On Saturday, Hubby and I went to First Look Sonogram for a voluntary ultrasound of Baby Champuru. Our last ultrasound was 9 weeks ago and it’s my understanding that they don’t do any more ultrasounds unless there are concerns or complications with the pregnancy. So, we thought it would be nice to shell out a modest amount ($149) to check up on Baby Champuru and get some pictures of her at the same time.

The first thing the ultrasound tech did was determine the gender. Moving the ultrasound wand around my gelled belly, she talked us through it, “there’s the baby’s okole. Okay, just waiting to see the boy parts poke out.”

BOY parts!? Uh-oh. Is it too late to change my baby’s theme from Hello Kitty to Badtz Maru?

“They told us that baby was a girl at my previous two ultrasounds,” I said.

“You’re right. Those three lines right there is her labia,” she pointed at Baby Champuru’s GIRL parts with the cursor on the screen.

Phew! Hello Kitty it is!

Ultrasounds, especially the 3D/4D ones, are really amazing. Seeing the baby moving and baby’s heart beating just takes your breath away. It really brings home the reality that there is a baby in my tummy! Despite my growing waistline, sometimes I can forget — especially since the morning sickness is a thing of the past.

Speaking of getting past the morning sickness, I’ve been feeling pretty darned fantastic lately. I have managed to dodge the bullet so far on most discomforts that many pregnant women face, such as swelling of the feet, nighttime leg cramps, stretch marks, constipation, and hot flashes. However, one thing that I knew I would inevitably plague me is the frequent trips to the bathroom. There are times I really believe that Baby Champuru must be using my bladder as a trampoline.

One thing that the ultrasound technician and the receptionist commented on was Baby Champuru’s full lips. “She must have mommy’s lips,” the technician said. Hubby noted that she also has my nose. The technician also said that she could see that baby will not be born bald. That, too, must be something that she’s inheriting from me, the Okinawan side of the family.

Today, I had an appointment with my OB/GYN. I also took the blood glucose test today to see whether I have gestational diabetes. I was somewhat apprehensive about drinking the glucola, but found it to be easy to take. They gave me the orange-flavored drink, which tasted like orange punch made with Malolo syrup and not enough water. An hour later, I went back to the lab to have my blood drawn. In a few days, we’ll see if I’m in the clear for gestational diabetes or not. (Praying for a good result!)

Upstairs at the doctor’s office, I got the following report:

29 weeks and 5 days
Weight gain so far: 11 pounds
Blood Pressure: 100/58
Fetal heart rate and size are good!

For me, the doctor said that acceptable pregnancy weight gain is 25-35 pounds for the duration of my pregnancy since I was in the “normal” BMI range pre-pregnancy. They say that from the second trimester on, you’re supposed to gain approximately a pound a week. If that’s the case, I have 11 more weeks, which means I’ll pack on about 11 more pounds. It’s hard to imagine gaining that much weight in such a short period of time. Hopefully the weight will be able to melt off my body at the same rate (or faster!) post-pregnancy.

Baby Champuru has been noticeably more active in recent days. Perhaps it’s just that she’s getting bigger and I can feel her movement more distinctly now. While I was driving in rush hour traffic this afternoon, she kicked so hard that it startled me. I actually jumped! I think she’s practicing her karate. I bet she’s going to take after Daddy and become a black belt, too!

I’m so thankful that I’m able to provide these good reports. The Lord has blessed us during this whole pregnancy. I just pray that the remaining weeks of my pregnancy — and the upcoming delivery will be just as smooth.