The little one's name

We have finally decided on her name.

She shall be named, Candra Xie Yi4 Yan1

Candra in latin means "to illuminate", "glow" etc. Basically we were looking out for a name which means something like "to shine", "to light up", "to glow" etc. Inspired by Philippians 2:14-16 :) We hope she will in future shine like a star for her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

As for her chinese name, we could only play around with the last character cos her surname is fixed (that's of course! haha) and the 2nd word is fixed due to family tradition. yan1 in chinese means elegance. It's chosen primarily because it is pretty unique and nice sounding :) Though she will probably have a harder time learning how to write her chinese name in future!

She's been kicking and moving a lot more lately. :) It's quite an amazing experience.. and yup, I can only experience that for a few months...so it's something to be cherished. How many times do you get to experience a little baby moving inside your tummy haha!

Xie sisters hangout day :)

After swimming in the morning, we went to Anchorpoint, Xin Wang HK Cafe for lunch. Simple shopping after that and then off to TCC for nice drinks!

It's great that younger sis is back from overseas for 2 weeks. It's been a while since the three of us had time like that. Not to forget, hubby joined us and had fun too! (Thanks to hubby for doing up the pictures nicely)

Do we resemble each other? Some people say we do look like sisters...some beg to differ. haha! What are your views?

Anyway, it was great to spend the 2nd day of CNY like that. :p

Super mind boggling decision

Just had a trial this morning which completed by lunch time.

Everything went well at the trial...really well...But the final decision was not as expected...

It's super super super super mind boggling... Not the outcome was bad... but just not what we expected...we expected a slightly bigger victory really.

Argh... now i have so many "whys" in my head...And I am going to direct those questions to God...hopefully I will see the light soon.

Don't like this kind of feeling :(

But well, I do thank God for the good sleep I had before the trial. That He answered my prayers for help in the preparation for it and allayed my fears and anxieties...and I knew that He was at work at the trial this morning...

Now it's just..."why that outcome then?" I can't help but wonder whether it was my fault that the outcome was not as good as expected...Argh!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hope this will not bother me throughout the whole of CNY!

Too sumptous, too full! ha

Had a lunch treat from daddy's good friend.

Japanese buffet at Fullerton. Super delicious... guess what I had for lunch?

1. 8 pieces of sushi
2. one small bowl of chawanmushi
3. 1.5 bowls of Miso soup
4. two small slices of chicken
5. 1 mini bowl of cha soba
6. 3/4 of chocolate pudding
7. one mini portion of sesame mousse
8. 3 strawberries
9. 4 tempura fried prawns
10. 1 portion of salad

Wah..that's a lot isn't it? I had to resist the temptation of having the super nice and fresh sashimi.. yumyum...

So.. I guess baby had a good meal too :) Now it's time to fight the zzzzz monster in office! Argh!

Recommended Devotional Series

If you are looking for a good devotional series, I strongly recommend Kay Arthur's "Lord" series. Personally, I have completed 2 books and now on the third one, "Lord, Give me a Heart for you", "Lord, where are You when bad things happen", and "Lord, I need Your grace to make it today".

A friend's done "Lord, heal my hurts" and she finds its really good. It runs out of stock very often, so I guess it's rather popular. Hubby's currently doing, "Lord, Is it Warfare? Teach me to stand." It's apparently very good as well.

Kay Arthur uses the inductive bible study method to bring one through the devotional. But because it's meant to be a devotional series, the bible studies are not heavy going at all. :) They are sufficient to bring more depth into your devotional life.

The above are just some of the titles. Not all of them.

I know SKS bookstore sells them. BUT, out of stock quite often because of their popularity. You can try getting it yourself if you are keen on getting one. Or you can let me know and I see whether we can do some bulk purchases online :)

baby updates :P

Baby's been kicking a lot more recently. Highest activity level at about 10am-11am in the morning... maybe some time in mid afternoon... and about 11pm-12midnight. :)Nowadays, she kicks when I wake up in the morning too. I guess her sleeping hours are tuned to mine.

She is a good girl...2 sundays back, she was kicking quite a bit during service, when it was time to listen to the sermon, hubby and I told her to stop...and SHE DID :) But she resumed her kicking close to the end of the sermon haha!

At night, I will let her kick for a while... but when it's time to sleep, I will tell her to stop cos it's time for everyone to sleep... and she stops! :) always. haha. So far, she doesn't disturb me in my sleep..which is a good thing. Been able to sleep 8 hours without disruption. Hope this continues...

Well, maybe some will say it's just coincidences...but I tend to believe that she does respond to instructions. :)

Oh yes, whilst praying last night.. she kept kicking...but when it got to praying for her finally, she stopped throughout the prayer...then resumed again thereafter. haha! I found that so amazing and somewhat amusing.

Started bible story reading...haven't been doing it everyday, but we have completed three stories so far. Wonder if she likes it :p

Now.. she's just waiting for her name...

Hmm..What shall be her name???

"Me" time

Had some "Me"-time yesterday.

Went swimming on my own after work. I love it when the pool's not too crowded. I love swimming cos I feel so free in the water.. haha..that's when I feel the lightest haha! And the only time I can sort of lie on my tummy.

After that, I had nice wanton noodle near my place...:)

Went back home, did some chores...read another bible story to the little one... listened to some nice lullabies...catched up on bible reading too. Oh ya.. I should share about the little blessing. I went to the bookshop the other day, forgot to get a bible story book for the little one. A few days later, books were on sale in church and someone offered to sell my a bible story book at just $1!!! That was truly a timely blessing and provision. :) Yup.. so now we are at the 2nd story.

Had a good time on my own.

Yeah! They r back!

:) T, A and family's back in town!

Hubby and I have been looking forward to their return. We were somewhat like counting down...haha

Glad we managed to spend some time with them yesterday cos we both took leave from work.

The kids are super super adorable. We just adore them.. :) It's amazing to see how they can be so interactive and active... and so sweet. And wow.. the little boy remembers us so well and even prays for us.. and also for the little one! :p So nice..

It's just wonderful...reminds us of the times we spent with them on our honeymoon.

Checkup yesterday :p

:) went for checkup yesterday

Everything's going well. I'm feeling good. Baby's growing.

Now baby's waistline is about 22cm and the circumference of her head is about 26cm. At the last check up, it was both about 20cm I think. As for weight, it was about 0.5kg the last time round, as at yesterday, it went up to 1kg.

haha.. well. baby's weight gain's quite normal..but mummy's weight gain...hm....
9KG!!! Can u believe it? haha!! Well doctor did ask whether I have been watching my carbo and sugar intake. haha..expected. Well.. i have already been trying to control.. can u imagine if I didn't!!! Can't believe it!.. got to try harder I guess.. but the cravings for sweet stuff EVERYDAY makes it so so tough. I need a dessert after almost EVERY meal...

List of sweet cravings:

1. Ice Cream
2. Cake
3. Chocolate
4. Green bean soup/ tau suan/ barley etc.
5. Cookies
6. Pineapple tarts

Those are just SOME of them...

Argh! Chinese New Year's coming!!! Makes it a whole lot more difficult.

But u know.. the nurse said that I don't look like I have put on very much, so it's somewhat puzzling.. haha

Well.. guess what's most impt is to eat right. Do some exercises, and remain positive.

Okie.. probably off for another swim tonight! :p

On a side note.. think hubby's putting on weight because of me. He seems to eat like a pregnant woman these days.. haha! (*sheesh* don't tell him k! haha)

Popular question: "Are you excited?"

Lately, many people have been asking me, "Are you excited about the baby?"

This is a question which brings about mixed feelings.. but I think it's a good question which reminds me to remain positive about this whole new phase.

I don't know whether all mothers-to-be struggle in the same way. So far, I am thankful that I do not suffer much discomfort physically. But, the battle is in the emotional realm. Questions like these come to mind:

1. Will I be a good mother?

2. Will I know how to take good care of the baby?

3. Will I be able to cope and not get stressed/depressed?

4. Am I talking to the baby enough now, so that the baby knows I am talking to her?

5. Is my diet ok for the growth of the baby? Is the baby growing fine?

6. Am I doing enough in preparation for her arrival?

7. Am I doing enough to ensure she is growing well physically, emotionally and spiritually?

8. What will the birth process be like?

9. Am I going to make a mess out of things when she arrives?

10. What do I need to get ready before her arrival? What do I need to buy? etc.

and so on and so forth...

Sometimes, it can be quite scary.. :) hehehe.. Scary because it's SO NEW!

BUT, I think I just need to start getting down to reading books etc.. buying the necessary items etc..and stop thinking and start doing...and everything will just fall into place.

Well.. nobody can be a perfect mum. In this, I need to constantly acknowledge my need for God's grace. I feel like I need to grow up so quickly... but I am also reminded that actually God is not rushing me...and He will lead me step by step. Maybe the perfectionist me is getting myself all anxious again. :(

Back to the question, "Are you excited?". Well.. I believe I am in some ways.. for it is a good thing to look forward to God's blessing. I strongly believe in that. I know this is how God sees the whole process, "IT IS GOOD". :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year my dear friends! :)

May year 2009 be filled with even more blessings and joy, fulfilling relationships and abundant love!

Thanksgiving for year 2008:

1. A good and growing marriage :)

2. Financial blessings from God, which further challenges us to give more (hubby likes to say, "that's how God's economy works")

3. A good working environment which gives me good work-life balance.

4. Precious lessons learnt through the "lows" in the year...most precious lesson learnt this year: GOD IS SOVEREIGN.

5. A new season with the arrival of the little one in my tummy. Loads of changes but worthwhile ones.

6. Deepened relationships with various people in my life. :)

7. Wonderful times spent with the youths in JYF

8. Numerous opportunities to be a part of the lives of others

9. Discovering my S.H.A.P.E and dreaming of the things that I want to accomplish in my life

It's yet another good and eventful year of growth because GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. Most importantly, the conviction of the importance of authentic relationships has been growing and affirmed in many ways...:)

My wish for the year is that more people will experience healing through authentic and meaningful relationships in their lives. That more people will give quality time to their loved ones and experience the beauty of God-given relationships. That God's love will truly be experienced...