Writing music into the night & tired of it

Image by .Live.Your.Life. via FlickrHello Everyone,

I have been very busy writing music and writing articles on music, and teaching music. Music. Music. Music. And more Music! All in one night I have taught two online music history courses, composed an intro for an upcoming album, and completed jazz curriculum for a client on the West Coast. Busy. Busy. Busy.

I wish I was not so busy. My baby girl's first birthday is coming up soon and I cannot believe that the first year is over already! It makes me sad inside. I don't know. The first three months were very, very hard. I felt so very alone, even though my church friends visited often and brought me dinner and even cleaned my bathroom (thanks C.J.!) My mom-in-law did visit for a week, which did help immensely. My own parents have not seen her, yet. We hope to drive down to S. Florida in the spring to see them.

Soon she won't want to drink a bottle, soon she will be too big to cradle and cuddle in my arms, soon she will be talking up a storm and the baby babbles will disappear like dust. I hope that I have been the mom that she has needed. I hope that I have been the wife my husband needs. I feel like I am pulled from all directions. I can't do everything, but I try, I try so hard...to be a good mom, a good wife, a good teacher, a good musician...and I feel so many times like I am just failing at everything.

Every night I work till midnight. Its the only time I can concentrate on my work without entirely neglecting my family (and yes, I guess I neglect myself). It's not that I do not enjoy music. I love it! I just envisioned that when I got married and had my first baby that I would take care of her and write my music during my free time. Now I take care of her, teach online courses in my free time, attempt to be a wife, and work more into the late hours of the night. I am always tired. Always exhausted. Not very happy, to be honest.

Maybe I shouldn't be complaining. I really shouldn't. Things could be so much worse. I know single moms who never see their children, parents that have to scrounge just to make ends meet, and so many people without a job. I know I should be thankful for work. Hey, we are breaking even this month (almost)! That is something to celebrate, but when can I be a mom, just be a mom? When will I be a wife, and not have to be a teacher and writer and composer...not that I mind, but not all at the same time, and not 30 hours a week every week.

Sorry so sad tonight. Didn't mean to unload. Why is it easier to talk to cyberspace than a real person? Dunno.

Going to bed...I think...

Night,

Mamí Mozart

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Easy Music Eartraining for Your Child!

(Image from Easy Ear Training.com)

Hello Everyone!

I write regularly for Easy Ear Training.com, a music iPhone application developer in the UK. I am one of several music experts on the site. It is an amazing music resource, with articles about everything from musical training to recording to singing.

I am working on a new series for the site called Music & Life. This new ear training series focuses on ways for parents to teach music to their kids, no matter what their background!

You can check out the Introduction to Music & Life here.

So how have you shared music with your child? Share in the comments below!

Smiles,

Mamí Mozart

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Baby Growing up

Image via WikipediaHello Everyone,

My baby girl is slowly growing up. She "runs" around everywhere, teeth are coming in, and she finally started feeding herself Cheerios. Yesterday my friend asked me how I was feeling since baby's first birthday is around the corner. I suppose the feelings are mixed. My friends and family, everyone, said that the baby stage is a short one and that I should enjoy every minute. It would be so short.

Now she has begun to toddle (granted she started early before 9 months even). She still talks in baby babble, but now she hates drinking from a bottle (and she stopped nursing months ago). She still looks cute in onesies, but she was too grown up to sit in my lap during music class this week.

I am glad that she is independent, or as independent as babies can be. She is pretty fearless like her papa and like her mommy tries to be. She welcomes new challenges and is excited to meet new people. She loves to cuddle, but on her own terms. She is stubborn but has a sweet, sweet spirit. She loves to laugh and smile. My baby girl might have her daddy's eyebrows and physique, but she has her mommy's big brown eyes and heart.

Baby is growing up. And mommy is growing up, too. Cherish your little one and hold her tight. The seconds are fleeting and soon she will be grown.

Smiles,
Mamí Mozart

Mom Alert: High Fructose Corn Syrup Name to be "Corn Sugar"

Image via WikipediaHola Awesome Mamas,

The latest hubbub regarding the detrimental effects of high fructose corn syrup which now constitutes a large percentage of the calories consumed by Americans (see this Princeton experiment where rats eating high fructose corn syrup gained more weight than rats eating regular sugar).

The corn industry, according to a New York Times article will change its name to "corn sugar" in order to "better inform" (or perhaps confuse?) consumers.

Scientifically, high fructose corn syrup (or "corn sugar") is not incredibly different than regular sugar. What IS different is that almost every processed food product has a high percentage of high fructose corn syrup (sugar). Some food products have only a tablespoon or two of sugar, while others have as much as a cupful or two of extra sugar.

As a mom, imagine giving your child an extra cup of sugar each day without even realizing it. For this, companies like Heinz have taken high fructose corn syrup out of some products. Increased sugar (no matter what kind) is not healthy for children or adults. The sugar calories are empty (no nutrients or vitamins) and can lead to obesity and diabetes (rampant in Hispanic families).

What are some ways to decrease sugar content overall?

1) Do not buy any products with high fructose corn syrup or any type of sugar (ends with -ose) as one of the first few ingredients of a product.

2) Take out soda entirely.

3) Make your own salad dressings

4) Reduce the amount of processed products with high fructose corn syrup

5) Buy products that have low levels of sugar

Keep your family healthy!

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Image via WikipediaHola Everyone,

Baby has a cold this week. There is nothing sadder than watching your baby sick and tired, whining because she doesn't feel well. Thankfully, it's just a cold, but coupled with teething and a rash, she is one miserable little child. She usually is so very, very happy, but this week she has been clingy and tired.

We enjoyed watching Shirley Temple movies since she is sick this week. Normally she doesn't care for videos at all, but something about Shirley Temple's sweet voice and sunshine smile really touches everyone in the room. My baby girl dances around with the songs coming from the video, and waves bye bye to Shirley. Somehow, even though she is sick, this week has become another special memory: my baby girl, Shirley Temple, and me.

Smiles,
Mami Mozart

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Important Pampers Dry Max Diaper Recall Update

Image via WikipediaMy sister mentioned a possible diaper recall when my baby daughter got a chemical burn on her back from Pampers Dry Max diapers. My sister wasn't sure of the diaper brand, and to be honest, I thought that the weird rash on my daughter's back would disappear after a day. It has been a week, and Beudreaux's Butt Paste has only slightly alleviated the bizarre rash.

I just got off the phone with Proctor & Gamble. Yes, officially there have been no indications that the Pampers Diaper Max diapers have any specific ingredient (but we all know how reliable the government is in protecting our children from corporations...Salmonella in your spinach or Children's Tylenol anyone?). However, there is a five-inch patch of skin peeled from my daughter's back (above the diaper area where the waistband would be), and some scabby looking things. No matter what the pleasant (if somewhat flustered) woman on the phone from Proctor & Gamble stated, my baby does not have a diaper rash.


(PS Dear Proctor & Gamble, please do not think for one instant that you can convince America's moms that a chemical burn is a diaper rash. No diaper rash on my baby has ever peeled off a layer of skin.)

To be honest, we have used Pampers before, with no problem. In fact, she had worn several diapers from the same Pampers box with no obvious rash (mixed with Huggies diapers). The rash did not happen until last week when I ran out of Huggies and started to use Pampers Dry Max only. The rash started on the same day. Maybe it was only the one box? Or maybe, like many parents have indicated, the new Pampers Dry Max formula has a questionable ingredient in it. Maybe the heat activated the bizarre ingredient in the Pampers Dry Max diapers, or maybe, as the Proctor & Gamble representative stated, "Maybe there is something in the diaper that your baby has a sensitivity to."

In any case, my daughter is not alone. And I am not buying Pampers, ever again, for my child. How do I know if any other possible Pampers chemicals in their recently changed formula will hurt my baby? I am not willing to take that chance.

What can you do?

1) Switch diapers IMMEDIATELY.

2) Call your pediatrician for medical advice.

3) Call Proctor and Gamble and complain.

4) Call the US. Products and Safety Commission and file a report.


Please share if your child has had any reactions to Pampers Dry Max diapers.

Sources:

Horton, Bella. "Diaper Recall Looming? Government inspecting Proctor & Gamble Dry Max Diapers". CNM News Network.

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The Perfect Labor Day Weekend

Image via WikipediaHola Everyone,

Labor Day weekend was simple but wonderful. On Saturday we went to Toys R Us and bought baby a new car seat. She is so small in it still! She loved facing forward and making faces with us in the mirror (one second...baby has decided that she wants to run around with a contract she found under my computer desk....).

Sunday was church, of course, and baby decided that she is much to big to just sit during service. She ran around the back church area, nearly escaped down the aisle several times, and even found a ball to toss. Needless to say, I had to take her to the nursery before the sermon started. Sunday I didn't play congas in the praise band and was looking forward to simply sitting with my hubby. Well, I spent the time watching baby run around and play (and avoid her morning nap until fifteen minutes before church ended).

On Labor Day, hubby had to work some with the Murray State University basketball team and tennis team. We still had time for a mini-cookout. Hubby made some burgers, I took the inflatable pool to the grassy area behind our apartment, and we enjoyed a picnic (even if I messed up Abuela's nearly perfect chicken salad recipe).

We had such a lovely day. I was happy to take a day off (nearly) and he was too (nearly) and we enjoyed each others company and the baby's company, as well. Simple but fun. And I couldn't have asked for a more perfect holiday weekend.

:-)

Mami Mozart

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