35 Weeks (December 21 - 27)

Merry Christmas! I hope you all had a great one. We definitely enjoyed ours this year. The boys had so much fun opening their presents. Christmas isn't over here yet though 'coz we still have the big family Christmas party on Saturday at my mother-in-law's house. AND, speaking of my mother-in-law, she went shopping for the baby again. I wanted to wrap it and put it under the tree but she said I shouldn't 'coz the baby isn't here to open it anyways, lol! She's right but somehow I just wanna see lots of wrapped presents under the tree, haha!

So, what have I been up to this week. Well, I ate lots of turkey and rolls with butter on Christmas day, lol! My belly is getting heavier as always. There were a few nights this week that I had a hard time going to sleep. I think it might have something to do with the excitement that I have for Christmas. I feel like a little kid who can't wait to know what Santa has to bring, lol! Rolling in bed from left to right and vice versa is really getting painful this time. My pelvic bones are hurting but I'm glad it's not as worse as the last time I was pregnant.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby doesn't have much room to maneuver now that he's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (pick up a honeydew). Because it's so snug in your womb, he isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times he kicks should remain about the same. His kidneys are fully developed now, and his liver can process some waste products. Most of his basic physical development is now complete — he'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

34 Weeks (December 14 - 20)

I had my doctor's appointment this week and as usual I'm gaining more weight. From 125.5lbs two weeks ago, I now weigh 129lbs! It may sound a lot but actually I'm way bigger before at this gestation. So, I think I'm actually doing fine. I still think sometimes that this baby is probably isn't as big as the first two. Everything's fine with my check up. Baby's heart rate this time is 150. I've already washed the baby's clothes and folded them as well. I think after Christmas, I'm going to start packing up my bags for the hospital and all the other gadgets I plan to bring like my laptop and the DSLR camera. I still plan to blog while I stay in the hospital, lol! Anyway, this week has been alright for me although I'm starting to get paranoid about going to the bathroom because I'm actually scared I'd push the baby out while going #2! LOL! How crazy is that? I know I should know better by now. I mean it's my 3rd for goodness' sake but I just can't help it, hehe!

I am getting really excited about the baby's coming though and there are times that I just can't wait any longer. There are also times that I feel sad because it will be all over soon. This week my craving for puto maya is really strong! Sometimes, I eat it three times a day till I just run out, lol! I have a feeling I'll gain a lot of weight on my next appointment for this but I sure love the taste! Since I already use a lot of sugar when I eat this thing, I try to pair it with hot cocoa without sugar. I got Hershey's unsweetened chocolate powder and it really goes well with puto maya especially in the morning. Well, that's it for this week.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. His fat layers — which will help regulate his body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies.

33 Weeks (December 7 - 13)

Getting bigger and bigger is all I can say. My belly is definitely heavy. I feel pelvic pains every time I get up from bed in the mornings or even when I get up from sitting. So, unlike other pregnant women, I prefer to stand, lol! We've been to hubby's company party last Dec. 9th and I heard this other pregnant lady that she needs to get off of her feet. With all three pregnancies, I didn't have any feet problems (pains) at all except with Aiden, my feet got bigger because I was extremely big. So, I think it was just normal for my feet to get big as well, lol! Hmm, so what's new? I'm still eating a lot, more than the usual actually. I get tummy aches at night because of that. So stupid I know but I think it's also my subconscious telling me to do it because I honestly feel like this baby is smaller than my first two. My pregnancy newsletter mentioned that the baby is trying to fill its body with fats now so I'm thinking maybe if I eat more than the usual, the baby can get more out of it and get big, lol! That's just my thought but it might help you know. I don't want a tiny baby because they lose weight during the first few days after they're born. So, that's it for this week. I'll have my doctor's appointment next time so I'll have more to chat about then. Have a great week!

How my baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs a little over 4 pounds (heft a pineapple) and has passed the 17-inch mark. He's rapidly losing that wrinkled, alien look and his skeleton is hardening. The bones in his skull aren't fused together, which allows them to move and slightly overlap, thus making it easier for him to fit through the birth canal. (The pressure on the head during birth is so intense that many babies are born with a conehead-like appearance.) These bones don't entirely fuse until early adulthood, so they can grow as his brain and other tissue expands during infancy and childhood.

32 Weeks (November 30 - December 6)

If I'm going to be 8-10 days early in delivering this baby just like my first 2, that means I only have at least 6 weeks to go. I am excited! I really am but I can't help but feel sad as well. If I can, I'd love to stay pregnant for a while but just like what they say, be careful with what you wish for! My belly is getting heavier now and it's getting hard for me to finish my chores on schedule. Twice this week, I felt like my skin is going to tear up while the baby moves around. I was so scared that I had to hold my belly together, so all I did was sit or lay down. Other than that, I'm doing fine and getting bigger of course.

I had my appointment this week and thank God, I only gained 1.5lbs in 2 weeks! Amazing! I still can't believe how that happened. I am so happy but I'm wondering if my body just didn't absorb the fats fast enough to gain more weight in 2 weeks. I could gain more in the next 2weeks. I just hope I'm wrong because after knowing that I only gained that much weight, I ate a lot of sweets again, lol! Baby's heart rate is 154 this time. We had our first Christmas party for this year held last Dec 1st at the lovely home of hubby's boss. I pigged out on a lot of yummy stuffs there so that's another reason to gain more weight, lol! Well, that's it for this week. Will keep you posted so stay tuned!

How my baby's growing:

By now, your baby weighs 3.75 pounds (pick up a large jicama) and is about 16.7 inches long, taking up a lot of space in your uterus. You're gaining about a pound a week and roughly half of that goes right to your baby. In fact, he'll gain a third to half of his birth weight during the next 7 weeks as he fattens up for survival outside the womb. He now has toenails, fingernails, and real hair (or at least respectable peach fuzz). His skin is becoming soft and smooth as he plumps up in preparation for birth.

31 Weeks (November 23 - 29)

After Thanksgiving, we finally put up our Christmas tree for this year. It's the earliest we've done this for the past six years that I've been here in the states. We had a fresh tree so I know it wouldn't last that long but I want it out of the house right after Christmas so that I can get the house spotless before my due date. Anyway, I have been doing great this week. I am just a little concerned about my doctor's appointment next week because I'm scared I might have gained too much due to these past holidays' feast. I didn't get the chance to do my regular walking either but I did walk around the mall and around the grocery stores, lol! I just hope it was enough, hehe!

Baby is doing great. He's moving too much and sometimes, it can actually hurt. It's fun to see my belly move while the baby is doing what looks like a somersault, lol! I should take a video of it some time and share it here so you can see what I'm talking about, lol! I think this is all for now. Thanks for reading!

How my baby's growing:

This week, your baby measures over 16 inches long. He weighs about 3.3 pounds (try carrying four navel oranges) and is heading into a growth spurt. He can turn his head from side to side, and his arms, legs, and body are beginning to plump out as needed fat accumulates underneath his skin. He's probably moving a lot, too, so you may have trouble sleeping because your baby's kicks and somersaults keep you up. Take comfort: All this moving is a sign that your baby is active and healthy.

30 Weeks (November 16 - 22)

Happy Thanksgiving to all! So many things to be grateful for and today I am truly grateful for my health and the men in my life. Last Friday, the doctor called me and said my readings were fine. So, that's another thing to be grateful for. 30 weeks, wow! I'm almost there and I realized that this whole pregnancy thing would be over soon. I mean totally over for the rest of my life. It's kinda hard to take that but as much as I love being pregnant and having babies, I have to consider other things as well. On the bright side, I'll have cute boys to raise and play with. Maybe in 20 years, one of them will give me a grand daughter I can spoil and dress up, lol!

Anyway, this week has been awesome. No more sickness or any health problems. We were busy with all kinds of parties, which means I ate a lot, lol! I probably gained 10lbs in 2 weeks this time. Oh my, am I gonna be in trouble. I told hubby I need to walk miles and miles on the weekend to help me burn some fats, lol! Also this week, my belly has been back to itching again but I think it has something to do with the stretching of my skin. People actually told me it looks like I'm ready to pop now, lol! I don't really think my belly is that big yet although there are times I think it is. I guess it's the fact that my pelvic bones aren't hurting yet. See, on my previous pregnancy, I was so big my pelvic bones were hurting so bad that I was so looking forward to the 36th week so I can ask my doctor to induce me. Of course the doctor didn't grant that wish but I knew back then the baby was really big. This time, I think I'm the only one getting big, lol! It's scary but I hope I can lose it as soon as the baby gets here. For now, I'm just enjoying each moment I have left with this whole belly thing. Till next week!

How my baby's growing:

Your baby's about 15.7 inches long now, and he weighs almost 3 pounds (like a head of cabbage). A pint and a half of amniotic fluid surrounds him, but that volume will decrease as he gets bigger and takes up more room in your uterus. His eyesight continues to develop, though it's not very keen; even after he's born, he'll keep his eyes closed for a good part of the day. When he does open them, he'll respond to changes in light but will have 20/400 vision — which means he can only make out objects a few inches from his face. (Normal adult vision is 20/20.)

29 Weeks (November 9 - 15)

This has been a tough week for me. I got sick and had a bad cough that kept me awake for nights. My doctor's appointment is every 2 weeks now since I'm already on the third trimester. I had my appointment yesterday and as usual I gained more weight, 3lbs. in 2weeks! Baby's heart rate this time is 156. Like I've mentioned 2 weeks ago, I went in for another glucose test for my gestational diabetes. They gave me more sugar this time, 100 grams of glucose. It was terrible. They had to poke me 4 times. One before I took the drink and then one each for the next 3 hours. I didn't have anything to eat since 9pm that night and the next time I ate was past noon. You bet I was so hungry. Anyway, the results will be in tomorrow or Monday. The doctor will call me so I'll let you know about it next week. I sure hope I did good this time. With the holidays coming, I don't wanna be restricted to eat the sweets. So, I'm really keeping my fingers crossed.

Just as I thought I'm over with being sick, I started throwing up today accompanied by some diarrhea. Not good. AJ started it and then hubby had it last night. Now, I'm getting it. I sure hope Aiden wouldn't get it. Need to find some clear liquids that I can take so I won't get dehydrated. This will be it for now. Will keep you all posted next week.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 pounds (like a butternut squash) and is a tad over 15 inches long from head to heel. His muscles and lungs are continuing to mature, and his head is growing bigger to make room for his developing brain. To meet his increasing nutritional demands, you'll need plenty of protein, vitamins C, folic acid, and iron. And because his bones are soaking up lots of calcium, be sure to drink your milk (or find another good source of calcium, such as cheese, yogurt, or enriched orange juice). This trimester, about 250 milligrams of calcium are deposited in your baby's hardening skeleton each day.

28 Weeks (November 2 - 8)

Officially starting the third trimester this week! Had this photo taken last Saturday at exactly 28weeks and 1day by my dear hubby when we went to the park. Anyway, I've been feeling great this week but I noticed that my appetite has increased. It's like I'm hungry every hour so I eat every hour, gosh! How am I going to limit my weight gain to a pound each week? It might have something to do with the new vitamin I'm taking but yesterday, I got sick and didn't even feel hungry at all. I only had a glass of orange juice and a cheese bread for lunch and a little snack for dinner. It's tough to get sick while pregnant. My whole body was in pain and I was scared to take any kind of medication because I got another life in me to protect. I did call my doctor in the afternoon to ask if there is something I can take to ease the pain. She told me to take some Tylenol and that really helped me a lot. I am feeling a lot better than yesterday but I don't think I have fully recovered yet. I still just wanna lay in bed but I got 2 boys to look after so I'm just hanging out with them. At least they're not too demanding right now. They quite understand that mommy isn't feeling very good.

How my baby's growing:

By this week, your baby weighs two and a quarter pounds (like a Chinese cabbage) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of his head to his heels. He can blink his eyes, which now sport lashes. With his eyesight developing, he may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. He's also developing billions of neurons in his brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

27 Weeks (October 26 - November 1)

Ah, my last week for the 2nd trimester. I am almost there! Sometimes, I actually can't believe I still have more than 2 months to go. My belly seemed to be so big and I feel like it has been stretched to the maxed already. Baby has been really so active these past couple of weeks. I think it's because he's getting bigger now and I'm feeling his every move.

I had my routine doctor's appointment yesterday. Baby's heart rate is 162 and my belly measured a week bigger than it should but the doctor didn't say it was a bad thing at all. I gained 6lbs. in 4weeks this time. I'm not very happy about it but considering the fact that I ate a whole (about 8 inches in diameter) coconut creme pie in 2 weeks, I think I did great, lol! However, the doctor told me to slow down and asked me to try gaining at least a pound a week only. Gosh, that's gonna be tough! I also had my gestational diabetes test that day and I am honestly scared to get a positive result this time because I'm really into sweets during this pregnancy. Sure enough, the doctor just called and said I had to redo the test in 2 weeks because I got the maximum normal blood sugar level. Yeah it's still normal but since I got the maximum number, she's concerned that I might really be diabetic. She also told me to start slowing down on the sugars already but just before she called, I almost finished a bucket of cotton candy! Waaa! Well, at least I got to enjoy it before I learned that I can't have any now. Shucks! How about my donuts? LOL! This is really gonna be tough but I'll have to do some sacrifices for the baby and for myself as well. She also told me that my blood work showed that I'm anemic. So, I'm supposed to take Slow FE now. So, that's it for this week.

How my baby's growing:

This week your baby weighs almost 2 pounds (like a head of cauliflower) and is about 14.4 inches long with his legs extended. He can now open and close his eyes, and he sleeps and wakes at regular intervals. He may suck his fingers, and although his lungs are still immature, they would be capable of functioning — with assistance — if he were to be born prematurely. Chalk up any rhythmic movement you may be feeling to a case of baby hiccups, which may be common from now on. Each episode usually lasts only a few moments, and isn't bothersome to him, so enjoy the tickle. With more brain tissue developing, your baby's brain is very active now. Wonder what he's thinking?

26 Weeks (October 19 - 25)

I feel like a big ball now. It seemed like my belly had a sudden growth spurt but then, I always think that way each time I look at myself in the mirror anyway, lol! So, what have I been up to this week? I think I have been emotional again. You can't get that away from a pregnant person I think. I'm normally a sensitive person already so you can just imagine how much worse I get when pregnant. My family back in the Philippines is facing a crucial problem brought by my brother and sadly, this problem involves babies. I don't even wanna get into details or my hormones will start raging. Argh! So that pretty much sum up this week's progress. I guess you can say this week is mostly about emotions because I actually spent days crying over that situation but I'm done with it and I promise myself not to cry over it no more, lol! I wanna enjoy this pregnancy and I'm doing that right now *grin*.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber), from head to heel. The nerve pathways in his ears are developing, which means his response to sounds is growing more consistent. His lungs are developing now, too, as he continues to take small breaths of amniotic fluid — good practice for when he's born and takes that first breath of air. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take about two to three days.

25 Weeks (October 12 - 18)

I am almost done with the 2nd trimester and I am definitely getting bigger not just the belly but my whole body. So, what's new this week? Nothing much really. I did remember like two nights in a row I woke up in the middle of the night feeling nauseated. Can you believe that? It almost felt like I was just dreaming that I was getting ready to throw up but unfortunately, it wasn't a dream at all. I was really miserable. It started when I ate a funnel cake for dinner. Ok, I didn't eat a regular dinner. I just had the funnel cake 'coz I figured, well it has so many calories alone so why eat more? LOL! You can just imagine all that oil and the confectioners' sugar. I had to admit it was really yummy at first. After feeling nauseated for 2 days, I swear I'd never eat funnel cakes again. Well, maybe just a long time from now, lol!

My gas problems have finally stopped except when I eat beans. I don't know what's with the beans but they really give me bad gas, lol! I guess that's why they call them the musical fruit (the more you eat, the more you toot!), LOL! Ok, enough with this silly stuff. My mother-in-law went shopping for my baby last Saturday. Oh that was really sweet of her. Since this is my 3rd boy, I don't think I'm gonna have any baby shower anymore. I mean I already got all the boy stuffs you could possibly think of. However, I don't like the fact that all my new baby's gonna have are hand-me-downs. I just don't think that's fair. So, anyway that's not a problem anymore 'coz he's got some new stuffs already. I still got a few more on my list but it's mostly the bigger stuffs like the swing and bouncer. The swing that we used for the boys before isn't swinging anymore, lol! So, we'll have to get a new one. Hubby's main thing on the list is the rocking chair because the boys broke it and I really need that since I will be breastfeeding and it's always convenient to breastfeed and rock the baby to sleep. It's comfortable for both of us that way, lol!

How my baby's growing:

Head to heels, your baby now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — doesn't sound like much, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. His hair is probably recognizable now (in color and texture), although both may change after he's born.

24 Weeks (October 5 - 11)

At 24 weeks, my belly sure looks big. I had a fun time doing a preggy photo session with AJ last Friday when my belly was exactly 24 weeks. When I look at my belly in the mirror sometimes, it kinda look like I have a ball under my shirt, lol! Hubby tells the kids I swallowed a watermelon seed and a watermelon is growing inside my tummy, lol! My boys are not buying that story though 'coz we've already told them about the baby months and months ago and sometimes, I let them feel my tummy when the baby moves. Anyway, what's new on the 24th week? Well, I still love sweets and I still got gas problems at least a couple of times this week. Thank goodness it's not every night anymore so that's better. Baby is moving more that sometimes I have a hard time going to sleep at night because he definitely kicks hard. The constant strong movements is definitely keeping me up till almost 1am. Gosh! Sometimes, I'd whisper "be still, baby!", lol! I guess he listens to me 'coz usually it works. I guess when I'm really too tired, it doesn't bother me 'coz my body really needs the rest. I try to go back to bed as soon as hubby leaves for work in the morning while the boys are still sleeping. That way, I get at least 2 hours nap time each day.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby's growing steadily, gaining about a quarter of a pound since last week, when he was just over a pound. Since he's almost a foot long, that makes a pretty lean figure, but his body is filling out proportionally and he'll soon put on more baby fat. Your baby's skin is thin, translucent, and wrinkled, his brain is growing rapidly, and his taste buds are developing. his lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily.

23 Weeks (September 28 - October 4)

Had my monthly routine appointment yesterday; baby's heart rate is 156 and I gained 8lbs in just 4 weeks! Well, at least it's better than I thought but I really need to slow down. The sweets are making it hard for me though. I'm lovin' the sweet stuffs baby, lol! It's just so different with my previous pregnancies because both times, I never really care for sweets. There were times before that hubby would say, "it must be a girl, she's sweet already so she doesn't need any sweet stuffs, lol". Of course that was just his opinion but I've actually read that you're more likely to crave for salty stuffs when you're having a boy. So, this time I am having a boy with a sweet tooth, lol! If I stick to eating just the normal stuff, I think I would actually be ok weight-wise but it's really the dessert that's dragging me down, lol! Anyway, I'll work on that but I think I'm prepared to reach 140lbs again this time. I've done it before so it's really nothing new.

This week, I have been having a hard time passing gas, lol! I know it kinda sound ridiculous but seriously, I really am having a hard time doing it. I think my intestines are squashed way too hard down there that the gas is having a hard time getting out but my goodness, it's keeping me up at night. I've never had gas problems with my first 2. So, this is a fairly new experience for me. Hubby is always laughing when I tell him about this every night because it seemed like it's getting to be regular each night. I sure hope it won't last that long 'coz it's very uncomfortable.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby is more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound. His skin is red and wrinkled. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare him for breathing. He can swallow, but he normally won't pass his first stool (called meconium) until after birth. Loud noises heard often in utero — such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner — probably won't faze your baby when he hears them outside the womb.

22 Weeks (September 21 - 27)

Since my last appointment, I'd say that I probably gained more than 10lbs but that's just an estimate. My craving for sweets is increasing each day and I really love something that has whipped cream on top, lol! When we went out to eat a few days ago, I made sure I got room for dessert and got me a slice of coconut creme pie, yummy! My face is getting chubbier too and that's how I know that I am definitely gaining weight because that is the very first thing that gets big when I get fat, lol! Oh so unfortunate but hey, I have the right to get fat this time so I guess you can say that I'm just taking advantage of this whole situation, lol!

Anyway, baby's doing fine but hubby says he's not as active as the first 2. I have noticed that too. Maybe he's the calm one, haha! I'm starting to feel back pains from time to time too but it's not really that bad. It's getting hard to stand straight because I feel like my whole body is falling forward, lol! My belly hasn't itch a bit since the last time I complained about it. One thing that I have also noticed this time is that I didn't get the thick dark line that goes across my belly that I had both times with the boys. See, if I decided not to know what this baby's gender is I would have really thought I'm having a girl this time, lol! No, I'm not expecting it will turn out to be a girl. That would really be a miracle, haha! I was kind of thinking that way with Aiden before so instead of buying blues, I got him greens and yellows. This time, I'm going straight with blues. I already found this cute blue crib outfit. I always make sure each of my kids get a new crib outfit and not just hand-me-downs. AJ had the Precious Moments theme and Aiden had Winnie the Pooh. This time, I'm getting just plain baby blue with some ruffles. I just fell in love with it when I first saw it at the store, hehe!

How my baby's growing:

Your baby now looks like a miniature newborn, checking in at 10.9 inches and almost 1 pound. His skin will continue to appear wrinkled until he gains enough weight to fill it out, and the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his head and body is now visible. His lips are becoming more distinct, and the first signs of teeth are appearing as buds beneath his gum line. His eyes are developed, though the iris (the colored part of the eye) still lacks pigment. Eyelids and eyebrows are in place, and his pancreas, essential for hormone production, is developing steadily.

21 Weeks (September 14 - 20)

I am definitely getting bigger. There are times that my belly gets really tight, which usually happens when I eat too much. On my last appointment, the doctor said everything is fine with the baby but I just find it weird that he's not really moving as much as my first 2 did. I am honestly still in a bit of shock because I didn't get a clue it was going to be another boy except the fact that I already got 2 boys and I guess the fact that when I'm in a crowd of toddlers, the little girls usually pay more attention to me than the boys. I know that's an old wive's tale but unless something was wrong with that machine, I can't really prove it, can I? Of course the u/s tech told us that there is no mistake that I have a baby boy in my belly. I feel so different this time even with my choice of colors, which usually is another big sign that I was waiting to happen. I guess my subconscious is just way too strong this time that things didn't work the way they used to. I'm still loving the sweets like this one. It's the crepes at IHOP that I had last week. Oh it was just so delicious. Ok this will be it for now. My boys are messing up the house.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long. His eyebrows and eyelids are fully developed. And you can certainly feel him move. He's oblivious to your schedule, though, so don't be surprised if he starts working out just when you're settling down for the night. If you're having a girl, her vagina is formed now, though it will continue to develop until birth.

20 Weeks (September 7 - 13)

Yup, we're having another boy. I guess I was really destined to be a mother of all boys then. It wasn't so easy to accept this fact and yeah, to be honest I was a bit disappointed. I think I did better this time though than with Aiden before. I am still in shock to think that I'll be raising all boys. However, I do feel blessed and honored.

Right now, I'm actually pretty excited. I was looking at the monitor while they did the ultrasound and saw his face quite a few times. I thought he looked so adorable already. I can't wait to meet him! Before we even knew we're having a boy, I was already pretty excited thinking about the many photo shoots I'll be doing with him, lol! Poor kid, he doesn't know what he's getting into, lol!

Baby's doing great and to me, that's what's really important. When I was telling my mom that I was praying for a girl, she told me I shouldn't ask like that 'coz Heavenly Father might give me a girl but with some kind of problem. Hubby is very proud to have another boy and has told me that we'll decide in the next couple of years if we really wanna have a girl and see what options we'll have. He's suggesting to adopt so we know for sure it's really a girl but I'm still not getting into that idea. Right now, I think this will be it but if something happens along the way that isn't part of what we planned, then I guess it's Heavenly Father's. (Credits: cardboard by Catrine, bow by Natalie Braxton and staple by Kate Hadfield)

How my 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. (For the first 20 weeks, we use measurements taken from the top of the baby's head to her bottom — known as the "crown to rump" measurement. After that, we use measurements from head to toe. This is because a baby's legs are curled up against her torso during the first half of pregnancy and are very hard to measure.)

A greasy white substance called vernix caseosa coats his entire body to protect his skin during its long submersion in amniotic fluid. (This slick coating also eases the journey down the birth canal.)

Your baby is swallowing more, which is good practice for her digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky substance that's the result of cell loss, digestive secretion, and swallowed amniotic fluid. This meconium will accumulate in his bowels, and you'll see it in his first messy diaper (although a few babies pass it in utero or during delivery).

19 Weeks (August 31 - September 6)

This week, nothing's really new. Well, the gum bleeding is slowing down and my belly is getting bigger to me at least. Baby's getting more active as well. I felt pretty good actually. I think the only thing bothering me is when it was about time to do the ultrasound. I thought I have prepared myself for it but apparently not that well. Everything is fine which is great. I'm going to redo a lot of things around here so I'm not going to write too much for now. I'll be sure to come back to do an update though. So, stay tuned!

How my baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces, and he measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the length of a small zucchini. His arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of his body now. His kidneys continue to make urine, and the hair on his scalp is sprouting. This is a crucial time for sensory development: Your baby's brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. If your baby is a girl, she has an astonishing 6 million eggs in her ovaries. They'll dwindle to fewer than two million by the time she's born.

18 Weeks (August 24 - 30)

I thought the sick days of my pregnancy are over but this week, it seemed like I'm just beginning to be pregnant. There were days I woke up nauseated and even in the afternoon or at night. it seemed like I have been picky with my foods again but lately anything sweet with peanuts sounds good to me. No matter how much I love the food, if I eat too much, I end up getting sick. So, I'm watching the amount of food I'm putting in my mouth lately. I'm having runny nose and sneezing mostly after I just got up from bed. I don't know why but it's really bothering me.

Another thing also is the gum bleeding. It scares me because even if I don't really brush my teeth that hard, my gum bleeds heavily like it has a big cut. It's actually in the list the doctor gave me last time, so I shouldn't panic but it's really freaking me out to be spitting very red blood almost every night during and after brushing my teeth. At least that's when it happens. With Aiden before, I have the nose bleeding and it was just as freaky. I'd wake up in the middle of the night thinking I got runny nose but it was actually blood. It got more frequent as I went into the 3rd trimester so I can only imagine that this gum bleeding is going to get worse pretty soon. Definitely not something I look forward to. I don't know if there's a cure either but 2years ago, the doctor wasn't concerned at all. She just told me it was part of the pregnancy.

My next appointment will be on Wednesday so I should ask the doctor about my concerns then. I'll have my ultrasound the same day as well and if all goes well (if the baby will cooperate that is) then, I should be back to let you know if we're having a girl or another boy this time.

How my baby's growing:

Head to bottom, your baby is approximately 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a large sweet potato) and she weighs almost 7 ounces. She's busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you'll likely start noticing more and more. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin and her ears are now in position and stand out from her head. Myelin (a protective covering) is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and Fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If your baby is a boy, his genitals are noticeable, though he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

17 Weeks (August 17 - 23)

17 weeks had passed and now I'm definitely feeling pregnant and looking pregnant as well. I took these photos 2 days ago for a blogging ad assignment regarding the blouse I'm wearing. Ok, so after three pregnancies (not counting the 2 miscarriages), I finally became a model, lol!

Anyway, my belly is still itching like crazy. Sometimes, I'd use hubby's hair brush to scratch it. It usually goes away after that. I have noticed I don't have any cravings anymore. I mean now, I can eat almost anything again like I used to before I got pregnant. I did notice that I love to eat more sweets than ever. I'm scared to get gestational diabetes so I'm trying to eat fruits or cereal to replace candies (love the peanut M&M's lately), ice cream and cakes. I swear I don't wanna get big as much as I did with Aiden. I'm not hungry all the time with this pregnancy and I'm really happy about that. I try to eat as balanced as possible and I hope I can stick with it till the end so I don't gain too much weight.

Three days ago, I started to feel the baby move already. It's not that strong but I definitely feel something in there. Feels like a tickle and I normally feel it in the afternoon. The doctor said it's normally between 16-22 weeks when you'd feel the baby move so I guess it's about time I should feel it. It's such an amazing feeling. As a matter of fact, while I'm typing this, I can feel the baby moving, hehe! This week, I noticed that I've been cheerful most of the time. I'm actually surprised that I was calm while talking to my family about a certain problem they're having right now. I feel different 'coz normally, I don't handle things like that pretty well. Also, I haven't been taking naps as much as I used to anymore, which makes it easier to sleep at night.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby weighs about 5 ounces now, and he's around 5 inches long — about the size of a large onion. He can move his joints, and his skeleton — until now rubbery cartilage — is starting to harden to bone. His sense of hearing is also developing. The umbilical cord, his lifeline to the placenta, is growing stronger and thicker.

16 Weeks (August 10 - 16)

I think nausea is officially gone this week but if I eat something that does not agree with my stomach, I still get sick. My craving for that oatmeal drink I invented a week ago has gone down. I had it probably 3 times this week and that's about it. It might have something to do with the new oatmeal brand that hubby bought me. I ran out of the old one and this new one takes more than 60 seconds to cook which makes it hotter for me to drink. Anyway, my belly is still itching like crazy. I think I'm finally beginning to show now. Yesterday, I had to change like 10 times just to go out grocery shopping because my regular blouses are getting short but I'm still too little to wear my maternity clothes. Fortunately, I got a few blouses that are loose on the belly. I guess I'll be wearing those for a while. When I read these pregnancy magazines, they always advice you not to spend much money on maternity clothes 'coz you'll only be wearing them for a few months but I don't care, lol! Yeah, I always waste money on maternity clothes each time I get pregnant, haha! On my previous pregnancy, I bought 2 maternity bathing suits and wear them for like 2-3x and that's it. Geez, I can't even wear them this time. Total waste but no regrets.

I love being pregnant. People (at least here in America) treat you special when you're pregnant, lol! Let me give you an example. Every time I go to a public bathroom and I'm in a line, everybody lets me in first or when I go in line to buy food at the mall or at a fast food, they let me get in front too. Also, I get spoiled a lot. When I say "I'd like to eat this/that" or "this/that sounds good right now"; I get it! Wouldn't you just love to be pregnant? LOL!

I'm still thinking about names. I don't have a lot of favorite A names for boys so it's going to be tough if it's another boy. Hmmm, not a thing for a girl's name either. You see, I already got the perfect A name for a girl but then, I already know of 2 Filipinas (1 in the Philippines, 1 in the US) who used that same name for their baby girls. So, now I'm lost. It's hard when your choices are limited but hubby wants to follow his family tradition. Maybe if it's a girl I can make a bargain and ask him if we can use M instead of A.

How's my baby growing:

At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, your baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. Your baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of your pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.

15 weeks (August 3 - 9)

I've finally spilled the beans to my online friends! Anyway, this week has been better than last week. I'm more cheerful and just kind of enjoying this whole new baby thing. If God permits this is going to be my last one and for that I wanna remember all the details. I found something new to eat this time. Nothing fancy actually. Can you guess what it is? I'm not really sure what to call it so I'll go ahead and give you the recipe (sort of). I take about 4-5 teaspoons of regular oatmeal and mix it with 1/2 cup water and boil it in the microwave for a minute. Then, I add 2 teaspoons of sugar and about 1/4 cup milk to it. Stir and serve. I drink this whole thing 2x a day. One in the morning for breakfast and one in the afternoon around 3pm as a snack. I'm not sure if you can call that a craving but I seem to enjoy it for a whole week now. I've been thinking about the Nesvita Cereal drink that I used to have back in the Philippines before but since I couldn't get it here, I invented this oatmeal drink, lol! Other than the food, I've noticed that my belly has been itching like crazy lately. I am not sure what causes it because I take baths regularly and everything. Besides, my belly isn't that big yet so I don't think it's the stretching issue.

How my baby's growing:

At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl! (Don't be disappointed if it remains a mystery, though. Nailing down the sex depends somewhat on how clear the picture is and the position of your baby during the ultrasound; he may be curled or turned in such a way as to keep you in suspense.)

14 Weeks (July 27 - August 2)

Wohooo! I'm done with the first trimester. So, I'm hoping that the nausea would go away completely pretty soon! I noticed that I don't have it as bad as it used to be. I only get sick when my stomach is empty. I don't like my chips anymore and other salty stuffs. I am not a chocoholic either but since I like sweets this time, I tried some chocos but the regular/dark ones are too bitter for me so I got me some white Toblerone, yipee! LOL. The white chocolates are all I need, wahaha!

I had my 2nd OB-GYN routine appointment this week (yesterday) and so far everything's fine. Baby's heartbeat is 158 this time. I'm scheduled for an ultrasound on my next appointment but I'm still thinking if I wanna know the baby's gender or not. Hubby wants to know but they said they can tell him and not me. I really don't know yet. I'm going to think about it for a month, lol! The doctor gave me some new prenatal vitamin samples to see which ones I like. Out of the 3, the first one I've tried last night was pretty good and didn't make me sick or anything. I wanna try the other 2 first before I'll decide.

This week, has been like a roller coaster ride for me. There are times that I am extremely happy and there are times that I'd cry myself to sleep as well. Nobody's hurting me but me I guess. I get just about any crazy ideas in my head. I try to check every part of my body for any discoloration or something weird that might give me a clue if it's going to be another boy or a girl. Sometimes, I get some clues that seemed so positive to me but when I tell someone about it, they tell me it's the opposite. Those times make me wanna cry. I envy other women, who seemed to be so sure what they're having even before the ultrasound. I have no assurance if this time, I'd get what I'm longing for or not but I do pray that I'd be strong enough to accept what it is that Heavenly Father has prepared for me. No matter what, I'd still love this baby like the other 2 more than anything else in this world.

How's my baby growing:

Head to bottom, your baby's 3 1/2 inches long — about the length of a lemon — and weighs about 1 1/2 ounces. Her body's growing faster than her head, which now sits upon a more well-defined neck. By the end of this week, her arms will have lengthened and will be in proportion to the rest of her body. (Her legs still have some growing to do, though.) She's starting to develop an ultra-fine, downy covering of hair all over her body (called lanugo). Her liver starts secreting bile this week, a sign that it's already functioning properly, and her spleen starts contributing to the production of red blood cells. She's also producing and discharging urine into the amniotic fluid, a normal process that she'll keep up until birth. You still can't feel your baby's movements, but her hands and feet (which are now half an inch long) are more flexible and active. Thanks to brain impulses, her little facial muscles are getting a workout as she squints, frowns, and grimaces. She can grasp now, too, and she may be able to suck her thumb.

13 Weeks (July 20 - 26)

I'm still not showing and sometimes I wonder if I'm really pregnant, lol! This is my 3rd child for goodness' sake. They say you show a lot faster after the first time. I guess they're wrong. Anyway, for a few weeks now I have pampered myself by doing a weekly manicure/pedicure. It's really cool! I've noticed that my nausea isn't as bad anymore but I still love to sleep. This week I really loved pears, the crunchy ones. I'm glad I found a fruit I could eat now. Aiden is such a competition though, lol! He loves the pears as well. So, when he sees me eating some, he'd want his own too. He's my eating buddy, lol! I am trying to tell him there is a baby in mommy's belly and every time he sits next to me, he'd try to open my shirt and look at my tummy to check it out. Too cute! He gives me belly kisses, which are supposed to be for the baby. He's so sweet! I'm glad he's getting the idea although he really doesn't fully understand it yet.

How's my baby growing:

Your belly may soon be big enough to announce to the world that you're expecting, but your baby is still tiny. In fact, he's only about 3 inches long crown to rump — roughly the size of a jumbo shrimp — and weighs just about an ounce. Despite the small proportions, there's a fully formed baby inside your womb now. Much more proportional than it was a few weeks ago, his head is now only about a third the size of his body. His tiny, unique fingerprints are already in place. His kidneys and urinary tract are functional, and he's starting to urinate out the amniotic fluid he's been swallowing. As you start your second trimester, most of your baby's critical development will be completed, and your odds of miscarriage will drop considerably.

12 Weeks (July 13 - 19)

I spent days thinking if I should buy those outfits or not and decided for the latter. I found out that they've added more stuff at the store right now and I'm just so glad that I got more choices. I realized I wouldn't be showing till the late fall anyway, so I think I should wait a little bit longer. I just couldn't resist those beautiful colors and I picked pinks 4/5. With my previous pregnancies, I just always get blues and blacks and right now those colors don't sound so good to me. I'm a natural pink person and I always wonder why I end up buying blues before. It's one of the biggest signs I missed when I was pregnant with my 2nd child. Hubby was always wondering why I'd pick blue over pink when we both knew I wanted and hoped for a girl. Of course I still can't say that it might be girl this time around. All I know is that I am crazy about pink lately especially the softest pink around like that Yoplait commercial.

So, for this week I'm still sleepy as always but I have a lot of trouble going to sleep at night. I'm just in a crazy cycle is all. I haven't had bananas lately 'coz it's making me puke. Sometimes, I really force myself to eat one because I know I need it especially now that I noticed it's been wet when I go #2. I stopped taking my prenatal vitamins this time too because each time I take it, I get nauseated immediately. It's probably the smell and the size. Too big to swallow! So, I'll ask my doctor on my next appointment if she can change the brand or something.

How's my baby growing:

Your baby's hit the 2-inch mark (about the size of a lime) and weighs half an ounce. Her face is beginning to look more human. Her eyes, which started out on the sides of her head, have moved closer together on her face, and her ears are near their final positions on the sides of her head. Your baby's intestines, which have grown so rapidly that they protrude into the umbilical cord, will start to move into her abdominal cavity about now. Her kidneys are secreting urine into her bladder. Her nerve cells have been multiplying rapidly, and synapses (neurological pathways in the brain) are forming. Your baby may have acquired more reflexes by now, including sucking, and she'll even squirm if you prod your abdomen, though you still won't be able to feel her movement for several weeks.

11 Weeks (July 6 - 12)

This week I'm still getting sick as usual but I am able to get on the computer a little bit better now. For the past few days, I have been browsing through Motherhood and already picked like 5 outfits I'm ready to buy, haha! Who am I kidding here? I don't even look pregnant yet but I am so excited to buy those big clothes already? I kept asking hubby to pay for it but he seemed to be hesitant so I might just go ahead and get them myself this weekend. How about that? I'm so bad. At least that's not final though. I am going to think about it over again. I still don't have any cravings at this time but then again, I never had any on my previous pregnancies. I'm still in a constant hunt for foods that I can handle. So, that's it for now. I'll be back next week for more.

How my baby's growing:

Your fig-sized baby is now fully formed — measuring 1 1/2 inches long and weighing in at a quarter of an ounce. His skin is still transparent, allowing many of his blood vessels to show through. Some of his bones are beginning to harden, and tiny toothbuds are starting to appear under his gums. His fingers and toes have separated, and he may soon be able to open and close his fists. He's already busy kicking and stretching, and his tiny movements are so fluid they look like water ballet. These movements will increase as his body grows and becomes more developed and functional. As his diaphragm develops, your tiny tenant may also start to get the hiccups. Because he's still so small, though, you won't feel any of his workouts or intrauterine gulps until sometime between weeks 16 and 20.

10weeks (June 29 - July 5)

I had my first doctor's appointment this week. I lost 6lbs from all that nausea but I don't think it's too bad. We heard the baby's heartbeat for the first time. It was an awesome thing to hear. It made me feel that at this time I have a lesser chance of getting a miscarriage but then again, it might just be too early to tell. I'm really just hoping for the best. The baby's heartrate is 168. We brought the kids with us and AJ was thrilled to hear his baby brother's/sister's heartbeat. Aiden is still too young to know what's going on. He was crying when the doctor did my pap smear. Poor thing. I told them, I'll go alone in my next appointment but the nurses love to see them there and they want us to bring them again next month. My boys get too much attention from those girls and they love it, lol! I also got blood drawn from me, which was not so good. In my opinion, they took too much blood from me because I was actually feeling dizzy as we walked through the parking lot going home. The doctor asked me if I wanted medication for the nausea but I refused. I think I can handle a few more weeks and as much as I can, I'll do things without medication. I still don't have cravings at this time. I do think that the guy who played Smallville's Green Arrow, Justin Hartley is cute, lol! Hubby didn't like that.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby is no longer an embryo! Though she's barely the size of a kumquat — just an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, she now has completed the most critical portion of her development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in her body rapidly grow and mature. Her vital organs — the liver, kidney, intestines, brain, and lungs — are now in place and starting to function (although they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy). Her liver continues to make blood cells, and the yolk sac, which previously supplied these cells, is no longer needed and begins to disappear.

During the next three weeks, your baby's length will more than double to nearly 3 inches. Her head is proportionately smaller now than it was a few weeks ago, but it's still almost half the length of her entire body. Her forehead temporarily bulges with her developing brain and sits high on her head; it will later recede to give her a more human appearance. Each day, more minute details — including tiny fingernails, toenails, and peach-fuzz hair — start to appear on her body. Her fingers are now completely separated; her arms bend at the elbow and curve slightly; her hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart; her legs are lengthening; and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. She is busily swallowing amniotic fluid and kicking her legs.

If you could take a peek at your baby this week, you'd be able to clearly see the outline of her spine through her parchment-thin skin. Spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from her spinal cord.

Credits: frame by Nancy Comelab and staple by Michelle Coleman

9weeks (June 22 - 28)

What's new? I still got nausea and vomiting (at least nothing comes out though). I made an appointment with my OB-GYN and they scheduled me for next week July 3rd. I'm still taking my old pre-natal vitamins which are supposed to expire on August 2007. So, I should get a new prescription for that. I'm thinking of asking them to change the brand because it seemed to make me sicker. I take it during the night and as soon as I'm done taking it, I get nauseated immediately. My sense of smell is getting strong as well. I hate the smell of onion and garlic, chicken soup, greasy foods, body odors and other normal stinky stuffs. Somehow I still find it strange that only those things irritate me. You see with my pregnancy with AJ, everything smells horrible to me even perfumes and make-up. That right there gave me enough clue that he was going to be a boy, lol! I still don't know if this one is going to be another boy. I didn't get the feelings yet and based on the signs I'm getting, I can never be too sure. I don't want to ignore the signs this time. I want to be prepared emotionally. I admit I am hoping for a girl this time but I have no control over God's will. I already have some people telling me I'm going to get a complete set of the 3 Muskeeters, so I know there is a greater chance that it will be another boy. I have noticed that I get a lot of colored dreams lately. I still don't know what they mean but they're kinda interesting. Still no cravings this time. Just trying to find foods that my stomach can handle.

How my baby's growing:

Your new resident is nearly an inch long — barely the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce, but he's poised for rapid weight gain now that his basic physical structure is in place. He's also starting to look more and more human. His embryonic "tail" is now completely gone and his body parts — including organs, muscles, and nerves — are kicking into gear.

His eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. He has earlobes, and by week's end, the inner workings of his ears will be complete. His upper lip is fully formed, too, and his mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The tips of his fingers are slightly enlarged where his touch pads are developing. All major joints — his shoulders, elbows, wrists, knees, and ankles — are working, enabling your baby to move his limbs. As for his heart, it has divided into four chambers now, and the valves have started to develop. External sex organs are there, but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks.

8weeks (June 15 - 21)

The nausea intensifies. I can't watch tv for a long time, or be on the computer for so long, which means I can't scrap for the meantime since it takes me a lot of hours to finish a layout. Blogging from time to time will be fine. I had to tell Nancy about the pregnancy because I'm suppose to be on her CT (creative team). I don't plan to stop scrapbooking. I just need a little time out while the nausea and vomiting are still bugging me. It usually stops after the first trimester, so I'm hoping by the 14th week, my life will be back to normal again. I can't seem to do the things I normally do anymore. I get dizzy, nauseated and throwing up nothing for 3-4x a day. I don't like to see clutter. It makes me sicker to see any clutter. There are times that I just start cleaning up something and then all of a sudden I act like I'm kind of possessed that I can't seem to stop. I do think it's a good thing. Who doesn't want a clean place anyway?

How's my baby growing:

Your baby is now 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean. She's constantly moving and shifting, although you won't be able to feel these womb wiggles for several weeks yet. Her embryonic tail is disappearing, and her eyelids practically cover her eyes. Still slightly webbed, her fingers and toes are growing longer. Her arms have lengthened, too, and her hands are now flexed at the wrist and meet over her heart. Her knee joints have formed, and her feet may be long enough to meet in front of her body. With her trunk straightening out, her head is more erect. Breathing tubes extend from her throat to the branches of her developing lungs. The nerve cells in her brain are also branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. Though you may be daydreaming about your baby as one gender or another, the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl.

7weeks (June 8 - 14)

Why did I talk too soon? Now, I'm beginning to feel pregnant. The nausea is killing me. I'm starting to throw up nothing and it's the grossiest thing on Earth. I don't know what's happening to me anymore. It seemed like my most favorite word is "gross". I say it to describe almost everything. Not a good thing. I'm starting to have a hard time looking for foods to eat. It's not because I want something I can't find, it's because nothing seemed to be appealing to me. Although this is not my favorite part of being pregnant, I am somewhat relieved and happy to know that I am finally feeling pregnant. You see with my 2 miscarriages, I never felt any nausea or anything like that. So, feeling like this gives me the assurance somehow that I have a baby inside me who's alive.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby still appears to have a small tail (actually, it's an extension of his tailbone), which will disappear in the next few weeks. But that's the only thing getting smaller. Now almost half an inch long — roughly the size of a raspberry — he has elbow joints and distinct, slightly webbed fingers and toes. In his oversized head, both hemispheres of his brain are developing. His teeth and the inside of his mouth are forming, and his ears continue to develop. Eyelid folds partially cover his tiny peepers, which already have some color, and the tip of that nose you'll be tweaking someday is emerging. His skin is paper-thin and his veins are clearly visible.

Your little one also has an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. His liver is busy producing red blood cells, and a loop of your baby's growing intestines is bulging into his umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from his tiny body. You can't feel his gyrations yet, but your baby is like a little jumping bean, moving in fits and starts around his watery home.

6weeks (June 1 - 7)

I don't really see anything change since last week. I'm still myself and still able to do things that I used to do and eat the foods I normally eat. I'm beginning to wonder if I'd continue to be pregnant. One of the reasons why I decided to not spread the news yet is the fact that I had 2 miscarriages in the past (one before each child). I was beginning to see a pattern there. So, I didn't wanna get my hopes up. I wanna be prepared emotionally if it happens again although I have no idea how you can do that. Anyway, everything seems to be fine with me so far and I hope it stays this way (keeping my fingers crossed).

How my baby's growing:

The cells that will make up all of your baby's body parts and systems are dividing furiously as her body begins to take shape. Right now she's about the size of a small lentil bean (4 to 5 millimeters across). If you could see through your uterine wall, you'd find an overlarge head and dark spots where her eyes and nostrils are beginning to take shape. Shallow pits on the sides of her head mark her developing ears, and her arms and legs appear as protruding buds. Her hands and feet look like paddles, with thick webbing between the developing digits, but her fingers and toes will soon become more distinct. Below the opening that will later be your baby's mouth, there are small folds where her neck and lower jaw will eventually develop. (Inside, her tongue and vocal cords are just beginning to form.)

Your baby's heart (which is starting to divide into the right and left chambers) is beating about 100 to 130 beats per minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to circulate through her body. Her intestines are developing and tiny breathing passages are beginning to appear where her lungs will be. She's also starting to build muscle fibers and, halfway through this week, she'll likely start moving her tiny limbs. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to wait until you're several weeks into your second trimester before you get to enjoy feeling your baby's calisthenics.

5 weeks (May 25 - 31) We're Pregnant!

It wasn't a surprise for us since we have been trying to conceive. I remember it was the day before Memorial Day. We went to the store to pick up some things when I decided to get a pregnancy test as well. I got the Clearblue brand so I can get an accurate and clear result. I was already more than 10days late that time so I thought, it might be time to check it out. I don't normally believe I'm pregnant when I'm 10days late because it happened to me quite a few times in the past. This time, I was anxious to know though. When we got home, I immediately went to the bathroom to do the test. The instruction said wait 3minutes to see the result but I watched it the whole time and I swear it took less than 60 seconds and the word PREGNANT appeared. I was thrilled and happy to know that I'm gonna be a mother again. The thought of having a baby is always a joyful one for me. I told Bear about it and he too was thrilled to know that he immediately emailed everyone in his address book about the whole thing. It wasn't what I planned. I wanted to wait till later to let everyone know but I was happy I got some friends I can talk to about this exciting news.

At this time, there was no sign of morning sickness. The only thing I really noticed was 2-3 weeks before we found out I was pregnant, I was already getting sleepy a lot. I feel great when I get to sleep a lot was all. No cravings or weird smells or anything like that. My body doesn't seem to recognize that I'm pregnant probably because I didn't feel pregnant yet.

How my baby's growing:

Deep in your uterus your embryo is growing at a furious pace. At this point he's about the size of a sesame seed, and he looks more like a tiny tadpole than a human. He's now made up of three layers — the ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm — that will later form his organs and tissues. The cells are forming for his major organs, including his kidneys and liver, and his neural tube is beginning to develop. This neural tube — from which your baby's brain, spinal cord, nerves, and backbone will sprout — develops in the top layer, called the ectoderm. This layer will also give rise to his skin, hair, nails, mammary and sweat glands, and tooth enamel. His heart and circulatory system begin to form in the middle layer, or mesoderm. (This week, in fact, his tiny heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood.) The mesoderm will also form your baby's muscles, cartilage, bone, and subcutaneous (under skin) tissue. The third layer, or endoderm, will house his lungs, intestines, and rudimentary urinary system, as well as his thyroid, liver, and pancreas. In the meantime, the primitive placenta and umbilical cord, which deliver nourishment and oxygen to your baby, are already on the job.

Credits: frame by Nancy Comelab and staple by Christina Renee