Elizabeth Johnson Camozzi

Ella Mae’s 9th week was full of little adventures!  Weighing 9 pounds, 14 ounces, she’s nearly at the 10-pound mark!  This week, she got front-row seats to watch the giant cottonwood in the backyard  be removed.  She also went to a concert at Lake Harriet and met up with godmother Eve Blaney Johnson Brafford!  Her vocabulary continues to grow to include all variations of  “coo” and “gah” and we cannot get enough of her! And here are a few videos of Ella Mae playing with a new butterfly, bedtime with daddy and her talking to the birds!IMG_0974IMG_0999-1IMG_1001

stylish girl!

Mandolin orchestra concert at Lake Harriet

A sun-bonnet that mom wore as a child for a hot day's walk!

All ready for some yoga at Blooma!

...In deep conversation with the birds...

An afternoon with godmother Eve

Going to work with daddy

...and gardening with mommy!

We have successfully passed the two month mark!  This week, Ella Mae had her first round of vaccinations.  She weighed in at 9 pounds 7 ounces (her doctor said that the weekly weigh-in scale at Blooma may be different from theirs at the clinic), making it to the 15th percentile in weight.  She’s measuring at 1 foot, 9 inches.  Her head circumference was in the 45th percentile!  Though an itty-bitty little thing, Ella Mae is no concern to the doctor.  She passed all of her developmental assessments, and the doctor says that she’s progressing wonderfully!  She was NOT a fan of the shots, though, and neither were her parents!

Nola dog the guardian takes her job seriously

Most children suck on their thumb or finger….but our child sucks on her entire fist!   Often she will drop the nuk and opt for her hand.  I am told this is pre-teething, but it is quite adorable!

She also has met a new friend: Mr. Owl.  They spend countless hours laughing and telling jokes, though in the evenings the owl usually says some off-hand comment that sends Ella Mae into fits of anger.  They are learning to take-turns and be nice, as demonstrated by her coos and then periods of silence, followed by more cooing.  Ella Mae at times reaches out and shakes him, which sends her into peals of laughter and “Ggaa”s.  At other times, she’d rather keep her hands off of him.

Another success: she is taking the bottle from daddy!  This has been a challenge for all of us, as she would rather not have the bottle.  Recently she is calming down and enjoying her time feeding with her dad.  We are all very grateful for this, and their bonding time is very sweet.

At the end of the week, we celebrated a baby shower for Shawn and Chelsea Lavelle, who are getting ready to have a baby boy this fall!  During the party, Ella Mae made friends with McCoy, a darling 6-week old of Bob and Heidi Anderson.  We are convinced that they shared stories of poop and food.

More smiles and noises each day, Ella Mae brings us many sweet moments!  This week, we remove a giant cottonwood from our backyard, so Ella Mae gets to see and hear the buzzing of chainsaws and the motors of a crane!

What a week!  After returning home from Chicago, we immediately met Grandma Diana and Grandpa Mike Camozzi!  They drove in from Grand Rapids, Michigan, and complete the grandparents tour!  We had a fun time playing and cuddling!  As Ella Mae approaches her 2 month mark (Friday), she nearly tips the 10 pound scale, weighing in at 9 pounds 7 ounces (though with more food, she’ll be 10 any day!)  Ella seems to be focusing on things more, interacting with faces, and making the funnest squeals, gurgles and hoots.  She loves bath time in the tub with mom and dad, and nature walks will calm her in a second.  We have a feeling that her fire-cracker spirit will only continue as she grows!

Ella Mae in Grandpa Mike's arms

There's the smile! It didn't take long for them to bond

Sleeping in Grandma Diana's arms

"Oh, the little toes!" Grandma Diana kept saying!

We took the family (Ella Mae in car seat next to dad) to Aster Cafe for Jazz and dancing!

Itty-bitty cuddles with Grandpa Mike!

Cuddles with Grandpa Mike

Ella Mae and Grandma Diana having talks about life

Saying goodbye- I think they were ready to pass her back! Didn't they enjoy the screams?

Ella Mae is focusing more on objects and is quite curious about the world around her

She doesn't know what to think about the camera...

She's aware of new noises and sights

A sparkle in her eye

Love that bubbly-smile!

Next week is her 2-month appointment, a trip to Chaska to see her mommy’s classroom, and a baby shower to celebrate her future friend, little boy Lavelle!

During Ella Mae’s 6th week, she weighed in at 9 and 1/2 pounds, and went on her first road trips!  Her first road trip was to Mankato, Minnesota and she slept the whole way there and the whole way back!  Sleepy one was held and loved by friends during our day there.

Ladybug girl in the arms of a friend in Mankato, MN.

Ella Mae spent time with her future dance partner and his mom, Chelsea Vize Lavelle!  (Dance partner is yet to be named as he is in his 7th month of cooking, and poor thing was being SAT ON by our daughter!  We’ll have to teach her some manners…) 🙂

Chelsea Lavelle (7 months pregnant with a little boy!) holding Ella Mae

Ella Mae also found many facial expressions!

Laughter!

Twinkle in the eye....

Serious

Observant

She went on an even LONGER road trip to Evanston, (Chicago) Illinois.  She slept the whole way there, waking to feed and change diapers.  While there, we took many walks and explored the city together.  Jeff’s company adored her at the company party and even gave her an official Care Team Connect onesie!  She kept us awake the drive home, but we managed to make it in one piece!

Sleepy girl at the hotel in Evanston, IL

"Oh DAD!" Silly times

Home again, home again- we were TIRED!

At the beginning of her 7th week, she met grandma Diana and grandpa Mike!  So many more pictures of their adventures to come, but a taste of what’s to come:

Ella Mae is loved by Papa Mike and Grandma Diana!

Oh my!  How did I forget the first grandparent to meet miss Ella Mae?  She came almost a month before Ella Mae was born for my graduation from graduate school.  She then stayed for my early contractions, which lasted over two weeks–who would have thought that Ella Mae would take so long?  Our daily five-mile walks, gardening, and general mischief kept me in good health as we waited!  I am lucky to consider my mom one of my closest friends.

Mom and I a week before Ella Mae came- walking Como park

Having a child helped me realize how precious I am to my own parents.  They held me the same way I held Ella Mae for the first time- in complete awe.  My mom felt *this* close to me when I was born!  I am extremely grateful to have had my own mom, Martha Johnson (“grandmartha” to her grand-kids!) there for the birth and beginnings.  She was so soft and sensitive, a great team-mate to Jeff in the delivery, and fell completely in love with our little Ella Mae.  Plus, Ella’s middle name is for her grandma- Martha!

So mom- thank you for spending a month with us.  For making amazing meals and spending time with me (“Scottish!”), keeping me sane, and taking care of us as a young couple as we transformed into a young family!  We love you!

Hours after Ella Mae was born, Grandmartha holding her close in the delivery room

Grandmartha and Ella Mae the day she came home (June 15, 2013)

Look who's 5 weeks old!!

During her 4th week, she had special visitors: Grandma Jan Camozzi and cousin Justin from California!  She spent so much time being held and loved by both.  Justin got a kick out of pushing her stroller during walks, and Jan was all about holding her little grand-daughter.  We went to the Mall of America together, and took many walks.  It was so fun to have them visit!

Grandma Jan, the first time she held Ella Mae!

Out for a walk around the neighborhood! Grandma Jan, cousin Justin, Jeff and Nola-dog!

Cousin Justin holding Ella Mae!

Also this week:  Ella Mae and her mom went to a mother-daughter class and mom-daughter Yoga!  We danced to a live band at a local dance and she was held by her god-parents as her parents kicked up their heels!

In her 5th week, Ella Mae had another visitor: Grandpa Don Johnson!  During their time together, she and grandpa bonded with many cuddles and giggles.  We took walks around Lake Harriet with a picnic, visited great-grandma Johnson, and snuggled with great-uncle Tim and great-aunt Cyd Johnson.  Ella Mae began to track more this week by following people around the room, and weighed in at a healthy 9 pounds!  Mom had her 6 week check-up and got a clean bill of health.  We can’t wait to start our 6th week together, what fun we’re having!!

Ella Mae in Grandpa Johnson's hands, their first meeting

Grandpa Johnson taught us the best hold for gassy tummies: football hold!

Great Grandma Johnson and Ella Mae

Since last post (fall, 2012!), thesis is complete, graduate degree has been obtained (Master of Arts in Music Education, focusing on the Kodaly method!), school has finished, summer is continuing strong, and our new addition, Ella Martha (Ella Mae) Camozzi has arrived!

Miss Ella Mae, meet the world! Our birth announcement

June 14, 2013 at 6 pounds, 9 ounces, 19 inches and big bright eyes.  She has completely melted our hearts and taken over our world in the best way possible.

mom and daughter moments

Ben Hejkal, local photographer and friend, spent a day near her second week birthday taking amazing pictures!  (We highly recommend him!  http://www.benhejkal.com/)  My favorite: Ella Mae inside her great great grandmother’s mandolin case.  Grandpa Norbert Johnson would have been proud:

As we pass her one month birthday (already!) and move toward two months, we are learning all about routines: when to feed (she sets that), nap (yeah, she sets that, too), water the garden, take walks (aplenty!), have tummy-time, go to yoga, go to sleep at night…

Daddy's learning to soothe little bird

She is rapidly gaining weight, and we bring her everywhere with us: concerts in the park, walks with friends, even lindy-hopping at local venues!  She has even gone to her first graduate-level class!  Thanks, UST!  In the midst of it all, I am absolutely loving being a mom, and am so grateful for my amazing husband and new-dad, Jeff.  Though he has returned to work full-time, I will take the fall off to continue working on being a great mom (and who wouldn’t want to miss time with their babe?  I have a feeling returning to work may be a challenge…)

Our little family...

This family portrait may be more appropriate! Nola-dog is quite curious!

In lieu of overwhelming facebook with cute pictures and adorable moments, we’ll use this website to keep family and friends updated on our new little family.  Many sweet moments and pictures to come!

As I work through my first chapter of my graduate thesis (senior project sounds awfully dull comparatively), I will use this space to write my ‘extra thoughts’ that inspire me, but are not useful in the paper itself.  Beware!  Some ramble, but behind all writing is a very eager and enthusiastic heart!  Let the games begin of song collection, defining American folk songs, and Zoltan Kodaly (insert accents, as wordpress does not allow it)! 🙂

First of all, a definition: folklore—a story, rhyme, song or saying orally transferred through generations.  And my latest passion. .  Like the game telephone, folklore can change in subtle ways as it passes from person to person.

One gem of a resource that I discovered was From Sea to Shining Sea: A Treasury of American Folklore and Folk Songs by Amy L. Cohn (New York: Scholastic Inc, 1993).  This compilation of American folk music travels through our country’s history, followed by folklore, poetry and of course, songs.  All information is backed with amazing background information and beautiful illustrations that could be immediately used in the classroom.  To Ms. Cohn, I say a hearty, “thank you!”  As I was researching her material, I had an idea:

Music teachers could inspire further discussion in their classroom.  For example, as the class uses “From Sea to Shining Sea” in lessons and performances, students may inevitably become excited with such comments as, “My family has a song that I would like to share.”  Taking advantage of their students’ input, one teacher’s suggestion could be, “Perhaps we should create our own anthology.”  In addition, a project of collecting the school’s folksongs, rhymes and lullabies could tie with cross-curricular studies.  Such a community-building project would foster creativity and an appreciation for the culture that surrounds the school.

Watch out Clover Ridge, I may propose this idea in the fall! 🙂

Dan LeJeune, wonderful solfege and sight-singing professor at the University of St. Thomas, mentioned in class last summer 2011 the story of the butterfly.  The level II Kodaly students listened with anxiety, as there were tests, master-copies, sight-singing quizzes and homework overflowing our lives!

They were at a butterfly garden, watching the various stages of butterflies transforming from cocoon to the beauty of a winged monarch.  As they watched the process, they noticed how difficult it was for the emerging butterfly to fight its way out of the cocoon that once was a safe home.  His son, wanting to help, asked the guide and asked to help the larva, to make a slit in the cocoon so that it could get out.  The guide responded wisely, “If they don’t learn to fight out of the cocoon, they will never develop the muscles needed in their wings to fly.  By helping them, you will only hurt them.”

This year has been transformative for me as well.  Moving from charter to public, Minneapolis to Chaska, 500 to over 700 kids, 1 concert to 5 concerts a year… my wings are strengthening quickly!  I am LOVING getting to know the students and the community at Chaska.  Their love of the arts and music is so apparent in my beautiful classroom!  The kids bounce to music, so excited to sing the next folk song or round, play a new game or learn a new dance!  It is such a blessing to be teaching music, day in and day out, in a community such as Chaska!

What we’ve done so far:

4th grade culture night: we danced several dances from around the world, “T Smedje” being a huge hit!  The families were so very appreciative!

Choir concert: where we sang at the local St. Hubert’s academy during the day, and gave our concert that evening.  We touched on many canons and rounds, sang “Gypsy Rover” and our favorite, “En La Feria de San Juan”!

3rd grade concert: “My Many Colored Days”, where each color was attached to a folk song, dance, recorder song, or game.  The parents packed the gym with families and camcorders, and the kids (all 144 of them!)  were so enthusiastic!

Lindquist: the music staff from Chaska/Chanhassan performed for a local fund, singing absolutely beautiful songs and performing …. many types of music. 🙂

5th grade concert: where the 5th graders composed all material, added dances, and will center it around “The Giving Tree” to influence our school-wide theme of leaving a better green footprint.

Swing Dance Club: which will begin after spring break.  By popular demand, I will be teaching the basics of East Coast Swing dancing, Charleston and the Shim Sham to eager students.  We’ll culminate with a swing dance, where we invite family members to dance with the students!  (Crossing my fingers for a live band, how fun would that be??)

We keep busy over here!  The concerts will be posted soon at cre <dot> district 112 <dot> org, under “Teacher Websites: Specialists: Mrs. Camozzi”.  Enjoy!

The 2010-11 school year at Noble Academy wrapped-up successfully with a K-8 concert, acceptance for a Q-comp lead position and a clean classroom!  There were more than a few sad goodbyes of wonderful teachers, whom will be greatly missed!  And then St. Thomas’s summer program began again!

First a note on the concert: students, you made me so proud!  The kindergarteners’ “ABC Tango” won the hearts of the packed audience right away, followed by some detailed plays by the young elementary students.  4th and 5th graders did a beautiful job on a recorder song, followed by a powerful performance by the 6th through 8th grade choirs!  “This is Me” will always be your song, middle schoolers!  We bade the 8th graders luck in high school, with a song chosen and performed by the 8th grade choir.  I am so grateful for my young musicians, you make me smile each day!
St. Thomas’s Kodaly program began right away in the summer.  In class from 7am to 4pm, followed by night classes 6pm to 9:30pm, I was a tired student.  I am so thankful for the Kodaly level I and II students who encouraged and inspired me during our two-week intensive course.  Between solfege mastery, learning the beautiful art of conducing at a masters level, and indexing the pedagogy of Kodaly repertoire, I leave the second year feeling a step closer to mastery.  (And a love of folk music!)  Students, be prepared for MANY more songs and games in the fall!

The summer will continue with St. Thomas’s courses in Music Theory and Teaching and Learning Theories.  Both professors are wonderful and encouraging, I look forward to each class I am enrolled in, and their affects in my classroom!

As summer slowly rolls in, I am continually grateful for where I am at.  Enjoy your gardening, time at the lake, and relaxing, students and teachers.  You deserve it!