Ipod Shuffle (2nd generation) won't stay mounted/connected to new (nov 2013) macbook pro (os 10.9)

Shuffle works fine on older macbook I'm replacing as well as my work laptop (pc), so it doesn't appear to be anything wrong w/ my ipod shuffle or usb dock/cable connection. Ipod shuffle is synced w/ my new laptop (put everything over to it via Timemachine). Itunes on the new mabook (the one I'm having the mounting/connectivity issue with) works fine syncing my ipod touch and 2 different iphones (3gs and 4g). Itunes seems 100% functional except for this ipod shuffle issue.

When I physically plug in the ipod shuffle it takes it a long time to mount (if it mounts at all). Sometimes my macbook freezes for a couple of seconds. I note that the led on the shuffle is quite erradic. Once mounted, it only stays connected for a few seconds before saying that I did not eject the disk properly. If I try to put any music on it during that time it will immediately complain that I improperly ejected the disk. The firmware on the ipod is up to date (1.0.4). I managed to keep it connected long enough to do an ipod restore, though that has only erased the music on the shuffle and the problem keeps persisting. Computer is 2 weeks old and all updates have been run.

Appears to be an issue with the new mac hardware or most recent itunes software or both.

"Disk Not Ejected Properly" and "Attempting to copy to the disk "IPOD" failed. The disk could not be read from or written to."

Any thoughts or suggestions? This thing is in great shape and I'd really prefer not to replace it having just spent $3k on a new macbook!

Cheers,