From the tummy: Week 22

December 20: Mommy went for her 3rd visit to Tien Huynh. All is looking good, she said. Rest of the week was full-on parties, cooking and celebration. My first Christmas from the tummy!

From the tummy: Week 21

December 18: Mommy and daddy were back from their vacation. This week also saw the arrival of Bubu and Bhaiya (my paternal grandparents). They were there to celebrate the festive season with pregnant mommy. Everyone's happy.

From the tummy: Week 20

December 12: As soon as it was known that the little person growing inside was a girl, Daddy got another good news - he landed a new job. But it also meant he had to fly away for couple of weeks for training.

Highlight of this week was their trip to Gold Coast. Their 8 night stay had lots of picture, lots of fun - but mommy couldn't get on any of the rides. Too risky for me. Overall, they had a good time.

From the tummy: Week 19

December 3: Mommy had the scheduled scan today and all pointed to a healthy baby growing inside. Daddy couldn't wait and asked the sonographer if it was possible to know the sex of the baby. The sonographer made sure they really wanted to know. She checked over a few images and announced - IT'S A BABY GIRL!!!

On the morning of the scan, daddy subconciously took a blue shirt off the hanger and went on to iron it. But he accidentally used too much steam and it spoilt the shirt. Then, subconciously again, he reached for a pink shirt, ironed it and put it on. It wasn't till mommy noticed the color that he realised the coincident. Signs!!

From the tummy: Week 16

November 7: Mommy went for her 2nd OB visit
November 8: Mommy and daddy moved house! They needed a bigger place since they knew I was arriving.

From the tummy: Week 12

October 10: Last day of week 12, Poult's ** health was checked by a nuchal scan. Basically it was an ultrasound scan followed by a blood test. The sonographer had a good view of poult, measured his/her body parts - and declared a very healthy baby growing inside. Key observations: heart beat 160, length 6.81 cm, risk of down syndrome 1 in 3082, risk of edward's syndrome 1 in 9648. Mommy met Dr Tien Huynh for the first time. Dr Huynh confirmed the scan estimate of 11 week 2 days and reset the expected delivery date to 28th April. This week daddy also confirmed the hospital slot.

** Poult was my first nickname, guess why?

Notes for the week:
How did I feel before having the scan?
Before the scan both of them were a bit anxious. They were worried that the signs of pregnancy was becoming fewer as time went by. It was more likely that they were getting used to the signs but couldn't stop worrying.

How did I feel when I saw the scan?
At the scan, they saw me move. It was more like a kick. And also the heart beat was visible. Dr Huynh declared it was a healthy baby growing inside. My parents were overjoyed - ecstatic!!

How did my partner feel?
They thanked God to be able to share moments like this. Knowing the little life is growing inside, they turned their focus on how to take care of him or her.

From the tummy: Week 11

October 10: This week we cheered the birth of baby Katrina - Tita/Tito Rache and Jo's daughter. It was also in Westmead Private and through Dr Tien Huynh (my OB). It is our first glimpse of what's coming ahead. We also told a few people in the office about the pregnancy and took leave for next week.

From the tummy: Week 10

Mommy has been quite agitated this week. She has a back pain that's been bugging her. That has made her very sensitive - keeping daddy on his toes.

From the tummy: Week 9

September 19: Daddy called up the obstetrician and made an appointment
September: 21 Daddy called up Westmead Private and made a tentative booking

Notes for the week: Mommy continued to feel weak and sleepy. She does not like doing much. But she cooked curry for us today. Daddy cooked her breakfast on the weekend and took over the household chores. Mommy likes salty and a bit spicy food and is craving for green mangoes.

From the tummy: Week 8

September 15: Mommy went back to GP for a full report of the ultra sonogram.

From the tummy: Week 7

September 6: I had my first photo taken today. Mommy had a ultra sonogram and they saw the first glimpse of me. Although they could spot my little forming heart, it was too small to count the beats. It all showed well generally. They were all very happy. The test recalculated my age to be six weeks and a day. They also confirmed my expected date of birth to be 30 April.

From the tummy: Week 6

September 1: Mommy went to her GP for a checkup and a referral to obstetrician. That night, daddy had a birthday celebration and they announced to their friends of my arrival with little cup cakes.

Notes for the week: They were deciding between the hospitals. Westmead Private was nearer to home and had good recommendations. RPA was nearer to office but public and possibility of being assigned shared room. North Shore Private looked very good but was too far. Also could not find a reputed OB there.

From the tummy: Week 5

This week was very eventful. Mommy and daddy went to Hayman Island for 3 days - mommy had a office getaway. They came back home Sunday night (26th) which was also daddy's birthday. After coming home, mommy did a 2nd home test and it came out positive again. They both were over the moon knowing I am really on my way. Next day, mommy went to the doctor for a formal confirmation. They broke the news to the grandmas that night.

Notes for the week: my parents decided on a hospital birth.

From the tummy: Week 4

This week mommy did her first home test. The result was positive. Mommy and daddy weren't sure whether to get excited yet as it could have been from the previous pregnancy **. So they decided to wait for a second test.

** Mommy had a miscarriage earlier in June