Thumping Twenty-Six

Hi Aunties and Uncles! It’s not even lunchtime yet and already I have had a trying day. I was all cozy tucked up in Mamma’s belly but there was so much thunder this morning I kept waking up. The claps of thunder were so loud that car alarms were going off in the distance.

Of course, dainty Mamma fell down the stairs since they were wet and landed on her bum with a big thump. I was jostled and slightly annoyed since I was just settling down again. Mamma was rather upset about it since she was actually watching her step. But everything is ok and she’ll go for a scan to check me out.

Onto more interesting news… I am pleased to announce that my eyelids are no longer fused shut. They have opened and I had my first look at things. It was exciting for about five seconds and grew old soon because, really, there is nothing much to look at inside a belly. It's exciting nonetheless, and I’m enjoying this new sensation commonly known to you as blinking.

My lungs have formed branches called bronchi, but they still have a long ways to go in terms of development. Even though I appear to already be quite the genius, my brain and neurons are continuing to grow, making me an even smarter little cutie.

Mamma and Daddy went to Lamaze classes this weekend, where they learnt lots about how to bring me into this world safely and how to take care of me from then on. Whew. That’s a relief! They quite enjoyed the class and even signed up for one more that deals with psychology (feel free to insert jokes here).

I should go since I need to save some energy to give Mamma some kicks today. Otherwise, because of her fall, she will be worried. Her doctor told her to make sure she feels me today. Daddy will probably sing some more. That always gets me jiving! My favorite song is “Old McDonald”. I particularly love the part where he sings about ducks and Daddy goes ‘quack quack’. That gives me the giggles!

Alright, Aunties and Uncles, I’ll talk to you again soon. Please leave some comments for me. Love, Baby BB 6

Ta-da Twenty-Five

Hi Aunties and Uncles! Ta-Da! We are almost done with the second trimester. Isn’t time flying? I wish you could see me now. I weigh a little more than a pound and a half (so Mamma, when you get on that scale at your appointment tomorrow, remind Daddy, some of that extra weight is me—the rest must be those Oreos you’ve been eyeing).

I’m absolutely adorable, if I do say so myself. That lean mean look is gone and I’m packing on fat, looking more and more like the cute little cherub my Aunty Manji is envisioning me to be. So Aunties and Uncles, feel free to imagine me cooing in your arms looking all chubby and charming and what not at this point. I shall be nice to you and not pee, poop or spit on you since you are taking time out to read my blogs and I think that’s sweet.

There are other changes going on in here. My nostrils were plugged up all this time and they are starting to open up little by little since I’m still practicing my breathing. I’m inhaling amniotic fluid right now—don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds. My bone centers are hardening and I’m growing stronger. So good job on the calcium intake Mamma! If I had more room I’d practice some kung-fu fighting or do the quick step in here!

I’m also no longer a fickle little fetus. My memory is getting better and I can get used to a routine. I sleep in the afternoons and wake up when Daddy comes home and sings to me (yes, the poor guy is learning some nursery rhymes that don’t involve babies falling from trees or teapots on fire). You should have seen his face when Mamma told him ‘Ring a Round of Rosies’ was about the plague!

Mamma and Daddy enjoy seeing me move on her stomach. That is their after work/before dinner ritual. I am responding to them, but also I am fluttering around because I am slowly starting to rotate to get ready for my birth. Yes, I have to flip myself the right side up (or down I suppose) because I’m debuting in about 14 weeks actually! Aren’t you excited? Once Daddy heard my heartbeat when he put his ear to Mamma’s stomach, but his subsequent attempts failed since Mamma’s digestive system was way louder than my heartbeat! It’s quite noisy in here!

Mamma for the moment is feeling better in terms of tiredness. After work her ankles are swollen and then at night her back hurts and the ligament pain comes back, but she can live with it. She is starting to wonder about birth plans. Of course part of that is up to me. I might decide to come early or I might have to be taken out for whatever reason. I don’t think she’s keen on the whole pain aspect of labor or a C-section. Hmm. Hopefully, when she sees me, it will all be worth it : )

Ok dear folks, I must run. Going back to practicing breathing, trying to flip to the right side, and reminding Mamma that it’s almost lunch time (a good kick to the nearest organ does the trick). I can’t wait to talk to you again soon. Please leave some comments for me. Lots of love, Baby BB 6

Touchy Twenty-four

Hi Aunties and Uncles! This has been an interesting week both in my outside world and in utero! I’m growing quite fast, packing on about 6 ounces a week from now on. I’m about fourteen inches long now! Aren’t you proud of me?

The only thing is now things are starting to get slightly more cramped, even though I hear I’m lucky to have such spacious accommodations (Mamma’s larger than life hips). I can no longer do my somersaults, but I am doing a lot of fidgeting, thumb sucking, and stretching. I can even touch my feet with my hands and clench my fists if I want to!

Over the weekend, I just couldn’t get comfy and so I was stretching all over the place. I guess that made Mamma all anxious since she was trying to go to bed so Daddy sang me my very first lullaby! Well, he started with ‘Rock a Bye Baby’ and he caught Mamma’s eye on the line about the baby falling from a treetop and tried to change the lyrics. He settled on ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ after that. What he doesn’t know is that Mamma tries to sing ‘Hush Little Baby’ in the shower quite often.

Oh, and you will love this story, if you are a Hallmark/Kodak moment sort that is—yesterday my parents for the very first time saw me moving! Yes, you read right, they saw my movements on top of Mamma’s belly. They were thrilled to bits! Ok, at one point Mamma thought it was freaky because I made a motion that to her looked like I made a square shape around her belly button. I was just trying to get comfy! But they were so delighted. Tiny things make them happy. They were even hoping I’d move some more, but I’m only little—I have only so much energy.

Time seems to be flying. I think it’s only about sixteen more weeks for you to meet me, unless I decide to come out earlier. Most of my organs are completely formed—all except my lungs. I have surfactant now. That is surface activated fat that helps my air sacs during inflation. I am practicing my breathing techniques in here, although all I’m sucking in is amniotic fluid.

I’m an adorable little baby, but my skin is wrinkly, pinkish and transparent. Over the next few weeks fat will deposit under my skin and ‘fill me out’. My face looks more or less like it will when I am born. And gasp, I am developing sweat glands!

So as you can see, it’s been a busy week for me. I have to go now since Mamma had her second tetanus vaccine yesterday. Her arm is sore and I think she is tired of typing for me. I’ll catch up with you next week. Until then, please leave some comments for me—last week was just too quiet! By the way, Aunty Shal and Uncle Velan, thanks for visiting me! You two rock! I can’t wait to meet you again—neither can Mamma. Lots of love, Baby BB 6

Temperate Twenty-Three

Hi Aunties and Uncles! Daddy is back! Well, after the last blog, Daddy called and said he had to stay in Vietnam for two more days and I was really sad. I was so bummed out that I didn’t even bother to kick Mamma in protest. He spoke to me while Mamma held the phone to her belly but it didn’t help much. Not to worry, I bounced right back after a nap. Someone my size can retain information or hold a grudge only for so long.

Mamma was in a lot of pain all week, and she had two exams to study for in addition to dealing with the drama that was residual from last week, so I decided to be a good little fetus. She was waddling around grandma and grandpa’s house because she couldn’t walk properly due to the pain in her side. It turns out it was just a ligament pain since everything is expanding to accommodate me. I’m just growing at a rate!

Daddy came back on Sunday night and rubbed Mamma’s belly as soon as he walked in and told me he missed me. I kind of ignored him a little, just to play tough. What does he think abandoning someone cute like me for so long? Mamma was more relaxed since she finished her exams. She made a deal with me not to sit on her bladder while she was sitting for them and I obliged—after all, she is taking these exams so that she can spend more time with me when I come out into this world.

Mamma, Daddy and I spent two days in Dambulla, at the Kandalama hotel. Mamma and I have never been there, and of course I couldn’t see what was going on, but the vibes were good. Mamma and Daddy actually relaxed and ate yummy food. They said they could see Sigiriya rock from their room. Daddy ate a little too much and threw up though. I am also pleased to announce that I was very well behaved and didn’t go near Mamma’s bladder and she made it there and back without having to run into a bush to pee in. As funny as the sight of that would be, I thought I’d give my old lady a break.

After we came back, Mamma and Daddy picked up some furniture they got made for my room. It sounds quite exciting. Apparently they got me some chairs that look like giraffes and zebras! Mamma is hoping that I will be an animal lover just like she is. Daddy is spending his free time trying to find some names for me.

Other than that nothing much is going on . I’m just getting bigger and bigger. My senses are all fine tuning themselves. I do not like loud noises at all! I’m off to do some twisting and turning. Big hugs to you all! Please leave comments for me: ) Love, Baby BB 6

Taxing Twenty-two

Hi Aunties and Uncles! I have not had a good week! Mamma is stressed, and seeing as we share a body and everything, that sends bad vibes my way. Grandpa gave her and Daddy a small house in Kandy, which they rented out and now the tenants broke the lease (as well as the furniture) and they have not paid their bills. The water and electricity to the house has been cut and Mamma is in a major mood about sitting for four hours each way in a car up and down windy bumpy roads to deal with it. She doesn’t think it’s good for me and that’s what stresses her the most (besides the crazy bureaucracy she’d have to go through to get the utilities connected again).

Also, there are no decent places to pee along the way and she doesn’t know what to do about that since I’m kind of pressing on her bladder and making her go on the hour, every hour. I could try to do something about that, but even with Mamma’s wide hips, I can’t help but have to move around every so often to get comfy and stretch—after all, I am stuck in a sac and growing at a rate now.

Then to make it worse, she thought she would stay with Grandma and Grandpa to get some rest while Daddy was away (naughty Daddy is still not home from his trip to Vietnam) and our cook allegedly ran off with someone’s salary and the booze in the house, and there’s some long convoluted story to that that makes Mamma’s head spin (which in turn effects the ambiance in here for me). It’s amazing how Mamma’s moods affect me. I mean, I do have my own mind, but this whole symbiotic relationship thing is really the pits sometimes.

So as you can guess, it’s not fun for me this week. I miss my Daddy, who is still in Vietnam. I threw a tantrum, kicking every one of Mamma’s vital organs I could reach, so she asked Daddy to call and she put the phone on her belly and that appeased me to some extent. Bad Daddy, I have made a mental note to pee on your lap when I get out there, and don’t think you can sweet talk me out of it!

In other distressing news, Mamma has taken to singing again. You should hear her go at it—she’s really belting it out since she knows Daddy is not here to hide behind the door and laugh at the out of tune mess that she is (because that’s what he does). You’d be hysterical Daddy! I mean, she is butchering Pearl Jam and Queen classics. She even sang ‘Gloria’ really loudly and made a glorious mess out it. My poor brand new spanking ears!

I sometimes don’t know whether to laugh or cry when she goes at it (and trust me, I can do both from in here). She better not mess up the Boss’s tunes though, I love Bruce Springsteen! Hey! Just because I’m not breathing on my own doesn’t mean I don’t have musical preferences.

On to brighter things…I weigh more than a pound now. Mamma can use that as an excuse to munch on the cake I’ve been making her crave. Speaking of which, I think it’s teatime, but what do I know in here? It’s all dark and stuff all day. Oh before I go, I have been up to some of my antics. Grandma is dying to feel me move, but even though I have been having my tantrums, I stay really still when she touches Mamma’s belly to tease her a little. Maybe tomorrow I’ll oblige. Gotta keep my sense of humor in here. Please leave your comments for me! I could use the moral support this week: ) Lots of love, Baby BB 6

Another song redone:
Manic Monday
Panic Mom-day

Six o'clock already
I’ve got to get steady
I was just in the middle of a dream
I can’t eat those pickles and cream
I was kissin' Valentino
I will need a ton of Bean-o
By a crystal blue Italian stream
And my pants are tearing up at the seam

But I can't be late
I just gained weight
'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid
And I guess I’m bigger than my mate
These are the days
Oh how many days
When you wish your bed was already made
That I wish this nausea would already fade

*It's just another manic Monday
It’s just another panic Mom-day
I wish it was Sunday
Heartburn is here to stay
'Cause that's my funday
I wish there was just one day
An I-don't-have-to-run day
That I could just sleep all day
It's just another manic Monday
It’s just another panic Mom-day

Have to catch an early train
Have got baby on the brain
Got to be to work by nine
Have to pee all of the time
And if I had an aeroplane
And I got this weird old pain
I still couldn't make it on time
Aching up and down on my spine
'Cause it takes me so long
My waist said so long
Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear
Wish I’d fit into my old underwear
Blame it on the train
Dressing is such a bane
When the bus is already there
Where’s there’s no maternity wear

CHORUS
All of the nights
Get hold of the tights
Why did my lover have to pick last night
Why, getting in them’s gonna be my last fight
To get down
I’m too round
Doesn't it matter
Yes, my butt’s fatter
That I have to feed the both of us
But I have to eat for two of us
Employment's down
Yet keep my weight down
He tells me in his bedroom voice
You know if I had the choice
C'mon honey, let's go make some noise
I would handle of this with poise
Time it goes so fast
Gas: it ain’t no blast
When you're having fun
When will I be done?

Turbulent Twenty-One

Hi Aunties and Uncles! We have had a drama filled week! Daddy was supposed to go to Vietnam on Sunday night—which I didn’t approve of by the way. Mamma went to her parents house and I was making her feel kind of nauseous since I was not a happy camper. We had really weird dreams and in the morning we found out that Daddy was in a major jam at the airport.

He was just on board his flight when he heard a very loud boom and saw security and military folks running in the opposite direction. Then the captain brusquely told all the passengers to get off the plane at once. Grandpa (Daddy’s daddy) was actually up at 3am watching news and he saw what was going on and was on the line with Daddy the entire time.

Daddy decided not to fly out later that day, although his flight was eventually cleared for take off. He wanted to be with me after what he went through--poor guy, it was 9am by the time he returned home. He tried to hide the details from Mamma, but Grandma (Daddy's Mamma) filled her in a little, so Mamma went home to see how he was doing. He said the first person he thought of when the crisis broke out was me! However, naughty Daddy is trying to fly out again this week. What's up with that?

On happier news, Mamma and Daddy took Aunty Nirma out with us and they all found me a cot that sounds super! I can’t wait till they put it up. Hope it’s comfy! I can sense and hear what they are doing, which is a good thing since it gets all boring in here.

Besides listening in through Mamma's belly all I can do is flip around from time to time. Thank goodness Mamma has those wide hips! At least I have room to move around because of them. My favorite spots are still on top of her bladder and her left side though.

I have been practicing swallowing and digesting as practice for when I break out of Mamma’s belly. I eat a lot of amniotic fluid, but most of my nourishment still comes from the placenta. I have taste buds now, and the amniotic fluid tastes like whatever Mamma’s been eating. So far I love Chinese food the best, but she hasn’t had any lately since she was all full of phlegm and now she has a swollen gland on her throat that’s bugging her. Oh, and I’m getting to be quite the looker—I have fully formed eyebrows and eye lashes now! I am sure they will only add to my cuteness! I'll be modelling for Baby Gap in no time!

Yesterday, while I was bored, Aunty Manji called and said she thought I sent her psychic messages to call Mamma (I did). Since my parents hadn’t felt me doing anything for awhile (again, because I was so bored I dozed off) poor Aunty Manji was told she was wrong and the conversation was unceremoniously ended since Mamma had just thrown up and was pooped.

So an hour or two later (like I can keep time in here?), on behalf of my Aunty Manji, who I am rather fond of, I decided to jump around and bug Mamma (she complained but secretly loved it). Even Daddy felt my antics when he placed his hand on her belly. After about ten minutes of enjoying feeling me, Daddy rubbed Mamma’s belly in that calming way of his and told me it was bedtime, so I thought I’d take a nap. Daddy is great!

Speaking of which, I think I’m going to catch up on some beauty sleep right now. Please leave messages for me—thanks for your input last week! Any tips on how to keep my old folks on their toes are welcome: ) Aunty Shal and Uncle Velan, Mamma can't wait to see you all soon! Lots of love, Baby BB

ps here is another song Mamma changed the words to:
Don't Worry Be Happy
Don’t Hurry Be Crabby

Here's a little song I wrote
Here’s a changed up song to quote
You might want to sing it note for note
For mom’s to be who need some hope
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
In every life we have some trouble
With pregnancy there’s cause to grumble
But when you worry you make it double
Every body part you have is doubled
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
Don't Worry - Be Happy now
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby ow!
Ain't got no place to lay your head,
Really wish you had stayed in bed,
Somebody came and took your bed
That nausea messes with your head,
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
The landlord say your rent is late,
The scales say you gained too much weight
He may have to litigate
You’re bigger than your mate
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
Look at Me - I'm Happy
Just like me—I’m Crabby
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
Here I give you my phone number
See my bum’s as big as my bumper
When you worry call me, I make you happy
When you’re hungry, you can be crabby
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
Ain't got not cash, ain't got no style,
You’ve got a rash, you bring up bile
Ain't got no gal to make you smile
That hot flash will make you rile
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
'Cause when you worry your face will frown
You can’t hurry all around your town
and that will bring everybody down
You barely fit in that old gown
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
Don't Worry, Don't Worry - Don't do it
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
Be Happy - Put a smile on your face
Be Crabby—get out of the rat race
Don't bring everybody down
Can’t keep anything down
Don't Worry, it will soon pass, whatever it is
Be Crabby, the gas will pass, the shoes will fit
Don't Worry - Be Happy
Don’t Hurry- Be Crabby
I'm not worried, I'm happy . . . .
I’m not hurried, I’m Crabby6

Twitchy Twenty

Hi Aunties and Uncles! I have been a very very naughty baby—I had my parents in a spin (Aunty Shal will be delighted). Well, week 20 didn’t start out too grand for us. Mamma, ever the anal one, decided not to go to work on Friday because her throat was really hurting and she felt a cold coming on. She went to my Grandma’s house thinking she could just watch TV and relax, but boy, was she mistaken!

As soon as she reached upstairs, the granite floor was wet and floooop, she fell flat on the floor! I was fast asleep at the time and I got a heck of a jolt. I got kind of annoyed with Mamma for the rude jostle, but then when I felt that she was all upset about it hurting me, I decided not to start kicking and make a fuss. Her doctor said it was not something he recommends doing (falling that is) but said I should be ok (and I was).

Then come Sunday Mamma was all stuffed up and throwing up phlegm (yes, delightful I know). Whenever her stomach contracted for that it messed up all the comfy positions I was in. She then proceeded to have a major coughing fit that lasted most of the day. By Monday she was full of phlegm and breathless. Needless to say, her asthma acted up again and she didn’t show up to work till yesterday.

On Tuesday, my parental units went to the hospital to get an anomaly scan. They were dying to know if I was a boy or a girl. They had to wait for two hours and I heard Mamma telling Daddy that she is sure that I would hide or stay in a weird position so the doctor won’t be able to tell us. So sure enough, that’s what I did.

I was up and about but then all that waiting made me sleepy. The first thing Daddy saw on the scan was me yawning and it thrilled him to no end. Mamma was a bit slower on the uptake, and spent her time marvelling at my fingers and toes, the only things she could phatom on the screen she was watching.

Any old how, I was so sleepy, I curled up with the umbilical chord between my legs and firmly planted my feet in the left most corner of Mamma’s side. The silly doctor kept shoving me through Mamma’s stomach, trying to get me to move, but I wouldn’t budge! He was persistent, but I was equally stubborn.

At the end of the scan, my poor parents still don’t know if I am a boy or a girl. The doctor was frustrated—called Mamma a difficult patient thanks to me. Mamma had a sore belly and Daddy had a bruised ego—the doctor said I was big, most probably because of my ‘big made parents’.

Later that day, I really enjoyed hearing Mamma and Daddy chatting. Daddy insisted on going out to get some cough medicine for Mamma (which she didn’t take in the end because she didn’t want to risk me any way). So I kicked and shoved and kicked and shoved. Mamma was desperate. I refused to simmer down until Daddy got back, rubbed Mamma’s belly and asked me to be calm.

The good news is that I’m so darn cute, Mamma wasn’t the least bit mad that I was pummeling her insides (and that’s saying a lot since she has a horrible temper these days). Daddy felt me moving for the first time on March 20! He was so happy! I have been one busy fetus this week! Will sign off for now since I have to think up new ways to 'entertain' my folks. Don't forget to leave comments for me. Lots of love, Baby BB 6

Mamma's Ranting

Mamma changed the words to "Karma Chameleon". The words in blue are what Mamma's been singing!!

Desert loving in your eyes all the way
Tired every night and every day
If I listen to your lies would you say
My hips and thighs are always in the way
I’m a man without conviction
I’m a mom with constipation
I’m a man who doesn’t know
I’m a mom, I move real slow
How to sell a contradiction
Now I sit in contemplation
You come and go
This nausea blows
You come and go
This nausea blows

Karma karma karma karma karma chameleon
I’m a, I’m a, I’m a, as big as a pavilion
You come and go
This nausea blows
You come and go
This nausea blows
Loving would be easy if your colors were like my dream
Driving makes me queasy and my bladder lets out a stream
Red, gold and green
I’m cold and mean
Red, gold and green
I’m cold and mean

Didn’t hear your wicked words every day
Don’t want to get up so early every day
And you used to be so sweet I heard you say
Then wish that when I rise I wouldn’t sway
That my love was an addiction
This is hard is my opinion
When we cling our love is strong
When I stand, I can’t for long
When you go you’re gone forever
When I eat there's never flavor

You string along
Pee all night long
You string along
Pee all night long

Every day is like a survival
By the way, where’s my navel?
You’re my lover not my rival
I’m your Mamma, not your rival
Every day is like a survival
Every way I sit and marvel
You’re my lover not my rival
I’m your Mamma, not your rival

I’m a man without conviction
I’m a mom, in contemplation
I’m a man who doesn’t know
I’m a mom, who doesn’t know
How to sell a contradiction
How to survive a contraction
You come and go
This nausea blows
You come and go
This nausea blows

Nice and Easy Nineteen

Hi all! I’m nineteen weeks old today and I weigh in at just about 8 ounces and am about 6 inches head to rump. If you count my legs, I’m almost 10 inches long! My toes have not developed as much as my hands have though—remember I told you I got my fingerprints the week before this? My toes are nowhere near close to that--I guess I'm a work in progress:) I’m still a cute little dude/dudette though.

Oh, take a bite out of this-- newly in are the first buds that are to become my baby teeth. Also new this week: a few hairs are sprouting on my head! Hopefully, I'll look like I'm all set for a L'Oreal commercial soon (because I'm worth it). Since it’s rather boring in here, that’s a major event for me.

If I am a girl, which I won’t say yet if I am or not, I would have 6 million eggs in my ovaries! Of course that will dwindle to only about 1 million when I’m born. Again, that is if I am a girl. I know what I am, but I have to wait till Mamma and Daddy find out to tell you. Sensitive so and so’s will be all upset if I told you before them.

My brain is starting to compartmentalize specific areas for my senses (sight, sound, smell, touch and taste). With the genes I’m getting from my parents, I’ll have to have an extra special area assigned only for common sense! Ha ha ha, I love making fun of my old folks. Don’t get me wrong, they are lovable and stuff, but teasing them is so much fun—remember, I am bored in here.

In other parental news, Mamma is starting to wise up finally! For a long time she couldn’t tell the difference between me moving and gas. I gave her three big thumps on her belly this morning and she finally got the message that it’s been me all along and not gas. That made her day.

On Saturday, Daddy and Mamma spent time fixing up my nursery and Mamma even started drawing and painting little animal scenes to hang on my walls. She is thinking of framing them if they come out ok. Daddy is still longing to feel me move, no luck yet. I try really hard sometimes, but hopefully in a few weeks, if not sooner he’ll feel me.

I’m going to perch up on my newly found favorite place--Mamma’s bladder. I find it really comfy. Mamma, on the other hand, doesn’t, since she has to run to the bathroom every time I do that. It gives Daddy a good laugh though:) Time for me to snuggle up. Please leave comments for me and I’ll talk to you soon!! 6

Enthralling Eighteen

I’m eighteen weeks old right now and have many exciting developments to report. Mamma is slightly more cooperative this week so I get to blog today. Right now I am about 5.6 inches long from head to rump. You know something cool? My skin is still kind of transparent, and if you could see me, you would see the veins under my skin. There is a protective covering called myelin forming on my nerves. It will keep growing for a year after I am born! That’s kind of neat—I wish I could marvel at it, but my eyes are still fused shut.

My ears are getting more and more with it though. Mamma and Daddy went to a fashion show a few days ago with their friends from Thailand and I enjoyed the music every much. I have been practicing making noises since my vocal chords are formed. I am curious to see if I can sing like Daddy or if I’m totally out of tune like Mamma. No sound comes out though since there is no air in here. I’ll just keep practicing my very first wail though. Would be fun to scare my parents with it:)

Other developments include alveoli, tiny air sacs in my lungs, and my digestive system is starting to produce meconium. Meconium is poop! Yep. My first poop is forming, but not to worry, I won’t pass it out till I am born. I can’t wait to see Daddy’s face when he sees it—he might pass out! Those things make him squeamish.

Other than that, I have been spending my time making faces, trying to jump around, and tugging at the umbilical chord, trying to get my parents’ attention. They are both waiting to feel me moving. I have been trying to give Mamma signals, but she is never sure if it is me or gas! I guess she will just have to get used to it and figure it out for herself. Two nights ago, I did a major dance when I heard Daddy’s voice and felt his hand on Mamma’s stomach, but they are still not sure. A rather dense couple I tell you!

I have not been asking Mamma for anything in particular food wise. The only weird thing was that I made her eat a fish curry, which she normally doesn’t eat since as we all know, she can’t stand fish. She ate a little of it but then I got bored of it.

Mamma is still tired and sometimes gets dizzy if she springs out of bed, but she is less worried about it now that she has researched that it’s part and parcel of having me in her belly. She dutifully went for her tetanus shot two days ago (as usual after much research about the impact of the vaccine on me) and her arm is paining today. Oh, and Mamma’s stomach is finally sticking out a bit.

Ok, I feel a yawn coming on. Time for me to cuddle up, suck my thumb and take a nap. Listening to the sound of my Mamma’s heartbeat kind of makes me sleepy, and I need my rest to do some jumping jacks when I hear Daddy’s voice later today. I’ll catch up with you next week! Ps Please don’t forget to leave your comments, and as promised, I want to give a big shout out ot Uncle Ray! 6