Me and My Mom @ 5 1/2 Months

Here's a latest photo of my mom @ 5 1/2 months: Her belly button is starting to protrude. Look at her tummy, it's very evident that it's getting bigger and bigger.

She's gaining weight (about 225g/half a pound each week) but she's prettier than ever (clap!, clap!)

If I'm a girl, for sure I'll be as beautiful as her.

In less than 18 weeks, I'll be seeing my mom for the first time. But for the meantime, I will just relax here in her womb and wait for the D-day.

I'm so excited and I just can't hide it."

Friends, see you soon!!!

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

22nd Week of My Development

At 22 weeks, I now have the proportions of a newborn, although I still got a lot of weight to gain before the birth. My skin still looks wrinkled because I only have one per cent body fat.

My eyes have now formed, too, although the iris (the colored part of the eye) isn't coloured yet. My pancreas, which will help regulate my hormones, is under development, too. My liver starts producing various enzymes that help in breaking down the billirubin.

My brain is developing fast, and my brainwave patterns are now similar to a newborn. I am developing the very beginnings of conscious thought. Scientists believe that at this stage, unborn babies already have a primitive memory, and some even think that they can dream.

I now weighs about 15 oz (430 grams) and 11 inches (28 cm) in length

Did you know that At 22 weeks, I already have hair, eyebrows and eyelashes, but they don't contain any pigment yet – they're pure white.

Friends, see you soon!!!

Gabby

Image from: http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-22-weeks

21st Week of My Development

I now entered the second half of my development and here's what I just accomplished this week:

Mom feels like I am practicing martial arts as my initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. Dad on the other hand haven't got a chance to feel my movement because whenever he touches my mom's belly I stopped or move away (Don't worry dad, In a few weeks you can feel my movement without taking much effort :D). Mom may also discover a pattern to my activity as she get to know me better. However, towards the end of this trimester I will begin to settle, usually in a head down position.

In other developments, my eyebrows and lids are fully developed and if I am a girl, my vagina has begun to form as well. Rapid eye movements begin at twenty-one weeks and I can hear when she talk or sing to me now. Swallowing, which is believed to help my digestive system function after birth, continues at this point. My heart is growing stronger. Fat continues to accumulate now and my bones and muscles are getting stronger each day.

My lungs are still growing. Bronchi and bronchioles enlarge and even early alveoli in my lungs begin to form. Studies show that I am actually able to distinguish taste in the fifth month! You might wonder how this is even possible to know this early in pregnancy. Well, scientists have discovered this by adding a sweetener to the amniotic fluid in the uterus, which caused the babies to swallow twice as fast! Clearly we are "pre-wired" to prefer sweets even before we are born!

I now opens and closes my mouth regularly, drinking the amniotic fluid. The waste products are passed back through the umbilical cord and into my mom's bloodstream for her kidneys to dispose of.

I now weighs about 3/4 pounds (360 grams) and 10.5 inches (27 cm) in length. My rapid growth that has happened over the last few weeks will slow down now. Every week increases my chances of survival outside of the womb now.

By now, most people can probably tell that my mom is pregnant. Her body is changing rapidly as I grows.

Did you know that I have a favourite sleeping position?. Scans have shown that some unborn babies like to tuck their chin into their chest, clasp their hands under their chin or tilt their head back when they have a snooze. Amazing!

Friends, see you soon!!!

Gabby

Image from: http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-21-weeks

Dad, You're the Man

Here's what we gave for my dad. I can't write yet so my mom wrote my message for him. Mom bought a gift for my dad too.

You're the man!, dad.

Keep on loving us. Happy Father's Day

See you soon!!

Gabby

P.S. 1: Happy Father's day to all the fathers in the world

P.S. 2: For related story visit http://travelsandleisures.blogspot.com/2009/06/its-fathers-day-today.html

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Fun Way of Determining My Gender

Here's a fun way of knowing my gender, mom answered a few questions on-line and the result is:

40% chance-boy and 60% chance-girl

And here's Why...

• Mom, are carrying the extra weight around the hips and bottom, so it's a girl.
• The hair on mom's legs is not growing any faster during her pregnancy, so it's a girl.
• Boys are carried low. Mom are going to have a boy.
• Sleeping in a bed with her pillow to the north indicates that mom will be having a boy.
• Mom's feet are not colder than they were before pregnancy. so it's a girl.
• The maternal grandmother doesn't have gray hair (dyed or natural), so a girl will be born.
• Mom didn't have morning sickness early in pregnancy, so it will be a boy.
• Mom is looking particularly good during pregnancy. Therefore, it must be a boy, because girls steal their mother's looks.
• Mom's chest development has been quite dramatic during pregnancy. Expect a girl.
• Since the sum of my mother's age at conception and the number of the month of conception is even, I will be a boy.
• Mom's urine is a bright neon yellow color, expect a a boy.
• Mom's nose hasn't changed during pregnancy, which indicates a girl.
• Your baby's heart rate is 140 or more beats per minute, so it's a girl.
• Mom is not having headaches, so it's a girl.
• Mom show them the palm of her hand, so it's a girl.

The result does not have any scientific proof so it is still best to know my gender by means of sonogram.

Have a nice weekend.

Gabby

On-line Source: http://www.childbirth.org/articles/boyorgirl.html

Celebrating My 20th Week of Development

Yesterday marks the 20th week of my development. This only mean that I am 20 weeks away from my birth.

In line with this, dad & mom held a simple celebration together with my grandparents, uncles and auntie. They bought me my first cake (see photo) just for this event, Isn't it cool?.

It is a day of thanksgiving and praise to our God. Each day, I am assured of His protection and blessings.

The Lord is good!

Friends, see you soon!!

Gabby

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of any image may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above photos were taken by Ricky Pascual and remain the properties of the photographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

20th Week of My Development

The Week 20 officially marks the end of my development phase. All my major organs and body systems have developed. I now enters the simple growth stage wherein organs and systems are getting refined for a successful life in this world after my birth.

I am swallowing more these days, which is good practice for my digestive system. I am also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in my bowels, and you'll see it in my first soiled diaper (some babies pass meconium in the womb or during delivery).

The next eight weeks will be my most active time – I am in full control of my movements, and has enough space inside my mom's womb to move freely. I am even developing my own daily routine. My movement will become increasingly noticeable to my mom.

I now weighs about 10 ounces (283 grams) and 8.7 inches (22 cm) in length.

Did you know that at 20 weeks, I am growing hair. Many babies lose their first hair soon after birth, but the hairline I develops in the womb will be mine for life. Amazing!!

I am now in the half way mark of my development and this deserves a celebration with mom and dad.

Friends, see you soon!!!

Gabby

Image from: http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-20-weeks

Prenatal Check-up @ 18 Weeks and 4 Days

Here's the video of Mom's prenatal check-up last Saturday. Here, the Ob-Gyne explained the condition called "Placenta Previa". Also, the doctor checked my heartbeat, again using the Doppler instrument.


Watch it:

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Unauthorized use, edit, copy, reproduction, publication, duplication, download and distribution of this video may result in severe legal and criminal penalties under the law. The above video were taken/edited by RickyPascual and remain the properties of the videographer. Please do not use elsewhere without the owner’s permission.

Placenta Previa

We went to the doctor for a scheduled monthly check-up. At 18 week and 4 days I am expected to be more active, I'm sure mom feels my small movement now. The doctor checked my heartbeat using the Doppler and it shows normal heart rate. (see related video)

Mom, told her Ob-Gyne of the recent ultrasound which shows that she has a condition called Placenta Previa.

Placenta Previa is a condition where in the placenta is covering (complete or partial) the cervix. It occurs in 1 out 200 pregnancies and requires careful monitoring by the doctor.

However this condition may change throughout the duration of pregnancy and it will most likely correct itself, as the uterus grows the placenta gets further from the cervix.

The doctor advised mom to avoid the following to prevent bleeding:

• Heavy lifting
• Intercourse
• Strenuous activities

The doctor gave my mom an additional vitamin called Fortifer® an anti-anemic supplement that provide adequate amounts of iron and B-complex vitamins to prevent and treat anemia.

P.S.

Please always pray for our safety. May the placenta gets further from the cervix as it grows so that my mom will give birth normally.

Friends, see you soon!!

Gabby

Photo Credit: http://healthguide.howstuffworks.com/placenta-previa-picture.htm

19th Week of My Development

I am almost halfway done on my development, yipeee!!. Here's what I accomplished this week:

My sensory development is exploding! My brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. I may be able to hear my mom's voice now; so mom, don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to me, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.

I now weighs about 9 ounces (240 grams) and measures 7 inches (18 cm), head to bottom — about the size of a large heirloom tomato. My arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of my body now. My kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on my scalp is sprouting.

A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on my skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid. It helps protect my skin from becoming waterlogged while I am immersed in the amniotic fluid, and also from scratches inflicted by my wayward fingernails.

The placenta continues to grow and offer nourishment for me while my growth becomes rapid now and I begin to store iron for the production of red blood cells. I can even dream (REM sleep)! now.

Did you know that I now have tiny buds where my milk teeth will eventually sprout. A few babies are even born with teeth. Amazing!

For Mom:

If you have not looked into childbirth classes, now is the time to do so. Childbirth education is a great way of informing yourself about pregnancy, labor and birth.

For Dad:

I know that you're composing a song for me. I'm excited to listen to the final version.

Friends, see you soon!

Gabby

Image from: http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-19-weeks

18th Week of My Development

At 18 weeks, I am about 6.3 inches long (16 cm) (head to rump) and weighs almost 7 ounces (200 grams).

A protective covering called myelin is beginning to form around my nerves. This covering will continue to form up until my first birthday.

If I am a little girl, my fallopian tubes and uterus have positioned themselves into the correct place. If I am a little boy, then my genitals may be noticed on the next ultrasound. However, many babies do not like to cooperate during the ultrasound and the genitals cannot be seen. Well, I am one of them, I covered my genitals with my hand and crossed my legs during the ultrasound. Sorry, mom and dad better luck next time.

I will become more sensitive to sound as the bones which pass the sound to the inner ear harden. The part of my brain that sends and receives nerve signals from my ears are also developing now so I reacts to loud sounds and can kick or prod in reaction. If a loud noise is made near my mom, I will raise my hands to cover my ears. I can even jump in the stomach or bury myself to hide from the noise. The good news is I will get used to familiar sounds such as the beating of my mom's heart, familiar voices in my surroundings, other daily routine sounds and blood rushing through my umbilical cord.

I move most of the time now and give lots of punches and kicks with my hands and feet. My mom should almost certainly feel it this week.

Chest muscles develop further to allow breathing when born and the small cavities that will become fully working lungs begin to develop more rapidly into the final product.

Did know that this week I will master the art of sticking my tongue out? Amazing!!

Image from: http://www.babycenter.com/fetal-development-images-18-weeks