37 Weeks (January 4 - 10)

This pregnancy is now considered full-term! To be honest, I am so thrilled I finally reached this week. I was just too scared I wouldn't reach this far. Anyway, I took this pic last Monday and I actually love the way it came out, hehe! I think I will print this out and frame it one of these days.

Had my doctor's appointment and I gained another 2lbs! So, I now weigh 136lbs. The doctor thinks I'm doing fine and the weight gain is just about right. Baby's heart rate this time is 152. I am however, disappointed that she didn't check me for dilation this time. I just remember that I was already 3cm dilated at 37 weeks with my first child so it kind of freaked me out not being able to know for sure especially that this is my third one. Well, in a way I also don't like to be checked because it's never comfortable for me anyway. In the last few days this week, I have been feeling so much pressure when I go to the bathroom even when I just go #1. I know I have mentioned this a lot in my previous entries but I think this week it has gotten really worse that's why I have been worried that my doctor didn't check me for dilation this week. I am hoping that I'm wrong and all of these are just part of my being paranoid. I sure hope so. Well, I think this is all for this week. I'll be back next time to update you all. Thanks for reading!

How my baby's growing:

Congratulations — your baby is full term! This means that if your baby arrives now, his lungs should be fully mature and ready to adjust to life outside the womb, even though your due date is still three weeks away.

Your baby weighs 6 1/3 pounds and measures a bit over 19 inches, head to heel (like a stalk of Swiss chard). Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children come out as blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

36 Weeks (December 28 - January 3)

Happy New Year! January 1st was also our wedding anniversary. Hubby and I have been married for seven years now! Anyway, speaking of those things, it means food for me again, lol! I had two yummy slices of strawberry cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory this week. They're really good but I know it means another weight gain for me. Starting this week, my doctor's appointment will be every week. I had my appointment yesterday. Everything went fine except that I gained 5lbs in 2 weeks! So, from 129lbs, I now weigh 134lbs. The doctor didn't say anything bad about it though. I think she understood the fact that people just really gain weight during the holiday season. Baby's heartrate this time is 162.

Anyway, I have been preparing things for the baby's coming. I already finished washing the baby's clothes and folded them as well. I got quite a few new cute stuffs for the baby that I am actually having a hard time which one to pick for the baby's homecoming, lol! I haven't packed my hospital bag yet though so I should do that in the next few days. I have ordered a couple of handmade hats for the baby online. Got this two from Lisa's Handmade Babywear. Aren't they cute? I just love it. She makes them nicely and I am very satisfied with what I got. I can't wait to put it on the baby, hehe! Can you tell that I am very excited? I am but there are actually times that I am scared as well. I don't know but I just get paranoid sometimes. I just pray everything's gonna be fine with the baby and me during delivery.

How my baby's growing:

Your baby is still packing on the pounds — at the rate of about an ounce a day. He now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long. He's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered his body as well as the vernix caseosa, the waxy substance that covered and protected his skin during his nine-month amniotic bath. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, resulting in a blackish mixture, called meconium, will form the contents of his first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Full-term is 37 to 42 weeks; babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 are post-term.) Most likely he's in a head-down position. But if he isn't, your practitioner may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position by manipulating him from the outside of your belly.

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.