"My name is 胡馨愉"

One of the interesting pastimes during my pregnancy is choosing a name for our baby. We didn't have problems with English names, but choosing a Chinese name, with our limited knowledge of the Chinese language, can be an extremely complicated process for us. We, together with our parents have put a great deal of thought in this respect. We want to pick a name that’s simple with biblical meaning, beautiful, unusual but not too outrageous or weird (that itself complicates the whole process, huh?) and as well as pronouncable when it's transliterated into "Pin Yin". We all know how annoying it is to have someone get your name so wrong.

Generally, people know what's a good sounding name. I believe a good Chinese name sounds 'musical' that flows well with the family name, but if names are not chosen carefully, may end up giving her a bad pun for a name. Plus, we have also learnt that some Chinese names appear aesthetically beautiful (when written down, like square-based characters, if you know what I mean:) but with a slight change in intonation, it could sound strikingly odd. We were extremely careful about this and ...that's partly the reason why it took us 3 long months to finalize her Chinese name.

So after much deliberation, we have finally decided on the name 馨愉, in Pin Yin, it reads Xin Yu. I want to specially thank my mom for all the inspirations and ideas.

馨 - Fragrance
2 Corinthians 2:15 ~ "For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

愉 - Joyful
Nehemiah 8:10 "The joy of the LORD is your strength."

馨愉 when coined together means fragrance and joy of the Lord. Our only prayer for her is that that she will be a sweet fragrance for Christ and spreading joy to the people around her.

We reckon the character 馨 might be difficult to write (as it is exceptionally difficult for me)...but it's okay, I believe she will be able to master it as she goes along with it.

Friends who have asked about her English name, we shall announce in 2-3 weeks time ^_^.

Almost there...end of the 9-month Journey...

I'm 37 weeks 4 Days today...how am I feeling now that I'm nearing the end of this 9-month journey? Well, it would be lying to say that I don't worry about labor, or that I am not fearful. Have you heard of this notion that first time moms are afraid of the unknown, while the second timers are afraid because they do know, and they know too well and the third time around, you will really have great birth under your belt. Mothers that I know out there, maybe you can share with me your experience...I really don't know, have not gone that far myself.....hehehe...but I must admit that I'm feeling a little bit of everything now..I'm nervous about labour that is soon to occur (or anytime now), and yet, happy and excited about impending motherhood and the journey that lies ahead of me. I know that I'm about to embark on a new phase of life with new challenges and uncertainties, but God's faithfulness never ceases. Will continue to trust in Him. Ah..this verse just flashed my mind, 'HE WHO BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN US WILL BRING IT TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS'.

So...I still have a good 3 weeks to go, if she does not come earlier..Daddy wants baby to come earlier...but I want her to come right on my due date because it's 7th July, (if everything goes well) As for now, I'm going to savour every moment of her kicks and movements inside me... and I know these moments are just the first in a long line of incredible milestones for us and our baby in the years to come.

How far along am I? 37 weeks 4 days

Total weight as of today? 64kg


How big is baby? 3.25kg

Stretch marks? Yup...already showing at the sides...

Baby's movement? I'm not sure if I'm seeing her arm, elbow or knee poking against the skin of my tummy..and this happens very regularly...sometimes can be quite painful. I just feel that my little one is so snug in my uterus that she can only stretch and squirm...

Sleeping well? No. She is most active between 2am - 6am. Thought I could always catch up with my sleep in the afternoon, unfortunately and sadly I always end up working, whether it's on the phone with clients, emailing or doing some cleaning up of the house, arranging and rearranging baby's clothings and stuff..(nesting instincts?perhaps :D) or I will be doing what I'm doing now, blogging...

Best moment of the week? Had a great Father's Day lunch with mom and dad, hubby, sis,bro-in-law, brother and sis-in-law at Mama's Nyonya. Great food, great fellowship. I will add another one....we have finalized our baby's name....yippee...

Not so favourable moment(s) of the week? My dear OB told me at the last check up that I might have to go for c-sect if labour does not happen at 39-40 weeks due to the size of the baby and also considering the fact that I still have 3 more weeks of growing left (if she does not come earlier) ....praying hard. Actually, estimation of baby's weight by U/S is not accurate..and half the time, the baby weighs much less at birth. Whatever it is, the idea of having incisions and cuts on my ab is just not a good idea..!!

How am I feeling this week? Nothing really eventful except that I am way more swollen this week than I've been during the whole pregnancy. Part of it is water because I've been drinking more with the heat...and part of it is that she is just getting bigger and bigger! Oh' I've feeling a bit clumsier lately too..I keep dropping things off my hand. Probably due to the pain and stiffness in my fingers, can't seem to hold on to things firmly.. And...I can't remember when was the last time I saw my own toes..really...the capacity of the uterus and abdomen to stretch during pregnancy is truly a remarkable phenomenon, isn't it?

Labour signs? No real labour signs...BH contractions, yes...

What I'm looking forward to? Meeting her on 7th July and moving into a new place (but this will take a little longer, towards end of this year, hopefully)..can't wait..

Pregnant belly pictures (Random weeks)

Week 12

Week 13

Week 15

Week 28

Week 30

Week 34

The Glamorous Life of a Housewife - Part 1

I have always dreamed of being a housewife, [or call us Chief Household Officer (CHO):P], making the family that God has blessed me with into a warm and enchanting home, after all that's a lifetime ministry for women....but at the same time, I wanted to being able to have a business (of any kind) running at the same time for personal and economic reasons. I think 'the dual-income family' system still works in every household in today's society, especially if you have kids coming along. Even a part-time job would be good.

So, after 11 years of school, 5 years of college and 11 years in the workforce, by the grace of God, I finally achieved my goal and am living my dream. God has blessed me with the most endearing hubby and we will be having a new addition to our family whom I know will bring us constant joy and bundles of giggles.

I had a blast the past 1 month being a full time CHO. I feel really good, although I'm still in the learning process. Hubby said that I should continue on with my role as CHO for as long as I want to. Maybe he wants me to stay home and LEARN to manage our home. Right at this point, I should add a little disclaimer here that I'm not by any means a CHO pro.

I said 'learn' as we both know that full well I'm not good in organizing things around the house. I never have thought I would fare so poorly in managing a house until I'm actually on the job. Well, let me list down a few basic roles of a CHO here :-

1) Cooking or buying food

I have been not cooking as I'm not fit to do so right now, but I'm preparing and equipping myself for the upcoming months. I have compiled a whole bunch of recipes for toddlers, and healthy food for adults. Check it out in my next post. I think I'm becoming one health freak, don't know why.

2) Cleaning

Cleaning is tough work. Oh, there are 3 things that I must learn to like....a) taking out trash b) removing cob webs c) cleaning the mess from lizard poops.. Sorry for the details...but I hate lizards, I wish they never exist!!

3) Budget and control of expenditures

A confession to make here, I am not a budgeting pro. I wish I were, but numbers just aren't my thing. I avoid them like a vegan avoids a plate of red hot delicious fried chicken! In fact, I really detest numbers. They make my head hurt! Hubby has been our financial controller all these years, but I'm working on mastering the skills in this aspect so that I can work in partnership with him so that he does not have to be too stressed out, doing all the budgeting at mid and end of every month.

4) Main caregiver to our hubby and children

For our hubby - some random sweet deeds you can do for your hubby (apart from emotional support)

- iron all his clothes and fold them nicely in the wardrobe and arrange them according to the colours of the clothings...trust me, they will be so pleased :D

- make him a cuppa of cold beverage or cold sky juice when he gets home especially if he has to travel a long distance back home from workplace

- wash his comb regularly coz, maybe he doesn't wash it often like we ladies do

- help wipe his glasses, watch screen and handphone screen

- check if his cleansing foam (if he uses one) has enough supply for the month

- check his toothbrush if they are still usable

the list goes on and on.... these are just some of the things that I find pleasure in doing whilst I can coz when you have children around you, you may not have the time to do it anymore....

For our baby

I think I will be able to share more once our little one arrives...just going to wait and let our whole new life unfold and I certainly look forward to taking on my new role as a mother and a caregiver to my child.