new to iPods

Hi -- last week I did something pretty impulsive but something I've been wanting to do for a long time: I bought an iPod Shuffle. I couldn't justify getting the more expensive ones because I didn't know how much I'd really get to listen to it with 2 small kids... but checking out some things online and talking to people who have them said that if you want to use them for working out or light travel that they are the perfect thing.

Well, I have listened to more music OF MY OWN in the past week than I have in the past 4 years. I didn't truly realize how the only thing I listened to was Kindermusik CD's with some occasional Norah Jones and James Taylor in the evenings while I made dinner and was trying to avoid turning the TV on. I have also started running up and down our street while Joshua plays and Karissa naps, and listening to music of my choice while I run (and listening for a baby monitor and a 4 year old) has given me a HUGE sense of freedom. Last night I even listened to it doing some nightly cleanup and folding clothes since I didn't really want to hear the Masters (Steven is still a golf fiend, even though he cycles way more than he golfs).

Steven also got me an iTunes gift card at Valentine's Day and since we use Macs setting all this up has been so easy. I love the shuffle feature -- it's like I'm listening to a radio station that I programmed with all of my favorite music! (Gee, I sound like a commercial, don't I?) It's just for a mom of young ones who doesn't feel a lot of freedom and can't get away much, this is like a real oasis. And maybe if I can keep running, maybe I can finally get this postpregnancy weight off.