Musicality

I've always loved music, and I've been singing to Grant since the day he was born. At nap and bedtimes we sing lullabies and Primary songs (which usually work like a charm), but I've picked up a new hobby that has enhanced our other singing times throughout the day. Actually, I started getting so good at it that I realized Grant wasn't hearing normal verbal communication, so I had to cut back.

Well, "getting so good at it" is a tad misleading. You see, I read in a book that it is good to incorporate babies' names and specific activities/events into the stories you tell and songs you sing to them. I've never been one to improv (and in a minute I think you'll see why), but I've given it my best efforts and try to make up lyrics to familiar tunes on the spot. Songs are no good without rhymes but that takes a little more time and effort. Sometimes, Jake and I will take turns making up phrases, which gives me practice at rhyming on my feet.

Here are a few common (tried-and-true, polished, classic, and minorly dreadful) lyrics that I sing:

Morning Wake-Up Songs
(to the tune of, "Little Peter Cottontail")
Little baby Pumpkinhead*, sitting on his pumpkin bed,
Loves to eat and loves to play with toys, play with toys!
He's my favorite baby boy, he is always such a joy,
How I love my munchkin pumpkin head, pumpkin head.
*yes, we call him Pumpkinhead. It's a term of endearment stemming from a humorous comment made at a Boy Scout campout Jake attended last year. It's fitting, too, because Grant has a big, round head with sprouting, orange hair...

(to the tune of "Good Morning, Baltimore" from Hairspray)
Good morning Granty-poo, You're so cute I could kiss you,
You're so sweet I could almost cry, You're so sweet I could almost die.

Oh, and this is only a small sampling of my talents and abilities (though unfortunately I sometimes get stumped after two lines). Can you see why Grant might not want to wake up in the mornings?

Here's one I'll make up on the spot to the tune of the Primary song, "This Month Is Such a Special One":

This month is such a special one, it's Halloween, you know.
We really like to celebrate and put on quite a show!
Zippadee-ay and heighdee-ho, there's candy here for you.
We'll trick-or-treat around the town, Happy Halloween to you!

That took me exactly one minute to create. I hope you're not all jealous of me now.