Back online

Finally, after a long, agonizing wait, Boky's Adventures is back online. As of yesterday, our broadband Internet connection had been reestablished in our new apartment in Tsukuba, Japan's foremost science city, where I have begun work at the University of Tsukuba, the intellectual cradle of three of Japan's ten (?) Nobel laureates.

Apart from Mommy D's increasing waistline, not much has changed in the past few weeks as far as Boky is concerned. The only update that I can put here is that Boky's kicks and punches have become much stronger, according to Mommy D. Apparently, Boky "climbs the ring" at around 8 or 9 pm and throws his/her heaviest punches and kicks at around 11 pm, just at the time when Mommy D is about ready to sleep. (Boky will probably be a K1 fighter, hehe...) All these are very much consistent with what is found in the literature. That the fetus is actively moving is better than if it is not, as far as I'm concerned.

Mommy D's breathing has also been quite labored lately, but again, this is normal at this stage of the pregnancy. At this time, Boky is probably putting pressure in the space just below the ribs and in the diaphragm. However, in due time, Boky will "drop" into the pelvic cavity in preparation for delivery. Only then will the breathing further ease. But that's still in the next few weeks ahead.

This is still the "honeymoon" period of the pregnancy and we're enjoying it while it lasts.

Back in Tsukuba

By this time, we have completed our transfer to Tsukuba. As of yesterday, the last batch of items sent by takkyubin (transport service) had arrived. However, there is still no Internet connection at home and this entry is being made at the lab where I shall begin my work.

More updates will be posted later.

Back in Tokyo

As of Sunday afternoon, I was back in Tokyo after a 4 1/2 hour flight from Cebu, Philippines. It was my first time to travel to the Philippines via Cebu since I had always returned home via Manila in previous visits. One thing is crystal clear: if you want to return home with the least hassle, Cebu is the entry and exit point of choice. (The service in Philippine Airlines is another matter!)

Mommy D went to her Tokyo-based obstetrician this afternoon for her last and final visit and also to obtain her medical records for submission to her future Tsukuba-based doc. So far, Boky is growing perfectly well (now at 24 weeks), the doctor said. Mommy D told me this evening that the doctor and nurse actually laughed in delight upon seeing the fetus' growth chart because it was their first time to see such a perfectly growing fetus.

Mommy D also told them about Boky's acrobatics inside her and they said that it's a sign that the child is healthy and active. Almost every night, Mommy D treats Boky to some classical music by plugging headphones into our stereo and putting them on her tummy. We could actually feel Boky moving much more actively in response to the sound. This form of infant stimulation will help in the child's brain development, according to a book that we have been reading.

When Boky comes out, we hope that the same classical music that he/she has been listening to while in the womb will soothe him/her during his/her first few weeks in the outside world. In that way, things won't have to be completely and totally unfamiliar.