What's in a name?

Even though we now know the baby' s a BOY... it's brought us no closer to any real names. The original idea was to come up with a name that started with the letter "M" to match Matthew (cousin's name on the Si family side) but there are so few "M" boy names! Granted, I could name him Max but Max Si... yeah, I don't think I can afford the psychiatrist bills that would accumulate as a result. Messiah... no. Oh, famous Moses... again no. What else?

Li has come up with NUMEROUS Chinese names that start with the "M" sound such as ma ling su, ma ti kao, etc but those aren't good either. A friend liked ma ling su (potato) and when I reminded her that in English, it starts with the letter "P," the name was promptly modified to Motato. Cute but as an official name? Bottom line, we are without a name. Who knew it'd be so hard! I remember naming myself Kelly in no time... why is this a billion times harder?

So... I'm begging anyone and everyone for suggestions. My only criteria is no ethnic names (e.g., Carlos, Tyrone, etc), no "common" names. (I grew very tired very quickly of always having at least one other Kelly in class growing up. I think my son would appreciate my consideration.), and no unisex names (not for a boy). Otherwise, I don't even care if it starts with the letter "M" anymore! HELP!!!!

It's a BOY!

Yes, we found out officially that we are having a boy.

It's strange finding out the sex of the baby. When I first heard the tech announce to us that the baby is a boy, I couldn’t help giggling nonstop. I don’t even know why… I'm sure part of it had to do with Sili. He wouldn't stop pacing around the room. I told him that I wasn’t in labor yet so he could be still…. Turns out he was thinking of names of the baby because we had no boy names yet.

In addition to finding out the sex of the baby, I think just knowing this has made it all more real to me, once more. I couldn’t get it out of my head that I’m going to have SON. I’m going to be a boy’s mom. All this time, I knew I was pregnant and having a baby but now that I know it’s a boy… it’s making the process seem even more real. Strange.

Back from a long hiatus

We're back... from our LA + Alaskan Cruise + Vancouver trip. Scenery was lovely, food was ok, and cruise was relaxing. All we did was eat and sleep. Ok, that's what Sili did. As for me and as Sili would say it, all I did was eat, pee, sleep, pee... welcome to pregnancy. I don't know if it's because I was paranoid I'd have to use the toilet and not be able to find one but I went so often even I was wondering how it'd be possible for me to have to go so often. This is on top of my restriction from intaking fluids! Crazy. And my belly has definitely grown during this break away. It's definitley noticeable now and there's no mistaking it's the baby versus before, I now realize, was just food sitting in my stomach/intestine... that would make sense for the drastic change in size throughout the day. Duh. Well, I'm happy and proud to sport my new look but am realizing that I need not only maternity pants but new tops too. I'm going to try to hold out for as long as possible with what I already have in the closet but not too optimistic that it'll last until Nov. What else changed... oh, how can I forget... pelvic pains! What's up with that? I'm not huge yet and haven't gained much weight (only 4 lbs which is worrisome for me) but I'm having pelvic pains that come and go... mostly come but I'm happy for the little breaks when I do get them. It's affecting both my waking moments and sleep habits. I figure this is ridiculous so I'm on the mission to find some exercises to prevent/get rid of this pain in my a$$.

Onto more positive news... I felt the baby move while on vacation (I think). It was this scrambling/tickling feeling on my right side. I'm almost positive but haven't been able to pick up something so "obvious" since. Most times, the movements in my belly are just the precursor to well... you know... flatulence. TMI? BUT... I'm positive I felt the baby externally. The first time, I thought I actually had a tumor or something but given that the hard rock bulge shifted after a while, I'm assuming this growing mass is just my baby. :)

Bye bye 1st trimester and hello 2nd trimester

True to my "promise," I've already managed to fall behind on my blogging.  Hey, better late than never right?

In good news, we've officially hit our second trimester but in bad news, I have a million more weeks to go.  It's not that I'm feeling miserable or anything but those who know me know that I'm anything but patient.  I just want to meet our baby.  All I ask is health for our child.  It doesn't matter if the baby turns out to be a boy or girl... we will be happy.  But I've just got to say that this 9 months deal is really testing my patience.  On the bright side, at least I'm only human and not an elephant! :)

So what's on my mind these days?  Well, I'm amazed at how accurate the internet sites/books are about symptoms one may feel during so and so week.  I remember right around 13 weeks, a site mentioned "stabbing pains" to be felt this week.  Sure enough, I felt the stabbing pains (though I have to admit, I've never actually been stabbed (knock on wood) but I guess if I were to be one day (again, knock on wood), this is how it would feel?) and it's continued since.  Sometimes it's the infamous stabbing pain while other times, it feels more like muscle spasms.  For sure, I can feel stretching going on in muscles I never knew existed.  Funny thing is the only way to feel better is to help it stretch even more by bending my back backwards. Let's just hope I don't end up as big as a whale because I'm so complacent.  Everyone's anxious to see how big I get because of my "normal" size.  Stats: I've gained 2 lbs and there is definitely clear signs of a bump.  Guess only time will tell.

Blogging

I’ve finally jumped into the high-tech world of blogging.  A friend had been edging me to do so for a LONG time and even more since I became pregnant but I had always hesitated.  Honestly, what do I have to say that would be of any interest to anyone?  Plus, the idea of personal thoughts, information, etc so readily available to anyone just seemed too daunting to me. 

But… I’ve bravely embraced the idea and have decided to blog.  Now I just need to remember to be diligent with updating the blog.  Another reason why I hesitated… do I really need more work?  Wait... is this regret I hear already??

Life altering news

The first response from most people we tell is "really?  so soon!" but it's true, we are pregnant. After a shaky start, we are happy to share that all is well (at least as of yesterday.  I guess this very statement is revealing my continual worry but according to my mom, the worry will never go away... not even when the child is 50 years old!).  

During our first official OB visit, we got to meet the newest member of our family.  I have to say... even though everyone exclaims that it's such an exciting experience, I have to admit that seeing the blob (aka, carrot, snowman, you name it, it's been labeled) resulted in mix feelings.  On one hand, it was comforting to be assured that there was a heartbeat and something really was there but also disappointing to not know what we were looking at.  

At the second OB appointment, I heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time.  Again, very exciting but more just because I could be once again reassured the baby was still there and doing ok (even though no one felt my tummy to check the baby but they assured me everything was ok.  I don't know how they know but guess they are the experts afterall.).  

Then yesterday, we had another sonogram to check for chromosomal abnormalities and we saw the baby!  A real baby!  We agreed that this was probably the most exciting moment of the entire process (aside from finding out which was mixed with fear and anxiety).  We could see distinct HUMAN features like the head with eyes, nose, mouth with a torso and attached legs and arms.  After the first time, baby daddy's become the expert and identified the heart beat immediately.  :)  We were informed by the ultrasound technician but the baby seemed fine based on her measurements and that my blood should only confer an even lower risk.  Phew.... 

So in the first trimester, we've had an blessed uneventful first few weeks which we hope will continue in the coming months and years.   And yes, it's true.  This is permanent and our life along with our families and friends have now been permanently changed....