The theme for this week: beginnings.

embryonic

Pronunciation:
em-bree-YAH-nik

Meaning:
In a stage prior to birth or hatching.
In the early stages of development.

Examples:
"Some birds in their embryonic stage already have well-developed feathers."
"The global company, in its embryonic years, was merely a garage shop operation ran by a couple of college friends."

Digression point:
on birds:
Prococial birds are fully formed when they hatch (e.g., chickens).
Altrical birds are still greatly dependent on their parents when they hatch (e.g., like songbirds).