriend Ellie, and made it to Boston in plenty of time to see the show. I did not have spit-up on my shirt. Actually little George soaked my thigh with a milky burp, and I didn't have a change of pants, but no one noticed.
The show was great, so much energy and big drums. Most of the crowd was college aged which made me feel old, but I had some nice conversations with the artists afterward, and left feeling inspired to write. Thanks to a big Dunkin' Donuts Iced Coffee and a stack full of new CDs, I stayed wide awake the whole drive home. I was actually too wired to sleep and made faces at myself in the mirror for a while, then about 2:30am I decided it was time to try to wind down in bed.
When I snuck under the covers, Ellie snuggled over close and flipped her leg over me, pinning my legs together down to the mattress. At first I was annoyed and uncomfortable. How would I toss and turn now? But then I started to calm down, really relax. I remembered how earlier that day baby George was trying in vain to fall asleep and I held him tight to my body. When he cried and tried to kick out or punch or arch his back, my arms were firm, keeping his limbs in place. And I felt that each time he tried to squirm, but met the resistance of my embrace, he relaxed a little. When he felt sure that I wouldn't drop him, that there was a stronger someone holding him safe, his wails turned to little murmurs and hums and he was sleeping like, well, a baby.
And then I was, too.
The show was great, so much energy and big drums. Most of the crowd was college aged which made me feel old, but I had some nice conversations with the artists afterward, and left feeling inspired to write. Thanks to a big Dunkin' Donuts Iced Coffee and a stack full of new CDs, I stayed wide awake the whole drive home. I was actually too wired to sleep and made faces at myself in the mirror for a while, then about 2:30am I decided it was time to try to wind down in bed.
When I snuck under the covers, Ellie snuggled over close and flipped her leg over me, pinning my legs together down to the mattress. At first I was annoyed and uncomfortable. How would I toss and turn now? But then I started to calm down, really relax. I remembered how earlier that day baby George was trying in vain to fall asleep and I held him tight to my body. When he cried and tried to kick out or punch or arch his back, my arms were firm, keeping his limbs in place. And I felt that each time he tried to squirm, but met the resistance of my embrace, he relaxed a little. When he felt sure that I wouldn't drop him, that there was a stronger someone holding him safe, his wails turned to little murmurs and hums and he was sleeping like, well, a baby.
And then I was, too.
Big Day Tomorrow
In the morning I've got to get up early and pull a double shift babysitting. I just picked up 4 more hours in the afternoon, even though I'm planning to drive to Boston to see a show. I just can't say No. If I can possibly squeeze it in, I feel like I should. For the money, but also because the parents seem like they really need it.
So I'll spend 4 hours with 2 year old Mikey and then drive straight to over to snuggle baby George for 4 hours, then try to psych myself up to drive the 2.5 hours straight to Boston. I'm going to see a group tour of musicians from Tennessee, one of whom I'd really love to record a song I wrote. I'm not sure if I'll have the courage to ask her, or to give her a demo.
I hope I don't have spit up on my shoulder. I'll have to remember to take a change of clothes.
So I'll spend 4 hours with 2 year old Mikey and then drive straight to over to snuggle baby George for 4 hours, then try to psych myself up to drive the 2.5 hours straight to Boston. I'm going to see a group tour of musicians from Tennessee, one of whom I'd really love to record a song I wrote. I'm not sure if I'll have the courage to ask her, or to give her a demo.
I hope I don't have spit up on my shoulder. I'll have to remember to take a change of clothes.
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