With a new baby in the house, I've been thinking about two things. First, I wonder when I'll ever get back to regular reading, music-listening and TV-viewing schedules (regular being a relative term, I know). Second, what should I be playing for Edward to educate him about good music?

On the first point, I'm sure that we'll start to strike some balance as his schedule normalizes and I get better at holding a book in one hand and a baby in the other. I've been chipping away here and there at a couple of things, but find myself better able to get through magazines at this point. TV will be interesting with the debut of 24 this weekend. An uninterrupted hour to watch a drama? We'll see.

My own music listening and the second rumination above about helping to shape Edward's tastes go hand in hand. Even before he arrived, most of my listening took place in the car, at night or on walks with the iPod or on weekend mornings with something quiet as background for newspaper reading. Currently, the car still offers my best venue for listening, and the iPod has helped to drown out background noises during daytime naps when helpful grandparents come by to hold the baby. As Edward becomes more aware of his surroundings, however, I want to pick out things to play for him that he'll like (or that at least won't alarm/annoy him). My vast holdings of power pop would seem to be a good place to start, and the many quiet jazz records I have would also seem fitting (finally, a reason for ECM discs beyond inducing sleep, and I say that with all respect).

I know there eventually will be a battle in our home as things like the Wiggles and Barney and who knows what else make their assaults on my child's ears (Raffi is banned). If I can instead steer Edward toward the Beatles or that great Spongebob Squarepants movie soundtrack or Dan Zanes' kids records, so much the better. So far, he has been limited to overhearing some Crowded House and Split Enz as I watched a video compilation while feeding him (parent, thy charge is multitasking!), and a quiet Brad Mehldau CD while his Mom and I chilled out one evening between feedings and diaper changes.

I plan to write a bit about this from time to time as Edward and I explore music together. Suggestions for good kid-friendly/adult-tolerable music appreciated.