Moves Like Jagger

Macie has always responded to music. In the womb she would kick and roll as I listened to music and danced around my house (yes, I’m a dork). When Macie was a newborn I spent HOURS each day dancing and swaying to music- the only thing that would soothe her fussy periods or lull her to sleep. When Macie started fussing all I had to do was turn on Beyonce and dance with her- that’s all it took to calm her down (most of the time).  When Macie needed to sleep we turned on Michael Buble and swayed with her until she passed out. Beyonce and Michael were our lifesavers. They helped make the scary newborn phase a little less frightening, as we didn’t have to endure many consecutive hours of inexplicable tears.  Sure, Macie’s modern day lullabies are a bit questionable lyrically, but when you are dealing with a crying newborn you don’t question positive results.  

 

Macie’s love for music and rhythm has continued throughout her life to date, but she does not react equally to all musical genres. She has little to no reaction to country music or anything slow paced (such as my current favorite- Adele). Macie occasionally bounces and bangs her head to rock music (especially Aerosmith), but she reacts the most enthusiastically to pop/dance music. Anything that hits you over the head with a beat and makes you feel like you are in a nightclub for 21 year olds gets the best response from Macie.  While I enjoy my fair share of pop/dance music (especially when I am in the right mood), I typically prefer country or alternative music. Despite my preferences, I always keep pop music in the car for Macie. As a parent your preferences no longer matter- you do what makes your child happy. When Macie starts crying in the car I turn on dance music and she usually calms down, which makes car rides so much less stressful.

Family members have also noted Macie’s love for music. When Macie was still a newborn my mother-in-law came to the house and watched Macie for a few hours. Inevitably, Macie started to fuss inexplicably and, as suggested, Ann rushed to the computer to turn on music. At this point Macie had gotten used to hearing Beyonce as the soundtrack to soothing, so as soon as she heard the familiar music she stopped crying. My mother-in-law was amazed at Macie’s immediate reaction to the music. When Macie was considerably older (around 9 months) my mother kept Macie overnight and also noted her reaction to music with a beat. Macie was in her highchair in the kitchen with her back turned to the TV. When Ray Charles’ came on she immediately turned around to find the musical source. Clearly this baby likes music with rhythm- she is so much cooler than me!

Again, being the dorky person I am, Macie has often observed me bopping around and singing along to music. As Macie has gotten older she, too, bounces her little round body when she hears a pop beat. Lately she doesn’t even need encouragement to dance- she hears the music and immediately starts to move. After she shakes it a few times she looks to me for reassurance or confirmation that I am observing her dancing (with a big grin on her face), which is ADORABLE.

Macie physically and verbally shares her enjoyment of music by dancing and singing along. As Macie’s physical coordination has developed, her dancing skills have greatly improved. Macie dances by bending her knees and bouncing, often holding onto furniture so she can really get deep in the knee bend. Lately she has also started swaying or pumping her arms in the air. If Macie is really into a song she occasionally tries to “sing along” in a loud, monotone voice- her mouth wide open and her eyebrows raised high. 

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Macie’s Current Favorite Song: “Moves Like Jagger” 
by Maroon 5

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 Checklist of MUST Have Music 
(based on my experience)

1. Beyonce (“Get Me Bodied” is her favorite)

2. Michael Buble

3. Kesha

4. Lady Gaga

5. Maroon Five

6. “Toxic” by Britney Spears

7. Fergie

**Anything else with a bouncy, poppy beat will suffice.

Not your typically nursery rhymes and lullabies, I know, but you can’t argue with results.  J