Music to My Ears

Benjamin is not a very big baby. He is not a super-smiley or super-fussy baby. He is not crawling or walking or pulling himself up to stand. He does not have any teeth. (yep - none at 10 months). He is a pretty regular guy by all accounts so far. BUT - he is very musical! Benjamin seems to have developed an early affinity for music and that has led to lots of fun in our world these days. I enrolled Benjamin in a Music Together class right here in Alexandria. Many of our friends talked about it and our friend Kelly has taken her 2-year-old Vivian to several of the sessions in the past. Kelly, Vivian, Benjamin and I all head out to class on Monday mornings for 45 minutes of fun. Ms. Ruthanne leads us, along with 4 other babies and parents, through several songs and activities. We all sit in a circle and sing along as we move our arms and feet. We often use props or instruments and we also have the opportunity to get up and move around every so often. Benjamin just loves his music class. He is not interested in rolling around, or squirming out of my arms. He sits and smiles at Ms. Ruthanne while we all sing. Instruments are sometimes just used as teethers but just last week he decided that he loved the triangle and the drum. I am so proud of my little musician.

Benjamin is having so much fun copying everything we do when it comes to music. We sing while we have lunch and dinner and he will try and clap to the beat with me. When we sit at the piano I play a high note, and he plays a high note. I reach for a low note, and he reaches for a low note. If I touch the piano gently, he does the same. If I bang my hands on the keyboard, he is happy to do the same, too!! It is kind of fun to see just how much he will repeat. Toys that are musical seems to have new excitement for him as he works to make them sing again and again. And his favorite songs continue to bring a smile to his face. Just the other day, I could have sworn I heard him singing to himself in the car. I turned down the radio and heard this little humming coming from the back seat. He was smiling and humming. So cute! Believe me, I've already had visions of taking little Ben to the theater for show rehearsals. Or sitting in the living room listening to him while he practices the latest concerto that he is perfecting for a competition. Or watching him sing at the Met. I am not crazy. I am simply preparing for life as a parent of a musical prodigy! Well - first things first. Maybe I had better focus my attention on making sure he learns to crawl and walk and grow a few teeth. THEN I can start filling out the paperwork for Julliard. Play on Benjamin! Play on!