I have had several ideas swirling around in my head all week for blog posts, but it seems I can’t focus on any one.
I’m having focus issues at work, too. I wish I were a little busier, actually, because I think that would help. (I know: be careful what you wish for. Especially on the Thursday of what seems to be a long-ass week.)
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One thing I’m trying to explore is my attraction to the music of Eminem. I recently picked up Recovery, his latest CD, and I really like it. (I have two earlier CDs, also, The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show.) “Love the Way You Lie” gives me chills. I can’t figure out what it is about Eminem that I like so much.
And judging from my Twitter stream, I am not the only white woman/mom I know who loves his stuff. What is it about Marshall’s music?
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Another topic I have come across is this book, Origins: How the Nine Months Before Birth Shape the Rest of Our Lives. There’s a lively exchange between the author of the book, Annie Murphy Paul, and one of the writers at Slate that I enjoyed. Paul also has an adaptation in Time Magazine.
I cannot actually read the book right now. As I’m knocked up and all. I think it would definitely be information overload.
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Speaking of the whole pregnancy thing: I am entering the very uncomfortable stage of the third trimester: wheezing, waddling — I think I’ve already mentioned the sleep issues. As @MamaPhan put it in a Tweet the other day: “I declare turning over in bed to be an Olympic sport.” (Her due date is 12/1.)
Another problem is eating. My appetite is nil, primarily because I don’t have any room in there. But obviously I have to eat. I think my body is flirting with heartburn, too, which I find very distressing. I did not have heartburn with Flora and Kate, but I did have it (for the first time in my life, actually) with Gabriel. So, I’m not feeling very sanguine about it.
Six to eight more weeks; homestretch. That’s what I am trying to focus on. We have another ultrasound tomorrow to see how the little guy is doing.
I can’t wait to meet him.
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Lastly, there’s suddenly a rash of articles online about drinking during pregnancy. This is the topic that is especially tweaking me, primarily because of the comments I am seeing.
But more on that later. When (if?) I can focus again.
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Speaking of drinking, I just had a pop (soda, for those of you outside of southwestern PA) with sugar in it instead of HFCS. Mommy likey!
Red Pen Mama 
Eminem is great story teller. “Lose Yourself” is well-deserving it’s Oscar. It creates a character and sets a mood so well, like much of his music. Sometimes the characters and the moods aren’t likeable, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t do it well. Have you heard Tori Amos’ cover of “’97 Bonnie and Clyde?” I think it’s telling to hear Eminem’s lyrics performed by someone other than Eminem. It helps to strip away the “guilty pleasure” aspect.
I feel for you with the heartburn. I’ve had it with both pregnancies. I had never had it before, so when I first felt it I had no idea what was happening. Luckily (for this purpose) my husband has a lot of stomach problems, so he was able to diagnose me right away. “That’s heartburn.” I never stops me from eating though. I’m pretty committed to eating (particularly spicy foods), so I power through.
Also, pop is a West coast thing, too.
I hope the ultrasound looks great.
I should proofread comments more. Or never reread them. Clearly I meant “‘Lose Yourself’is well-deserving of its Oscar.” I know better than that. Argh.
That’s a good point, about his story telling ability. He really does convey a narrative very well and creatively — even if it’s a troubling one. I’ll have to check out Amos’ version (love her, too!).
My dad was the one who told me I had heartburn. He suffers from it too. I had no idea what was going on, except it was extremely unpleasant. I’m trying to figure out the food triggers, so I can avoid them. So far, it’s not so bad, and at 32 weeks, I don’t have much longer to go. Of course, Le Bud is just getting bigger, so I guess we’ll see what happens! Thanks!
Ah, yes, I had forgotten that pop is more widespread. Brought to mind this map: http://popvssoda.com:2998/
As someone who volunteered at a domestic violence shelter back in the mid ’90s, I hate that I like Eminem’s music, particularly “Love the Way You Lie”; I don’t know what it is about his music either.
When I was pregnant with my kid (now 7), one of the ob-gyns at the practice where I went told me I could have two mixed drinks a day. I found that advice a bit irresponsible considering all the medical malpractice suits there are. A glass of wine, fine. Maybe even every day (my mom and all her friends did it back in the day). But I just can’t imagine throwing back a couple of vodka tonics or Jim Beams daily.
Hang in there.
Yes, that’s part of my problem: some of his misogynistic stuff is so distasteful. But he is extremely passionate, and even a song like “Love the Way You Lie” is as much about strong personalities struggling with their feelings as anything else. “Maybe this is what happens when a tornado meets a volcano.”
Two MIXED DRINKS a day? Wow. that does sound like a lot. My midwives would advocate for the occasional glass of wine, and not until the third trimester. But they still pretty toe the line and suggest I drink no alcohol. “Moderation” means different things to different people. Although my mom has confessed to drinking whiskey when she was pregnant with me, it was probably 3 or 4 times over the course of 9 months, not nearly a daily thing.
I’m glad I am not the only one who is completely captivated by that Eminem song…I think it is because it SO brutally honest. And it SOUNDS amazing.
I had heartburn with both my kiddos…don’t fret, my friend. All will be well. I never had heartburn before pregnancy either! Thank goodness for TUMS!
btw…I have boy clothes for you!!! and more to come! My good friend and neighbor’s baby boy is 6mos old and growing fast! I will give to your folks so they can transport at their leisure 🙂
Much love to you and the family!!
YES! The drinking during pregnancy. What is up with that? My OB would never suggest that. She says once I’m nursing that I can have one glass of wine a day. That’s it. Even then, I didn’t do it. I just don’t want to take the chance.
And what moderation means to one woman could mean something completely different to another.
Plus, I always thought it was just beer and wine, not mixed drinks.
When I was a waitress, I had to serve a pregnant woman a beer. I just felt so wrong to do it. I know I’m not her and she is making a decision for herself, but it still felt icky.