The sounds of a toddler house

Have you ever noticed how your house sounds different when you have a toddler?

It's not just the pidder-padder of little feet or the sound of numerous electronic toys playing all kinds of soundbites. It's much more than that...

It used to be that when I came home late, I'd hear the sound of the TV or the radio. Now, it's the sound of Karsten and Natalie laughing, the sound of 600 plastic balls rubbing against each other in the ballpit, and then the sound of Natalie running to great me with a huge grin on her face.

During breakfast, there used to be the sound of CNN. Now, it's the sound of Dora the Explorer.

The radio used to be tuned to 80's music, or smooth jazz, or a rock station. Now, it's 80's music, smooth jazz, a rock station, a kid's station or... but they all sound like perfect music for a quick dance around house with Natalie, or for a solo-dance by Natalie!

The sound of the washer and dryer used to sound like a chore waiting to be done. Now, it sounds like a whole basket full of endless fun when Natalie helps me take the laundry out of the dryer and sort and fold it.

In fact, most sounds are the same, they just sound different.

And then, of course, there is the sound of Natalie's belly-laughter - and the sound of her babbling in her crib in the morning. I still haven't decided which of those two are my favorite sound of all!