September is another milestone for our baby Gwenks. This is already baby's 5th month. Aside from his activity, I can feel that he is really growing bigger each day. He can also react to his environment. As I've said, he reacts whenever we play his song or whenever he hears his tatay's voice. I can also ask him to move if I feel that he has been sleeping for sometime. He creates certain actions that makes me relieved.

According to babycenter, baby Gwenks is already growing like this...

How your baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 10 1/2 ounces now. He's also around 6 1/2 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel — the length of a banana. (For the first 20 weeks, when a baby's legs are curled up against his torso and hard to measure, measurements are taken from the top of his head to his bottom — the "crown to rump" measurement. After 20 weeks, he's measured from head to toe.)

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

He already looks something like this

        

Have you heard of the song Una Lacrima Sul Viso by Bobby Solo? Our baby Gwenks love it... I first heard it when baby G was still in his/her first trimester. Gwen would sing it with his mouth on my tummy, hoping that baby Gwenks would hear it. Now that baby Gwenks is already actively moving, this also serves as his/her wake up call. Whenever s/he hears even the first notes of the song, I will surely feel her/him moving around. I would jokingly tell G that his baby is jumping again because of the song. I would describe baby's activity as 'nagkukumahug sumayaw pag naririnig yung kanta'. I feel na parang merong kiti-kiti sa tummy ko. On the otherhand, I feel that this is better than not feeling the baby move at all. As early as now, I know that baby will be like his tatay. Once makarinig na kanta, parang kiti-kiting sayaw ng sayaw... well, ganun talaga ang child star na sumasayaw dati sa Kalatog Pinggan ni Jograd dela Torre...

For those who do not have an idea of the song, here is a video that G found from Youtube. This is what he usually plays, aside from the downloaded version that he keeps on the laptop.

I've been searching for the lyrics of the song but I haven't found one yet. I hope to find one soon before baby Gwenks arrives.

I found this lyrics on the internet... I hope this is it.

Da una lacrima sul viso
Ho capito molte cose
Dopo tanti, tanti mesi ora so
Cosa sono per te.
Uno sguardo ed un sorriso
M'han svelato il tuo segreto
Che sei stata innamorata di me
Ed ancora lo sei.
Non ho mai capito
Non sapevo che
Che tu che tu
Tu mi amavi ma
Come me
Non trovavi mai
Il coraggio di dirlo, ma poi...
Quella lacrima sul viso
É un miracolo d'amore
Che si avvera in questo istante per me
E non amo che te
Non ho mai capito
Non sapevo che
Che tu che tu
Tu mi amavi ma
Come me
Non trovavi mai
Il coraggio di dirlo, ma poi...
Quella lacrima sul viso
É un miracolo d'amore
Che si avvera in questo istante per me
E non amo che te te che te te...

        

*Alphabet for Parents*
By: Sister M. Benedict, O.S.U.
St. Claire School, Cleveland Ohio

*A* sk your child daily about his day at school – activities, play, problems

*B* elieve that corrections made are in the best interests of your child

*C* onsult with the teacher about your child's progress, character, attitudes

*D* emand respect and obedience at home and your child's success is guaranteed

*E* ncourage your child to prompt acts of generosity, self-sacrifice, self-forgetfulness.  "What else may I do" should be your child's motto

*F* amiliarize your child with the best in literature, television, recreation

*G *ather your child's associates together and get to know them well

*H* ave high, but realistic ideals for your child; respect and develop his talent

*I*  nspire your child by your own example and through heart-to-heart talks

*J*  udge a situation only after listening to both sides of the story

*K* now where your child is after school and on weekends

*L *earn with your child through your selective reading and personal study

*M *anage your home schedule – chores, television, etc. – for your child.  Don't' let these activities do the managing

*N* otice changes in your child's attitudes, emotions, interests, appearance

*O* pen new doors of experience for your child by encouraging lessons in art, music, athletics, foreign language, typing, domestic and mechanical arts

*P* ray with your child.  The family that prays together, stays together.

*Q* uiz your child before tests or other competitive events

*R* efrain from open criticism of any type of authority in the presence of your child

*S* eek for yourself the kingdom of God, and your child will follow you

*T*  each your child the art of self-control, the beauty of inner virtues, the honor of patriotic service, and the social graces of refined people

*U *se all the available opportunities your city and nation offer to develop and perfect the talents of your child

*V *enerate your religion:  the sacred liturgy, the sacraments, the things of God.  Your child is "another you":  he will do the same

*W* elcome suggestions, both laudatory and critical, with an open mind

*X* Examine your child's work with interest, encouragement, and recommendations

*Y* ield to your child's requests for exceptions or favors only when the best interests of your child will be served.

*Z* ip into this privileged task of rearing your child in the image of God with hope, zeal, confidence, and with gratitude in the One whose creative power you share.

*-*
I got this from one n@wie

        

Welcome BER MONTHS... Yesterday marked the start of September and living in the Philippines means that the countdown for Christmas also starts. As of today, Sept. 2, there are only 114 days before Christmas time.

I still don't know how we will celebrate our  first Christmas at our new home and with our dear baby but definitely it will be something that is filled with love and blessings. It will be one of our firsts in our married life... something worth anticipating.

With this, I would like to be one of the first in greeting everyone a Merry Christmas!!!

        

Dating 101

I grabbed this from Mareng Arlene and I hope to read this again by the time baby gwenks starts dating and see if I still have the same opinions and answers when that time comes.

Players: Ozzy’s Mom | Me,Myself + 2 | Kidd Designs | Fun.Fierce.Fabulous | | Me and Mine | Little Peanut | Pea in a Pod | Creative in Me | Notable Bistro | Sugarmagnolias |Around the World | Random Thoughts | My Colorful World | Explore Manila | My Simple but Adorned Life | Extraordinary Path to Parenthood | YOUR BLOGS

1. When was your first kiss and where?
- honestly, I can't remember anymore kasi hindi si hubby yun :p

2. When was your first real relationship and how long did it last?
- I would say that this will have to be my relationship with G... and I hope it would last until forever.

3. What age were you allowed to date?
- We never talked about it. I just dated without them knowing.

4. What’s the craziest thing you did (for love) when you were a teenager?
- Madami. I'd sneak out of the house without my parents permission, told white lies (din) para makalusot... etc.

5. How long was your longest relationship and what’s the secret?
- My longest relationship is with Gwen. It has been 6 years since we started (minus the times when we were still friends which is about 2 years ata) and it is still growing stronger everyday. Our secret... communication, trust, contentment and lots of laughters along the way.

6. How long did you date before you decided to settle down?
- One year and 5 months

7. How did you know he was the ONE?
- I felt it (mushy, but I think its what they call 'the magic')

8. Now, at what age will you allow your kids(s) to date?
- Whenever they feel ready and know the responsibilities that come with it. Kagabi, I was telling G that baby G can have a relationship only after 30... but that would be boring siguro

9. When it comes to your kids dating, will you be a cool parent or a strict parent?
- I'll try to be the cool one, just like what my mom was with me and my siblings. Kunsintidor in some ways siguro, as long as it is still within the limits.

10. What piece of advice can you give to your child when they start dating?
- Just be yourself... wag magpaka-plastic just to please their 'prospective' partner. Pag ayaw sayo, wag nya... there are other fishes in the ocean.

        

OB Appointment #4 was different. Aside from we decided to change OB, we also changed the venue. Instead of the usual Asian Hospital, we opted to go to New Sinai Medical for the check up. Our reasons, it is nearer our future home and it is also cheaper giving birth here (I hope).

We went for check-up a little late already. We left the house at 4:00pm and was at the hospital by 4:30. Since it was already 'late' for us, we didn't expect that there was still an OB available. We were directed to go to room 307 to meet Dr. Alma Joy B. Morin.

Doc Alma is still young (she's only 33) and an Infertility Specialist as well (just like Doc Ces). She was accommodating and friendly. Madaling makapalagayan ng loob. What G likes about her, is that she includes him with sa discussions. She uses layman's term which is really easier to understand. She took my history and other medical background. I also showed her the results of my previous lab tests (which she said are okay, for now). As part of the routine check-ups for new OBs, she required to do an IE on me.

During our discussions, I asked her if she can give us an estimate on how much should we prepare for the delivery. She gave an amount ranging from P30k to P80k depending on the complexity of the situations on delivery. (At least now, we know how much more we should save). In the end, she recommended that I change my Vitamin C into Calvit and added another food supplement. So far, everything went well.

We are expected to go back on the 9th of September. Other lab tests will be scheduled around my 6th month pa, together with the ultrasound for baby Gwenks' gender identification.

ps...
doc alma computed baby Gwenks' age base on my LMP. This means that baby G is already on his/her 17th week now.

        

Time seems to go really fast. I am already on my second trimester of pregnancy. I just entered my 4th month of pregnancy. My tummy is growing bigger as each day past. From what I read on my book, 'What to Expect When You are Expecting', it is on my fourth month that I can already start to feel the movement of my baby. Last night after eating Sinigang na Hipon for dinner, it seems like I felt baby Gwenks moving already.

According to babycenter.com, at 15 weeks, baby Gwenks already looks like this:

How your baby's growing:

Your growing baby now measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces (about the size of an apple). She's busy moving amniotic fluid through her nose and upper respiratory tract, which helps the primitive air sacs in her lungs begin to develop. Her legs are growing longer than her arms now, and she can move all of her joints and limbs. Although her eyelids are still fused shut, she can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, for instance, she's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but she is forming taste buds. Finally, if you have an ultrasound this week, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or a girl! (Don't be too disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down your baby's sex depends on the clarity of the picture and on your baby's position. He or she may be modestly curled up or turned in such a way as to "hide the goods.")

        

According to Babycenter, baby Gwenks is already growing like this at present:

The most dramatic development this week: Reflexes. Your baby's fingers will soon begin to open and close, his toes will curl, his eye muscles will clench, and his mouth will make sucking movements. In fact, if you prod your abdomen, your baby will squirm in response, although you won't be able to feel it. His intestines, which have grown so fast that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into his abdominal cavity about now, and his kidneys will begin excreting urine into his bladder.

Meanwhile, nerve cells are multiplying rapidly, and in your baby's brain, synapses are forming furiously. His face looks unquestionably human: His eyes have moved from the sides to the front of his head, and his ears are right where they should be. From crown to rump, your baby-to-be is just over two inches long (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce.




And this is how I look at 12 weeks...

        

Last Monday was G's real birthday (we celebrated it at home last Saturday). He went to work, late as usual, but was delighted when his friends started texting him and greeting him. When he reached their office, he was ready to work as expected. This day was different since they were not deployed to the field. He stayed in the office to study, instead. During lunch, he was touched when he saw that his officemates prepared something for him. They contributed to buy him a cake and they even went out their way to write something for him. They gave him a small card with everyone's greetings on it. He was very happy that while this was happening at the office, he was texting me about it. When he got home, he even showed me the card that his officemates gave him.

He was flattered with the attention that he received that day. This was the first time that someone did this for him, in their office. I know and I can feel that he was really happy. He kept retelling his story for the day...

For his officemates (SE, Head Office), thank you very much. I may not have met you personally yet but I am thankful for the 'celebration' that you gave my dear husband

I'll post the card and the picture of his cake here... soon

        

Fast forward... after waiting for a long time, our dear little baby is already 7 weeks old. Bed rest has been very boring but whenever I check babycenter regarding baby Gwenks' improvement, I can say that I can do whatever it takes for me to have him/her.

This week, our little baby is already starting to develop his arms and legs. For a more distinct description, here is what I copied from babycenter.

The big news this week: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, your baby is still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of her tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Your baby has doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of her nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of your baby's brain are growing, and her liver is churning out red blood cells until her bone marrow forms and takes over this role. She also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in your baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from her tiny body.