Sunday, March 20, 2011

Baby Movements at 7 Months

Now at my 31st or 32nd week of pregnancy, my very active baby seems to be very eager to come out and scream "Hello, World!" with arms wide open. At this time, baby movements in the womb have certainly increased. In my personal experience, it seems to be kicking and dancing and turning every hour or so.

There is now a wider variety of baby movements, ranging from light nudges to rhythmic patterns to very hard kicks! Sometimes, I would even be caught in surprise when the baby seems to suddenly tumble in a somersault that feels like an enormous ball turning in my tummy, stretching out my skin to its limits. My belly would then harden, and at times it can be frightening. But this would last for just a few seconds, although there are repetitions.

As the baby grows even more, I guess the movements will increase too. In some cases, other moms experience otherwise. It really depends, actually. But if you become apprehensive about these baby movements in the womb, then it would still be best to consult your doctor to be appeased, especially if there are frequent contractions at this time of your pregnancy.

Baby movements in the womb are indeed both exciting and scary, especially for a first-time mom-to-be like me. There are times you cannot really tell what kind of movement it is. If only I could see inside in a snap! But of course, it is still a great joy for me to feel that my baby is alive and kickin'!

Image Credit: http://www.baby2see.com/development/week31.html

Blogging by Mommy Olive

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Baby Hiccups in My Belly

Have you ever felt those tiny rhythmic movements inside your tummy? This kind of baby movement will certainly feel different, quite distinct from the usual baby kicks that you get. If you suddenly feel a kind of spasm happening inside your belly, don't fret. These are actually baby hiccups inside the womb!

Many moms-to-be experience baby hiccups inside the womb. It was only last month when I started feeling it myself. It was kind of weird, but good thing I did not panic because I have previously read about it already. From then on, it became more frequent!  According to research, this is because the more mature fetuses have better developed central nervous systems. It is said that these baby hiccups inside the womb result from the contraction of the diaphragm, which is caused by the entering and exiting of amniotic fluid into and out of the baby's lungs.


No need to worry about your cute baby movements! These hiccups are very normal, and they are not bothersome at all to the fetus. The next time you feel those rhythmic patterns from inside your belly, just enjoy the moment!

Blogging by Mommy Olive

Monday, March 14, 2011

Mommy Preggy's Road Trip

At seven months now, many admire me for my strength and ability to continue driving on my own, going to different places, still running the same errands, and working my butt off. It seems to be no big deal for me since I feel perfectly normal, except for a bit of a heavier baggage in my tummy. There are actually a lot of other preggies out there still whoozing past the streets, and steering the wheel without any problem at all. Driving while pregnant may be uncomfortable for some, but it is quite normal and safe.


If you are driving while pregnant, it is best to still be more cautious. Remember that even little accidents may harm your baby. You are not just a solo passenger anymore, but there are two of you whom you may be putting in danger if you do not take the necessary precautions when driving. For instance, you can drive more slowly than you used to and be more aware of sudden turns and overtaking vehicles. Instead of trying to beat that red light, perhaps it would be better for you to slow down and enjoy the breeze or the scenery.

One important thing that you must keep in mind is the possibility that your car might break down any time. Therefore, you must try to avoid driving at night or passing through dark side streets. It would also be good for you to be more knowledgeable about the possible damages that you may experience as you are driving while pregnant. Perhaps stacking up on first aid for your car would be helpful.

Somebody once told me a story about this pregnant woman in Dallas driving a big car such as a Chevrolet Silverado! She was one tough lady, handling her own business while juggling it with a daytime job and an online job at the same time. Imagine her behind the wheel when suddenly, her brakes seemed to not be working! Good thing she was not going fast, so she was able to stop by the side of the road. Whew! She instantly called Dallas auto repair and was able to get someone to help her. She soon got a brake job and was back on the road in no time, whistling to the baby in her tummy.

The lesson, I guess, is for us to make sure that the car works well to avoid potential problems on the road. Have your car checked first before going somewhere. If you cannot avoid driving while pregnant altogether, the best thing to do is to take accident prevention steps and to become educated on what to do in case something happens. Always have your mobile phone with you too! One more lesson from the lady in the big car is for us not to panic at once. If ever you find yourself stressing too much about the possible accidents you might encounter, better avoid driving at all! Keep in mind that stress can also cause you and your baby harm.

Blogging by Mommy Olive

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Handmade Baby Booties

Are you thinking of trying out your hand at baby booties? Go ahead and do it! Who knows? You might end up making a wonderful pair for your own baby or perhaps it could be a creative venture you can earn from in the future.There is a wide variety of materials you can choose from when it comes to handmade baby booties. Which one are you more comfortable with? It actually depends on your skills. For some, they can actually crochet these adorable miniature shoes. For others who have minimal sewing skills like me, they can opt to cut out patterns and use basic running stitches and back stitches to put together the various parts before embellishing the pair with sequins, jewels, ribbons, and the like. If you have a sewing machine, you can go for other kinds of cloths or perhaps throw several kinds together to form your unique design. Remember to use soft materials and those that are unlikely to cause rashes for the baby's sensitive skin. Be creative and don't give up!

If you are looking for handmade baby gifts, you can never go wrong with baby booties. They are one of the basic clothing needs of babies--- from newborns to early toddlers! Remember, these booties are not just for fashion but are useful in protecting those tiny feet, especially when the baby cannot walk yet. Just be sure that when you make a pair to be given as a gift, find out first the size of the feet before you start working. Measure the length and width. Make sure to put an allowance of around 3 cm. You should also be mindful of the colors and design--- "personalize" is the way to go! That is, make your design match the personality of the baby or what the baby's parents want for their child.

Handmade baby booties are great creations because they are stylish and functional at the same time. Now if you make some for your newborn and he eventually outgrows them, you can just give them away or use them as invitations or giveaways for your child's baptismal party or first birthday celebration! They can be turned into key chains, bag charms, and many more!

Image Credit: http://media.photobucket.com/image/baby%20booties/kathyholmes/Baby%20Booties/AngelicaStar005.jpg?o=35

***Check out my very own handmade baby booties by clicking on this link: http://mommykeepsakes.blogspot.com/2011/03/my-first-handmade-baby-booties.html

Blogging by Mommy Olive

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

My First Handmade Baby Booties

Handmade baby booties are truly adorable! When I had planned to make one, I had to do a little research first on the net--- browsing samples, studying patterns, reading on how-to articles. But nothing beat actually doing it for the first time!

The first pattern I cut out for my handmade baby booties project did not turn out so well. I had to cut out two more patterns before the shape I molded looked something like a shoe! Nevertheless, I did not give up. Indeed it was a challenge, for it probably took me almost two hours to finally come up with this result:
This pair of unique handmade baby booties fit for newborn baby girls made me smile with pride and joy. I had used felt cloth, embroidered embellishments, and laces/ribbons. I could honestly say they seemed to have turned out quite well. And so my small success fueled me to work on another pair--- this time a bit bigger, with a design fit for active baby boys!
Handmade baby booties make such perfect handmade baby gifts, don't you agree? If you are on the lookout for baby gifts, handcrafted ones would be very good because they are usually unique and can be customized too to fit your preferred size, color, style, and design.

To view more cute and one-of-a-kind handmade products that can be used as gift items or can be availed for personal use, visit  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=43205&id=167383453306220&saved#!/pages/Glam-Project/167383453306220.

Blogging by Mommy Olive

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Rare Finds: Baby Products on Sale!

A grand baby fair such as the one held in SM Megatrade Hall last January 28-30, 2011 is an opportunity that comes along only once or twice every year. Thus, my husband and I did not let it pass! We had planned to go on Saturday right after the ultrasound we had been waiting for--- the one that would finally determine if we will be having a boy or a girl! But then, we could not help ourselves so we ended up going on Friday night too.


There were so many booths to explore and so many cute baby products that were super tempting! We got so excited just going through all the different items, watching the demos for the cribs and other stuff, and discovering products that we never knew existed. At the end, we bought a baby bag plus a baby bath tub and a matching net. I wanted to purchase items with a total worth of a thousand pesos, so I could avail of the goody bag with all the freebies before it ran out! And I did indeed. =)

Saturday morning was an exciting one, for we found out that we were going to have a boy as our first-born! My husband was really ecstatic he could not help grinning widely all day long. Off we went back to the Baby Fair in Megamall where we went around again and spent much time choosing a crib and a stroller carefully.
CordLife gives a talk about the benefits of preserving your baby's umbilical cord.
My husband and I bought a Graco crib from their latest 2011 collection, with around 3k discount!
I absolutely loved these matching bedding, bolsters, pillows, curtains, and more.
Upon finding out we were having a boy, I went off to buy some cute overalls. It was really difficult to choose!

Cool baby products such as these "one size cloth diapers" with changeable pads really caught my attention.
I took home two of these: one on Friday and one on Saturday. They were filled with tons of baby goodies!
The demo convinced us to buy this gorgeous, sturdy stroller with carrier set from Baby 1st.
The grand baby fair was a success! Tons of people lined up with their chosen baby products all day long.
From clothes to feeding bottles to furniture to grooming kits to breastfeeding essentials... you name it, they got it! Parents roamed around everywhere, goggling at the discounted baby products and probably thinking the same thing as we were: this was an opportunity we should take advantage of! Who knows when the next one will be? But I've got great news--- there's another Grand Baby Fair in Megamall coming up this end of March 2011! 

Blogging by Mommy Olive