The time has come.  I’m cleaning out my iTunes trying my best to make it more kid friendly.  My kids have started to repeat things and they understand what the rock stars are saying when they are singing.  Not really grasping concepts yet, but certainly getting the swears, oh those hidden swears.  Argh.  So I thought I would share with you a little gem, a semi-oldie but absolute goodie for your kiddles in the car.  Something that doesn’t make you stuff your purse with ear plugs.

Have you tried Mates of State?  If not, write that down, then find My Only Offer online, listen and try not to smile.  Let your kids listen and I dare say, they’ll ask for it again.

It’s a band that can relate to you as a parent.  The pair has two adorable small girls, Magnolia and June, who they tote along on each tour.  They are raising them in a responsible rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle which will churn out some pretty talented interesting kids.  She plays keyboards, he plays drums; its as cute as it sounds.

Disclaimer:  I listen as any busy mama does: distracted.  I have not yet discovered any swears on this album.  So if there is one that your child grabs hold of I am sincerely sorry, and I hope he doesn’t yell it out in the middle of church, unless I’m there to enjoy it.

Need more distractions online?  Check out the mama half of Mates of State on babble.com, she writes the Band on the Diaper Run blog.

If you are pregnant or in that sleepy dream world state of having a newborn in the house, may I suggest you pick up the album that has convinced me to savor every last second of my very last pregnancy and newborn.  Now the Day is Over by The Innocence Mission.

It’s true, this baby in my belly is the last.  However, this album made me re-think that decision, if only for a second.  After rediscovering it a few weeks ago, in a hazy half-aware moment of bliss I willed my body to be strong enough, to be brave enough to grin and bear it for another baby after this one.  As soon as the music stopped I was immediately awakened to reality and the thought of my poor husband having every ounce of life sucked out of him as he played both roles while I slept and puked for 4 months.

I never rocked my two boys to sleep because I never had time.  After each child I had a full-time job waiting for me, anxiously waiting for me.  In the end I don’t necessarily regret the lack of rocking, after all they are boys.  I felt I owed it to their future manhood to drill in the ability to self-soothe.  So instead of taxing the family with another pregnancy I have promised myself I will relish this last chance I have. To take a moment whenever I can find it and hold my rounded belly, close my eyes and memorize this.  The kicking, the flutters, the pokes and even the aches, every sensation of being pregnant; those memories are slippery and easy to lose once it’s over.  After she gets here I’ll do my best to breathe in every moment I can.  Leave the laundry alone, forget the dishes and forego any semblance of organization in my home as I hum these tunes to her.

The Innocence Mission was in my head when the play list for this album was created, it’s absolutely perfectly suited to my preferences.  I adore every song and it makes all my motherly senses hum and sway in peace.  What mother obsessed with Audrey Hepburn could forget to sing Moon River to her babies?

Find yourself a copy, put it on repeat and spend some time rocking and breathing in the calm of your baby’s smell.

Zooey Deschanel’s voice isn’t helping right now.  I am picking through some recent purchases, deciding what pieces I absolutely need and which ones can be sent back.  Under normal circumstances I would easily give in and keep all the dirt cheap deals I found, but things are different today.  I’m pregnant, with my 3^rd baby, happily a girl to join my two little guys.  And right now happily is the correct word, I am weeks past the horrifying morning sickness that’s made me firmly decide this is the last little one we’re adding to the family.  So the excuse that I’ll wear some of these pieces again is completely out the door, like that little skirt should have been.

Back to Zooey… she isn’t helping.  I am listening to the new album from She & Him and it is just soft-serve ice cream in the spring lovely.  As I listen I feel like I’m in the happiest scene of a favorite old movie.  Maybe a time piece about the 50’s, a care-free young house wife (probably Samantha Stevens from Bewitched) dressing for her ladies luncheon in her perfectly clean house with a perfectly spring breeze wafting through the window.  Honestly, would you send any of it back?

Image via Amazon

I’ve been a fan of Zooey Deschanel for a long time.  Does anyone else remember her on that Frasier episode?  Hopefully you were as intrigued by her singing in Elf as I was, if so I would like to introduce you to your new favorite spring album:  She & Him Vol. 2.

If you are a fan of Vol. 1 I’m sure you’re as happy as I am to see Vol. 2 and learn that Zooey and M. Ward are now officially a proper band.

I kept too many pieces.  I found a new excuse, since this is my last pregnancy I deserve to enjoy it!  I really need to get some good photos of this belly and me.  I shunned the camera way too much with the last two.  This time, now that the sickness has passed, I’m doing my best to revel in every second of this.  I may send a thank you card to Zooey.

Ever notice how you (and your kiddos) greet the morning can set the whole tone of the day?  Here’s my no-fail morning mix for a happy family.

Daughter, Loudon Wainwright
I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever), Stevie Wonder
Hello City, Barenaked Ladies
Lady Madonna, The Beatles
Walk Tall, John Mellencamp
I Want You To Want Me, Chris Isaak
Something Coming Over, O.A.R.
Hello, Tristan Prettyman
3×5, John Mayer

Editor’s Note: Since there are few ways better suited for saying “I love you” than through song, I thought I would invite a few friends to share their preferred collection of songs for celebrating L-O-V-E.

You can see all of the daily mixes here.

-Image courtesy of Tracey Clark

Day 14 Mix: A Valentine’s Day Dedication, “Ethan in my Heart”

The Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side, Magnetic Fields
The first time I met my husband he was riding a BMX jump bike. Naturally this song is one of our favorites. This song is about a car, but an ugly car is quite equal to a BMX jump bike.

California Stars, Wilco
I adore Wilco, especially this one.  Long ago before I was married I used to read a fellow techie’s blog.  Back then only nerds had blogs. His wife and child were in California while he stayed in Utah to work endless hours on a large project.  This song came on and guess what he did.  Dropped it all and drove all night until he saw his wife in California.  Swoon!

Here, There and Everywhere, The Beatles
And almost every other song by them…  My favorite line “changing my life with one wave of her hand”.  Honestly.

Our Harry, The Innocence Mission
Everything about the Innocence Mission = love to me.  This one reminds me of family, my own, very old and very young, and the family I am growing.  Surely you have an old photo with your grandparents just like the opening line: “We will squint into the sun/ Waving madly at the camera”.

Are You Tired of Me My Darling, Nanci Griffith
A very old bluegrass song, Nanci’s is my favorite version.  Her life is a heartbreaking story, making the fact that she recorded this song even more meaningful.  In my eyes it is clear the answer to the question, of course not my dear, of course not.

Tell Her, Del Amitri
I’ve learned the number one rule in marriage is it’s not about you. Love is about apologies, no matter what that old movie says.  This is an especially sweet sorry.

I’m Yours, Jason Mraz
I don’t have a lot of Jason Mraz, I should probably find more, because I adore this song.  I found it in an especially difficult time and it made me sigh, smile and tilt my head so quickly I immediately bought the song on my phone.  Hopefully it makes you love-happy too.

Kathleen, Josh Ritter
This Josh kid, his lyrics are h-e-a-v-y.  The love songs are swoon-heavy.  Seriously.  “All the other girls here are stars/You are the Northern Lights…  They try and they try/ But everything that they do/ Is the ghost of a trace/ Of a pale imitation of you”.  Who doesn’t
want to hear that!

Dean Martin
Yep, all of it.

Svefn-G-Englar, Sigur Ros
No idea how to say it, but I love it.  My dad is Icelandic and could tell you, but really it has nothing to do with the lyrics.  It’s dreamy romantic dance slowly music and we played it at our wedding reception, much to the chagrin of everyone over 30.

Do You Realize, The Flaming Lips
I have always thought of this as a song to sing to my children, but it works for Valentines Day no question.  I think it’s about appreciating every moment you have with the people you love.  That, and having beautiful eyes, like my kids.

Apron Strings, Everything But the Girl
Tell me you’ve seen She’s Having a Baby.  A little before my time, but thanks to my friend Amy, it’s one of my favorite movies.  Love is about who you share your love with, we share with our kiddles, my apron string owners.

God Only Knows, Joss Stone
I know, but I like her version better than the Beach Boys one.  (Top secret, I even like the Mandy Moore version better!)  A classic sappy love song, it’s perfect for this classic sappy holiday.

Gotta Have You, The Weepies
Remember when you were just staring to date?  Remember the can’t see each other enough stage?  This song is that, and happily still relevant in very old love stories.  Anyway, The Weepies can do no wrong.

At My Most Beautiful, R.E.M.
“I save your messages/ Just to hear your voice”.  Tell me you never did that.  “You always say your name/ Like I wouldn’t know it’s you”, sigh, it’s the simple lines that kill me.

I Walk the Line, Johnny Cash
I’d heard this song a million times before I actually listened to what Johnny was saying.  He’s good for her, he walks the straight line just for her, and clearly it’s hard for him.  But it’s worth it.  “Yes I’ll admit that I’m a fool for you”.  What a guy!

The Luckiest, Ben Folds Five
Officially this is our song, mine and Ethan’s.  It probably belongs to many couples.  I quite like Ben Folds and this song is just right.

Editor’s Note: Since there are few ways better suited for saying “I love you” than through song, I thought I would invite a few friends to share their preferred collection of songs for celebrating L-O-V-E.

We’ll have a new mix, every day through Valentine’s Day. You can see them all here.

-Image courtesy of Tracey Clark

Day 13 Mix: Get Back Your Mojo Mix

When we’re looking for a quiet night after a hectic day, we chill out to our playlist and let the smooth sounds lull us as we forget about the messy house, the tasks undone, the pressures from work, and focus on each other.

She Will be Loved, Maroon 5
Forever & For Always, Shania Twain
Those Sweet Words, Norah Jones
I Will Follow You Into the Dark, Death Cab for Cutie
Undress Me Now, Morcheeba
Everloving, Moby
Dream, Priscilla Ann
I’m Yours, Jason Mraz
Fools in Love, Inara George
Slowdown, Morcheeba
Near to You, A Fine Frenzy
All I Want is You, U2

Editor’s Note: Since there are few ways better suited for saying “I love you” than through song, I thought I would invite a few friends to share their preferred collection of songs for celebrating L-O-V-E.

We’ll have a new mix, every day through Valentine’s Day. You can see them all here.

-Image courtesy of Tracey Clark

Day 12 Mix: Happy Joy Love Mix from Carina of The Jet Set

The kind of songs that remind me of the exhilaration of first love. Some might be about a slightly obsessive love. And, yes, a little for shaking it around your Valentine.

Here (In Your Arms) by Hellogoodbye
Love at First Sight by Kylie Minogue
Time to Pretend (Radio Version) by MGMT
Ooh La La by Goldfrapp
Bruises by Chairlift
It’s Night Time by Josh Rouse
Imaginary Girl by The Bees
Just Say Yes by Snow Patrol
The Saltwater Room by Owl City
Lovers in Japan (Osaka Sun Mix) by Coldplay
Just Like Honey by The Jesus and Mary Chain

Editor’s Note: Since there are few ways better suited for saying “I love you” than through song, I thought I would invite a few friends to share their preferred collection of songs for celebrating L-O-V-E.

-Image courtesy of Tracey Clark

Day 11 Mix: Love Gone Wrong Mix from Amanda

Valentine’s Day.  The day we’ve come to expect romance, passion, Hallmark cards and heart-shaped boxes of melt-in-your-mouth Belgian chocolates.

But some years, the expectations don’t quite live up to the reality.  Some years you want to crush candy hearts into dust between your fingers, rip roses from their stems and take a lighter to the pictures of the person who did you wrong.

These songs are for the Valentine’s Day when instead of love you’ve got good old-fashioned vengeance on your mind:

Breakin’ Dishes, Rihanna
You Oughta Know, Alanis Morissette
Before He Cheats, Carrie Underwood
Angry Johnny, Poe
Fighter, Christina Aguilera
Danger Zone, Gwen Stefani
These Boots Are Made for Walkin’, Nancy Sinatra
Save the Lies, Gabriella Cilmi
Smile, Lily Allen

Editor’s Note: Since there are few ways better suited for saying “I love you” than through song, I thought I would invite a few friends to share their preferred collection of songs for celebrating L-O-V-E.

-Image courtesy of Tracey Clark

Day 10 Mix: The Art of the Mixtape from Chris Cactus

When I was eleven, I used to spin 45s on my dad’s old stereo.  I had a microphone and I’d talk up the records like a DJ.  Eventually, I learned how to record the 45s on cassette, mix them up, come up with a killer compilation.  I got my own records, then tapes, then cassette decks.  And eventually CDs were born and I accumulated plenty of them.  Technology marches on and with it some things fade.  Like the mixtape.

I used to make mixtapes with wild abandon, carefully considering each and every song, critical of the order, concerned about choosing the right ones, especially the right ones to end with.  I made the best mixtapes not for myself but for others.  And nothing fuels the creation of a mixtape like love.

This weekend it was snowy outside.  So I was able to sit down for a few minutes and come up with a Valentine’s Day mix.  Here’s what I came up with.  Some you’ve probably heard of, others perhaps not.  But they’re all worth a listen.

Wrapped in a Memory, Shawn Smith
Deathly, Aimee Mann
I Love, Athlete
Silver, Blue and Gold, Bad Company
Maybe I’m Amazed, Wings
Evaporated, Ben Folds Five
Sunshower, Chris Cornell
Fix You, Coldplay
Sometimes I Just Have To Say Your Name, Del Amitri
Good Friends are Hard To Find, Ed Harcourt
Rubber Bands, The Fire Theft
On Your Porch, The Format
Yours And Mine, Fountains of Wayne
Come Downstairs and Say Hello, Guster
Where Did You Go, Jets Overhead
Pink Moon, Nick Drake
Your Sweet Voice, Reindeer Section
I Want To Know Your Plans, Say Anything
Matador, Semisonic
Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol
World Spins Madly On, The Weepies
Don’t Dream It’s Over (live), Neil Finn

You can hear the whole mix via iTunes.

Editor’s Note: Since there are few ways better suited for saying “I love you” than through song, I thought I would invite a few friends to share their preferred collection of songs for celebrating L-O-V-E.

-Image courtesy of Tracey Clark

Day 9 Mix: A Mix for Memory Lane from Erica Fehrman

Some songs are quintessentially romantic, but most tug at the heartstrings for personal reasons.  A song playing during a first kiss; one providing background during an argument or a make-up; the tune that made you cry when your boyfriend was away for the summer.  The perfect “love” playlist is probably one that begins flirtatiously and then mellows out, but mine doesn’t provide the perfect arc.  Looking at my list, I realize it’s as much a geographical story as it is a love story between my husband and me.  The song we danced to in my cramped college apartment in Indiana; the Coldplay song we heard at the Chicago Theatre concert; the Bluegrass music played at a festival in Utah while our 1-year-old danced nearby; the one we held hands to while driving cross-country to our new home.

This list is a piece of my story.  Have fun celebrating yours this Valentine’s Day!

Oh! Darling, The Beatles
One More Minute, Chatham County Line
Sparks, Coldplay
The Jealous Kind, Joe Cocker
These Arms of Mine, Otis Redding
Together, The Raconteurs
Nude, Radiohead
See You Around, Scott Blasey
In a Little While, U2
She’s a Jar, Wilco