The journey of Faith – II

Faith is growing

As we entered the second trimester, we expected to leave behind nausea and morning sickness, instead they journeyed with us into the early weeks of the second trimester. By now we were better equipped to deal with them.
Then came the summer of Ludhiana with it’s dreaded and loathsome humidity. Shalom’s intolerance to heat only made it worse, then as if to pass the testing through fire, she developed tenia pedis (fungal infection of feet). We learnt to combat this with topical creams and better foot wear.
Around the fifth month when the mom-to-be started perceiving the fetal movements I realized that this was a new way in which the mom and the fetus can bond, a privilege that the dad-to-be can’t afford! To be precise, Shalom first felt the fetal kick on the Easter morning! Oh, what a glorious day to kick your mom and make your existence felt. Later we realized that Faith had a distinct taste for music as her kicking (fetal moments) increased considerably when there was music around. Most startling of her expressed love for music would be the time of praise & worship at the church. Shalom would at times feel a kick beneath her ribs and in pelvis too as if Faith was raising both hands as in a Hallelujah!
We’d play Beethoven and Mozart at home to refine and fan into flame Faith’s love for music. Also it helped to give benefit of doubt to “the Mozart effect”! “Mozart effect” is a controversial claim by a French researcher that listening to classical music helps in increasing IQ in babies and young children, even if this is an untrue, far fetched theory, classical music does calm and sooth the mind.
His grace was enough, every passing day was a proof of that. Both of us wondering what she was upto when she wasn’t kicking, as for me I cherished the hours I spent with my hands on her tummy to feel Faith’s kick. Oh, how the Father above also yearns for us to connect with Him.
Mommy-to-be slowly got used to the stretch marks and we braced ourselves for the final trimester before Faith arrived.