Across the Pond Archive Page   

Being a SAHM (Stay At Home Mum) is sometimes really lonely. That’s a given. Don’t get me wrong, I am really enjoying it..most of the time. But at certain moments I just want some time to play grown-up music and do grown-up things but that’s just not always possible. I have a collection of children’s CD’s but there’s only so many nursery rhymes a person can take! Those of you with children I know will be nodding your head in agreement! I like having music in the background so I tend to put on ClassicFM or BBC Radio2 or the BBC Preschool Channel CBeebies now has a digital radio station for young children which you can listen to online (you don’t have to listen to it live, they have a listen later feature, which is accessible here . In some ways I don’t want to introduce J to too much adult pop culture and “commerical branding” too early but it’s really hard to avoid it alltogether nowadays. I know that it’s something I will always struggle with as a parent.

But, I have come up with an iTunes playlist that I can listen to while I do chores around the house and still indulge my taste for grown-up music (which does seem awfully indulgent and sneaky!!) but will still be kid friendly. I got the idea from the CelebrityBaby Blog (which is one of my daily reads) ; I’ve used some ideas from their playlist but here’s mine. I wanted upbeat songs because goodness knows there’s so much negativity out there as it is. And I’d better wait to introduce him to Radiohead for a good few years, ha ha. Some songs J just likes—like Mr Blue Sky (don’t ask) and the Dr Who Theme (obviously he gets that from his Dad). I know it’s long so I’ll do some here and some in an extended entry. I’d better get to work and finish some housework before J wakes up from his nap. If you have any other songs then by all means suggest them! And yes, we do have eclectic musical taste. You should see our CD cabinet! :)

10,000 Maniacs - Trouble Me
The Beach Boys - Wouldn’t It Be Nice
The Beatles - Yellow Submarine
The Beatles - Hello, Goodbye
The Bees - Chicken Payback
Bob Marley - Three Little Birds
Mama Cass - Dream A Little Dream Of Me
Caedmon’s Call - Climb On(A Back That’s Strong)
Clannad - Caislean Oir
Coldplay - Fix You
Dr Who Theme
ELO - Mr Blue Sky
Eagles - Peaceful Easy Feeling
Emmylou Harris, Alison Krauss And Gillian Welch - Didn’t Leave Nobody But The Baby
Frank Popp Ensemble - Catwalk
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole - Over The Rainbow
Jack Johnson - Better Together
Jack Johnson - Questions
Johnny Cash - Tennessee Flat Top Box
Glenn Miller - In The Mood
Great Big Sea - Ordinary Day
Henry Mancini - Baby Elephant Walk
Kate Bush - Eat the Music
Lemon Jelly - In the Bath
Lemon Jelly - His Majesty King Raam
Lisa Loeb - Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
Madeleine Peyroux - Don’t Wait Too Long
Mannfred Mann - 5 4 3 2 1
Marvin Gaye - How Sweet It Is
Moby - Run On
Maire Brennan - Oro

Nina Simone - My Baby Just Cares For Me
Norah Jones - Don’t Know Why
Morecambe and Wise - Bring Me Sunshine
Ocean Colour Scene -This Day Should Last Forever
Peter Gabriel - In Your Eyes
The Puppini Sisters - Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy
Pete Seeger - I Know An Old Lady
Randy Neuman - You’ve Got A Friend In Me
The Ronettes - Be My Baby
Rich Mullins - Hold Me
Seth Lakeman - Lady of the Sea (Hear Her Calling)
Shel Silvertein - Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout
Oasis - Half The World Away
Peter, Paul & Mary - Puff the Magic Dragon
Queen - Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Quincy Jones - Soul Bossa Nova
Rich Mullins - Hold Me
Rolf Harris - Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport
The Muppets - Manah Manah
Sarah McLachlan - Ice Cream
Sarah McLachlan - When She Loved Me
The Scaffold - Lily the Pink
Simon & Garfunkel - Homeward Bound
Sinead O’Connor - Scarlet Ribbons
Stevie Wonder - Uptight, Everything is Alright
Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out
Sting - If I Ever Lose My Faith
Supertramp - Even In the Quietest Moments
Talking Heads - Stay Up Late
Toy Dolls - Nellie The Elephant
Tony Christie - Is This The Way To Amarillo
Tori Amos -Ribbons Undone
Travis - Flowers In The Window
Us3 - Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)
Veggie Tales - The Song of the Cebu
Veggie Tales - The Hairbrush Song

I just received word that my sister’s five month old son has been diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. I’m absolutely floored. I was convinced that the tests would come back negative because the little tyke has been a thriving baby—gaining weight, eating well and didn’t show any symptoms. Details are still emerging; I want to give them the space they need to deal with it. My heart is heavy though. I don’t know a terribly large amount about this disease and hopefully it won’t end up being too severe but thank goodness they are in a major centre where there is a University hospital as well as easy access to specialists.

But the province of Alberta, where my sister and husband live, has just announced that they will perform newborn screening for over 30 genetic disorders, up from about three—hence why the medics caught this diagnosis with my nephew. I have huge mixed feelings about this. I just think that stuff like this makes new parents worry even more about things, and turn new parents hypochondriac. But then….what if the tests turn up something like CF—or something even more rare? What happens then? Will there be the support, especially for families in rural areas who don’t have easy access to major hospitals or medical care? What happens to all the medication and/or medical equipment for the patient, will that be covered by the healthcare system or will parents have to foot the bill?

I just hope and pray the whole family can come to terms with this. I know that when my husband was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes I felt the world was ending. But now…I now know you just take what you’re given, deal with it, and move on. But it’s easier said that done.