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. J 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"
