I was laying my head on Val’s stomach, listening to her insides (that’s normal, right?), and I felt a swift two kicks to the ear. “Woah” was my only reaction as Val laughed. That was the first time I have felt the baby. Then I kept listening and got another kick to the ear. Hahaha. Exciting.
What is a “babymoon” exactly? Well, my book describes it as your last peaceful vacation before the baby is born or before your wife gets too big and uncomfortable to go somewhere fun. And don’t tell her I said “big” or I may get it. So here we are in Pismo Beach, California. I reserved the nicest suite at The Cliffs Resort for the two of us. Today, we spent some time walking on the beach as the sun set, did some shopping — because shopping always seems to make women happy, and had a nice romantic dinner. Tomorrow we will enjoy our “And Baby Makes Three” package at the resort which includes a nice breakfast, couples spa massage, dinner, movie in your room, ice cream, sparkling apple cider, muffins, dinner, and a gift bag. This was actually a belated birthday gift for Val. She deserves it for being an amazing wife. Plus, I just love spending time with her.
This morning, on the way to church with my amazing wife, it suddenly hit me. This year, I will celebrate Father’s Day in a much different way. I mean, I always celebrate Father’s Day, but it is always for my own dad. This year, I will be the father. That seemed so strange and so awesome at the same time. How crazy is that? Me … celebrating Father’s Day … as the father. Consider my mind blown. 16 weeks and 6 days to go.
Well, we went to the new Buy Buy Baby store that just opened up near us to get an idea of what we should be looking for. We played with strollers, car seats, stroller-car seat combos, checked out cribs, dressers, fancy rocking chairs, diaper bags, room decorations, video and audio monitors, and much more. After spending a good deal of time in the store, I have come to one conclusion … this is going to be expensive straight out of the gate.
Despite the dollar signs that kept flying past my eyes, it was cool shopping around. It makes things feel even more real. We feel blessed by Baby Bonilla, but even more blessed knowing that he will be well fed, have a roof over his head, be comfortable and very loved.
Stop kicking your mother or you are going to be put on a timeout! That is all.
We got a lot of compliments on the maternity t-shirt that I made Valerie. She loved it. I even had a few people say that we should sell them. A few people asked over and over. So I went ahead and opened a Cafepess shop that features the maternity t-shirts in all of their wondrous glory. If you choose to get one for yourself or someone that you know, I hope you or that person enjoys it.
Ok, maybe this one doesn’t count just yet. However, it can count for Valerie and I, no? Baby Bonilla has gotten his first Christmas gifts, so people are already thinking of him which makes us so happy.
Here is a gift I made for Valerie. She loved it and wore it all Christmas morning.
Here is a gift from uncle Kevin.
Here is a gift from aunt Erica, uncle Eddie, and baby Bonilla’s cousins.
Our good friends Andrew and Krisleen even sent us some baby gifts when they found out the good news. We are very blessed. Thank you everyone.
Here is baby Bonilla’s first video!
Words cannot express how nervous I was at today’s appointment. Would the baby be healthy? That’s all we really cared about. I was a mess, but trying not to show it too much. Then we saw the baby on the screen. The nurse was searching around, making sure everything was ok. And thank the Lord, everything looked as healthy as it could be. Our prayers were answered.
So without further delay, here are some photos of our baby boy. The Bonilla name will go on! We cannot wait to meet you. Mommy and daddy are so excited!
Baby’s first embarrassing picture (we apologize in advance):
Valerie is now at 19 weeks. We are almost halfway there. She is starting to round out and hopefully baby is nice and comfy in there.
Valerie says that (according to her iPhone app) the baby is now the size of a mango. Growing and growing.
Valerie is feeling more and more movements. Last night, she said, “woah, I think it just did a summersault.” I am still a little envious that I cannot feel anything and she gets to have all of the fun. LOL. I just have to be patient and wait my turn. Her nausea is calming a bit, so that is a good sign. What is funny is that there are still a lot of people that do not even know that she is pregnant. I mean, the immediate families know. Her coworkers and some of our closer friends know because … well … you can tell by looking at her now. We’ll find out the sex later this month so that is exciting. Can’t wait.
Say that over and over really fast. That was the sound I heard today of our baby’s heartbeat. It was the first time that I had heard that sound since October 30th and it made me happy to hear it again.
Going into today’s appointment, I was pretty calm and without a worry in my head … until we sat there in the office and the doctor was getting ready to listen to the heartbeat. Then I got really nervous. However, the sound was there nice and strong and the doctor said, “There’s the heartbeat” and then looked at me and asked “Do you hear it?” Obviously she remembered that I could not make anything out the first time and I had to take her word for it. This time, I heard it loud and clear and it was one of the most powerful sounds I have ever heard in my life. It was that fast paced, yet calming “swoosh” repeating itself over and over.
Everything is looking good so far. Thank you God.
Valerie is now 14 weeks along. It hasn’t been an easy 14 weeks for her since she is always either hungry or nauseous. But she has not let that get her down and is in good spirits. She is such a strong woman and I am so proud of how well she is getting through all of this. She says sometimes she thinks that she can feel the baby moving. Nothing strong. Just a little sensation here and there. Time seems to be going by fast, but at the same time, it cannot go by fast enough … if that makes sense. I guess I am just anxious to finally see the baby.
Here are the photos from the second ultrasound with baby Bonilla at 12 weeks and 2 days. Baby Bonilla was active. The first thing we saw was baby Bonilla waving at us. Then came the kicking, turning, dancing … and I think I saw baby do a jumping jack. Maybe not. But baby was very active today and getting baby to sit still for the camera was difficult, but the nurse was a pro.
It hit me last night, the night before our second ultrasound appointment. I nervous level jumped extremely high. What would we see at the appointment in the morning? Would it be good news? Sitting in the doctor’s office, as it was time to listen for the babu, I grew even more nervous. Trying not to show my nervousness too much, I could see that Valerie was very nervous as well. Here we were, ready to see how this baby was doing. We had been through this once before. I prayed that this time, things would be ok. I had to have faith and I had to try to stay calm.
And then I heard it. Well, the doctor said I heard it. I was not exactly sure what I was hearing. She said, “That’s the baby’s heartbeat.” Ok. If you say so. It sounds like a bunch of static to me. Then Valerie said she heard it too. Ok. If you say so. It sounds like a bunch of static to me. Then I could kind of make out a little swoosh sound within the static. I think I heard it. I mean, you could have told me it was anything and I would have said, “Ok. If you say so.” But I think I heard it too. And at that moment, a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders. After months of wondering, it all became very real again. All of a sudden the excitement and joy hit me and it has been a long time since I have had a great day like this.
Here are the photos from Valerie’s first ultrasound. The two plus signs are them measuring the baby from head to rump. He or she is at 8 weeks and 3 days according to the measurement and the due date is currently May 12, 2013.
Baby Bonilla should now be the size of a lemon. Not sure if that is bigger than a peach, but Val’s iPhone app says that he or she is now the size of a lemon. And I was so proud that Val ate all of her California Pizza Kitchen pizza yesterday. After months of seeing her unable to stomach eating much of anything, her appetite is finally back to normal … more or less.
Here is a picture of baby Bonilla’s first toy. A gift from uncle Eddie, auntie Erica and cousins Esa, Eli, and Elena. A stuffed stuffed sea Chalupa.
With the secret not staying very secret among the Gonzales side of the family, which is expected given the level of excitement, we went ahead and gave my mom the go ahead to start telling my side of the family. She has been itching to spread the news to my aunts and uncles since she found out back in January.
It was so cute. She was super excited when we pushed her “go ahead” date up and told her to feel free to start telling family.
Apparently she immediately started making phone calls to tell everyone she is going to be a grandma.
However, we are still holding off until at least the end of the week to make it common knowledge.
At 12 weeks, baby Bonilla is now the size of a peach. Keep growing little baby and your mommy and I will keep trying our best to take care of you.
Most “experts” suggest that you do not make a pregnancy publicly known until after the 12th week, which is the end of the first trimester. After the 12th week is when the chances of complications drastically decrease. Well, Val is sitting at 11 weeks now so we are closing in on that timeframe.
People do know. My immediate family knows. Val’s immediate family and a few other members of her family know. Two of Val’s closest friends know. Val’s parents’ neighbors know. Imagine the confusion on my face when they congratulated Val. I think my mom’s dentist knows. Not sure I understand that one, but that’s fine too. A couple of Val’s coworkers know (they found out) as well as her boss. I’ve even agreed to give my mom a window to be able to be the first to tell my aunts and uncles before we made it public knowledge.
Sadly, none of my closest friends know. I have not even had an opportunity to the best man from my wedding, one of my closest friends … next to Val of course. Our schedules have just conflicted and it seems strange to tell him over email. Regardless, with the first trimester coming to a close soon, we will be able to make it public knowledge.
Val is still being strong, healthy, and amazing as usual.
Our baby is now the size of a large plum. I have to remember to look at one the next time I am at the grocery store to see just how big that is. I don’t eat a lot of plums.
Watch out kid. With the way you have been making your mommy feel, you may get grounded right after you come out. Already in trouble and you are not even born yet. Sounds like my child alright.
Yeah. Our baby will be representin’. We found out Val was pregnant back in January. It was a week before our trip to San Francisco to watch the 49ers and Saints play in the second round of the playoffs. Right when we landed (the day before the game), I was insistent that we immediately go to The Shops at Tanforan in San Bruno to look for baby 49ers clothes. The two sets to the left, which include three 49ers onesies, two 49ers beanies, a 49ers bib and booties, came from there. The little jacket and sweat pants came from Target in San Lorenzo. They are adorable.
When walking back to our car from The Shops at Tanforan with the baby clothes in hand, it finally really hit me for the first time how real it was. That was my first truly emotional moment. The second was seeing and hearing my baby’s heartbeat last week.
For our Bay Area friends who eventually see this, yes, we already knew Val was pregnant at this game. That is why she did not drink at the tailgate (anyone notice that?). The words on the fan towel I am holding seemed very appropriate.
