Missing out on life's big events

Wu Bin, whose husband Li Dong is part of China's 33rd Antarctic expedition, watches a video at their home in Shandong province before she gave birth on Jan 9. [Photo by Guo Xulei /Xinhua]

Recordings of love

Liu Shaojia, Xuelong's third officer, recorded a song he had written for his pregnant wife Xi Junli.

While listening to the song, Xi touched her stomach and spoke to their unborn child.

"Hi baby, are you happy listening to your father's singing? You are moving all the time," she said.

The couple married in October 2015, but had no honeymoon as three days after their wedding Liu had to leave for Shanghai to take part in China's 32nd Antarctic research mission. Now, the latest mission means he will have to miss the birth of his child.

"We had no honeymoon and I have no time to even take a trip with her. We have spent less than three months together since we got married," Liu said.

When asked if she regrets her husband's long absences, Xi said she has nothing to complain about: "He loves his work."

During Spring Festival, Xuelong was still at sea carrying out research. But at home in Shijiazhuang, Hebei province, Xi was washing baby clothes.

Knowing that her husband would not be there for the birth, she recorded a video message for him.

"I will be strong, like you told me to be," she said.

A new year's gift

When Li Dong feels lonely, he pictures sunny summer mornings in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, with his wife smiling down at him from a bus window as he rides his bike.

"It's the way we leave for work each morning and it's one of the moments I treasure most," he said, after finishing a long day at a chemical lab aboard Xuelong.

Wu was already eight months pregnant when Li left for Antarctica in November.

"We have decided to give our baby the nickname 'Little Sun', because we hope that she will always be happy and optimistic," he said.

A few days before the birth on Jan 9, Li sent his wife a video wishing her all the best with the delivery. He also prepared a unique gift for his baby girl - a cup that had been deformed by the extreme pressure of the deep Antarctic waters.

"I've never said anything romantic to my wife," said Li. "I just want to send a message to her and my baby through this New Year's gift: they are the greatest loves of my life."