12 Aug 2007 - 22 centimeters in 22 weeks
Last Sunday, we decided to have my wife’s pre-natal check-up at Patient’s First instead of St. Luke’s. My wife’s HMO covered the check-up. The doctor measured our baby and everything is just right - 22 centimeters for 22 weeks. She even asked me to feel it. I did. I felt something hard. It was my first time to "indirectly" touch my baby. The feeling was exhilarating.
Then we thought that we wanted to find out our baby’s gender. We asked the clinic to check her HMO if an ultrasound can be covered since it is a bit expensive in Patient’s First. They approved it! Thank you Maxicare!
I was very excited as we enter the room, anxious to receive a surprise. The nurse took some measurements first (head size, abdomen size, length of spine, length of thigh bone). Seeing all these reminded me again that there is already a human being growing inside.
Then when the nurse told us that it is hard to spot the "thingie" because our baby’s thighs are crossed. Ia jiggled a bit, and even coughed but our baby is so comfy with that position. The nurse said that it might be a boy but she might have mistaken "it" with the umbilical cord. I was a little sad, but still seeing our baby looking more human is enough reward for me for the day.
Then the nurse moved her hand around and focused on the head. Then she showed us, the forehead, the eyes, the nose and traces of the mouth. Our baby is staring right back us thru the monitor (or so I imagined when in reality our baby’s eyes should be close)! I am now seeing our baby’s face. Our baby is so beautiful! And I reckon I even saw our baby smile back!
While driving back, I just had a mental picture of my baby’s face (and a physical photo when I asked the nurse to print one out even if it is not routine). I can’t help but smile.
We visited my bestfriend Paulo and his wife Lyn in the hospital since Lyn just gave birth to Paulyn Blossom. She was very beautiful. And I can see a daddy’s little girl in the making. Paulo just can’t get her hands off her.
p.s. corrected inches to centimeters, thanks to vanessa.
