May I introduce myself?

Hello everybody,

May I introduce myself? From today on, I change my name from JJ to Kai Orton, precisely Kai Jonathan Orton. I am the son of Jonathan and Jun Orton. According to my family's tradition, I inherited my father's first name as my middle name. Regarding my first name Kai, it's a really multi-national name. Do you know that in German Kai means Fort, in Hawaiian it means Ocean, in Native American it means Willow Tree, in Scottish it means Fire and in Welsh it means Rejoicer? The most important, in Chinese it means Victory. You see, my mum and dad did do much research to find such a nice name for me.

I am four days old now. My birthday was the 28. January, 2008. I was born at 4:43 in Leicester Royal Infirmary. As you could see from my previous blog, I was born 12 days later than expected. Do you know the idea of induction really horrofied me, so I decided to come out "spontanuously"? The labour wasn't very smooth, but better than an induction, wasn't it?

Mum said, I am a good boy. I don't cry for dirty nappies or boredom, but only for food. Visitors said, including my grandparents, greatgrandparents, I don't have newborn wrinkles, but lovely chubby pinkish cheeks.

A picture is worth thousand words. I am going to show you SEVERAL photoes of me. Bye bye for now.

Kai Orton

Mum says: 41 weeks

Sorry, still no news today. I have been to the midwife today for a membrane sweep. After that, apart from feeling sore down there, nothing happened. Or am I too impatient? It was said that the sweep could take up to 48 hours to work. So, either I will have a baby by the weekend, or I have to wait till next Tuesday to have an induction. Or I can still expect the baby to show his face in a surprising way?

It is agony to wait. I am fed up with waiting for so long. I just want to see the baby and hold him in my arms. I am so looking forward to hearing the first cry my baby will make. Jon feels the same!

JJ, Mum and Dad know that you will come out when you are good and ready. You will see how fascinating the outside world is, and surely you will be over the moon when you eventually come out.

Mum says: Chinese tradition about childbirth

Fancy staying in bed and doing no housework for a month after giving birth? Move to China! The Chinese tradition states that a new mum must rest at home for a month after the birth, with an attendant, usually her mother-in-law, to do all the housework and take care of her and her new born baby. The new mum must not take shower, wash hair or brush teeth during the one-month-rest. The reason was said to avoid the risk of catching a cold, therefore have better recovery from delivery. The first one month after delivery is called "sit the month".
(Mum says: the Chinese tradition still dominates in rural area, but in modern cities its impact is starting to wear off. I may try to avoid catching a cold by wearing warm clothes in chilly weather, but definitely not obey the rule of not washing myself. In my opinion this tradition originated from the bad living conditions of ancient China, but with today's modern shower and central heating, I don't think new mums should pay attention to such nonsense. No housework, staying in bed for the whole month, it's not me!)

The Chinese Zodiac plays a big part in the new baby's life. The year, month, day and hour of his birth represent which Zodiac character he's born under - which is thought to determine his future success.
(Mum says: For instance, the people think the pig year is luckier than the rat year. Well, understandable, probably because pigs don't need to worry about food, but rats do. Pigs are also thought to be lucky in Germany, aren't they? Before 06.02.08 (the Chinese New Year's Eve) it's still the pig year, so JJ will be a baby of pig. How lucky, Huh...)

It's considered unlucky to name a Chinese baby before he or she is born. Baby boys are often given plain names so that spirits overlook them, while girls are given more beautiful names.
(Mum says: Alex, fortunately you are not in China, otherwise you would miss much fun of choosing baby names for Tara before she was born. )

On the baby's one year birthday, Parents place a variety of objects in a basket -- a pen, silver, official seal, needlework and some toys -- and offer the basket to the child. The object the baby grabs signifies the child's future.
(Mum says: I often watched scenes on TV that Chinese historic figures grabbed a pen (if he became a famous writer later) or an official seal (if he became a politician). How could a one-year-old recognise the meaning of different objects. I believe most of the babies would pick up a colourful toy!! I am sure JJ will also. Will you, JJ? Hang on a sec, how about a baby who doesn't want to pick up anything and just starts to cry, what does this mean?)

40 weeks, 4 days

4 days has gone past the due date, I should be out there now, but Mum's womb is so comfy, I decided to stay in a little bit longer. Mum told me, the wardrobe is full of baby clothes, the hospital bag is packed, the car seat is installed, just wait for me to kickstart, but ... let me stay in for longer. I know it's chilly now, I am waiting for a sunny day! ...
Recently Mum and Dad seems to become impatient (they often nag about my coming out). I can feel the tension, as weird things happened: yesterday noon Mum ate some really really hot Vindaloo, too hot for her to bear, later she told me Dad ate most of it and froze the rest, for him to eat on another day! (I am sure the Vindaloo was not intended for him!) Yesterday afternoon Mum, Dad and the grandparents went to Market Bosworth Country Park for a walk. On such a rainy day, with such muddy ground, they have walked for 2 hours!! Really weird, isn't it? Today Mum and Dad were trying to get some Red Raspberry leaf tea from Holland & Barrett, but, the shop was closed on Sunday. For lunch, Mum ate some super hot pizzas from Papa John. (Has she forgotten the unbearable Vindaloo?) The spicy food made me dizzy for a long long time. I nearly decided to come out, but, I have my own idea, so I am still waiting, waiting and waiting...