Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Grape


Everyone is so excited for us about you, Risotto. My parents teared up and hugged us and Will can’t wait to be an uncle. You are already so well loved.

You’re only the size of a grape this week – I can only imagine how I’ll feel when you’re big!

We toured UCSD Medical Center, which was interesting. Since I don’t have anything to compare it to yet, I’m somewhat reserving judgment, but it seemed like a good option. I don’t know whether I want to go with a midwife but I do like the idea of a doula. We are touring Mary Birch in two Saturdays and my friends who gave birth there have all said excellent things. Elizabeth said she highly recommends them for anything related to baby producing. J

I’m really looking forward to being done with my first trimester so I can tell Andrea and post on Facebook. It’s going to be really fun to see her reaction, though I am already planning to talk about my plan to have my proposals done for the time I’m on maternity leave. I think I’ll be able to take off the full 3 months. I am so glad we did Aflac and that I’ll get nearly my full paycheck during that time, especially since Justin will probably stop working at We Olive next month or so. We are sorting out our budget to make sure that’s feasible, but we can make it happen. And it'll definitely be what's best for you!

Measurements:
Weight: 0 (again)
I need to find the measuring tape that got put away when we cleaned last J

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Everyone loves you!


Oh Risotto, it has been so much fun sharing about your existence. I am most excited to tell my parents though, whom I will finally see this weekend!  I will have to keep quiet while we spend time together on Saturday and wait for Justin to be with us on Sunday. Since I’ve been able not to tell them so far, I am hopeful I can keep it up for one more day. J

Justin’s parents were pleased and perhaps a bit shocked when we told them via Skype, and Diane wrote a sweet note about the newest littlest Rice in her card to me for my birthday. Justin’s grandparents were particularly sweet, and Grandma Rice already has a blanket for you! She made it with her sewing group at church and decided it was too nice to give away, so she’s been holding it for Baby Risotto. Telling Megan was wonderful, and she is so excited for me and for you and for our family. She’s even making sure she can come down here for my shower and after your birth. Elizabeth and Erika were really excited and happy you are going to join us so soon – right close to Owen’s birthday, but a year later. They have already offered to throw a shower for your birth, which is so sweet. In VERY exciting news, Lauren and Derek are expecting too! They think they’re about a week or so behind us, which is just fun. It’s wonderful to get to share the experience of creation with such dear friends. I am fortunate that my side effects continue to be limited. Besides sleepiness (and a few corresponding naps in the Health & Wellbeing room at work!) and a need to eat something NOW with some frequency, I’ve been feeling fine. I went swimming again this weekend and it didn’t hurt like it did the other day.

Yesterday was our first prenatal appointment, and we got to see you! Justin’s been feeling sick, which I think made the whole thing even more surreal for him. When it was time for your ultrasound, you were 1.79 cm long with a very strong, rapidly beating, fluttering heart – we even got to hear your heartbeat, which was amazing. It was almost like you were contacting us for the first time. Seeing you definitely you feel all the more real. I have the ultrasound pictures on my phone and I sent them off to all sorts of friends who were excited to see you too. Our next ultrasound won’t be until ~18 weeks, so we have a way to go. But that’s when we’ll learn if you’re a boy or a girl! Today I am 8 weeks and 3 days along, and the due date is February  23. It’ll be fun to tell my parents about you the week before my mom’s birthday with you being due the week before my dad’s. Will should be here too this weekend, so everyone will get to find out! You are already so loved, Risotto. A week or so ago, Justin was cuddling me in bed. I asked, “Who’s your baby?” and he said, “You of course!” and then moved his hands to my tummy and said, “And Risotto.” Though my emotions have been running a bit high (I cried seeing models wearing the USA Olympic uniforms. Not Olympians, just models), I am just so excited that you are real. I feel like I’m glowing and though I don’t think anyone at work  probably guesses (and I do drop anti-hints like saying I had two drinks on my birthday – which was true, ½ of a mixed drink and one mock mojito), I also feel like I’m practically wearing a billboard. I am so happy!

I think we will do your nursery in the Very Hungry Caterpillar theme. I have seen some completely adorable ideas along that line, and it will fit whether you are a boy or a girl. So far, I have no idea which you are. I think of you as she sometimes, but since you’re part of me that seems logical. Other times I say he, so who knows? Since you don’t know yet (or rather, your body does but isn’t sharing the information), I think it’s fair that I don’t yet either. Maybe down the line I’ll have a better idea.

I’ve lost some Italy weight – yay! – though I do have a teeny bit of belly I can’t suck in. I don’t think it’s noticeable, probably even hardly to Justin, but I had to do the hair-tie trick to keep my pants together at work. 

It’s been fun checking websites all the time and reading books like “The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy”. I have two pregnancy apps on my phone and can’t wait until we get to announce your existence to the Facebook world. Oh, but telling my parents about you is going to the best. They are going to love you so much and you are going to have so much fun with them. You are going to have TWO Great-Grandparents when you show up next year, and they already love you and are praying for you too. Justin’s parents are as well – you are so well loved already and no one has even met you yet! I guess I have more than anyone, but I can’t wait to see you and get to know who you really are. Oh, Risotto. I love you.

I finished our Italy scrapbook a few nights ago and Justin brought home DELICIOUS gelato last night from a great place in La Jolla. I am so glad that Justin and I got to go on that trip together and have such a wonderful time. You were created in so much love. I guess I smuggled back a baby from Italy! Maybe some day we’ll take you there – but we’ll wait a while so you can appreciate it. And can handle the plane flight.

Measurements:
Weight: -3 (woohoo! goodbye, extra Italy weight!)
Belly Button: 1.5”
Belly: 0.5"