My Fourth Prenatal Visit

Last February 16, hubby and I went to BF Maternity Clinic to see Dra. Samoy (my ob-gyne) for my fourth pre-natal check up. Hubby called at around 4pm so I can be listed already. We arrived at around 6pm and we thought that the doctor wouldn't be there yet, but this time though, she was indeed early. They were calling out the third patient in the list and fortunately I was next.

Well I was not thrilled to know that I gained three pounds over a month (since I lost 2 pounds during our last visit) but my doctor said it is but normal at this stage of pregnancy. I am in my 14-15th week of pregnancy and I can say that this time, I am starting to look pregnant. My blood pressure is normal at 90/60 and my ob-gyne used a fetal doppler to listen to the baby's heartbeat. I was advised to go easy on sweets and rice which I really am finding difficult to do since I feel really tired from a day of teaching if I am to eat without rice.

Well, let's see. I am hoping to maintain that 3 pounds gain and not gain further. Bring it on!

Reading and Pregnancy

I believe that I owe my language skills all to my mom. I know that while she was pregnant, she was working then as a gradeschool teacher (grade one in particular) thus she talks most of the time, reads and sings always too. Even my name has something to do with a novel she was reading while she was pregnant.

A baby’s nerve pathways in the ears and neural system in the brain start developing as early as the twenty-sixth week, which is when the baby will begin responding to sounds and voices regularly. Introducing music and words while your baby is still growing inside of you may increase your baby’s intelligence; many expectant parents can start talking to their babies in the womb, reading to them and playing soothing music to generate a response from their developing brains. Reading provides auditory stimulation for babies’ growing brains and can acclimate children to the sounds of their parents’ voices.

During the early stages of development, you can train a baby’s brain to recognize words and sounds well before she understands the meaning behind them. A baby developing in the womb can become sensitive to her parents’ sounds and touches; reading aloud provides a soothing sound for baby to tune into while resting and growing.

The tones, voices and sounds that the baby hears during development can provide the foundation for learning new sounds and words after she is born. After delivery, the baby may be more likely to respond positively to the people to whom she “listened” during development. Reading promotes language development, attention development, concentration skills and information synthesis. A baby’s cognitive skills can also be improved with a variety of stimuli; reading represents one way to enhance these important developmental skills.

For now, me and my baby are always reading out aloud. I bought a jumbo book of fairy tales which I read aloud every night and for mommy, I have a new Nicholas Sparks book-The Lucky One.

Infanticipating & Exploring

Last weekend, we were treated to an overnight getaway at Club Balai Isable in Talisay Batangas. It is a 12-hectare property which will surely delight you to a an activity-filled weekend. The resort is right on the shores of the the world-famous Taal Lake and just 6kms from the volcano, it is truly a place to relax, connect and be one with nature. There are three restaurants, over 140 rooms, facilities which include a wedding chapel, 6 hectares of fruit bearing rees, a holding area and functions rooms. Guests can enjoy room massages, daily housekeeping, room service, lanundry and training services. Your weekend will surely be filled to the brim thru lesiure activities such as kayaking, pedal boats, swimming pools, Taal volcano trekking, floating poo and Lake Taal cruise boat.

                              

We left Cavite at around 5:30 in the afternoon and reached the resort at around 8:00 om in time for a very sumptuous buffet dinner prepared by Phoenix Publishing house. While dining, we were treated to a lovely sight of a beach wedding by the pool's terraza. Served during the buffet dinner were Pasta Primadorro, Herbed Tilapia Fillet, Cream of Mushroom Soup, Grilled Liempo Belly and Cesar Salad; for dessert, we had a platter of fresh fruits.

Soon after dinner, we were billeted to our 3-bedroom suit along Sotto Suites. The rooms were brightly lighted complete with a Mediterreanean feel. What I particularly loved was the villa's architecture and design.

After settling in our villa, we explored the property and fell in love with their infinity pool. There are three pools in Balai Isabel but the best is the inifinity pool overlooking the lake. We were told that they only operate until 10:00 pm but our ever accommodating friend from Phoenix Publishing House made some arrangements and we were allowed to use the facility until 12 midnight.

One has to wear swimming attire if you are to use the swimming pool. Too bad that what I brought with me is my two piece and board shorts. Despite asking the lifeguard if he can make some room for a preggo like me, he said that I really need to put my shirt off and swim with my two piece and shorts.

The pools were heated ( I think) but the cool breeze from the lake makes the water really cold. At 12:00 midnight we decided to go back to our room to finally call it a day.

The next morning, I woke up at around 5:00 am and asked my colleague and soon to be kumpare to accompany me so we can explore the resort further and take picture of the sunrise. We walked past the shore to a stunning sunrise over the lake. 

 At 6:30 am, breakfast was served inside the Laurel Hall (exclusive to our group). We were treated to a hearty breakfast buffet consist of Champorado (with Tsokolateng Batangas), Fried Rice, Longganisa, Spanish Omelette and Daing na Biya (which I really really love!) with sukang labo.I fell instantly in love with the daing na biya because of its crunchy texture and unqiue flavor. The dried fish unlike Danggitm is less salty but very crunchy. It works best with the sukang labo of Batangas and fried rice.

We began exploring the resort as soon as we finished breakfast. We headed to visit their wedding chapel, The Spousal Church of Joseph and Mary, went on to shoot some maternity pictures by the Pantalan and headed nack to the inifinity pool by the lake to take more pictures.

Maternity shot by the Pantalan

13 Weeks Preggo

My baby is now about 2.9 inches long and weighs about .81 ounces, and -- proportion-wise -- the babýs head is now about one-third the size of her body (remember? It used to be bigger!).

Even though she's still teeny, she already has fingerprints. And this week, her vocal cords are forming.

Prayer for Safe Delivery

A Prayer to St. Gerard for Safe Delivery

O great Saint Gerard, beloved servant of Jesus Christ, perfect imitator of your meek and humble Savior, and devoted child of Mother of God, enkindle within my heart one spark of that heavenly fire of charity which glowed in your heart and made you an angel of love.

O glorious Saint Gerard, because when falsely accused of crime, you did bear, like your Divine Master, without murmur or complaint, the calumnies of wicked men, you have been raised up by God as the patron and protector of expectant mothers. Preserve me from danger and from the excessive pains accompanying childbirth, and shield the child which I now carry, that it may see the light of day and receive the purifying and life-giving waters of baptism through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Dad's 60th Birthday...

Here are some pictures taken during my dad's 60th Birthday....