Musical Womb

Who decides the music you love? You.

Easy answer, but I know it has a lot to do with the music you are raised on, or around. For me, I was lucky, I had my parents listening to BB King and Led Zeppelin, and my brothers listening to Nirvana and Wu-tang.

I don't remember a single weekend growing up whether it was at my family home, or a single parent home where, when cleaning, or showering, or driving into the city there wasn't music being blasted at the highest volume point on the stereo or record player. And forget about the countless times I tried stealing my brothers walkman to listen to the new Talib Kweli or Busta Rhymes Single. I would later lock myself in my room and either listen to an old cassette I found in my dad's case or record songs I liked off of the radio while I pretended to do homework in Jr. High.

Music is what single-hand-idly brought John and I together, liking each others Erykah Badu posts on Facebook or playing some Jimi Hendricks on our way to a date.

I can say, without a doubt, music is my greatest influence when it comes to fashion, political ideals, love-interests, and even friendships I have. With the importance music has on our lives I find that figuring out what to play and what not to play in the delivery room, and what will be playing next to my tummy for the next 4-5 months not to mention all of the mornings getting ready or car rides taking Baby to Preschool or the grocery store are some of the easiest, yet most important choices I am already considering.

My laptops speakers sit directing in front of my belly, and my list for birth music is growing everyday.

I hope that when my Baby isn't such a baby anymore, they can say, undoubtedly, like myself, that my parents shaped their musical taste for the better, and along with that, a ton of other decisions they are proud of.

So, for now... I will let the Black Keys lullaby Baby away in there. :)

"You're Really Going To Eat That?"

Yes, actually, now suck it!

That's the response I usually want to give to the person asking that question, you know, the same person who makes sure you are working out regularly, and know what's best for you and your unborn child? Yeah, that Bi#ch.

The funniest thing is that, the person on the other side of this is usually the same one who doesn't think I can lift a piece of tissue paper, and I should find out the gender of my child, and that I should get an epidural and do things as unnatural, medicated, (and potentially harmful and selfish) as possible when it comes to birth. But God forbid I even pick up a box of hair dye. Gasp! I am not smoking, doing drugs, or drinking, and I am not even eating deli meats or soft cheeses, so lay off!

I started this pregnancy at a higher weight than I wish I was, but other than a few minor injury-related health problems, (back issues pretty much) I have been told that I am as healthy as an ox, or rather a woman you would want having a baby. And in my 5 months of pregnancy I have only gained a mere 2 pounds, despite my ever growing baby. My heart rate, blood pressure, and over all health is great, so if I want to pick up a god-damned french fry, I will.

We all have that one person on a regular basis who loooooves to throw their opinion in there and make sure you know, that they know, what is best for you, even if they don't follow their own advice, but when you become pregnant, you suddenly have every one of those people who exists in this world finding you.

So, until my doctor or my health tells me otherwise, I will eat a few french fries, I will dye my hair every other month in a well ventilated area, and I will continue to tell you to "suck it" under my breath as you walk away.

Proud (baby) Mama!

As much as I am bummed that I will soon be seeing a lot less of J, I am very proud of him. He got a second job yesterday! So until he hears back from the full-timers we are crossing our fingers for, he will be an even harder-working daddy-to-be soon.

I am very proud of all the hard work he puts in just to try to make things easier on me and my pregnant ass. Also, this week we are finally doing the big, pride-killing, yet very important move. We will be living with his family until baby is here all to save for the next place and car. I am so thankful for all of the help we are getting from all ends. I am feeling like a very lucky lady right now.

:)

Veggie Tales

After almost a full year of being back in my carnivorous ways, and 5 months pregnant, I am missing my Vegetarian, animal-friendly, feel-good (eating) lifestyle. I am the only on in my family, the only one of any relatively close friends and definitely the only one in my relationship who is or ever was even somewhat involved in a vegetarian lifestyle. And with already being criticized enough for not eating any cold cuts during this pregnancy, I am sure I will have a ton to stand up to, especially nearing the move-in date with J's family, all of whom are not vegetarians, when it comes to any of my family or friend's opinions if I decide to go back before the bun in the oven is done baking.

So I am a little torn. I want to be healthier and feel more at ease knowing I am not taking part in the many things wrong with the meat-industry, but... Is it worth it for the baby?

Everything I have read and all of the research I have found shows that as long as I balance out my diet with plenty of Iron, Calcium, and protein rich (non-meat) foods, I will be giving the baby more than enough juice to grow. Add to all of that the giant prenatal vitamins I have to shove down my easily-upset stomach every day and it sounds perfect.

There's my argument for the doubtful. But what about cravings?

I know, I know, if I am this passionate about it than they shouldn't be an issue, right? But have you ever had a pregnancy craving? My mother once had to run into the house to grab a spoonful of tartersauce just to be okay for a drive.

These bad boys can be serious. So, if I am a happy little animal loving veggie all over again, what happens when preggo-monster decides she wants a steak?! Will I be miserable, or take full advantage, only to backstep and have lived my veg. lifestyle all for nothing?

I am going on my next shopping spree only buying veg-friendly items, and hoping for the best, so we will see.