So Much to See at 33

33 Weeks and Looking Good

Well well well. I’m now 33 weeks old, a little over 4 pounds, a little past 17 inches in length, with my skeleton hardening, and my skin less wrinkly. Plus I’m now pink and no longer red. Which is a matter of some concern to me –because my favorite color is neon yellow.

I gave my Mamu and Papu quite a scare the other day by stretching so far backwards that my Mamu’s belly looked like it had a dent. That was good for a few laughs. And then I got sleepy and dreamt of Lego blocks… and church.  Which could have been a unique vision were it not all over the internets already.

I was squirming in Mamu’s belly last Sunday as she sang for the choir. I love Mamu’s voice. I wanted to dance to the music and so I did. But Mamu told me later on that I made it difficult for her to sing. Feels good to dance though! I like music! I wonder why Mamu stopped playing those classical mp3s for me. Hmm. I think she just forgot.

Papu rubs my feet. So I kick to tell him I like it. Mamu groans sometimes. Maybe it’s because I’m heavy? But how do I lose weight in here? A Wii Fit just won’t fit. Ah well. Get born first. Diet later. At least that’s how I see it.

Six more weeks to go, parents. Wait… where’s my crib? Better go shopping soon. I might surprise you and come early. Hee hee hee.

Naming Conventions and TV Ads that Kick

My parents are still debating what to name me. The only thing sure is that it will start with the letter Z. Therefore, as a stopgap, they call me Baby Zee for now. Or if they’re feeling pretty peppy, it becomes “Zee, Zee, Zee!”

In reverse, I’m not sure what to call them. If I say they are mama and papa, then it sounds like my dad’s names for my paternal grandparents. If I say they are nanay and tatay, then that’s what my mom calls my maternal grandparents. Therefore, in the search for a unique pet name for my parents, I have settled upon a middle ground that is both very Japanese Anime-ish, cuddly, memorable and probably unused in most Filipino households. I shall call them Mamu and Papu.

Meanwhile, I’m still kicking and wriggling like there’s no tomorrow. The truth is, I want OUT! Get me outta here! I wanna see the sunshine. (Oh, and Papu, stop shining that flashlight on me. You won’t see anything. And it’s just not that funny.) I wanna crawl in the dirt. I wanna swallow some marbles like my aunty Naya. I wanna play futbol.

Which reminds me. The other day, my parents saw this fabulous ad on TV of a pregnant woman whose baby could really kick! I loved it. In fact, I think they should have auditioned me instead. Here’s a screencap of that ad, and the link to the YouTube vid. It totally rocks. Bye now. I’m sleepy.

This TV ad kicks major glutes

Kicking and Dancing to Jumong

My Profile - this is me smiling at the camera

On February 5, 2009 I got a second batch of photos taken. They call this a Level 2 Ultrasound — sad to say, they’re still in black and white. And the output isn’t on glossy paper like the first set of ultrasound photos, this one was printed out by a grainy laser printer on copy paper using low-res jpegs. C’mon, people. Get with the 21st century! To top it all off, they spelled my mom’s name wrong! Tsk tsk tsk.

Anyway, ’twas cool to see this huge machine humming in a small room. And the ultrasound operator just banging away on this large green button every few seconds, taking photos of me. I had to get up and smile for the camera. Originally I thought the green button meant “laser fire” but my dad told me to stop talking in video game analogies.

A few days later, the OB doctor told us I was a pound and a half, and I was growing fine, and the ultrasound shows everything is normal. As long as he doesn’t say I’m overweight, I’ll continue liking him.

I’m kicking every day now. Feels good to stretch my legs. In fact, I like dancing especially when my parents are excited about something. Lately they’ve been watching a lot of this Korean drama called Jumong, which has them constantly shouting out “Yehh, pehya! (Yes, your majesty)” I think maybe pinaglilihi ako sa Jumong. (Don’t ask me to translate that because I wouldn’t know how.) I think also that they’re a bit addicted to seeing how the story plays out. Anyway, I dance to their excitement. Look at my legs! Whee! Now I’m tired. OK. Time to rest.

Jumong - my parents are addicted to this Kdrama

Is That A Camera You’re Rubbing on My Head?

Last January 15, I had the strange feeling someone was watching me. It started with some dull object being rubbed all over my mom’s tummy. “Is this a massage?” Felt kinda weird. And then I heard someone narrating free-form poetry. “This is the leg. This is the head. Oh. It’s a boy! Right there.” I realize now they were taking photos without telling me. Phooey. I didn’t even get to put some pants on.

The doctor took his time setting the apparatus up. So my parents took some photos while he was gone. Eventually, they took photos of me as well. I believe they should’ve used a flash, however. The shots are too dark. Still, the poorly-lit photographs didn’t detract from my parents’ happiness.

The doctor told my mom: “Look at your husband. He’s smiling from ear to ear. I think he’s gonna smile all day. Looks like he wanted a boy.”

“Sure looks like it!” said my mom.

“I’m happy with anything, doc!” said my dad.

The doctor did say however that my mom’s placenta was a bit low. Nothing to be alarmed about. But just to make sure, he asked them to go get a level 2 ultrasound. Does this mean “colored photos?”

I haven’t even held a single video game and already I’m on to the next level. Cool.

The doctor took his time, so my parents took some photos.

Hello World Takes on a Whole New Meaning

Where do I start? I was conceived back in September 2008. I’m due to enter the oxygen-breathing world by June 4, 2009.  I wonder how accurate their calculations are?

My parents certainly took their time.  They’d  been married 8 years before I came along.  But I love ‘em anyway.  The way I see it, they’ll be much more patient with me when I have problems with my multiplication tables.  So this is a good thing.  

I’m happy I’m alive.  So happy in fact that I feel like kicking all day. 

I’m having a difficult time typing in here.  It’s dark.  But cozy. I love it here. Even if my USB keyboard is getting gummy. (Must find a better interface. I wonder if Amazon delivers to the womb?)  

I hear my parents praying for me before they sleep. Last night my dad whispered to me through mom’s belly that he hopes I grow up to love the Lord with all my heart. I love my dad.

My mom carries me to work every day. And just the other day one of her fellow nurses said “Wow, you’re so strong.” You better believe it. I love my mom. Her stomach is bubbly and gurgly and all those sounds make me so wonderfully … sleepy … Good night!

My First Photo