The Best Experiment

We're going swimming at the country club with my friend Kaity and Gracie today, which makes me feel very Mad Men, but before we go, there's something I've been meaning to tell you about for a while, and I keep forgetting (particularly when I sit down and think, "What should I write about?" I draw a complete blank and end up checking Facebook, instead.  Bad blogger!)

This post should be called "The Best Experiment I Never Meant To Do" but that's too long.

When I was pregnant with Jack I got a new CD - Ben Folds Presents: University a Cappella! - and there's this beautiful song (track 8) called Magic.  I've posted it before.



It has become the official soundtrack of 2011.

But rewind to 2010, when I was pregnant and the CD was new and I hadn't heard this song 73,283 times.  Since I was a teenager, whenever I find a song that I want to learn the words to, I sing it over and over and over until the words stick.  That's what you do, too, right?  I'm not the only one holding very repetitive concerts in my car, am I?

Apparently I decided to learn this song at a very critical moment in Jack's prenatal development, because he remembers it, too.

Shortly after he was born we were in the car and he was fussing.  Magic came on the radio, and he stopped.  Instantly.  And when the song was over, he started fussing again.  So I played the song again.  And he stopped.

Coincidence?  Maybe.  But it has been working consistently for over 6 months, now.  The song Magic is magic when it comes to Jack. 

If you're pregnant, I encourage you to choose a song that you love (preferably a slow, soothing one, although Baby Got Back worked for Ross and Rachel's baby), and sing it over and over and over while you're pregnant.  Sing it at least once every time you get in the car.  Then report back after your baby's born and tell me if your baby's magic song is magical, too.

Just be sure to choose a song you won't get sick of easily, because if you're like us, you'll hear it a squajillion times before your kid is one.

(Stay tuned, because we've got the castle bunkbeds painted, and I'm going to be posting pictures as soon as BJ can take a break from work to get everything assembled again!)