VJ is 24 weeks old this week in gestation. Apparently that means his hearing is fully developed and he can recognize his mom and dad's voices, in addition to being able to "enjoy" music. We are looking forward to playing some tunes for the little guy in utero so that he might have some familiar music to relax to when he makes it to the real world! (I know it sounds crazy, but we are just too excited about VJ being a part of our lives now. Also, some studies have *tried* to indicate that "prenatal sonic stimulation" may yield some of the same benefits that have been more scientifically-established by the prenatal consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids. According to early-pregnancy-tests.com, "such purported benefits include enhanced attention spans, improved sleep patterns, increased cognitive development, and sharper language skills...")
Based on our excitement - and the idea that it certainly can NOT hurt (if not played too loudly) - I've been playing the song "Over the rainbow" by the Hawaiian singer Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (aka "Iz") to VJ every morning after breakfast! I wrap the head phones around my ever-increasingly-rotund belly and turn on the ITunes player...
Speaking of music, Dad and I are now trying to put together a playlist to upload onto our mp3 players for the big day, when VJ is born. We have read repeatedly that labor goes more quickly if the mother is relaxed, and one way to accomplish this is for her and her birth coach (i.e. Dad) to practice relaxing every day to "feel good" music that they can enjoy during the birth. In support of this idea, one of the hospitals that we recently visited for a birth tour provides boom boxes in every room where couples can play CDs and/or hook up their mp3 players.
It is actually really difficult to find "newborn appropriate" music that seems to fit the occasion of a baby coming into this world!!! I have gone through a lot of my favorite and mellow tunes in my ITunes library, and have found surprisingly that many of the songs I enjoy - even if they are ultra mellow - have some kind of dark or sad edge to them. Many of Jack Johnson's songs for instance, are about depressing events and death! Other songs I like that are kind of folksy are also "blues-ey" which normally is very enjoyable. But somehow they seem to sad - or "blue" - for a new born baby.
The very best music I have come up with so far is the Hawaiian music by IZ. (Here is a video on Youtube that plays one version of his awesome song "Somewhere over the Rainbow")
So we have asked friends and are now trying to make up a list of potential singers whom we might enjoy. I haven't gathered (ie. bought, borrowed, or downloaded) a lot of the songs yet, so I am trying to keep track of good suggestions here so I won't forget them in the meantime. So far we have:
Bob Marley (and general reggae)
Enya
Eva Cassidy
Iron and Wine
Jack Johnson
Neil Simon
Nora Jones
Paul Simon
"Talk to Her" Soundtrack
Any more suggestions? If so, please let us know. I hope to add to this list as we get more ideas.
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