Week 11

HER PERSPECTIVE

Best Moment: Our first ultrasound! Our appointment was scheduled at 8am on March 4th, and we were both so anxious that we couldn’t finish our bowls of cereal. We fought the morning traffic on our way downtown and arrived 15 minutes early only to discover that we were in the wrong place. (Their fault, not ours.)

Finally, by 8:20am we were seated in the right waiting room. And just minutes before the technician called us back, I used the bathroom — apparently a big no-no! He said someone should have told me that I needed to have a full bladder. (Again, their mistake, not mine!) He said I’m thin enough, though, that we could give it a try and hope for the best.

By the time he squirted the warm gel onto my stomach and turned on the monitor, I was a crazy ball of nerves.

And then … there was our sweet little babe! And all was right in our world. We got our first glimpse of that round head and those itty bitty baby toes. Baby was cradled so snugly inside, but fluttered its arms and kicked its legs as if to say “hello!” The heartbeat was strong at 166 bpm, and the tech assured us that everything looks just as it should.

Nick held my hand while we both stared in awe at the screen and watched the tech take the necessary measurements. We found out Baby is measuring at almost 12 weeks. And we are already completely in love.

We left with giddy smiles on our faces and kissed in the parking lot before parting ways to start our workdays. But we chattered away on the phone as we drove in opposite directions. We agreed that things feel so much more real now, and I admitted that after seeing that sweet silhouette, I feel an even greater responsibility to care for and protect the little miracle that’s growing inside of me.

And then I arrived at my office and had to hide my excitement. Nick got to share his, though! We decided that since he was late for his team meeting due to our appointment, he should share the very good reason why! His announcement was met with applause (how funny), congratulations, and a hug from his female colleague. We just can’t wait until the whole world knows our news!

Symptoms: Still hungry. Still barely fitting into my pants. But it is all so worth it.

Cravings/Aversions: Saltines with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff. Yes, I’m still eating like a five-year-old.

What I Miss: Neither the pint of beer I can’t drink nor the pair of jeans I can’t button can bring me down from the high I feel this week!

What I Can’t Wait For: To share the news with our family and the rest of our friends. This is seriously the longest either of us has ever kept a secret. It’s especially difficult because we talk to our parents several times each week.

We also can’t wait to hear the steady “thump, thump, thump” of that tiny heart at our appointment next week!

Milestones: Peanut is now almost fully formed and is the size of a fig! The bones are beginning to harden, and the hands are opening and closing into fists. Baby is kicking and stretching (which we witnessed on our first ultrasound) and may even be hiccupping now that the diaphragm is forming.

HIS PERSPECTIVE

Best Moment: The ultrasound, naturally. Although finally telling our secret to my colleagues was quite memorable, as well. I had such a big grin on my face when I was walked into my meeting that they knew I had big news before I said anything.

Symptoms: Emily is looking about 11 weeks pregnant, I’m looking about 16.

Cravings/Aversions: Apples with peanut butter. I’m obsessed with apples, especially gala apples.

What I Miss: Bugle Boy jeans with the elastic band. Is Bugle Boy still around? Do they make paternity pants?

What I Can’t Wait For: To tell family and friends the big news. Next week!

Milestones: Peanut is definitely kicking; we saw it on the ultrasound!