Dreamin'

So is this the bill that Bush vetoed? Crazy!

Yes, a baby containment device is crucial to a parent's sanity. Slings are great for this too! Not a "musical toy," but it's good for trunk and neck development, and babies love 'em. (You can always play music while they wiggle.) A toy drum, piano, or xylophone would probably be a big hit with an older baby who can sit up without support.

I do think the warnings are valid, but as long as babies get lots of time to wiggle around on the floor (and the jumper is used in moderation), they should be just fine.

My daughter loved her Rainforest Jumperoo, but we made sure that she also had lots of "tummy time" on the floor. She was born with torticollis, so I played Abbey Road for her while we did exercises on a blanket to stretch and strengthen her neck muscles. Now, she is obsessed with that album and will stop crying immediately if we play Octopus's Garden. (Her neck is fine now, too!)

This was one of the first CDs that I bought for my baby daughter. It's a lot of fun. Wee Hairy Beasties A musical mobile would be a great gift for a newborn.

Hooray, Kate!

Way to go, Kate! I don't know if you've ever come across the Japanese approach to anxiety (sometimes called Morita therapy or "Constructive Living"), but it helped me cope with my fear of public speaking when I was in grad school and now I use it with my students/clients. I like it because it's based on Eastern philosophy and it doesn't pathologize anxiety (like we tend to do in the West). Here's a link, if you're curious. Japanese Psychology

Sorry that I'm late to the party. Hope it was a great day!

My daughter is obsessed with Abbey Road. She can be crying her head off, but if she hears Octopus's Garden, she'll stop and smile like, "Dude, I love that song!"

Happy birthday to you Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Mr. SkyKev Happy birthday to you

!!!

I wonder who Jeff will give it to?

The nude pic of Joni standing on the shore, looking out to sea, on For the Roses.

A friend of mine ran into Joni waiting in line at a grocery store in the Sechelt, BC. (Buying smokes, perhaps?) I think the cover of For the Roses was shot there... probably the nude pic, too.

Some random Canadiana for your birthday: Hope it was a good one!

Inspired by the Joni thread:

My favourite Joni album is For the Roses, the "transitional album" between Blue and Court and Spark. An underrated gem! Papa's faith is people Mama she believes in cleaning Papa's faith is in people Mama she's always cleaning Papa brought home the sugar Mama taught me the deeper meaning She don't like my kick pleat skirt She don't like my eyelids painted green She don't like me staying up late In my high-heeled shoes Living for that rock 'n' roll dancing scene Papa says "Leave the girl alone, mother She's looking like a movie queen" Mama thinks she spoilt me Papa knows somehow he set me

She has a really great website.

Here's what the Guardian has to say. CD review: Shine

I thought Joni said that she was quitting the music biz.

Well, Vancouver is in BC (British California) and Nels has a big following here. Can't wait!

In Canada, our politicians have no real security so they just take matters into their own hands. (Or get their wife to whack the guy on the head with a soapstone carving.) Jean was pretty badass. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

I fell in love with Melbourne when my husband and I visited Australia in 2003, but the most memorable part of our trip was the Great Barrier Reef and camping at Jervis Bay in NSW. We were travelling with a couple who just happen to be a marine biologist and an ornthologist, so that was definitely a bonus. I regret that we didn't visit Tasmania, but I guess that gives us a reason to go back.

Happy birthday!