Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thursday, September 4, 2008
39 1/2 Weeks (Due on Monday)!!!
My due date is Monday! That's just 4 days away- I really can't believe it! The kitten now weighs approximately 7 1/2 pounds (maybe even 8 pounds since she always measures big) and is around 20 inches long. She still moves around quite a bit; but since it's a tight fit, I can see her foot poking out when she stretches. It's so strange (but very reassuring)!
So I had my weekly OB appointment yesterday. Somewhat discouraging.... Yes, I do know that anything can happen, and everything happens at different rates for different people; but I was expecting some change after all the painful contractions over the last week. So many false alarms, but no progress! She said my cervix is still completely closed, and she can't even be sure that I'm effaced at all (though the cervix is a little soft). So starting on Monday, she wants to start seeing me every 3 to 4 days. She wants to do a biophysical profile of the baby (with ultrasound), check the fluid level, and do a non-stress test (externally monitor the baby's heartbeat, etc. for 20 minutes). If everything looks okay, then she said she feels comfortable with me going past my due date but still wants to discuss an induction date after 41 weeks. I really really do NOT want to be induced- especially if my body isn't ready (like it isn't right now). I fear induction failure which may lead to C-section. I'm just so worried about that! So, of course, I'm googling like crazy looking for ways to "ripen the cervix", "induce naturally", etc. So, we'll see. For now though, I'm just clinging to stories of women who weren't dilated at all, but suddenly went into labor and had fast, easy, painless births... lol. Okay, so I was just kidding with that last part, but one can dream...
Okay, now regarding names one last time... First of all, I want to reiterate that my concern about the name Sasha has nothing to do with Barack Obama personally! Yes, I admitted that I am a Republican* (btw- loved Sarah Palin's speech last night), but I would also be just as concerned if John McCain had a young daughter named Sasha. My concern is ONLY that I don't want my baby to have a somewhat unusual name that is highly associated with ANY type of celebrity. For example, I wouldn't name the kitten "Paris" or "Suri" because then I'd always have to hear, "Like Paris Hilton? Like Suri Cruise?" That would bug me! Nevertheless, Michael and I have decided that the name Sasha is still in the running. Here are our reasons:
1. I don't think Obama is going to win- so people will either never know or easily forget that he has a Sasha.
2. Thanks to some commenters, I found out that his daughter's name is really "Natasha". Sasha is only her nickname.
3. I've heard Obama plans to keep his children out of the limelight and away from the media (I guess that meant after the DNC).
4. I really love the name Sasha. I have never known a pet named Sasha- so no personal associations there. And, my research indicates that 99% of all Sashas in the U.S. are girls- not boys.
5. This comment from Clueless Carolina Girl: "I just love the name Sasha. To me it sounds like a beautiful Russian princess with a sleigh and furs (we'll make them fake in the fantasy) gliding over the snow. " What beautiful imagery- and yes, the name reminds of the same. :)
6. Sophie Lu has heard me talking so much about the name, that now it is her favorite! :)
7. Sasha means "Defender of Mankind" in Russian. This meaning is special to me because it is somewhat similar to the meaning of Sophie Lu's Chinese name "Lu Yushan". We worked very hard to choose the perfect Chinese name for Sophie, and here is part of the excerpt from her blog (May, 2005):
祿 Lu means "Prosperity". It is the second element of the five-fold happinesses (the others are luck, longevity, happiness, and wealth). The God of Prosperity is the corresponding diety of Lu. Fu (luck), Lu (Prosperity), and Shou (Longevity) are frequently grouped together. These figures (Gods) are highly revered, and many Chinese throughout the world display their statues or images in their homes. Their importance is embodied in the saying, "In Heaven, there are three lucky stars; On Earth, there are fu, lu, and shou. Lu is a very treasured quality of life, and Sophie is certainly our little lucky star. :)
雨 Yu means "Rain". Since this is the meaningful part of the name given to Sophie by her orphanage director, we decided to incorporate it (perhaps it was raining when she was found).
善 Shan means "Virtuous". The wise George Wu writes, "Shan is an excellent word for a name. Shan for Virtuous is closely related to Charity, or Philanthropy. It is considered a religious name, as in Buddhism. However, in general context it conveys somebody who is dedicated to doing good for others."
"YuShan would literally mean Beneficial Rain. Lu YuShan in this context would essentially mean the Benefits of Prosperous Rain. The idea conveys that the person uses the natural nourishment of rain, which flourishes with prosperity, for the goodness of mankind. It is a very auspicious concept in chinese terms, and a rather outstanding name at that." (Thank you so much, George, for your lovely description, insight, and wisdom.)
.
So, the name Sasha is still a favorite. But like so many have said, we will know her name once we see her sweet face. :)
So I had my weekly OB appointment yesterday. Somewhat discouraging.... Yes, I do know that anything can happen, and everything happens at different rates for different people; but I was expecting some change after all the painful contractions over the last week. So many false alarms, but no progress! She said my cervix is still completely closed, and she can't even be sure that I'm effaced at all (though the cervix is a little soft). So starting on Monday, she wants to start seeing me every 3 to 4 days. She wants to do a biophysical profile of the baby (with ultrasound), check the fluid level, and do a non-stress test (externally monitor the baby's heartbeat, etc. for 20 minutes). If everything looks okay, then she said she feels comfortable with me going past my due date but still wants to discuss an induction date after 41 weeks. I really really do NOT want to be induced- especially if my body isn't ready (like it isn't right now). I fear induction failure which may lead to C-section. I'm just so worried about that! So, of course, I'm googling like crazy looking for ways to "ripen the cervix", "induce naturally", etc. So, we'll see. For now though, I'm just clinging to stories of women who weren't dilated at all, but suddenly went into labor and had fast, easy, painless births... lol. Okay, so I was just kidding with that last part, but one can dream...
Okay, now regarding names one last time... First of all, I want to reiterate that my concern about the name Sasha has nothing to do with Barack Obama personally! Yes, I admitted that I am a Republican* (btw- loved Sarah Palin's speech last night), but I would also be just as concerned if John McCain had a young daughter named Sasha. My concern is ONLY that I don't want my baby to have a somewhat unusual name that is highly associated with ANY type of celebrity. For example, I wouldn't name the kitten "Paris" or "Suri" because then I'd always have to hear, "Like Paris Hilton? Like Suri Cruise?" That would bug me! Nevertheless, Michael and I have decided that the name Sasha is still in the running. Here are our reasons:
1. I don't think Obama is going to win- so people will either never know or easily forget that he has a Sasha.
2. Thanks to some commenters, I found out that his daughter's name is really "Natasha". Sasha is only her nickname.
3. I've heard Obama plans to keep his children out of the limelight and away from the media (I guess that meant after the DNC).
4. I really love the name Sasha. I have never known a pet named Sasha- so no personal associations there. And, my research indicates that 99% of all Sashas in the U.S. are girls- not boys.
5. This comment from Clueless Carolina Girl: "I just love the name Sasha. To me it sounds like a beautiful Russian princess with a sleigh and furs (we'll make them fake in the fantasy) gliding over the snow. " What beautiful imagery- and yes, the name reminds of the same. :)
6. Sophie Lu has heard me talking so much about the name, that now it is her favorite! :)
7. Sasha means "Defender of Mankind" in Russian. This meaning is special to me because it is somewhat similar to the meaning of Sophie Lu's Chinese name "Lu Yushan". We worked very hard to choose the perfect Chinese name for Sophie, and here is part of the excerpt from her blog (May, 2005):
祿 Lu means "Prosperity". It is the second element of the five-fold happinesses (the others are luck, longevity, happiness, and wealth). The God of Prosperity is the corresponding diety of Lu. Fu (luck), Lu (Prosperity), and Shou (Longevity) are frequently grouped together. These figures (Gods) are highly revered, and many Chinese throughout the world display their statues or images in their homes. Their importance is embodied in the saying, "In Heaven, there are three lucky stars; On Earth, there are fu, lu, and shou. Lu is a very treasured quality of life, and Sophie is certainly our little lucky star. :)
雨 Yu means "Rain". Since this is the meaningful part of the name given to Sophie by her orphanage director, we decided to incorporate it (perhaps it was raining when she was found).
善 Shan means "Virtuous". The wise George Wu writes, "Shan is an excellent word for a name. Shan for Virtuous is closely related to Charity, or Philanthropy. It is considered a religious name, as in Buddhism. However, in general context it conveys somebody who is dedicated to doing good for others."
"YuShan would literally mean Beneficial Rain. Lu YuShan in this context would essentially mean the Benefits of Prosperous Rain. The idea conveys that the person uses the natural nourishment of rain, which flourishes with prosperity, for the goodness of mankind. It is a very auspicious concept in chinese terms, and a rather outstanding name at that." (Thank you so much, George, for your lovely description, insight, and wisdom.)
.
So, the name Sasha is still a favorite. But like so many have said, we will know her name once we see her sweet face. :)
Okay, I'm off to eat some pineapple and black licorice (both said to help ripen the cervix). And maybe I'll take a long walk while sipping some red raspberry leaf tea after taking some Evening Primrose Oil supplements. ;)
I want to thank everyone so much for the beautiful birthday wishes and for the constant love and support! I really am so blessed.
Any day now, Shana
*p.s. If you are a democrat, I still love you. :) Almost all of my friends are democrats, and unlike some mean commenters, I am very tolerant of others' political views. :)
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