Tag: Blogging

Pub’d on WWAMBam: How 4 Western Women Experience Birth with their Chinese Husbands

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I’ve written another article elsewhere on the web.

Zoe and I are still working on establishing a routine that will give me the time to devote to updating the blog.

I compiled four WWAM birthing experiences, including my own. Some of the ladies gave birth in China, one in the UK and my experience took place in the U.S. We talk about 坐月子, the Chinese tradition of postpartum confinement.

There were quite a few unrelated WWAM experiences I had during my pregnancy and labor and delivery so there will be another post on this blog about that (I know I said I won’t turn into a mommy blogger and such posts will be limited).

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I also know I’ve touted the collective WWAMBam! blog numerous times here, but if you haven’t checked it out yet, head over there to read an array of WWAM content from Western Women married to Asian Men. Most still live in China (I believe there’s a new contributer who lives in S. Korea with her S. Korean husband).

It’s inspiring that such a collective exists, where not only group posts get many people contributing their stories, but the original contributers provide support for those of us less WordPress savvy bloggers (yes, that’s me!) as well as edit posts. Can’t complain about the chance to have another set of eyes glancing over my work.

I’m fairly smitten with the birthing experience I had and really look forward to hearing from you, my readers either here or on the WWAMBam! post.

Thank you, as always, for stopping by,

张妈妈

鸡年大吉!

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新年快乐！过年好！鸡年好！

No matter how you say it in Chinese, today ushers in the Year of the Rooster.

ZJ and I will be able to properly ring in the Chinese New Year (春节) tomorrow as our days off finally sync up.

If you haven’t already done so, go check out WWAM Bam! to read a plethora of CNY-inspired posts:

How 7 Western Women Celebrate CNY

Celebrating CNY in Shanxi

Tibetan New Year Traditions

China’s New Year Gala

Celebrating CNY in America

Dealing with CNY annoyances

You can also read my previous 春节 posts here on the blog:

Spring Festival in China, CNY in U.S.

The First Spring Festival in rural Shaanxi

Wishing you all a Happy Year of the Rooster. Looking forward to mid-May when we welcome our own little rooster 😄

 

 

Fear and Loathing in N.D.

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No, this won’t be a review of Hunter S. Thompson’s title I’ve alluded to.

Something I feared most happened: I slipped leaving work last night. This wouldn’t be such a big deal if I weren’t pregnant. Thankfully, I fell to the left, on my left palm, scraping under my left knee. It was scary and in my heightened emotional state, I bawled my eyes out.

Rising temperatures during the day is causing the snow to melt and then refreeze as the sun sets. I don’t even know if they salt the walk or use ice melt of any kind. Roads, walkways aren’t in the greatest shape as cleanup isn’t happening, or at least good cleanup. I know this and so I’m extra cautious. I won’t be using the side door to leave work. Now I both fear going out and loathe it.

Fear I’ll slip again. Loathe going out to run errands, spend eight hours or more at work in silence and interact with people, forcing small talk and pleasantries. Yes, it’s part of growing up and “adulting” to put on a happy face and power through it.

I’m trying. Trying to find ways to cope with where we’re at: joining WeChat forums, blogging, Bulletjournaling, cooking, reading, and reconnecting with friends and family.

These are all things I’m doing that are so far from Bismarck so I know I need to find at least something within my immediate vicinity to keep me occupied. Pregnancy or another mom-type support group? Can I attend such a group if baby Z isn’t here yet? Maybe use the calendar of events in the paper to find something I may be even minutely interested in attending?

So many of the “events” around town revolve around coffee, alcohol, food, or hobbies that may put baby Z in harm’s way. I can only do so much reading, especially when it comes to pregnancy, childbirth and life post-baby. I’m easily overwhelmed by just how much information, contradictory no less, is out there.

I know it’s going to get better. Baby Z will be here soon. ZJ and I will get the immense pleasure of parenthood. It will still be scary and maybe overwhelming but the good will quash the bad.

Fear and loathing will soon give way to much better emotions: joy, happiness, awe (peppered with pain, aches because let’s face it childbirth isn’t merely rainbows and butterflies!)