So much happens in a few weeks

It’s been a few weeks since my first post, and a lot has happened. We told our family, select friends, select co-workers and had our first ultrasound. Where to begin…
Telling our families was a surreal experience. We did it on Father’s Day (seems fitting) during a brunch downtown with both sets of parents, our siblings, their significant others and their respective kids (14 people in total).
After everyone sat down, I got up as though I was going to take a picture of the group. If I remember correctly, my exact words were, “One…two…three…everybody say ‘we’re having a baby!’”. The picture / video turned out perfectly and the reactions were priceless: my sister cried, my father-in-law kissed my wife (his daughter) on the cheek, both moms claimed they already knew, my dad seemed genuinely surprised, as did everyone else.
Technically it was my first Father’s Day!
My wife was pretty nervous before our ultrasound. Rightfully, so. You never know what information you will learn. Fortunately this was a great visit.
I’ll never forget the “awwww” that my wife made once we heard the heartbeat. My own heart melted as the sound poured through the speakers. Like a proud father, I took a picture of the ultrasound screen (I didn’t know if the tech was going to give us a printout!).
135 beats per minute. That’s how strong my little one’s heart pumps!
Unfortunately I couldn’t go home with my wife after the appointment, I had to rush to the airport for a conference and some meetings in Boston.
Sitting in my Uber on the way to ORD, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. I wanted to tell everyone. I know you’re not supposed say anything until after the first trimester, but this was agonizing. I resorted to texting the ultrasound pictures to our parents and siblings, their reactions were enough to hold us over!
What comes next? I barely know… But what I do know is that the first trimester is pretty exhausting. Its tough watching my wife be uncomfortable and nauseous, but she’s handling it like a champ !
Since my body is relatively unchanged*, I’ve taken up childcare research. More to come on this topic but I’ll leave you with one thought: there are no shortage of opinions when it comes to childcare ;)
*contemplating growing my belly in solidarity with my wife
