Storytime With Babies...

I see that there are pregnant bloggers all over the internet right now and, being a well-seasoned mother for, ummm, over two years, (okay, okay.  I also was a nanny and a storyteller for a bookstore so I have a few credentials, okay?) I feel inspired to share some of my favorite bedtime storybooks.  There are a ton, of course, but here are a few of my top four:

Jamberry

The illustrations in this are so vibrant and the verses are TONS of fun to read aloud.  In fact, this is the very first book I ever read to my baby (I even read it when he was in my womb <3 book="" ever.="" favorite="" his="" is="" much="" my="" nbsp="" p="" pretty="">

Ten Apples Up on Top!

This book is awesome. It's funny, teaches counting and has a lion in it.  It was actually written by Dr Seuss (under the pseudonym of Theo LeSieg).  My baby LOVED this book so much, even when he was super-tiny.

Gossie

This is the first in a series of books is so delightful - sweet, simple and quirky.  The spare look of the illustrations does a wonderful job of keeping the attention of babies (and mamas and daddies).

Moo, Baa, La La La!

Sandra Boynton can pretty much do no wrong when it comes to books.  Her books are SO funny, quirky and super easy-to-read.  This one is kind of the most basic and shortest of her books but Peter had this memorized early (he also adores Let's Dance, Little Pookie).

Happy Birthday, Little One

Exactly one year ago this minute, my baby Peter was born!


How lucky am I?

Intangible? Not Anymore! Physical CDs are Available!

Art by Miriam Wallace (my mama!)

I know you are all very desperate to buy lullaby cds to send to all your friends who are new mamas or daddies or are going to be new mamas or daddies or for yourself (as a perfectly relaxing collection of tunes) but how? Well, never fear!  I now have physical cds available!  Just click on that button on my side bar and you can order one (or four!).  


If you want a note that is dedicated to the recipient, just let me know in the notes!  I can also send it directly to the giftee.  


So... Yay!


Also, on Wednesday, the second episode of Emma Wallace's Rose-Colored Radio Show will be aired.  Please check back!  


P.S. Kate Gabrielle featured me in an interview on her blog!  Read and find out the deepest darkest secrets of my life EVER! Or at least a couple things you may not have known...

What If I Like Sleeping Past Nine? What Then? Song Sketch

My little sweetie!

 Alternate Version - Come Here To Me by iamemma 

I had considered using this song in my Love Songs and Lullabies album but thought I haven't been around quite long enough to be self-referential...  Ha!  But here is the version I did when I recorded that first version of A Reason to Stay Up All Night. It's pretty close to the original, but there are some differences!


Feel free to download, of course!


Thank you all for your encouragement about Rose-Colored Radio Show and all those listens!  I'll have another episode up in the next week or so so be sure to check back!

Under Construction - Week Five Song Sketch

Pic from here

 I'm Wishing by iamemma 

This is actually not a song from the album.  It is a song I thought about putting on the album but decided that since I was doing So This is Love from Cinderella, just one Disney princess song was good.  But I thought I'd post it up anyway and give you a break from my little partial songs!


I also wrote an update about the album on a special Sunday post here.

The Baby (album) is Almost Here!

My newest album, Love Songs and Lullabies, is coming out next month! Just in time for Mother's Day-ish! Yay! It'll be perfect for both babies and people who want to be babied (and don't we all need that sometimes?). It'll be a mix of originals and covers - a couple instrumentals, the rest vocals, and all completely soooooothing.

After polling and asking people whether to release it digital-only or both c.d. and digitally I've decided that the subject matter of the album will mean it's given a lot as a gift to new parents and such. So I'm going to release it as a physical c.d. too.

Part of the reason I've balked at the c.d. thing is also the un-eco-friendliness of the jewel cases so I'm so excited to have discovered an adorable little eco-friendly c.d. wallet duplicated by a little independent company. Hooray!

Which brings me to this:

Getting a short run of the c.d. costs about $300. Since I hadn't budgeted that into my album-creation-costs, I thought just maybe you might be willing to help a bit.

Of course, I know you have already helped me out a ton with this album - offering song suggestions, feedback, translations, pronunciation and lyric help, etc., etc. So firstly, thank you so much.

If you're willing to help out financially too and you donate any amount to my PayPal address, I'll send you a digital download card with the album on it for free once the album is released plus your choice of either a limited signed print by the artist who created my album cover (it's her picture up top!) or an original song* emailed to you.

Thank you again for all your help and feedback in the past and for all your constant support.

You are the best in the whole world.
Love,

Emma

*This song will never be available to anyone else by sale or ever released on an album.


Just wanted to thank you all! I've met and actually, overmet my goal! 

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

I have a new dilemma, as a new mama - my peak creative time is night.

And by night, I mean morning, as in 2 - 4 a.m.

Well, my darling baby sleeps quite unpredictably but I can still predict that me being up until 4 a.m. when he tends to rise around 6 or 7ish is only going to bring out the worst in me. And definitely nothing creative. So I'm having to try super-hard to start my creative process earlier but I seem to do nothing but refresh Twitter and read random blogs until around 10:30 p.m. before my creativity just starts to emerge. And then, at 11 p.m., it's time for bed.

I typically don't end up going to bed until 1 a.m. or later but the less-than-five hours of sleep is beginning to wear on me - especially since I know if I did start work earlier, I could be getting seven to eight hours a night! Heaven.

Any advice would be most welcome. And as for you, what is your peak creative time?

Joined at the Hip - Babyette Feature Friday

First here, second here, third here

I have only been a mama for just over four months and I have to tell you, doing things, anything, is difficult when you are carrying a baby. Here's the other thing - babies like to be held. All. The. Time. Which is completely wonderful because there are few things nicer in this world than holding a baby. So I have been completely addicted to my ring sling given to me by a dear friend. She got it from the Etsy shop BabyEtte and I have used it to take my baby grocery shopping, on walks and even to Disney!

So if you or any friends/relatives have a baby, these are beautiful - unique colors, very sturdy and they even have decorative stitching! Which is your favorite?

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

Baby Peter is here!

Exciting news!!!

I had my baby on Thursday, September 23rd. He managed to come right on his due date (barely, at 11:56!). His name is Peter Gerard and he was born 7 pounds, 15 ounces, 21 inches long, with a full head of dark hair and dimples on both cheeks!

Here a few photos of him:

Baby's Got Bag

I am... officially full-term today! In other words, if I could safely have the baby.

Right. This. Very. Second.

But I'm not. Alas.

So, although I've been spending a lot of time doing musical and useful things, I've been spending a lot of time mooning on the internet looking at baby and mama stuff (oh no! I'm one too now!). These Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags are so gorgeous (her website is even lovely). This one is my favorite style. I wish they were a bit more affordable because they are my dream diaper bags. Sigh.

What do you think?

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

Adoooorable Art

Top picture here, second one here and third here

This is really the first purchase I made for Baby (well, I've actually been acquiring adorable baby things for several years! Ha!) - some art prints for the wall! I know, it's exceedingly practical.

Ahem, we haven't quite purchased a cradle/crib/bassinet for Baby to sleep in yet. But his walls will be adorable!

I found these prints on Etsy shop Trafalgar's Square back when I was looking for cute Christmas cards in December. I love the simple look of the art. These are three of the six prints I purchased - never to early to instill a love of elephants, balloons and books!

I have an announcement I'm making on Sunday's Song Sketch post! I actually tweeted about it last night, but it'll be an official announcement this Sunday so please come back by!

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If youdownload it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

Eight Weeks to Go...

Okay, I can't keep from blogging about baby stuff anymore! I officially have only eight weeks left so I think I may have held out long enough... Right?

There are so many ridiculously cute baby things so it's hard to narrow it down to something that deserves a full post, but these Fuzz that Wuzz stuffed animals are so adorable! Not only is the design cute, but the stuffed animals themselves are made from recycled plastic bottles! So you're not really adding to the baby's already oversized (smitten parents' fault, I know) carbon footprint!

P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!

Rock-a, Rock-a-bye, My Baby... Song Sketch

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So, I guess you can see... I'm expecting my first baby at the end of September! Hooray!

I actually wrote this song around three years ago for my niece before she was born, but I have yet to write my upcoming baby's lullaby... It's on my mind!

If you want a copy for yourself, just leave a comment and let me know! And if it's your first request, please leave your email as well.

P.S. I've entered this in Anna's MuchLove post - I have much love for my new, growing belly!

P.P.S. Feel free to follow me! I promise only ever to lead you to bright, sunny places!

P.P.P.S. I have a brand, new original album out! If you download it and looooove it, please write a lovely review on the site from which you purchased it!