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Sunday, September 7, 2008

Manathil Uruthi Vendum


Bumble,
This is a Sunday morning song dedication for you.


This is one of Amma's all time favourite songs, and it's not like I'm good with too many Tamil songs or with great Bharatiyaar's poetry, but this is one that has stuck to me, because of the lyrics, the music - the whole package. It starts off directly and it hits where it must without much rambling around. We will discover more of Bharatiyaar and his poetry when you are with us! One of our joint discoveries on culture....for now I just hope you are listening to this song and kicking away in appreciation just as I am enjoying it too over a cup of hot filter kaapi! (it's my rare treat mind you - don't want you on caffiene highs so early in life) and sorry if my coughing disturbed you at night.

Have a lovely Sunday baby!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Getting kicked and loving it!

It's been a wonderfully euphoric feeling since the last 3 weeks or so, and more in recent times, when Bumble has begun to assert its existence in our lives with regular kicks and punches.

It all started with the customary, 'Is it or is is not?' feeling, but with the calcium tablets reaching Bumble's bones the kicks cannot be mistaken for anything else. Funnily, yesterday I napped off in the afternoon with the latest Harlan Coben thriller sitting on my bump and imagine my surprise when I saw the book moving thanks to the pushes from beneath it! It's almost like Bumble is saying, forget your nap and pay me some attention Momma!

Bumble kicks the most when we are in a theater watching a movie - while we make all attempts not to watch the horror / violence types - the Dolby surround sound is enough to get baby all kicked up and starts kicking with all the enthusiasm in the little limbs - it all started with Singh is Kinng, which S and me both hated to be watching, a complete ham of a movie and we were convinced that baby shares our taste in movies, and is kicking in protest. Next was Mumbai Meri Jaan, which did not have any of the noisy songs or sound track and yet I found myself being punched relentlessly in all directions. When we saw Rock On, which had fabulous music that I couldn't help rocking in my seat, Bumble started doing the same, and we had to assume that Bumble shares our taste of good music :) It's upto us to assume the reason for the kicks and its fun to do the guesswork.

I haven't noticed any particular times for the increased activity, although it is said that babies get more active after a carb rich drink or meal since it gets more energy at that point of time. But if I have to choose a time where I most often get the hellos from inside its around 7-8 pm and then some more before I go to sleep. It's just odd that whenever S wants to feel the kicks on my bump and he patients spreads out his palms and waits, it's been unrewarded so far....almost as if Bumble is teasing his/her dad, that hey i know what you're waiting for and I'm going to make you wait some more. S was complaining sweetly to Bumble in one of the nightly 'dad talk sessions to the bump'* that you've not given me a single kick to feel so far!! I am hoping S gets to experience the beauty of feeling baby within soon and Baby Bumble obliges him with a nice kick that he can feel :)


* It is found that babies whose dads talk to them when they are in utero recognise their voices when they are born and can bond more easily.
Read some interesting stuff about 'Belly talk' here.

Milestones so far

Reporting from the 26th week of pregnancy - and trying to recollect the events so far before I forget them

14th March - LMP

14th April - Home pregnancy test - positive
Beta HCG - indicates 4-5 weeks pregnant

21st April - Repeat Beta HCG indicates levels well risen

2nd May - 1st Ultrasound (Dating and viability scan) which indicates pregnancy of 5-6 weeks
Informed both would-be grandparents

14th June - 2nd Ultrasound (first trimester - nuchal scan)
Baby corresponds to 13 weeks since LMP

20th June - Prophylactic cervical cerclage under GA

19th July - 3rd Ultrasound (Anomaly scan)
Baby's measurements correspond to the 18 weeks of gestation
Weight 220 grams
EDD - 20th December 2008

9th August onwards baby Bumble starts kicking in all earnest while we were watching Singh is Kinng