My Belly Bop

Dear Bunso,

We are now on our 23rd week and in less than 4 months, we’d be able to cuddle and hold you!  I hope you are doing fine and in perfect health.  Mommy can’t help but worry if you’re getting enough nutrients from what I eat and if I’m stressing you out with all the things I’ve been doing.

You know what?  Since you were a tiny bud in my tummy, 9 weeks to be exact, I had a strong gut feel that you’ll be a boy.  And with that, I thought of a name already which I hope your daddy would like too.

Your daddy and I have so many plans for you and your Ate Amelie.  In three years’ time, we can bring both of you to the theme parks in Gold Coast, a few more years and we can all fly to the U.S. so you both can enjoy Disneyland!  We are looking forward to our family road trips and holidays that for sure you and your sister will enjoy.

Just keep healthy, okay?  Aside from mommy, daddy and Ate Amelie, your grandparents, uncles and aunts back home are excited to see you. God bless you.

Lots of love,

Mommy

xoxo

Our appointment with the O&G was short and sweet.  She handed over to us a 10-page document that has the findings on the front page and photo scans of the little bub’s images from the morphology scan I had early May.  The only thing that I wish the scan could have confirmed is the absence of any fetal abnormality.  But we’re being positive and praying hard for this.

We have also decided on a date for my delivery.  I have requested a scheduled/induced delivery early on, this has saved our time and sanity a lot during my pregnancy with Amelie.  But of course, the date still depends on the little bub.  By then I’ll be on my 38th 1/2 weeks and the O&G said that it’s the best and safest period for an induced delivery.  We’ll see how it goes!

We also heard the baby’s heartbeat that day.  The O&G gave her thumbs up to say that everything’s well and good!

I hope to update more in the coming days.  We’ve done some shopping already and on our way to start the general cleaning bit around the house so we can start arranging our little boy’s stuff.  Time flies, I’m nearly on my 23rd week!

I’ve passed the halfway mark! Yipee!  I’m glad that I now have better control of what I can do opposed to being in bed most of the time during my 1st trimester.  I feel good, I think my little boy does too.  He’s been kicking like mad at certain times at night!  Though the kicking keeps me awake, I just think that it is still good overall.  It lets me know that the little bud is thriving and very much alive.

I’m due for my 21st week check-up next week.  Thursday to be exact.  My O&G will interpret the detailed scan I had last May 9th.  Hoping for good news as always.

We had our 19th week detailed scan last Saturday at the Ultrasound Care clinic.  The equipment used for the u/s is so high-tech, it recorded a DVD of the whole scan (we brought home a free copy), a 4d photo of the baby (2nd photo above), the baby’s organ development was monitored and the organs measured.  They call this type of ultrasound as morphology.

The ultrasound lasted for 30 minutes but the doctor could not make the little bud turn over and she could not capture a shot of the baby’s heart.  So she asked me to take a break, have something sweet to eat and to walk a bit, I guess to wake the baby up.  After 40 minutes, we’re back to the clinic and finished what’s left of the earlier scan.

The only minor downer is that the doctor said that my placenta’s a wee bit low.  She said it’s no cause for worry but I should be taking extra care of myself and the baby.

I’ll have more baby updates soon.  I’m rushing to finish this coz of the chores I have to finish today! Hee.

I’ve been feeling pretty excited about tomorrow’s check-up. We’ll know details about Bunso like the size, weight and gender! I’ve been thinking about it since last week!

More updates soon..

Less than 4 weeks from now, I’m scheduled to get a detailed scan (morphology) at a centre just opposite my O&G’s clinic.  We’ll finally know the baby’s gender and we can officially call the little pea a he or she!   I am required to take 2 glasses of water before the scan, which I don’t know yet what for.  I didn’t have to do that during my first pregnancy.

So there, new video clip and u/s photo of our baby pea coming soon!

That’s what I’ve been feeling a lot lately.  Mornings are usually great.  With renewed energy, at times I forget that I’m pregnant and continue to do chores like I used to.  But the afternoons to evenings are a different story.  Feeling tired plus terrible back pains brought about by my scoliosis can really bring tears to my eyes.  No kidding.

My first appointment with the chiro during my 13th week was a blessing.  Every ‘crack’ and twist from the therapy, my body gladly received.  At one point, I cheered the chiropractor on after hearing my upper spine ‘crack’ twice!  He said that I should expect the pain to worsen as my pregnancy progresses.

At this time, I wish I don’t have scoliosis.  I wish my pelvic bones are aligned and that I don’t get headaches from my curved upper spine.  It’s so hard to function.  Especially if you’ve gotten used to being a busy body.

Oh well, take the good with the bad.  I hope none of my kids get this bone condition, which is highly hereditary.

We had a quick 14th week check-up with our O&G and the doctor couldn’t get a clear view of the little bud because it kept on moving!  Anyway, the video clip is in our multiply account but here’s a snapshot with the baby pea saying “hi!”.

Since my 13th week, I started cooking again.  I missed home cooking.  Although there are still days when I wish I have my mother here to cook my favorite tochong bangus or blanco.  Anyway, it can get pretty tiring for me to stand very long in the kitchen (or to do any chore) lately, so I just pace myself and try to get breaks in between chores.

As soon as the nauseus feeling lifted, I started craving for fruits.  During my first pregnancy, I loved cherries.  I had them any time of the day.  This time around, I don’t like the taste of cherries but love grapefruits, red apples and persimmon!

I have at least one to two serving of fruits every day.  I have them either in the morning or lunch time because in the evenings, I get over bloated, which makes it difficult for me to sleep.  I feel so restless!

I’m glad fruits are abounty here.  Now, I’m craving for persimmon!

[Photo credits: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki]