Announcing Generation #2

What would the Boltanos do? Well, as I noted in my last entry - which I posted a pitiful three months ago - we resolved to make a family this year. And although I can still barely believe it, it's true: we're having a baby. Generation #2 of the Boltano family will arrive around October 24!

We first learned of the good news back at the end of January, but we've only just started to tell our friends and family. In this time, I have learned that of the many aspects of pregnancy that are challenging or difficult, including persistent feelings of nausea, exhaustion, leg cramps, and not being allowed to drink wine, not discussing one's pregnancy until the end of the first trimester has probably  been the most difficult for me. And you thought it would have been giving up booze? It's OK, me too. 

Seriously, when in my life have I ever kept a secret? OK, that sounds ridiculous. I'm not a total gossip, I can keep secrets. But I'm much better at keeping other people's secrets, not my own. Up until these past thirteen weeks, I don't think I've ever gone more than 15 minutes without telling someone what's going on in my life. We told our parents and a few of our best friends around Week 5, after a week's worth of positive pregnancy tests. And then we told a few more friends after our first ultrasound around Week 7. We heard the little one's heartbeat and saw that a small peanut-shaped mass was indeed growing in my uterus. And since then, we have nicknamed the baby Peanut. (So much nicer than "It.") The doctor said all looked good, but she also recommended waiting to share the news with the entire world for a few more weeks. 

But those next few weeks -- five of them, to be exact -- were excruciating. So damn slow! I'll admit, I was pretty anxious wondering if everything was going OK. I've managed a lot of "custom" development projects in my life, and their common thread has normally been that nothing ever goes according to the project plan. Hence, I'm accustomed to lots of check-in meetings with engineers, asking them to *show* not just *tell* me how much progress they've made since our last meeting. Pregnancy doesn't work this way, to say the least. And although feeling like absolute shit is apparently a good sign that the body is doing what it's supposed to be doing, it isn't always reassuring. 

So when we finally had our last appointment (Week 12) this past Monday, I was overjoyed to again see Peanut on the monitor. Turns out that Peanut is doing really well! Even following the project plan, for the most part! Peanut is currently 5 centimeters long with a heart rate of 167 beats per minute. We saw lots of movement and a little bit of hiccups. It was amazing.

So it is official, and it's time to share the news with the whole world. Jeremy and I are having a baby!  All the nausea and exhaustion, the crazy leg cramps and forgone glasses of wine... well, they are all just so worth it. Trimester #2 begins on Wednesday; and apparently, I will soon begin to feel like a whole new woman. Fingers crossed...

If you're interested, and if you read this far I assume that you are, here are a couple of photos from the past thirteen weeks!

Week 7: My uterus is on the left, and Peanut is sprouting out of the bottom.

Week 7: 3D image of Peanut, who only sort of resembles an actual peanut...

Week 12: Peanut just chilling. I love Peanut's cute little nose.

Week 12: 3D image of Peanut, who is a little shy and holding his or her hands above his or her face.
Peanut is already taking after his or her father.

And if you're still eager for more, Jeremy made a really cute video of the best parts of our Week 12 Ultrasound. It's only 2 minutes, and I must say, I've watched it about a hundred times. Hope you enjoy it, too. 

Baby Bolton - 12 Weeks from Nicole Bolton on Vimeo.

More updates to come soon!