Year of the Rabbit

GUNG HAY FAT CHOI! 

Translation: Happy [Chinese] New Year!

When we were little, my mom used to tell us all sorts of things about the Chinese Zodiac Signs.  For those of you who don't know, Chinese New Year begins according to the Chinese calendar which consists of both Gregorian and lunar-solar calendar systems. Because the track of the new moon changes from year to year, Chinese New Year can begin anytime between late January and mid-February.  Although I was born in 1984, according to the Chinese calendar, January babies are considered to be part of 1983.  Since this is the case, I am a Pig...

YEAR OF THE PIG

1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength.  For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

This year, February 3rd will mark the beginning of Chinese New Year.  This so happens to be the year of the Rabbit!  My mom says that having a girl during the year of the Rabbit is a good thing!  For example, my sister is a Rabbit.  Here's a little tidbit I found on Rabbits...

YEAR OF THE RABBIT

1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Rabbits are private individuals, a bit introverted and withdrawn. People born into this sign would rather work behind-the-scenes instead of being the center of attention in any situation. Do not misunderstand...the Rabbit is not a recluse. In fact, he is a reasonably friendly individual who enjoys the company of a group of good friends whether at a business dinner or a holiday party. Rabbits just like to be a part of the gang as opposed to the leader of it.

Rabbits, like their animal counterparts, are quite calm people who do not exhibit aggressive behavior and will avoid confrontation at all costs.

Apparently, Young Rabbits have characteristics of their own.  Even if it's complete nonsense, it's still interesting to read about.  I hope our baby boy or girl isn't branded a crybaby...

Young Rabbits are very sensitive children. They tend to let their emotions get the best of them and will cry with no remorse. At school, these children often get teased for being so sensitive and become branded crybabies by other boys and girls. Rabbit children are especially close to their mothers and maintain a wonderfully close relationship with them throughout their lives. They depend on their mothers for advice and support and will reciprocate when necessary. Rabbit children are desperate for stability and routine and require a sort of scheduling to do their best work. Like the adult Rabbit, Rabbit children are likely to be quite interested in the arts, particularly in music, a subject in which most Rabbit children thrive.

Dropping Knives

Two weeks ago David and I started our Bradley Child Birth Class.  As an introduction, we went around the room and each person had to say something interesting about themselves.  My mind went blank.  Am I the most un-interesting person I know?  When my turn came, I blurted out, "I'm clumsy, and I'm really concerned for our child."

Cut to one week later.  I was in my parent's kitchen preparing an appetizer.  I needed more counter space, so I decided to carry the flimsy cutting board I was using across the kitchen.  Doesn't sound so bad except for the fact that I placed a very sharp knife on the cutting board, prior to moving it.  Knife slips off the board, nearly cuts my toes off and sticks straight up in the wood floor.  Oops.  Don't tell Dad.  Anyways, I wanted to show my sister a re-enactment of me jumping back to avoid the knife.  In the process of the re-enactment, my socks slip on the wood floor and I fall face first, hitting my belly on the ground.  You had to be there to fully understand the situation.    

OMG.  The baby!!  The horror!!  After doing some major research and watching for signs of trauma (i.e. vaginal bleeding, leaking amniotic fluid, abdominal pain, uterine contractions, etc.), I think the baby is ok.  We learned in class that the baby is cradled in an incredibly shock-resistant womb.  Baby is protected by amniotic fluid, tough membranes, the flexible/muscular uterus, and the abdominal cavity which is made up of muscles, bone, and fat.  Apparently it would take quite an accident to penetrate the fortress. 

BLAH.  I have to be more careful.  I also need to start padding everything in our house.  With our genes, this baby is going to be doubly clumsy. 

All Signs Point to Girl!

Not knowing the sex of Baby Choi, gives David and I the opportunity to play guessing games.  Although the majority of old wives tales are ridiculous, we can't help but be amused.  

Carrying High or Carrying Low?

The way you are carrying during your pregnancy is one of the most cited ways of determining the sex of your baby.  According to this old wives tale, if you're carrying high then you must be having a girl. 

Our Results: I can't tell.  Someone help me with this.

What Your Urine Says

Apparently if you take a sample of your urine and mix it with Drano, the color change of your urine will depend on the sex of the baby.  If your urine turns bluish-yellow, brown, black or blue, you're having a boy.  If your urine looks more green, blue or doesn't change at all, then you're having a girl. 

Our Results: I haven't tried this one yet...

Heartbeats

As stated in one of my earlier blogs, if the fetal heartbeat is above 140 bpm you're having a girl.  A boy will have a heart rate below 140 bpm. 

Our Results: GIRL - Heartbeats between 150-162 bpm


Craving Something...Sweet?
Many people believe that your cravings are caused by the sex of your baby.  If you can't get enough chocolate you could be having a girl.  If the idea of drinking straight lemon juice sounds delicious to you, then those cravings are a result of the little boy inside of you. 
Our Results: GIRL - I've always liked sweets but never had such a sweet tooth like I do now!

Weight Gain

The belief is that, if your husband puts on weight during pregnancy, then you will be having a girl.  If he doesn't put on a pound, then you're carrying a boy.  

Our Results: No comment - I'll let David answer this one!

Is Your Face Round and Full

Some say that the shape and fullness of your face during pregnancy can indicate your baby's sex.  If your face is round and rosy you're having a girl.

Our Results: GIRL

Pendant

Hold a pendant over your hand.  If the necklace swings back and forth, you're having a boy.  If it is more of a circular motion, then it's a girl.

Our Results: GIRL

Acne?

Some believe that getting acne during your pregnancy indicates you're carrying a girl.  Maybe this is caused by twice the amount of female hormones?

Our Results: GIRL - David calls me his pimply wife :(

Chinese Gender Chart

Perhaps one of the most telling signs is the Chinese Gender Chart.  It is rumored to be over 90% accurate.  Discovered 700 years ago in a royal tomb in Beijing, China, the Chinese Gender Chart uses your age and the month you conceived to predict whether you're having a boy or a girl.  

Our Results: GIRL - 26 years old, conceived in August

  

As a result of these tests, David and I have devoted more time to creating a list of possible girl's names...just in case!

...BOY OR GIRL?!

For most expectant parents, the 20 week ultrasound is a monumental occasion.  At this point, parents have the option to find out if the baby is a boy or a girl. 

For David and I, it was no different.  Even though we've decided not to find out the sex of baby Choi, Tuesday's 20 week appointment was incredible!  Most first time moms are supposed to be able to feel the baby kicking around 17-20 weeks.  I, on the other hand, still can't tell the difference between stomach cramps and kicking.  This was definitely starting to make me feel uneasy. But I'm happy to report that the ultrasound went great!  Turns out I can't feel the baby kicking quite yet because the placenta is anterior, which means when the baby is kicking it's actually kicking the placenta and not my belly.  Eventually the placenta will move (hopefully) and then I should be able to feel him/her moving quite easily. 

Otherwise, baby is doing well and everything looks perfect...four chambers in the heart, fully developed lips and nose, and all of the organs are in the right place performing as they should!  We couldn't be happier.   Knowing our baby is healthy is the only assurance we need.  Finding out the sex on the day I deliver will be the greatest surprise ever!

Baby Profile!



Picture of the Spine



Baby's profile with eyes and little arm?

We recorded the entire ultrasound session.  Here's a snippet showing baby with hiccups!  

This video is crazy, the baby just appears!

In other news, I think I'm getting huge!  Being preggo during the holiday season can make for a bad combination.   

Holiday Weight + Baby Weight = ME (at 21 weeks)!  AHH!