Kathy's Pregnancy Journal: November 2009

Week 21 & Structural Scan Video

November 30, 2009 comments (0)

It's been an exhausting week for us: went for baby's structural scan, prepared docs for the car purchase, housewarming with colleagues, tidied up the old flat, and preparing for all the new changes up ahead in the new year! Here's the first part of the structural scan video:

We're into week 21. Little Curly now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10.5 inches long - the length of a carrot (back to veggie :). In the past week Kathy feels more movement as if he's practicing kick boxing or bungy jumping with full-fledged kicks and nudges. We're also discovering a pattern to his activity which he moves the most during late night, which is not a good sign. We'll have to talk to him more so to teach him when to sleep and when to wake up.

In other developments, his eyebrows and lids are present now. However we weren't able to see his eyes clearly at his structural scan. The Doc did a 3D scan but he was actually covering his face with his hands and his hands were doing a 'yo wazup' signs on his forehead... man... he's gonna be a hip hop baby! No more Black Eyed Peas, and more Mozart and Beethoven!

Here're some latest Facebook status posts by Kathy:

Kathy Wong After four attempts, still couldn't finish the structure scan. Little curly, pls be more cooperative!!!! Will try again tmr......

Kathy Wong What a lovely sat morning! Heading to prenatal exercise now........

Kathy Wong next challenge is to hire a domestic helper....

Yes our next item on the list is to hire a domestic helper, which Kathy's on top of it! Thanks hon!

Little Curly Not Cooperative

November 26, 2009 comments (0)

Today we went to see Dr Kung again for the structural ultrasound scan. This scan is to check all external and internal structures of Little Curly including his arms and legs, his fingers and toes, his internal organs, his face and his heart. We were able to see his spines, arms and legs at the first attempt. But due to his position (he was curling up facing down) we weren't able to see the rest. So we had to wait til he changes position. So we had to wait for second attempt. On the second scan, he's still the same position so we had to wait again. Since we had to go back to work, we went back to Dr Kung in late afternoon. On third attempt, he changed his position a bit so we were able to see his hands and fingers as well as his kidneys. But we still couldn't get to his face and heart, which are the most crucial part. So we waited a bit again and on fourth attempt still no luck. Little Curly was just not cooperating. Maybe he's too shy to show his face or he doesn't want us to see his thick lips haha. ok we will do a new scan again tomorrow...

Week 20: 1st Anniversary & New Car for LittleCurly!!

November 23, 2009 comments (0)

We're at the halfway mark! Little Curly is about 10.5 ounces now. He's also around 6.5 inches long from head to bottom and about 10 inches from head to heel - the length of a banana (a fruit again!!)

He's swallowing more these days, which is good practice for his digestive system. He's also producing meconium, a black, sticky by-product of digestion. This gooey substance will accumulate in his bowels, and we'll see it in his first solid diaper (some would pass meconium in the womb or during delivery). So Little Curly, hold it til you come out!

Kathy's tummy is growing everyday and Little Curly is kicking more often now, mostly during night time. Kathy has gained more weight recently, and expecting to gain another pound or so each week from now on. We now have to make sure Kathy's getting enough iron, a mineral that's used primarily to make hemoglobin (the part of red blood cells that carries oxygen). Red meat is one of the best sources of iron. Poultry (especially the dark meat) and shellfish also contain iron. So who says pregnant women can't have seafood? Some common non-meat sources of iron include legumes, soy-based products, spinach, prune juice, raisins, and iron-fortified cereals.

Kathy's well above in iron intake, since we had steak both for our birthdays and anniversary. Our first year anniversary is very special, since we have one more family member celebrating with us. Also, we bought our first family car (a 525iA... not so family afterall) for Little Curly. We also joked about giving this car as his 18th birthday gift when he can drive, so he can show off with an antique car driving around town. haha! Well we didn't choose SUVs at the end cos Kathy was having a hard time getting on/off the SUVs, so we settled with a sedan. It's a good choice after all.

Responding to Daddy's Voice

November 19, 2009 comments (0)

Tonight when I talked to Little Curly up close, "baby, do your little kick so Daddy can feel ya", and just 1 second after he responded with a heavy kick to my ear through Mommy's tummy. Some research say it's more likely the baby to hear Daddy's voice first because of a lower sound frequency. We've proved this to be correct from tonight's experiment. Little Curly was responding to Daddy's Voice!! Woohoo!!!

Celebrating Mom & Dad's Birthdays - Week 19

November 17, 2009 comments (0)

When Kathy replied to Mom's email, she said "This year is very special to us.... The first bday after I became Mrs wong and little curly is celebrating with us!!!" Yes indeed very special. The three of us celebrating together for the first time (before LC is born of course :)

On Kathy's birthday we went to Lawry's and had one of the best prime ribs in Hong Kong. That night I allowed Kathy to have a sip of red wine so Little Curly can start learning how to drink too haha. The prime rib was very good and I could barely finish my Lawry's cut. Kathy had a California cut just sufficient for herself and the baby. I also got Kathy three dozens of red roses, symbolizing celebrating with the three of us - daddy, mommy, little curly.

On my birthday, we went to Ocean Park. Wasn't really my choice but I tagged along ha! and it turned out to be a fun day! It was Little Curly's first visit to Ocean Park and there he encountered jelly fish, sea lions, dolphins, and watched Ruth and Nicole playing the rides. He must have felt the excitements too. Oh, he also assisted Ruth winning a little lobster. You can see Kathy was proudly showing Little Curly off with her tummy.

We're now entering week 19, almost 5 months! wow time flies. And this week is crucial for Little Curly's sensory development: his brain's is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that he may be able to hear our voices now, so we won't be shy reading aloud, talking to him, singing to him, and teaching him how to play mahjong!! wahaha!

First Prenatal Exercise

November 12, 2009 comments (0)

Yesterday we went for Kathy's first prenatal exercise in Causeway Bay, the one as referred by Vivian, and it was good. Since Kathy went there in late afternoon therefore only 2 mom-to-be in the class. We found the exercises quite effective as it focused on building Kathy's essential muscles for both during pregnancy and giving birth.

Here's the video clip from the exercise:

Week 18 and Little Curly Kicking!

November 11, 2009 comments (0)

We're entering into week 18! He's now the size of a bell pepper (finally out of the fruits stream). He's busy flexing his arms and legs - movements that Kathy can feel it more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. We went to see Doctor Ko on Monday and here's the latest ultrasound:

Notice the big thingy hanging out between his thighs? Yup it's a boy! It's so noticeable! Woohoo!!

I'm still busy with unpacking our new home, so that we can focus on decorating Little Curly's room after. It's gonna be exciting!

Exhausting Weekend & Feeling LC Moving!!

November 8, 2009 comments (1)

The past week was really exhausting. Packing and moving to new home. Since Kathy was advised not to get involved at all for the removal, I was the only one doing all the physical work. When finally moved in, finished initial unpacking, sitting in the new living room, listening to the music, and seeing that smily face of Kathy's when she enters into our new home, yeah, everything was worth it!

There're still few minor unpacking and furniture additions, then we'll be all done and can focus on decorating Little Curly's new bedroom. Any ideas for decorations? Some say to hang some baby photos so the baby will look like them... hmm how true is that?

Tonight when Kathy was laying on the new sofa and watching tv, she called out to me with excitement, "Hon, I felt Little Curly was moving!". So I washed my hands, and slowly place my palm on her tummy. After few minutes, I felt a little movement like pop corn popping. YES HE WAS MOVING!! It was a very special moment, especially in the next day we moved into our new home. I'm sure he felt the excitement too and wanna share the joy with mommy and daddy :)

Week 17 - the Honeymoon period

November 2, 2009 comments (0)

Kathy's in her week 17! Since last week, she's feeling much better and seemed like everything is back to normal, only her tummy is getting bigger and bigger. Everyone says her 2nd trimester is the honeymoon period of her pregnancy. Now we really notice that.

This week Little Curly's skeleton is changing from soft cartilage to bone, and the umbilical cord is growing stronger and thicker. He should be weighing 5 ounces now. He can move his joints, and his sweat glands are starting to develop.

According to BabyCenter, Kathy may notice her eyes becoming drier. This is the case and she should be using over-the-counter lubricating drops. And if her contact lenses become uncomfortable, try wearing them for shorter stretches of time. So Kathy, wear glasses!

We've accomplished a lot during the past week despite my business trip: picked the curtains for baby's room, checked out several potential new cars, sofa delivered for the new home, started packing for removal this Sat, traveled to Macau for the first time (LC's first time), bought more stylish maternity clothes and of course, flat shoes, this time from Tod's...

Well, there're still a lot more to prepare and accomplish before Little Curly's born. Let's work hard!

Kathy's Pregnancy Journal

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