The Second Month of Pregnancy: Your Kid Has a Face.

Alright, Amigo. You’ve gotten through the first month – welcome to month two of your pregnancy. I know, pregnancy has been a breeze for you both so far, right? Almost nothing has changed, however you’re both nervous, excited and scared as hell not knowing what’s to come.

Chances are you’ve had some variations of these conversations:

• Do you want to know whether it’s a boy or a girl??
  • I think so, but wouldn’t you rather be surprised instead?
• Well, it’ll be a surprise at the ultrasound, won’t it?
  • But waiting can be fun.
• Yeah, but do you want some ridiculous gender neutral – pale green or yellow nursery when we can just find  out now and save ourselves a repainting gig down the line??
  • But that’s the way people did it for centuries! They waited to find out! Accuracy of baby gender prediction is discussed in this article.
• They also burned witches and bathed yearly. Times change.

Or

• Should we tell anyone now, or wait for three months? I’m only going to tell my mom.
  • Uhhhh…. I accidentally just posted it to Facebook.
• YOU STUPID F………..

So, based on the above conversations, you’re right on track when it comes to your relationship dynamics. But what is ACTUALLY happening now that things are really moving along with your new dude or wahini?

Well, to start let’s explore what your lady will be going through because right now, nothing’s physically changing for you, unless you finally started going to the gym (to stave off the sympathy weight) like you swore.

And we all know that hasn’t happened.

• As previously mentioned, your ladies (boobs) might be starting to feel sore. Also, congratulations are in order, as they’re probably growing. Calm down, they’re not growing for you. Oh, and we can’t forget about the darkening of the areolas.
• Month 2 is generally when morning sickness starts to rear its ugly head. This can range from mild unpleasantness to “worst tequila hangover ever experienced, while on a Tilt-A-Whirl during a nasty bout of seafood-induced food poisoning.” So take that into account on the mornings when you think she might be overly dramatic, dummy.
• Your baby has transformed from a small blob of cells to a larger blob of cells that has ears and a mouth. Like Pizza The Hut, but on a microscopic level.
• Your baby also has a tail. Sorry creationists.
• Your baby can move now, too. It likes to move it move it…it likes to move it move it…it likes to move it move it. It likes to………… MOVE IT!

Now’s a great time to start making lists of a bunch of things you’ll need your growing family. Think about consulting a financial planner. You’ll want to get this out of the way before the crazy times begin, and it’s not very far off at all. These wildlings are even more expensive than repairs on that 4th hand Volvo you bought in college. It’s never too soon to learn to budget and save for the unexpected.

Review things in your own life. Where are you living?

Where do you want to live when you have kids. Sure your apartment is great now, but walking distance to your favorite Shwarma joint won’t be as high a priority as “am I near a good school system” or “do I have access to affordable daycare in this area??”. Suddenly living in the raddest part of Brooklyn isn’t so rad, is it Hipster McVestwithjeans? Take a look at your car (especially if it’s your house). Your health plan. Support networks. If things aren’t up to par, NOW is the time to start making moves to correct it. Believe me, those things get infinitely more complicated once the baby arrives.

Stay tuned in to mom’s nausea, drooling (excess saliva), frequent urination, fatigue and bloating – she might need some encouragement on taking a nap OR for you to hold a catch-basin under her chin while you watch TV at night.

Aside from that, you’re doing great. But if last month was the calm before the storm, this month is the gathering breeze off the ocean. The fun stuff is yet to come.