Naming

I just met someone who insisted that she wanted a girl and nothing else; the rest of her family didn't mind either way but they had a worried look on their faces hoping that it wouldn't be a girl.  I didn't know why and I didn't ask but I was worried that she was not going to care for the child if it were a boy.  It turned out to be a girl and I learned later that the reason why she wanted a girl was because she had chosen a very special name.  That I will tell you later.
One of the exciting things for me is to hear the names that people have chosen for their growing little ones; now I have heard all sort of names- most of them are beautiful and thoughtful and some of them are just wrong! and their reasons even more wrong and each time I think this has got to be the worst, I hear a new one. 
Examples: "Amillion Dallas" (the goal is to attain a million dollars) except when that poor child gets older, a million dollars may be just chicken change and she would think what on earth were they thinking; "Gonorrhea" because mom found out that she had the infection and the baby daddy gave it to her- ok why does the child have to suffer for it? or maybe she felt it sounded medical?; "Emanon"- now this one might fool you but if you spell if backwards it is no name, the parents couldn't think of a good name for her-if I were this chick I would come up with a true meaning and spread it around so that it may end up in the internet because truthfully it doesn't sound horrible ; one person named her baby Beautiphul Unique- it didn't sound bad but wait till you hear the full name- Beautiful Unique Dick- ok  no comment.
Please do not get me wrong you are entitled to naming your child but you don't need to enlighten the days of those employees of the social security office with your child's names- they will be just fine.  Don't make out God's precious gift to you to be a joke.  Think about your child applying for medical school or a job with the name Beautiphul Unique Dick or do you not have bigger dreams for your child?  Do not reduce your child to jokes from their peers in school. 
You can be unique all you want but I know you can do better for your child's sake.  Your child's name is not all about you, so if you are angry, or over excited or whatever emotions that is running through those pregnant heads....if unsure run it by a close friend that will be truthful to you and if you want to be safe pick a biblical name and call it a day. 
Anyways, the most recent one that motivated me to write this blog is the name - "Apartofme" WTH??????? I almost screamed out why don't you name the kid Placenta! or Uterus! or Breast! just to remind the child later that she is a part of you! 
On that very note, I am still working on mine (praying) and you will find out the name when the baby arrives.  It is a little tough for me because I have to come up with a boy and a girl name since I opted not to know the sex of the baby and I have to provide a name prior to leaving the hospital.

PS- I find myself writing more and more about babies and pregnancy- this baby can't already be taking over?  I will do myself to mix it up and keep it interesting... enjoy!

The joys that the little one brings

So some of the exciting things for me about "carrying belle" (pregnancy) are the experiences that remind me that there is a little one in my belly.  Some of them were awful- to mention a few tiredness, nausea without vomiting, and constant urination and so on.  Nausea without vomiting is awful because I feel that if I just vomit I would feel so much better- who knows.
But there is good news because as the pregnancy progress some of these awful symptoms leaves you and a new pregnancy reminder replaces it.  I was so excited to get rid of the constant tiredness and the nausea without vomiting, but now it takes me 7 minutes to tie my shoes (you can laugh all you want but yes I am starting to time it).  I am glad that there is no one to laugh while I am doing it.  Now everyone that talks to me on the phone says "are you ok why are you breathing so heavily ughh!!!" Another exciting one is I had been enjoying the occasional kicks of my little ones- now he/she constantly kicks at the wrong times and very hard.  Sometimes it is while I am in conference and I want to hear the rest of the 5 minutes, instead of going to the restroom to empty my bladder and then comes the kick right on my bladder.  One time I jumped up and as embarrassed as I was just ran to the bathroom.  I wished the baby was right in front of me so that I could just scold him or her.  And as I walked out I had to face the dreaded questions from my colleagues- "hey what was that all about?"
The new thing now is baby sleeps when I am awake and plays while I am trying to sleep.  One day I didn't know what else to do and I know that at these stage they can hear noises so I started to talk to my baby - "could you just please let mummy sleep for a few hours" and the kicking stopped like he/she was listening then as soon as I laid down it resumed.  And so I wondered maybe my voice is what calms him/her to sleep and so when I'm quiet it goes crazy to get me to speak. Men who knows! I still wish my bedtime for now will just match because I know I need the rest right now that he/she is still in my womb.
All in all the little one does bring a smile to my face although very active.

Belly is now too outstretched to hide :)

This weekend was catchup weekend and I got most of it done except for the kitchen; it is not quite the way I want it.  Anyways on another note, ladies do not estimate the power of pregnancy- yes I'm pregnant.  Although the baby finds away to remind me everyday (which I appreciate since I turned into a worrying bee) I often forget since I live by myself most of the time and I've learned to remain self reliant.  The other day I made an attempt to push my car out of the ditch of snow, since none of my neighbors was at home- I mean completely forgetting for a second that I was carrying someone else.  Then not to count how many times I took of running because I was late or trying to catch up to someone and then stop when the stares remind me of my condition .... and so on
I think the tiredness is my most annoying symptom so far and the nausea is next runner up.  I just want to keep on going but there are frequent drawbacks such as to stop to catch my breath; to stop to pee; to just take a break and so on.  So chores has gone for a few hours to forever but hey for this little one it is well worth it. 
One thing I realize since this little munchkin has been growing in my belly is how even more important I value family.  I catch myself thinking far ahead like how I will raise this little one; if I could teach him/her to be as mature and independent.  If I will home school? If he/she will get sick of hearing about the amazing things God has done in our lives. Sometimes, I break into little exciting memories of my childhood, some of the games we (my siblings and I) played, I have been writing them down as I remember them, because I want to capture as much as I can to share with my child.  Especially, since I have no pictures, oh this kid is going to think mummy is so old since there were no cameras during her time :)  I have also been surfing the web for books I loved to read growing up; and men I came across some folk tales I wrote down as a kid and I can't wait to share.  I hope my children embrace all of their heritage like I do; I hope they have a wonderful childhood. 

“The things which the child loves remain in the domain of the heart until old age. The most beautiful thing in life is that our souls remaining over the places where we once enjoyed ourselves” Kahil Gibran

I think I am becoming weird I still have a couple of more months for this kid to lovingly kick the heck out of me. :)

 

A Tribute to Saleha Huuda

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/2011/02/03/2011-02-03_two_arrested_in_murder_of_university_of_florida_cheerleader_saleha_huuda_exboyfr.html

Leha dead? your death is still a shock to me? A victim of domestic violence? ... why didn't any of us see this coming? why couldn't anyone save you from their wicked hands? why did you have to die?  You had so much to contribute to this world; and who would have known that there was someone out there who was evil enough to shorten your life.  I always wondered how a tiny person had that much lung capacity lol- you had so much to say and so much energy.
How could he have known you, or ever heard you laugh and still killed you with his hands.  I thought I would feel better when the case was solved but I have mixed emotions.  I finally decided to watch your tribute video yesterday and couldn't stop crying - all of the memories came flowing.  It never dawned on me how close a wicked person can be; I used to be afraid to run on the streets of Gainesville in the dark (not particularly Gainesville- anywhere), sometimes we held dance practice late because people had things to do.

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110203/MULTIMEDIA/110209760/0/ARTICLES?Title=Multimedia-Timeline-of-Saleha-Huuda-case

Thank you for your continuous fight to help all of us bear your loss; I believe you directed the investigators to the hands that killed you.  The truth always comes to light doesn't it?  My prayers are with your family and all your loved ones; for continuous strength from God to help all of us bear your loss; for a breath of fresh air that your killers are out of the streets- so that this act will never again be repeated.  We could never replace you and will continue to remember you in the many memories you left us.  Rest In Peace Leha and may God, in his infinite mercy, be with your soul and bless you until we meet again.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrfDaygBEzs