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Rabbits are private individuals, a bit introverted and withdrawn.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!



Interesting Article

Today I read a CNN article that really intrigued me.... 

Desperate breast-feeding moms reveal secrets

By Elizabeth Cohen, CNN Senior Medical Correspondent

December 23, 2010 9:48 a.m. EST

Suzanne Reese found that when it comes to breast-feeding, sometimes doctors and counselors don't have answers.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• CDC: 75% of mothers breast-feed their babies soon after birth
• The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends moms breast-feed for at least a year
• One mother recommends lanolin to soothe cracked nipples and help milk's healing properties

(CNN) -- All newborn babies cry, but Anika Reese seemed to be in a category all her own. She screamed in pain nearly all the time, grabbing her own little cheeks so forcefully she sometimes drew blood.
Her mother, Suzanne, describes Anika's first four months as "living in hell with an angel."
"There are almost no words to describe what I thought was only some form of prison camp torture," Reese says.
Reese noticed her baby's stomach was swollen and her poops were green and frothy. Several friends and family members suggested it might be a problem with Reese's breast milk, and urged her to give Anika formula instead. But Reese was "hell-bent" on nursing and refused to stop.


Only 43% of moms breast-feeding at six months
Unlike Reese, many mothers, for various reasons, give up on nursing. While 75% of mothers breast-feed their babies soon after birth, only 43% are still nursing six months later, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends moms breast-feed for at least a year, but the first six months are especially crucial, says Dr. Lori Feldman-Winter, a spokesperson for the academy, since most babies that age aren't yet eating solid food and rely solely on milk for nutrition.

Breastfeeding habits in America

Reese was committed to nursing because of the significant health benefits to her baby: fewer cases of gastroenteritis and ear and upper respiratory infections, to name a few, and now a new study out of Australia shows some breast-fed babies do better academically later in life.
While it's not easy to overcome the hurdles of early breast-feeding -- whether it's sore nipples, a screaming baby, or a low milk supply -- Reese managed to do it.


Fighting for Anika
When she noticed Anika's belly swollen and strange, frothy green poops, Reese called lactation consultants, who told her all babies have gas and to be patient. Then, when Anika was 7 weeks old, Reese noticed blood in her daughter's stool.
The Reeses raced to the emergency room near their home in Ramona, California. Doctors gave Anika a barium enema to get a good look at her intestines.
The test showed Anika's colon was normal. The Reeses then took Anika to a pediatric gastroenterologist, who advised Suzanne to stop eating foods that might be bothering Anika. But Suzanne was already down to a diet of chicken, beef, sweet potatoes, and rice -- there was nothing more she could cut out.
Feeling like "a total failure," Reese still wasn't ready to give up nursing her baby. She called another lactation consultant, who listened patiently to her story and immediately offered this tip: pump some milk, throw it away, and put Anika to her breast.
"OVERNIGHT, we had a new baby!" Reese recalled in an e-mail. "INCREDIBLE! We were utterly relieved -- to the point of tears."
The lactation consultant explained Reese was producing too much foremilk, which is full of sugar and can irritate a baby's delicate gut if she gets too much of it. By pumping off the foremilk and getting rid of it, Reese was giving Anika more hindmilk, which has significantly less sugar.
"I was also utterly angry that we had to go through all of this when it was such a simple fix," Reese says.


Breast-feeding advice from moms who've been through "hell"
Reese found when it comes to breast-feeding, sometimes the experts who should know the answers -- pediatricians, lactation counselors -- don't.
"We're getting better at training residents to learn more about breast-feeding, but we still have a ways to go," says Feldman-Winter, a professor of pediatrics at Cooper University Hospital in New Jersey.
Reese is glad she kept looking for answers -- she's still nursing Anika, who turns 2 next month.
Various websites offer helpful breastfeeding tips, such as the American Academy of Family Physicians, pregnancy.org, and La Leche League International. In addition, La Leche League and babycenter.com offer forums where moms can seek advice from each other.
Here's what some mothers who have been through it have to say:


Find the perfect latch: Toni Taber of Los Angeles

Toni Taber, with daughter Molly, benefited from advice from a lactation consultant.

I was told breast-feeding shouldn't be painful, but it was. Eventually, painful became excruciating. I cried while I breast-fed; I bled. The doctor said my daughter, Molly, wasn't gaining enough weight, and told me to feed her on a schedule and record how much she ate. I pumped around the clock, and could only sleep 90 minutes at a time, because I had to pump to keep up with her needs. Once, I was so tired, my husband fed her formula. I cried. How could I fail?
I finally saw a lactation consultant who figured out that Molly wasn't getting enough milk because she wasn't latched on properly. The consultant literally took me in her hands and showed me how to latch the baby on. She taught me to take the baby off over and over until she was latched properly. She showed me to put one finger under her chin to feel her chin moving and look for a wiggle at her ears when she ate, and listen to her swallow. All of these signs I never knew about. When I went home, I was alone with my baby girl, and she was hungry. I was afraid to try on my own. What if I fail again? But I latched her on, and it was beautiful. She was so happy. It was amazing! Nine years later, and I remember that feeling. She nursed for over a year, and I've since nursed three more children, including the one I'm nursing now.


Use a little lanolin: Laura Wellington of Ridgewood, New Jersey

Laura Wellington, with son Ian, was relieved to learn she wasn't alone in breast-feeding difficulties.

I don't know any woman who would tell you, no matter how many children they have, that breast-feeding is "easy" in the beginning. Quite frankly, it's a nightmare and does not come "naturally" to mother or child (sorry for the disillusionment). I have five children and the initial stages of breast-feeding sent me gritting my teeth with each one of them. So swollen were my breasts and cracked my nipples, I wanted to cry.
With my oldest child, Ian, I was exhausted, feeling like a failure and the worst mother in the world in trying to do what I believe is the best for my baby. Thankfully, it was a man (my brother-in-law, Mark) who talked some sense into me, recounting the story of how his wife experienced the same thing. So I wasn't a freak after all! Eureka. He told me she literally wanted to kill him every time their daughter clamped down on her nipple. But then, she learned the value of lanolin to help soothe cracked nipples as well as her own breast milk's healing properties (a little rubbed on her nipple after a feeding coupled by air drying... it made a difference). I think the biggest relief that made all the difference in my continuing was knowing I wasn't alone. Believe me, prior to Mark's conversation, I bought a tub of baby formula that stared me down for days. In the end, I absolutely adored the bonding that I felt with each of my children once I got over the initial hump.


Breast-feeding is like sex: Candace Chang of Philadelphia

"I quickly learned that neither my baby nor I knew what we were doing," says Candace Chang, with daughter Talia.

As "natural" as breast-feeding is, I quickly learned that neither my baby nor I knew what we were doing. We had latching issues from the very beginning. Instead of really taking in the nipple and areola, she'd kind of suck it in like a straw. For the first time in a long time, I felt truly dumb. How could I not know how to do this? C'mon, a baby opens up and sucks on the nipple. What could be so freaking difficult about that?
Apparently it is, and the hospital lactation consultants (AMEN to them) helped us sort out our latch issues, but the very best advice on breast-feeding I received was from my pediatrician. He equated breast-feeding with sex, meaning the more relaxed I was, the better it would be. He told me to stop thinking about it, just do it, and it would all sort itself out in the end.

My girl was exclusively breast-fed for the first six months of her life, and I attribute much of our breast-feeding success to our pediatrician. I was encouraged to call the office, e-mail him, etc. E-mail! It's the best thing a doctor could have given me. The fact that my daughter's pediatrician respected my wish to breast-feed and tried very hard to calm my nerves is something for which I will be forever grateful.

Can you hear me?

Every night before we go to bed, David goes underneath the covers, kisses my belly, tells the baby "I love you.  You must love Jesus," gives him/her a daily lesson and comes out panting for breath.  It's a sweet gesture that often makes me wonder, can the baby actually hear him?

Obviously the womb is a pretty noisy place.  Much of the noise that reaches a fetus is its mother's own voice, movement, breathing and digestive processes.  Fetuses don't "hear" as much with their ears because their ears are filled with fluid.  Therefore, much of the noise is transmitted to their inner ears through vibrations in their skulls.  Studies have shown that sounds have a surprising impact on the fetal heart rate.  A five second stimulus can cause changes in heart rate and movement which can last up to an hour! 

I've debated whether I should purchase the belly headphones or even tape my earbuds to my stomach. 

Not only is it a bit ridiculous looking, but I really wonder if it's good for your baby?  It also begs the question, how loud is too loud?  And is classical music better than rap music?  You would think that since the music has to penetrate the abdomen, the volume would have to be pretty loud.  But it turns out, amniotic fluid is actually a good conductor of sound and it amplifies low-pitched sounds (like a bass guitar) by a minimal amount of about 3.7 decibels! 

Doing a quick Google search shows there's much debate on the topic.  Several early childhood researchers believe there is no direct concrete evidence that supports the theory that music stimulation prior to birth means a child has a higher intelligence in the future.  Other specialists say just the opposite.  They argue that there are direct studies showing once they are born, babies have the innate ability to recognize their mother's voices and may be further able to respond to familiar music.  

"Prenatal stimulation through music heard regularly while in the womb might provide some babies with a sense of confidence and relaxation after they're born.  While in the womb, babies learn to recognize and respond to different stimuli, which leads to encouragement of physical, mental and sensory development.  Stimulation exercises will allow Baby to communicate with you and your spouse through movement in the womb, establish relationship between specific stimuli (such as voices) and, most importantly, help develop memory."

Hmmm... what to do?

Gaining Pounds and Losing Brain Cells

Entering 18 weeks, I'm packing on pounds and getting dumber in the process!  On Thursday morning, I thought it was Friday.  Later Thursday evening, I thought it was Wednesday.  Now, this may not be that alarming, but it's definitely just a small example of how forgetful I'm becoming. 

Besides the intellectual fogginess, I'm also becoming (more) hormonal.  For example, the other day David brought home a small container of kimchi.  KIMCHI!? 


BARF

For those of you who are unfamiliar, kimchi is a traditional Korean dish composed of fermented cabbage and probably one of the worst things you could ever do to your pregnant hormonal wife.  The smell is absolutely nauseating.  Standing in a room full of kimchi while you're not with child, can make you gag.  Standing in a room full of kimchi at 18 weeks can make you want to crawl in a hole and die.  Needless to say, I think I blew a gasket.  I don't really remember how it went down, but I think I ran up to our bedroom, put my face in my Snoogle and cried....

Anyways, I apologized to David and we came up with a compromise to keep the kimchi in the garage.  Sorry husband :(

On November 30th, we had our 16 week check up.  We were able to hear the baby's heart beating again.  Doc says everything is going well.  Here's a video showing the "baby bump".  I think it just looks like I ate too much. 

At this point, the baby's crown to rump length is 5 1/2 inches, as long as a bell pepper!  I can't tell if I've felt the baby kicking yet.  Last week I felt sharp pains in my lower abdomen.  Shall I contribute it to the baby or gas?