A Pig Is Coming!? I Mean A Baby!


Quick, alert the media! I am finally dilated at 2 cm and 50% effaced. Woohoo! Actually now I’m worried because both my boys are sick. But I’m tired of worrying and decided to take things as it comes. I can only do so much preparation. So if she comes now, then she comes. Well, my doctor said that if I am still pregnant by my next week’s appointment on Wednesday (Feb. 14th – my actual due date), then we should start talking about getting induced. So we shall see.

Anyway, another big thing coming around is the Chinese New Year. Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. This Chinese year 4705 began on Feb. 18, 2007, and it is the Year of The Pig. Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in pig years tend to have excellent manners, make and keep friends, work very hard, and appreciate luxury. They are very loving and make loyal partners.

But this year is not just an ordinary pig’s year. This is the year of the GOLDEN PIG. This is something that my husband and I just heard of last week. According to Chinese folklore, this event only comes every 600 years of the Lunar Calendar. Running alongside the 12-year animal cycle is another 10-year animal cycle that consists of the five elements of traditional Chinese philosophy: wood, fire, earth, gold, and water. Babies born in the ‘year of the golden pig’ are believed to have good fortune and will lead a comfortable and wealthy life.

The funny part is that apparently everyone in Asia is racing to get married and get pregnant this year. It’s a big Asian Baby Boom! And for those that are already pregnant, they are making sure to hold on to the baby until the 18th of Feb. Now since my doctor and I will be talking about inducing on the 14th, is it even really possible for me to suggest and wait for another 4 days? I know it is silly and I don’t even really believe in this stuff. But it is so close to the date that I kind of want to, and what’s wrong with getting more luck in your side? But last week when we didn’t know about this entire golden pig hype thing – it didn’t even matter. Stupid me!

OK – let’s put things in perspective. The last time I was told a Chinese good luck date was when I got engaged in 1994 and my Mother In Law was quick to check out her Chinese Lunar Calendar and announced that Sept. 24th, 1994 is the “good luck” date to get married. My husband, then fiancĂ©e, and I booked the church and Chinese banquet restaurant right away, and we were so excited. Well, 2 really BAD things came out of that:

1 ---In the midst of planning months away from the wedding, the banquet restaurant decided to close. We freaked out because we cannot find any other Chinese banquet restaurant that will gladly take us on that date. To make the long story short, we ended up moving to October 15th and found a banquet restaurant, and got the Church to squeeze as in.

2 ---Also on the actual day of September 24th, my husband and I correctly remembered that it was pouring rain and thunderstorm under a black sky at noon that continued throughout the afternoon and night!

So now, I say to myself --- Heck no – it doesn’t matter if this baby is born on a supposedly “good luck year” – Having her on any day of her choice is our “good luck date”! No matter what animal she will represent. I don’t need a Lunar Calendar to tell me so. After all, if I remember - they turn more into monsters anyway. hehe

Oh yeah - Happy Birthday to my husband! As I always say, "I'm so lucky to have a wonderful partner for the last 13 years (19 altogether!!!) - and I love you, babe! It still feels like it has only been 3 years."

Comments

Anonymous said…
ooooohhhh, you're getting close! can't wait to see that first picture of your precious katie. I say, when that babies come, she's coming, no stopping it, or waiting for the golden pig.
Anonymous said…
Yay! The end is in sight! I bet you can't wait till you're holding your precious baby in your arms! Good luck with the delivery!
Anonymous said…
Oh wow that is so exciting!!!!

I so enjoyed reading about the golden pig! hehe! Although we do not follow anything like that it is fun to know.

I think it is so cute that you had an inner debate about when to induce ... waiting a few days after the due date is not necessarily a bad thing .. golden pig or not!
MJ Tam said…
jenn I will definitely post a pic of Katie as soon as we are home.

local girl thanks...I am so anxious!

chelle thanks...I am glad you enjoyed that. We don't really follow all this traditional stuff either, but it is somewhat hard not to put it in consideration when our parents are there to remind us all the time....hehe.

Oh yeah, It just dawned on me that Ethan is going to be a Golden Pig! :-)
Sugarmama said…
Looking forward to hearing how your labor goes, and I hope your little girls comes all on her own, in this golden pig of a year!
BlondeBlogger said…
Yay!!!! That's so exciting!

If you're worried about your boys being better before you deliver, take heart in the fact that you could still be a long time away from delivering (although maybe that would not be good news, lol).

I was 3 cm. dialated a whole month before Natalie came. So frustrating. But that would give you plenty of time to get your boys well.

I can't wait to see pics of the new baby!!!
Neurotic Mom said…
Oh i can't wait to see the baby pics
MJ Tam said…
Sugarmama I hope so too!


ablondeblogger Yeah I see what you mean. But it won't be possible for me to be 2cm for a whole month since I am already due this week anyway. ;-)

Neurotic Mom Thanks! I will definitely be posting here.
Valerie said…
Oh I can not wait to see cute baby pictures!
Tasha said…
Congrats! That's funny. My mom is from Thailand. She has never told me anything like that...maybe I should have had a baby this year!
Anonymous said…
My grandmother is superstitious, too -- especially in the cutting of the baby's hair. Two requirements:

1. No cutting of hair during the first year of birth.

2. When the baby turns one, the father should do the first cut.

Two results:

1. My baby boy looked like a girl for a year.

2. When my boy turned one and I cut his hair, he looked like a dork.

Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
Anonymous said…
My grandmother is superstitious, too -- especially in the cutting of the baby's hair. Two requirements:

1. No cutting of hair during the first year of birth.

2. When the baby turns one, the father should do the first cut.

Two results:

1. My baby boy looked like a girl for a year.

2. When my boy turned one and I cut his hair, he looked like a dork.

Mike
http://somethingaboutparenting.typepad.com/
cheH said…
Aww I can't wait to see your li'l katie!!have a safe delivery sugarmama dear! tlc!
MJ Tam said…
valerie Thanks - I will be posting pictures here soon enough
MJ Tam said…
tasha This is definitely the year to have the baby! Good Luck :-) and thanks for visiting my blog.


mike that's hilarious! I've heard of that before from my parents, but never really followed it. But I dont think I really know why or what the root of that is. Care to share why? Oh and thanks for visiting my site! :-)