3rd Ultrasound

Last night my mom was so tired when she got home from work, experiencing pain in her lower back aside from colds. They decided to see the doctor to make sure that everything is okay and if nothing to worry about my mom's condition.

Here is the ultrasound result, everything is fine and I am developing normally. It was cool to show them how I'm doing inside my mom's womb. My parents are so happy to see my hands and feet moving. I was facing my parents during the ultrasound procedure, telling them "Hi! mom, hi dad!, I'm very much okay here".

The doctor assured them that everything is okay. To make sure that my mom doesn't have a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI), the doctor advise her to have a urinalysis.

My heart rate is normal at 158 Bpm, I am now 2.25 cm and my yolk sac is about 0.35 cm, it also grows to meet my needs.

Friends, see you soon

"For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb." - Psalm 139:13

Wow! I Am Now in the Fetus Stage

Wow!, this is my 9th week. I am now in the fetus stage, A new stage in my prenatal development. Basically, this means that I graduated from swimming embryo creature to a recognizable human being!.

The irises of my little eyes can now function, but frustratingly it remain fused shut for a while to protect it while it is still developing and it wont open up again until I'm about 27 weeks. My external ears are formed and my inner ears are now filled with fluid, so I am already developing my sense of balance. My legs are still relatively small, although other bodily developments are going forward at a nice pace. My kidney is actually functioning now, which means I've started urinating.

I am now trying out my newly formed joints by bending and flexing limbs, wriggling and shifting position. I can now make a grasping movements with my tiny fingers and exploring everything in range - particularly the umbilical cord.

I am now weighing 2 grams (0.07 oz.) and a size of a Brazil nut.

Did you know that I already have a finger prints? Amazing!!

God is so amazing!!

Friends, see you soon...

"Before you were conceived, I wanted you. Before you were born, I loved you. Before you were here an hour, I would die for you. This is the miracle of life" - Author Unknown

Image from: http://ukfamily.co.uk/ages-stages/pregnancy-birth/your-pregnancy/whats-happening/week-9-baby.html

8th Week of My Development

Today, I'm eight (8) weeks and two (2) days. I am nearly an each (25mm) tall and weighs one (1) gram (0.04 oz) . I could actually be seen without using a telescope! and I am finally starting to take on some very distinct human features. However, my head is disproportionate with the rest of my body.

The little tail (spinal cord) has disappeared completely. It’s nice to know that I am no longer an embryo and I become a fetus. Both of my toes and fingers are prominent with very little, if any, webbing. My upper and lower limbs all show recognizable joints (elbows and knees) and the lower limb bones are starting to form.

All of my vital organs are in place: heart, lungs, brain and intestines. However, they are all still immature and will develop further. The genitalia (which will determine my gender) begin to form but it is not yet visible in the ultrasound.

Till then...

P.S. 1 : I put a countdown of my birth at the lower left of my home page, thanks to Tita Maia for the link.

P.S. 2: My mom is not feeling well today, please pray for her.

P.S. 3: My dad, got home late from work because of a deadline. His wrist is very painful for a couple of weeks now and excessive use of computer aggravates the condition.

Image from: http://ukfamily.co.uk/ages-stages/pregnancy-birth/your-pregnancy/whats-happening/week-8-baby.html

2nd Ultrasound

Here's the result of my mom's 2nd ultrasound.

After 7 weeks and 4 days I am already visible on the screen (see lower middle portion of the photo on the left). My mom quickly saw my heartbeat on the monitor, she's so happy to see it, my dad was speechless.

I am now 1.30 cm (13 mm) in length, the size of a 25 centavo coin. My heart rate is 146 bpm (beat per minute), it is within the normal rate of 110-160 bpm.

The doctor advise my mom to continue taking Duphaston™, Folart (Folic Acid) as well as Neurobion® (Vitamin B) until the next visit on April 18, 2009. Likewise, she need to drink Anmum once a day which is high in calcium and iron to meet the extra requirements for these nutrients during my mom's pregnancy.

Thats it for now, the next test would be a blood chemistry (Blood Type & RH, CBC, HBsAG & GCT), Urinalysis and VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory). These are necessary test for pregnant woman. Please pray for us.

See you soon, My estimated date of birth would be on November 3, 2009 (or up to 3 weeks earlier).

© 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.

Friends Are Really Sweet

Last weekend (March 21-22, 2209), my parent attended the "Marriage Builder Retreat" in Tagaytay, it was a two or three hour drive from Manila and that is too long for my mom for her conditions.

You know what?, their friends made it sure that the travel will be comfortable as much as possible for my mom. They offered best seat in their car my mom don't even need to asked.

We were once again blessed by the Lord because of them.

Soon, they will also be blessed by the Lord with a baby (or babies) and soon their respective children will be my friends too. I'm sure, it won't be long.

Friends, I am protected by your love and prayers. Thanks a lot!.

See you soon...

P.S. 1 : Today will be our 2nd visit to the Doctor and I am so excited because the next ultrasound will show how I look after 7 weeks of gestation.

P.S. 2 : The retreat is the last trip for my mom outside Metro Manila (at least for this year)

P.S. 3 : Tomorrow I will be posting my 2nd photograph (ultrasound result)

"Good friends are good for your health." - Irwin Sarason

Good Morning Lord

O Lord, thank You for this lovely morning!. My soul rejoices in Your love, How sweet it is to be loved by You!. Mwah!, a kiss for You, Father!. Mwah!, a kiss for You Jesus!. Mwah!, a kiss for You Holy Spirit!. I love You.

Thank You Lord for creating me,

Thank you Lord for my parents.

Special Blessing

Last Sunday; March 15, 2009, my parents attended The Feast (A weekly Catholic Fellowship of the Light of Jesus Community). As usual it was a spirit filled gathering, learning about happiness. I'm sure two (2) of the people on earth are very happy because of me (hint! hint!).

My mom is very happy sharing with her friends the good news of having me. We also received a special blessings from my parents' godfather, he is too happy to hear the good news, touched my mom's womb and blessed me.

It is indeed a great feeling that many people are praying for me and my mom.

Thanks Tito Obet, or should I say Lolo Obet for that special blessing.

Gabby is My Nickname

Hi, my nickname is Gabby. My dad picked this nickname since they want my 2nd name to be Gabrielle or Gabriel, depending on my gender. Also to avoid confusion and in respect with their lost child, he changed it from Gab to Gabby.

Gabby can be a name of a male or female but it is usually use for a female name. In French, Gabby means Diminutive of Gabrielle: Woman of God. In English, diminutive literally means extremely small in size. Since I'm still too small (size of a pencil eraser), it is just right to call me Gabby. I'm sure this nickname will evolve in the future.

Gabby is a shorten version of Gabriel/Gabrielle which has a biblical meaning of God is my Strength and Warrior of God. Other form for Gabby are Gabi and Gabbi.

I will reveal my 2nd name in a few months time.

"God is my strength and power: and he makes my way perfect" - 2 Samuel 22:33 (AKJV)

Prayers and Thanksgiving

My parents received a bunch of messages of thanksgiving and prayers when they announced that my mom is pregnant. It's good thing to know that many people pray for my mom and dad and rejoicing with us. We are too blessed to have them in our life.

Here are some of the messages they received:

"We're so happy for the 3 of you...we will pray for a safe and healthy pregnancy for Chie..." - Joel & Agirl

"We are so happy for the baby! and indeed a great blessing! Take good care of Chie!" - Pete & Ana

"It is really a great blessing!A baby is a gift from God. Enjoy this new chapter of your life." - Pete & Ana

"George and I are very happy for you. We have been praying with you for this petition and we rejoice with you that God has finally answered our prayers. We will continue to pray for your family esp. for a safe and healthy pregnancy for Chie para may bagong playmate at barkada si baby Yanthy namin. :)" - Tere & George

"We are so happy about the good news. Do take care, chie. Hinay-hinay muna ha. I know it's so hard to adjust from an active to a slow life. Enjoy every moment of your pregnancy. May this signal the start of all of us getting pregnant na rin hehehe Just like you did to the Joshua and Esther groups with your wedding. God bless you two always. You'll be great parents." - Jas & Rod

The list goes on and on, some reactions are really funny but we are still blessed. They intercede for my parents and God heard them. I am too excited to be with this people, to meet them.

The same people cried with my parents when they lost "Gab" and they are rejoicing and celebrating when they knew that my mom is pregnant. It's good thing to know that my parents have these kind of friends.

Friends, See you soon!!

"Prayer makes your heart bigger, until it is capable of containing the gift of God himself" - Mother Teresa of Calcutta

"Grief melts away, like snow in May as if there were no such cold thing" - George Herber, "The Flower"

6th Week of My Development

A round ball is already visible in the monitor when my mom had her ultrasound. It was actually called the yolk sac, which will give me the nourishment until the placenta is formed. I am no more than 1/8 of an inch.

My heart is beating at a steady rhythm and the structures that will become the eyes and ears are forming. My skeleton is also beginning to form at this time. It's amazing! how much I developed so quickly. I am still an embryo at this time but in two weeks I'll be considered a fetus floating freely in the amniotic sac.

It is really sad and scary that many people who commits abortion think that there isn't any life form during the early part of pregnancy, well they are wrong. God well designed how a life will begin, it's with a heartbeat.

Let us pray for the babies who lost their chance of living because of abortion and may their parents who is haunted by their guilt found peace in God.

"Happy is he that is happy in his children." - Thomas Fuller

"And this is the greatest destroyer of peace today- abortion which brings people to such blindness.” - Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta

My Parents' Dream Board

Here is a photo of one of the dreams posted in my parents' "Dream Board". They started to build this board last January 2009. I am proud to say that I am one of the dreams my parents are praying for, day in and day out.

It was cut from a parenting magazine and they attached my mom's face on it (Isn't it cute?). Anyway, the dream board is still under construction but God already made one of their biggest dream/prayer into reality, for them to have me in their life. I'm sure they will be more happy to see me and hold me in their arms.

I thank God for answering my parents' prayer. After the pain, sadness and sometimes frustration, finally they have me. I'll make it sure I'll behave in my mom's womb so that I'll become healthy in time for my birth (October or November 2009) and with the help of your prayers everything will be okay.

My dad even cancelled all their scheduled outdoor adventures and trips so that it wont be stressful for my mom. Anyway, I will be with them in their trips and adventures next year.

Till then, it's time for us to sleep.

Note: This dream is also written in their "Novena to God's love", it was their 2nd dream fulfilled.

"The secret of those people who have their prayers answered is they keep on praying until God grant it. " - Anonymous

“Never stop praying, especially for others.” - Ephesians 6:18

© 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.

1st Ultrasound

Here's the result of my mom's 1st ultrasound. Actually, my mom and dad waited for about four and a half of gruelling hours. The OB-gynecologist had many new patients who need to be interviewed first before the actual check-up, that is why it took that long.

The one on the left portion of the photo is my mom's right ovary, I am still not visible yet since I am still the size of a pencil eraser, but the doctor said in two weeks time my body can be seen.

It's official, my mom is 5 weeks pregnant. It is a blessing from God that even if my mom's right ovary was diagnosed to have a blockage, I was able to passed through. The doctor gave medications and vitamins so that my mom could have a healthy pregnancy.

It's a long way to go. Please intercede for Ricky and Chie, my parents.

© 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.

The Descent

I've been waiting for this time to come, finally the Lord God granted my parents' petition.

I saw my mom so excited about the result of the pregnancy test. He woke up my dad and told the very good news, she said "Papi, I have a surprise for you!!", right there and then my dad knew what it is. Actually, my dad was grinning the whole day.

It is indeed a happy moment for my parents, after almost 2 years of waiting since my mom lost my sibling, finally, the pregnancy test shows 2 lines. My father even joked if my mom just draw the second line (He got this joke from a preacher who finally had their 1st child after 8 long years of waiting).

During an informal gathering of their couples group in a coffee shop, my dad happily and proudly announced the good news. Everyone is cheerfully clapping, my mom had no idea what was happening.

This afternoon, my mom and dad will visit the O.B. Gyne for a check-up. I'm so excited about this. Please pray for me and my mom's health, that she will have a healthy pregnancy.

See you around... Well, happier days are here once more.

"God weeps with us so that we may one day laugh with Him." - Jurgen Moltmann

© 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.