MORE THAN A MOUTHFUL

Chapter 15- Kick

MEI'S POV

(23 weeks pregnant)

Pregnancy is just the beginning of a life-long love affair with our child. Totoo na nakakapagod at nakaka-stress ito and there was a time that I felt a bit disconnected from our growing baby. But as my pregnancy progresses, and my bump grows, I felt much more like a mother-to-be.

Madalas ko nang maramdaman ang movement ni baby. Hindi na kailangang magkunwari si Henry na naramdaman niya ang paggalaw ni Bridge sa tiyan ko kahit ang totoo ay hindi naman talaga just to please me. Kasi ngayon, nagiging little acrobat na ito sa tiyan ko. He is full of life flipping, flopping, and doing somersaults!

Noong una, naramdaman ko na parang may kaunting air bubbles na nagpa-pop against the inside of my tummy. It didn't feel like a baby pushing inside of me, but it was definitely not anything I'd ever felt before. Nang mag-sink-in sa akin na gumagalaw na pala talaga ito, hindi ko maipaliwanag ang saya ko. These movements of the baby are called 'quickening.' And I was overwhelmed with the sweetness and delicateness of that feeling!

"I need to get the kick track!"
Napangiti ako sa reaction ng asawa ko nang gisingin ko siya. He jumped out of the bed at binuksan niya ang drawer sa night stand. It's 8:45 in the morning. At dahil Sunday ngayon, we stayed late in the bedroom.

Bumalik siya sa kama na hawak ang Kick Track. Sinabi ko kasi sa kanya na kadalasan, sa ganitong oras ko nararamdaman ang pagsipa ni baby.

Binili niya ang gadget para ma-monitor namin ang kalagayan ni baby sa loob ng tiyan ko. Counting the baby's kicks and movements was recommended by my doctor. Mothers-to-be should pay close attention to the inter-uterine movements, rolls and kicks of the unborn child because this is a good indication that all is well with the baby.

Some women do this on their own. They have to sit with pen and paper in hand to time the baby's movements for a period of 10 kicks, record the results and then compare the details with the previous timed periods. Hindi ito madali. Kadalasan kasi, dumaranas ang mga buntis sa tinatawag na "pregnancy brain." The total inability to concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes.

Dahil gadget-lover ang asawa ko at gusto niya talaga ng mas efficient at para hindi na ako mahirapan sa pag-count at pag-record manually, bumili siya ng Kick Track. A device that counts and times movements, and keeps a log. Maliban dito, puwede pa itong gamiting pregnancy counter for the last 99 days ng pagbubuntis ko. It can also be used to time contractions when labor begins.

"You're glowing, Mrs. Pregnancy really suits you."
He kissed me on the lips nang matabihan niya ulit ako sa kama. Naramdaman ko ang erèction niya. Pero mamaya ko na iyon pagtuonan ng attention.

"I didn't wake you up for sèx, Henry. But we can do it later. Yan ay kung sisipa ngayon si Bridge."

"Really?"

"Yes. Kailangan mong humingi ng permiso sa anak mo."
Bumaba ang mukha niya sa mismong tapat ng tiyan ko. He showered light kisses around my belly then marahan niya itong hinaplos.

"Come on, baby. Sipa na, nang maka-score si Daddy."

"Wala pa rin. Mukhang gusto ni Bridge na maging côck-blocker ngayon."
Natatawang sabi ko. Hawak-hawak ko na ang kick track.

"Please son, start moving now. Your Dad needs to detonate a time bomb."
Muli niyang hinalikan ng magaan ang tiyan ko pero wala pa rin.

"Well, I guess your not too lucky today. Anyway, it's not bad to have an abstinence for one day."

"Sisipa siya."
Determinadong sabi niya. Hinawakan niya ang laylayan ng maternity night gown ko at inangat niya ito hanggang sa ma-expose ang aking tiyan.

"What are you doing?"
Tanong ko nang ilapat niya ang hintuturo niya sa belly button ko.

"Iniisip ko na ka-holding hands ko si baby."
Hinawakan din ng isa niyang kamay ang left hand ko.

"Ngayon, magka-holding hands na tayong tatlo. A wonderful family. Do you like it, son? Ako, ikaw at ang Mommy mo?"
I was caught off guard. Kung tutuosin napakasimple lang ng sinabi niya but it felt so wonderful. As a pregnant wife, I need encouraging, loving and supportive words from my husband lalo na at may mga sandali na nakakaramdam ako ng insecurity dahil sa mga changes na nangyayari sa akin. Both physically and emotionally. Iyon ang pinakagusto ko kay Henry. Hindi ko na iyon kailangang isatinig sa kanya. He has his own unique ways to make me feel good and loved ganun din kay baby.

"We are like a circle. Do you want to know why?"
Pinindot ko ang malaking kick button ng kick track nang maramdaman ko ang movement ni baby. Then nag-appear ang elapse time.

"Henry, sumipa na si Bridge!"

"Good job, son. So gusto mong malaman kung bakit parang circle tayong tatlo nina Mommy?"
Muling sumipa si baby.

"Our family is like a circle because our connection never ends."
Naluha ako nang patuloy na sumipa si Bridge.

"Always remember that. Our connection never ends. Even if at time it breaks, in time it always mends."
Humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Henry sa isa kong kamay. Nakatingin ako sa kick track. May mga feet icons na nagpakita indicating the number of baby kicks.

Sa bawat sipa ni Bridge, nag-response kami ni Henry. We both whispered,
"I love you, baby", and rubbing my belly so gently.

Responding to his kicks is about as close as getting a two-way communication before he's born.

"Thank you for the green light, son. Makaka-score na si Daddy."
Muling hinalikan ni Henry ang tiyan ko nang mag-play ang Twinkle-twinkle Little Star, indicating na tapos na ang session.

After that, we had some of the most amazing sèx of our relationship. It was more intènse. Hot, hot, hot and I have experienced more ôrgasms because of my increased sensitivity.

I gained a lot of confidence in bed because Henry showed me how sexy and womanly I am.

(1,031 words)