Joyful Noise

We have known for a long time that Julia loves music.  It was actually one of the first things we knew about her.

When I was pregnant, Julia used to get excited when she heard music.  She would get really active, doing extra kicks, punches, and full body flips along with the music.  Her musical tastes were varied, as she seemed to dance just as much at Elizabeth's chorale concert of classical music as she did at the PAC when my family went to see "Wicked."  I always really enjoyed feeling Julia dancing inside me, and it was fun, too, to have easy opportunities to let family members feel her flurry of activity in my belly.

Julia has continued to show a great interest in and appreciation for music.  She is easily captivated by music, quieting down when she hears it to listen intently.  For instance, a couple weeks ago, we went to a restaurant with Aaron's parents, and Julia was so good, sitting perfectly quietly through the entire meal, seemingly mesmerized by the background music.  We love to sing to Julia and she seems to love being sung to.  We have made up a bunch of original little songs about her that we enjoy entertaining her with. 

Julia's favorite thing to do, though, is still to move to the music!  Julia is enchanted by dancing!  Her face breaks into a huge grin whenever we dance for her or we help her to dance.  There's no surer way to get a gigantic smile from Julia than to dance with her!

Julia has begun to sing!  Lately, when we sing to her, she tries to sing along by making adorable baby noises.  And, music is already allowing Julia to worship God by making a "joyful noise unto the Lord" (Psalm 100).  Today, she participated in the holy mass by singing along with the hymns, especially the communion song.  The refrain of that song, which was repeated over and over, was, "In the shadow of your wings, I sing for joy" (Psalm 63).  And Julia was sure singing for joy!  She looked very serious as she belted out her coos along with the music.  It was so precious and really filled my soul with joy!  Aaron and I looked down at our little daughter and were filled with such gratitude to God for her presence in our life.

"At that time, Jesus said, 'I thank you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants'" (Matthew 11:25).  Who can know what God is revealing to our precious infant?  Who can know what Julia's beautiful little coos expressed?  We marvel to think of the graces poured upon Julia at her baptism and the resultant wellspring of peace and joy in her soul. We praise God for Julia's song to Him!