The Lullaby Project

A look inside our experience creating a personalized lullaby for our baby girl with Philadelphia’s Lullaby Project!

Start By Listening to our Lullaby Here:

A few months ago, we had the privilege of participating in the World Cafe & Carnegie Hall’s Lullaby Project—an experience that brought us immense joy! Welcoming our first daughter into the world has been an exhilarating whirlwind, filled with countless special moments as we navigate parenthood. However, amidst the continuous changes and sleepless nights, it’s been challenging to fully process this incredible journey.

Living in Philly has been wonderful as we quickly made mommy and baby friends and explored the vibrant community. When another mom mentioned the Lullaby Project, we were immediately intrigued. Launched in Philadelphia in 2020 by World Café Live and Carnegie Hall, the project aims to foster musical play, songwriting, and parent-child bonding within our community.

The project involves both group sessions, where we shared everyday moments with fellow parents, and one-on-one meetings with a musician/songwriter to craft our lullaby. Reflecting on these small, everyday moments in a group, has helped us appreciate each little interaction all the more, like tiptoeing into Verona’s room while she sleeps (to grab my laptop cord as I write this) and pausing to cherish her sweet sigh, and realize how such simple things can bring immense joy.

We were fortunate to collaborate with the talented musician Ami Yares, who lives just a few blocks away from us. In our one-on-one sessions, we discussed our journey as parents, reflecting on our feelings, childhood experiences, and hopes for the future. Ami took notes and helped us transform these emotions and memories into a beautiful song.

Being someone who enjoys writing poetry, the songwriting process was particularly enjoyable for me. Throughout the day, I found myself inspired, working on lines, and refining ideas to create something truly meaningful. After three sessions of collaboration, we finally crafted our heartfelt lullaby, working with Ami to find the perfect rhythm that resonated with our musical preferences.

And so, here are the lyrics of our  lullaby, each verse a testament to the deep connection we share with Verona and the profound impact she has had on our lives.

Now I lay me down to sleep

Into the wonder, my soul to keep

Through the lens of your eyes We see a world that’s new

Refrain 

Stop, take pause, 

Find joy, in this moment 

Teach  me, as we teach you

Lets Share, Big dreams together 

Lets Share, Big dreams together 

You open up our minds,

An aperture where truth we find.

Everything feels fresh and still brand new,

As we learn and grow, with you…Verona

(refrain)

Bridge

Cathedrals towering, reaching high,

Echoing tales of endless sky.

Your roots awakening day by day.

In past’s  embrace, you’ll find your way,

Among the trees, there’s more than peace,

Let your spirit calm, your soul release. (Verona)

Remember to take hold each day,

For nothing is truly good or bad, they say.

It’s our thinking that colors our view,

Verona, help us find joy too.

Lyrics Significance

Verse 1

Now I lay me down to sleep

Into the wonder, my soul to keep

Through the lens of your eyes We see a world that’s new

Ami asked us if there was something special we always say to Verona. Early on, we established a bedtime routine, and I started saying a prayer with her—a tradition passed down from my parents to me during my childhood. This prayer serves as the opening line of our first verse “Now I lay me down to sleep (I pray the lord my soul to keep).”

Spirituality holds a significant place in our family, but it goes beyond the boundaries of a specific religion. We find inspiration everywhere and seek meaning in various aspects of life. It’s a journey of exploration, and even a movie like “Into the Wonder,” by Terrance Malick, aligns with our perspective. Malick’s abstract filming style challenges conventional perceptions, sparking curiosity and inviting viewers to question their own understanding of the world. In our own unique way, our bedtime lullaby perfectly complements this notion. As we sing it to Verona, she drifts into sleep, her mind perhaps filled with wonder and curiosity about the mysteries that surround her.

Speaking of curiosity, Verona eagerly explores her surroundings, always looking for new things to discover. Whether it’s visiting museums, attentively listening books, or observing new situation, her excitement to discover helps us see the world in a whole new lens.

Refrain 

Stop, take pause, 

Find the joy, in this moment 

Teach  me, as we teach you

Lets Share, Big dreams together 

Lets Share, Big dreams together 

This brings us to the heart of the song, the chorus, where we express our profound realization since becoming new parents—the importance and beauty of embracing the present moment and finding contentment in the here and now. Each day holds a unique significance, and while planning for the future is essential, there’s something truly exquisite about being fully present and finding happiness in the present moment—a skill that can be quite challenging to master. Verona’s presence in our lives has been a blessing, teaching us the art of living here and now.

I am a  teacher, and both Thaddeus & I are naturally curious individuals.  We constantly seek to expand our knowledge. Parenting offers a wealth of opportunities for teaching, but it’s equally remarkable how much a baby can teach you. Our lives have been profoundly transformed by embracing parenthood, and the change has been nothing short of a positive and enriching experience.

Undoubtedly, becoming parents requires sacrifices and entails significant changes in our lives. Yet, it has been the most extraordinary blessing.   Sharing the dream of parenthood with Verona is a joy, and we are excited about the future, envisioning big dreams that we can pursue together as a growing family.

Verse 2

You open up our minds,

 An aperture where truth we find.

Everything feels fresh and brand new,

As we learn and grow, with you, Verona

Having Verona in our lives has been an incredible learning journey. Becoming parents has opened our minds to what truly matters and how we can strive to be better humans. It’s like a lens or aperture that has shifted our focus, influenced by my background in photography and passion for capturing moments. This newfound perspective inspires us to seek the best practices in everything we do.

As a fresh little human entering this world, Verona brings a sense of newness and wonder. And in return, she has gifted us with a fresh perspective on life. As she grows, we find ourselves growing alongside her, transforming into new versions of ourselves. Parenthood has become a catalyst for personal growth and positive change.

Bridge

Cathedrals towering, reaching high,

Echoing tales of endless sky.

Your roots awakening day by day.

In past’s  embrace, you’ll find your way,

Among the trees, there’s more than peace,

Let your spirit calm, your soul release. (Verona)

When Verona turned four months old, Thaddeus began his paternity leave, and I made the decision to resign from my job. It was the perfect opportunity for our family to embark on a memorable journey together. We spent two incredible months traveling around Mexico and Italy, and looking back at Verona’s little life, those travel experiences hold a special place in our hearts. Interestingly, just before Verona was born, I had reached a personal milestone by visiting my 100th country. Travel has always been a significant part of our lives, but traveling with her brought a whole new dimension of wonder and joy.

Verona’s love for the outdoors is evident, especially when she gazes up at the trees. It’s both a literal appreciation for nature and a connection to her heritage. Both Thaddeus’ dad and my grandfather pursued careers in forestry, and as we embrace parenthood, we reflect on our family roots and how Verona fits into the bigger picture of our family’s history. History is also a passion of Thaddeus, and his major at West Point reflects that deep interest. Through our travels and reflections on our lineage, we find ourselves looking at history with fresh eyes and a newfound appreciation.

Ami’s suggestion to include Verona’s name in the song was something we are very happy to have included. Now, as we sing it to her regularly, we can see how it adds a personal touch that makes it even more special. Her name was chosen with thought and intention, tying it to our own life experiences. Verona was the first city I lived in abroad, and it holds precious memories of beauty and new beginnings. Having Verona in our lives has surpassed all expectations, and the adventure of parenthood, much like the awe I felt when I first saw the city of Verona, has been even more beautiful than we could have imagined.

As we continue to nurture and watch Verona grow, we cherish every moment, both big and small, knowing that our journey as a family will always be filled with love, exploration, and the joy of seeing the world through her bright and curious eyes.

Verse 3

Remember to take hold each day,

For nothing is truly good or bad, they say.

It’s our thinking that colors our view,

Verona, help us find joy too.

In our final verse, we have a call to action to Verona, expressing our hopes and dreams for her.

One quote that has deeply resonated with us comes from Shakespeare’s Hamlet: “There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” This serves as a poignant reminder that our perspective shapes our reality, and no matter what challenges or joys come our way, our attitude plays a significant role in how we experience life. It feels especially fitting to reference Shakespeare, considering Verona’s name and its connection to the beautiful Italian city where Juliette, from Romeo and Juliette, is said to hail from.

Dear Verona, as you continue to grow, we ask for your help in finding joy too. May you embrace life with an open heart and a positive outlook, and may you inspire us all to see the beauty and wonder in every moment. With you by our side, every step of the journey is brighter, and we eagerly anticipate the incredible adventures that lie ahead as a family.

The Lullaby Project has been an extraordinary experience, allowing us to capture the essence of our journey into parenthood and express it through the magical language of music. We will forever cherish this gift, embracing each and every precious moment with our little Verona.