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.