Momma bump - 25 weeks

Here's the latest one of Week 25!

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Whale-ly Updates 13

Hello!


New updates:

1. Bump now measures 94cm =)
2. I've developed a VERY sharp pain in my upper left buttocks. It feels like some sort of nerve pain... like someone stabbed me with something real sharp. It's a come and go pain. Just the stab, then it goes away. And it gets really bad when walking or standing. Just last night we were out shopping and there were times the pain threw me off course and I almost couldn't remain standing. I've tried doing some internet research but it turns out the main ones like Pelvic Girdle Pain and Sciatica pain just don't seem to fit the bill. But I am somehow confident that it'll be healed very soon. Keep me in prayers =) I've been trying to sit the pain out, trying not to add any pressure on my left butt.
3. Still been waking up 2-3 times a night to pee. But I'm getting used to the routine so much so I am much less lethargic as compared to when these spells first started.

I guess that's just about it. Baby Bean Sprout will turn 26 weeks tomorrow! Wow... that means I have 2 more weeks of this trimester left till I meet and greet the THIRD TRIMESTER! Woooooo. I've read and heard alot about it... but oh well.. I'll only know when I'm there =) Till then, tata!

Fetal Movements

Fetal movements - as a mother on a forum said, there's nothing more reassuring that a good strong poke! I sincerely agree. On days I go around like a crazed maniac paying attention to my bump for the slightest flutter. On other days, I sit delightfully as Bean Sprout punches and kicks inside me. But as to the frequency of the kicks, I've been noticing that this babe is really interesting. While internet sites say that by week 25-28, the baby's "timetable" should be well established. By that, it means that certain babies are morning ones, certain ones are night ones, certain ones move about alot after meals, etc. So like an inexperienced, super kan-chiong mother, I wait and observed attentively for the slightest pattern in movements to find my baby's timetable. But I guess it hasn't been working. =/ See... this babe is very unique (like every other babe), it's sort of like a week by week basis pattern. I've noticed for the past month or so, there will be a week where there's LOTS of disco dancing, prodding, and punching. Then the next week, a decrease in movement. I can try laying on my side, drinking sweet drinks, but nope, minimal movements! And that's been driving me crazyyyy!!

Book that I've been reading discredit counting fetal movements. Thank God they do! If not, I would be again, rushing to the gynae everytime I've not felt baby movements for 12 hours. =/ Today was one of those days where baby movements are low. There are a few reasons why (internet research): 1. mom's been active, hence rocking baby to sleep 2. baby's low on energy 3. baby just doesn't feel like moving (yeap, they have moods too!) 3. fetal position 4. anterior placenta.

Justin had to calm me down again today. And as far as he's concerned, as long as baby does wiggle a little throughout the day, she's perfectly fine! So oh well... worrying is really not good for me and baby. So, I've finally settled down, and lo and behold, she gave me a few good strong kicks. =D I guess I'm a happy mommy again!! hehehehe

To Registry or Not to Registry?

Lenny recently suggested that I create some sort of a baby registry... The idea is still new to me and frankly speaking, I don't know whether it'll work.

If you're blur as to what a Baby Registry is, I shall explain. In the West, people practice gift-giving during the Baby shower. And registries were created to help make the job of gift-givers easier. Cause often times we get stuck trying to think of what to buy. So a baby registry is basically a wish-list where the mother-to-be writes down a list of gifts/items that she needs/wants/would like. And people pick from that list and buy them. Hence, cutting short the job of thinking of what to buy etc. And nowadays with the increase of online shops, gift-givers need not rush to the stores anymore. Just simply click on the link to the online shop in the baby registry, select gift, and it will be delivered to the mom-to-be's doorstep.

So yes, it does sound like a very nice idea as Lenny put. But still there's this... malu factor. When I told Justin about the idea, he said... eeee.. isn't that like begging? @@

So how how how?? To registry or not to??

My mom suggested that I could set up a registry and see who picks up what. If no one picks up anything that's perfectly fine, if people do pick up things, that's great! Hmm... Maybe I'll take mom's suggestion. Set it up and see how lo.

What's in the Name?

With only 14 weeks left before this baby comes (may be less though). The biggest issues on my mind now are finances and the name!

Private hospitals here have a policy... if baby is born during non office hours (i.e. 6pm- 8am and on public holidays/weekends), delivery cost doubles. Sigh... My friend just told us she delivered her first child for a whooping 8,000.00 ++. We are honestly not prepared financially for this bill. On top of this there's still the stroller, car seat, and playpen left to purchase. All of which will amount to about 2,500.00. I can very honestly say, I've been panicking, worrying, and praying... Interesting thing is, I heard a whisper 2 days ago (before all these worries started pouring in) that He has not let me down yet, and will never let me down... Justin says this was God's reassuring voice. I honestly have never been so worried about finances before... Interesting how Justin is calm at this time when I'm all over the place worrying. I need to be like Mary... breatheee..

Which brings me to the next issue - BABY NAME!!!!
We have a shortlist. It is very short. But, somehow we can't seem to decide!! What we do have is a list of Chinese names =D

Boy: Yap Khye Ven / Yap Khye Jieh
Girl: Yap Kye Lee / Yap Kye Yen

The issue we have with English/Christian names is... We want something that fits our criterion:
1. Must have suitable and significant meaning(s)
2. Must not be common (or associated to someone we know, especially someone who's spoiled the name =/)
3. Must sound pleasing to the ear and look pleasing to the eye (this is important as some spellings are just... weird)
4. With the least possible mispronunciations and negative connotations in as many known languages in our community as possible

Ok.. after typing this list out, I've realized how fussy we are. But the thing with names is, we believe that the name is ESSENTIAL! We definitely won't go with anything that means dark defiance or has a mediocre meaning. Which is why we gave up "Taylor" which we both loved.. because "Taylor" means "cutter of cloth" =/

Soooo yes... what's in the name? We believe that the name holds alot =) while our child's future may not be shaped merely by the name, but during Bible times, the name meant the parent's vision of their child. And often times vision goes before alot of things! So when we name our child, we want that to be our vision of our child and how we're going to bring the child up. =) While we know that this may push us to "add pressure" onto the child, nevertheless we still believe that this child is born for a purpose and we are stewards. Which means that above raising the child to have a healthy self esteem, to feel good about him/herself, and to be happy, we have the responsibility to raise a responsible, God-fearing, mission oriented child that will understand that his/her life has been bought for a price and there is more to life that him/her.

Oohhh the name... we only have a merer 103 days or less to decide on one. Lord help!! Which reminds me... it's so cute knowing that God already knows what this baby will be called, we just don't know it yet =D

105 days and counting???

Just happened to scroll down to the pregnancy countdown on the bottom of this blog and I read 105 days.... I paused and exclaimed to Justin. And then we both paused... and then panicked. 105 days??? Oh gosh... at the rate days are flying... it'll be in no time till I actually go through the whole labor process...

I have to admit I've been putting off thinking of labor thus far. But aswe hit 6 months last week, I realised the need to start educating myself on what I may be able to expect when "the time comes". It's been... scary actually. Some women have wonderful birth stories, others have horror-filled ones. But I've started praying hard... Last night I thought... sigh, no point worrying, either way this baby's gonna come out. =/

These really are exciting times, why would anyone put off having children? =S (honest question ya)

We had another revelation today.... you know how 2 are supposed to become 1 after marriage and sexual intercourse? But we've always felt that while yes, spiritually we are 1, we are still very distinct individuals. Then it clicked... we really truly become 1 through our children. Imagine this... husband and wife have different genetic make up, personality, preferences etc... but their child is a true mix of everything of the husband and wife. Amazing how God designed this! Our God is amazing!

Whale-ly Updates 12

An amazing yet scary thing happened about 3 weeks ago, and it happened again last night!

My girl packs a real punch. About 3 weeks ago, while trying to fall asleep on my side, I felt Bean Sprout squirming, and my bump needed support as it was still too small to fully rest on the mattress. So I placed my hand between my bump and the mattress to support it a little. All of a sudden, I felt this PROD!! It was like someone poked a pencil at my hand!! This was the very first time I felt such a defined movement of my Bean Sprout!!

Last night it happened again, MANY times!! And this time, daddy Bean Sprout got to feel it too!! It was strong, and it did hurt a little. But it was wonderful la!! I felt a mixture of fear (too much alien and predator movies where aliens grow inside humans cause this I think =S), awe, and excitement! She has indeed grown, and is now packing lots of power in her punches and prods!!!

And just today while relaxing on the couch, Bean Sprout was up and jiggling for a good 2 hours! Some movements were so hard that my entire bump moved from side to side, or up and down. It was so amazing, and I watched with anticipation for the next movement. Even held my camera on record mode so daddy Bean Sprout could watch too, but as recording started, no movement, once recording stopped, I got a huge bumping around inside. =/

This is really interesting! But I'm starting to wonder how much harder can she kick. Last night's kicks really hurt. Oh well, no complaints at all, I'm so thankful my Bean Sprout's jiggling and active. As my gynae said, this is an active one =D

Lord You are so so so GOOD!!!

Oh oh, my bump now measures 93cm. Seems like it's been growing by 1 cm each week. =)