Nice to meet you, Mr. Third Trimester.

Cannon is shifting inside of me as I write. He knows I'm writing about him. To feel him move more and more has been weird and amazing all at once. At first it was, "Wha? Was that him? Or was that just gas?" Now it's definitely him. I can tell when he's kicking vs. when it's a high five. And I have patted his bum quite a few times. Cute little bum. I can't wait to see his sweet little face.

So I've got 10 more weeks 'til my due date of March 12. Last dr. visit, though, Cannon's head measurement put him in the 91st percentile. Ai yah is right. So perhaps he will make his appearance a bit sooner. That will be fine. I just want him to come in the Lord's timing.

During this Christmas season, I have been doing quite a bit of reflecting. My community group decided that we would pray the prayers of Mary, Zechariah, the angels, and Simeon during advent (Luke 1-2). Mary's prayer, "Behold, I am a servant of the Lord. May it be to me according to your word," has turned me upside down. I imagine what Cannon is going to look like, what he'll be like growing up, what kind of man he will be. And then I think about how Mary must have felt. What did she think when she felt God incarnate moving inside of her? I want to have Mary's heart--her submission and yieldedness.

I've also been thinking about how it was just about one year ago that we miscarried. It was a time of grief like I've never known before. I still miss that child and long to meet him or her one day. But I am in awe of the Lord's grace. He reminds me that he hears me, He grieves with me, He knows me, He remembers me. Just one year later, as we still mourn the death of our unborn child, we anticipate Cannon's new life. He is good. "May it be to me according to your word, Lord."

This picture was taken at 28 weeks. Wowsa. 91st percentile. Yup.

I am officially in the 21st century!

Well, this is my first post ever! This is the husband of the aforementioned Chiang Gang from which the name originates.

I have a tendency to think as I write. So, if this post becomes illogical, just let it go.

It has been fun to watch Les' belly grow and to feel ol' Cannon kick (which happened once. I think I've lost all my new endings in my hands or something). I am slowly getting more excited as the time approaches for Cannon to make his first appearance. It continues to grow as he grows. Am I ready to be a dad? I can honestly say "No" but I hope that is a good place to be so that I can lean more on God than on my own devices. That's my prayer at this point and I hope that it always is. I just hope that I can love him and Les well. It is a little weird so far especially with an empty crib in Cannon's room but it will become reality in three months from today! Wow!

Since Leslie started this blog, she thought that it would be a good idea for me to post some thoughts on films that I have seen and mulled over at least a little bit. Sp here we go...


We were able to get a advance screening ticket to go see this film last night. I heard about this movie a few months ago and have been itchin' to see it since I heard about it and with the attacks in Mumbai a couple weeks ago, this movie is even that much more relevant and appropriate since the main characters are from the slums of Mumbai.

The quick synopsis of this film is about a young boy who grow up in the slums of Mumbai and gets on the Indian version of "Who Wants to be a Millionaire". He ends up winning on the show and right after leaving the stage, he is arrested by the police because they believe that he cheated because they can't believe that a boy that grew up in the slums could know some much.

As the interrogation and questioning continues, the main character's (Jamal) life unfolds as he answers each question on the show. Each question explains some experience in his life and as the he gets closer to the million (or 20 million rupies), the intensity of his life unfolding increases. I won't say anything more about the plot so that I don't want to spoil it if you don't know nothing about it other than the fact this film will put you through the full range of emotions from laughter to tears. That is cliche but so true about this film. It's been a long time since I've seen a film that was two hours long and legitimately needed the whole two hours to tell the story fully. And here is another cliched saying: this is why films are made. This movie epitomizes what is great about film. It tells a compelling story as well as hooks you into it as if you're living it with Jamal. Danny Boyle (Trainspotting, 28 Days Late, Millions), the director, films it in a way that you do feel as if you're running through the streets of Mumbai with the characters. You feel every single bit of the film as if you're there. Boyle transcends the film beyond the screen and puts the viewer right in the middle of everything.

Jamal is a sympathetic character but he isn't pitiful. He has strength, courage, and focus. He's a character that you no doubt will side with because he is not tainted in his belief in seeking after what he wants or believes is right. His is a noble cause. He is sincere and genuine. His motives are pure and he always tells the truth. And underneath it all, the movie has so much hope in the midst of hopelessness. There is hope in the streets of Mumbai. There is hope in the slums, in the midst of the trash heaps. There is hope when the world and people say there isn't any. There is always hope no matter what your circumstances may say. That is something we can live by.

And there's the tallywacker.

That's what the doctor said, but I wasn't quite sure what a "tallywacker" was. I was so sure we were having a girl that I actually thought to myself, "Do girls have those?" It wasn't until he started tracing our baby's bottom on the screen that I realized what he meant. OOOOOOOOH.

So we're having a BOY! I am so glad we found out because I have needed the time to let it soak in. Don't get me wrong, I love little boys. I just had it so engrained in my mind that Shawonda was actually Shawonda, but now Shawonda is just Shawon. (Thanks, Michelle.)

We sold the bed that was crowding Cannon's soon-to-be room. So now it's cleared out and ready for me to start planning. We ordered our crib last week which will take about 3 or 4 months to come in! I haven't seen any bedding that I love yet. My cousin Leigh, an amazing seamstress, said she'd be happy to make it if we find fabric we like.

Oh--so yeah, his name is Cannon Lee. Cannon because we like the sound, and Lee after a man who was very dear to Oliver. We knew we wanted to use Lee but weren't sure we liked the sound of Lee Chiang. Sounds like a new brand of soy sauce.

My friend Sharon is going to do a maternity shoot for me in a few more months. A few weeks ago, though, we went out to take some pictures of my website (which will be up one day--hopefully before Cannon is born!). For fun, she took a few shots of my belly. BTW, Sharon is an amazing photographer and you should check out her blog: sharonnicolephotography.blogspot.com.

There are no good words to rhyme with belly.

Things I have learned recently concerning my belly:

1. This is the first time in my whole life that I have ever wanted it to be noticed.

2. It actually disappoints me when people say it doesn't look that big. I sent the pictures below to my brother Brandon and he said, "Oh whatever...you look the same as when I saw you last. I'm not impressed." Well poo on you. I think Brian just ran ahead of you in the race for Favorite Uncle.

3. I can do a couple of things to make it look bigger.
a. Eat a lot before I see people. This can add a good 2 months.
b. Wear strategic clothing. Things with a waistband that fit right under the belly emphasize it quite well.

4. Stretchmarks are unavoidable. Did you know that? Apparently you can use creams to "minimize their appearance" but you can't keep them away. That's just great. My friend calls them "battle scars." I guess that's a good way to think of them (if I have to think about them at all). Who am I kidding? I've got some already, so we'll just act like I'm collecting them and I'm about to hit the jackpot.

Anyway, even though my brother Brandon wasn't impressed by these pictures, here you go. This was at 14 weeks. In 2 weeks we find out if we're having a girl or a boy!!! I'm thinking girl.

I'm a newbie.

Ta dah! I am officially a new blogger. Ollie and I have been thinking about starting one for a while now. The past couple of weeks I've been updating a few friends on my pregnancy and they all suggested that I start a blog. So...here we are.

Now I have to admit I'm a little intimidated. There are some amazing blogs out there. I mean, they should be published. Aunt Katie, Cheryl, and Lil' Kim, I'm talking about you. Anyhow, as I remind myself that life is not a competition, I venture out because I really would love to have a record of our family's (omg I'm going to have a FAMILY in a few months) journey.

So saddle up your horses and join us.