I am the size of a fig

This week our bebê is about 2 inches long. Hands will soon open and close, tiny tooth buds are appearing under the gum, and the bones are getting stronger.

Although I don’t feel anything yet, my bebê is busy doing somersaults inside my belly and I actually got to see him/her in action!
This week I went for my genetic screening, which means women over 35, or not “spring chickens” as my husband calls it, are recommended to undergo. These prenatal diagnoses are done in order to identify chromosomal problems such as Down’s syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis and others. There are two major tests used to identify such issues – Amniocentesis and CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling), which are both very invasive and although small, both present certain risks.
Duke and I have decided to do the non-invasive screening first; this will help us to determine if there is anything wrong and if it is necessary to further go other tests. The first screening consists of a sonogram that looks for the thickness of the baby’s neck and a comprehensive blood test.
Based on the sonogram results everything looked good, but now we have to wait for the blood test results, but we are confident that everything is ok. The exciting thing about doing the sonogram this week was that I got to witness the acrobatics that the baby was performing inside my belly; it was the cutest thing ever. He/She was literally flipping from one side to another, over and over, I could not believe it! Both, the nurse and I had a fun time watching all the action. The nurse said that within another month or so I will be able to feel all the movement.

As far as the morning sickness goes, it seems to have gotten a little better; I’ve been using these Sea Bands around my wrist, which works by using acupressure, kind of the same concept as in acupuncture, but without the needles. I am not sure if it is a coincidence, but since I started using the bands my morning sickness is pretty much gone and I definitely feel more energetic.

Weight wise I have only gained 2 pounds, but I can already see a little change in my lower abdomen, like a little bump.

Hopefully from now on I will feel better, that is what all the books I read and everyone keeps saying, that the second trimester is the best period of the pregnancy. However, regardless of the morning sickness and the lack of energy I would not change this experience for anything else in the world. When I see that little baby doing “water ballet” inside my belly nothing else can take away the overwhelming joy I get.

I am in love with the whole experience and with my bebê. I can’t wait to hold him and to share our lives with her/him.

Until next update

Duke, Laura and the fig

I am the size of little kumquat

Just a little over an inch long there is no stopping our bebê’s development. The most critical body development is completed and a new phase referred to as the fetal period is just beginning.
Tissues and organs continue to grow and mature in more detail. In this phase tiny nails are being formed on the fingers and toes, no more webbed fingers! and a peach-fuzz like hair is growing over the skin. All major organs, although not fully developed, are in place and actually functioning. By next week the little peanut will double in size and just because he is still very tiny it does not prevent him from kicking up a storm inside his mama belly, and what a storm!

This week we had our first sonogram. What an amazing and emotional experience it was, maybe shocking would be the word to describe Duke’s expression as I recapture the moment. The moment the transducer was placed on my belly there he was, moving around, kicking his tiny legs and arms almost as if waving at us! It was just unbelievably amazing to see that we have this little life growing inside me. There are just no words to describe the feeling.

This week has been the toughest week so far, the morning sickness has been constant and on top of it I felt very indisposed. Duke as always has been amazing and one hundred and one percent in this with me. He’s been doing all the cooking and pretty much everything else around the house as I just don’t seem to find the energy to do it myself. What would I do without my baby?!?!!?!?

Little by little we organize ourselves in preparation for the big day; there are a lot of things to think about and important decisions to make such as the genetic screening, cord blood, circumcision, in case we have a boy. For now we have scheduled the birth classes at St. Joseph’s Women, which we’ll attend sometime later in march, maybe Paulinha and Gary will join us, so that will be kind of fun.

Until next update

Duke, Laura and the little Kumquat

I am a grape!

Not quite an inch nor a full ounce, my bebê is a full-time resident in my belly, which for now he/she calls it home and as Vinicius de Moraes wrote, one of the most celebrated Brasilian poet and composer, a funny house to live in with no roof, no floors or walls - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipjly96rzxA

At nine weeks the bebê is starting to resemble a human being and although all of the essential body parts have developed there are still lots of growing and fine-tuning to be done.
Some main changes have happened this week. The chambers of his tiny heart are being formed, tiny teethes have appeared, and the sexual organs although formed will remain incognito until week 16 when it will be revealed to us.

Eyes are fully formed, but it will remain shut until week 27.

As for me morning sickness still my companion, hopefully if what everyone says is right it should start to subside or get better at the end of the first trimester.
Eating has been difficult; the smell and the tough of certain foods just make me wanna throw up, but I force myself to eat because I know I need to feed my bebê for a healthy development.
Today I weighed and I gained my first 2 pounds! Who would thought that gaining any kind of weight would make a woman happy ;o)

As far as the emotional aspect of the pregnancy goes this week for the first time I found myself "disturbed" by the hormonal changes in my body. The feeling of anxiety and fear of becoming a parent was very real and felt by both Duke and I. In the end we just told ourselves, and the universe, and prayed to God that we will do fine.

Duke is already thinking of all of the things and places he will take the baby to, New World is definitely on the list of options, the PC games that he will teach him/her to play, but mainly he is preoccupied with inventing a device, something like a harness, that he can strap the baby in and hose down when there is a #2 diaper, so if anyone would like to assist Duke with his invention please by all means.

Until next update...

Beijos!
Duke, Laura and our little grape

Our Little Bean

This week our bebê is 5/8 of an inch long, about the size of a kidney bean.

As our bebê grows little parts of his tiny body develops in a amazing speed. We can already see webbed fingers and toes. Eyelids have grown longer covering his eyes, his little "tail" is almost all gone. His arms have lengthened and interesting enough his little hands, flexed at the wrist, lays over his tiny heart. Primitive neural pathways are being formed in his brain. It is all too amazing...

Although he is too little and I cannot feel any movement yet, he is constantly moving and shifting around; I can't wait for the first time when I will be able to feel him moving inside my belly.

Changes keep occurring in my body as well. Soon I will need to change bra sizes ;o)
Saltine crackers, frozen grapes, ginger candy and ice cubes have been my best allies for the last week as I am still getting a lot of "all day sickness".

The year of 2008 brought a tough beginning for our family with the sad news of my father's passing. As the year ends and a new year begins I come to the realization that in life we loose some and gain some and as in a full circle, of life and death, life renews itself with the gift of two new lives, mine and my sister's baby, and for that we thank God.

We cannot think of any better way to start the new year and this new phase in our lives.

Until next update.

Happy 2009!

Duke, Laura and the Little Bean