Very Hungry Caterpillar Shower

Yay, today was my first baby shower! Risotto is already getting set with great clothes, daipers and gear from my work friends. I am so grateful to Jacquie, Jenn, Marianne, Tanya and Andrea for their enthusiasm about my son-to-be and their desire to help celebrate him. What a day! 


We received name suggestions from the crowd. A few favorites: 
Baby Name: Akaloa, To bring him good fortune (Akaloa is our biggest funder, and on whose grants I spend the most time. Clever, Teri!)
Baby Name: Ricardo, Because it is his destiny (Ricardo)
Baby Name: Joe IV, Best name in the entire world (Joe)
Baby Name: Saffron, It is beautiful and logical (Wendelien)
Baby Name: Ricky Bobby, Because it's awesome! (Andie)



Guests were asked to list their wishes for Baby "Risotto" Rice. What a spectrum of advice!

I hope you learn: to embrace life's mysteries, to have fun, another language, to be as amazing as your folks, to play nice with others, what the world has to teach, to ride a bike, CPR and First Aid, to whistle, to cook, to speak Italian, to trust God's plan for you, some funny jokes, Red Cross messaging
I hope you aren't afraid: without reason, to help, of anything, of the dark, of clowns (3 people wrote that!), to have adventures, to try, of failure, of taxes, of spiders, to cry!, to be afraid, to give blood
I hope you love: and are loved in return, lots, yo mamma - no doubt!, butterflies, chocolate :), life and your parents - even when they say "no" to you, Chance as much as mom does
I hope you get: to be on TV for the Red Cross, to travel the world, to see a real caterpillar, to play music and football, your mom's love of writing, sleep, to sleep through the night (early on), to go to Disneyland every year, rich!
I hope you laugh: at everything, at yourself!, often, harder than your Dad, often and loudly, at your parents, with joy, all the time!!
I hope you never forget: cherished memories, to smile, to be thankful, birthdays, to brush your teeth, how much you are loved, your passport, how to be silly, how important you are, God loves you
I hope you ignore: peas - they are the worst, doubters, bullies, your flaws, bad drivers, anyone who tells you that you can't do something
I hope you become: president! elderly - in a good way!! happy, a great leader, a master cupcake maker, a magician, a pirate arrrr!, a rock star
I hope you respect: the Red Cross & volunteer, those who earn it, life, mother nature, animals, your Mom and Dad, the body and mind God gave you
I hope you grow: up to be smart just like your mama, strong, your own veggies & fruits, to be confident, up to be happy, to be tall, flowers for your mom, up a gentleman, to love the Red Cross



Ah, the decor... Jacquie headed the party planning committee and her attention to detail, craftiness (and excellent utilization of Pinterest) was clear. 









The caterpillar cake pops and cupcakes were SUBLIME. Justin and I were really bummed when we ran out of leftovers. 

 

Thanks again Jacquie! What a fun day - you raised the bar on work parties!

Risotto is set with his Red Cross gear. Future volunteer? We'll see!

Thanks for the photos, Kat!

Risotto: Expands in the Tummy

I haven’t been great about updating along the way with how I’m feeling – probably in part because I feel great so there’s not too much to say!– so I’ll make up for it with some proof of Risotto growing along the way.

August 18, 2012 - Nearing the end of my first trimester - what bump? 

 Week 20 (10/12/12)– With Justin in Boulder, Colorado

Week 21 (10/18/12)– With great long-time friends Anne and Megan and their little ones, Logan, Kianna and Tzeitel

Week 23 - Halloween!

Week 24 (11/4/12)– Visiting with my parents

Week 25 (11/10/12) – With Sarah, whose baby girl Samantha joined us in late November

Week 26 – Thanksgiving! So very much to be thankful for this year

 

Week 31 (12/27/12)– Post-Christmas Staycation Babymoon at the Hilton Bayfront and with a visit to the Hotel Del Coronado

Justin and I are so excited and anticipatory with the idea of meeting our son. It’s amazing to know that we’ll become parents sometime in the next 5 to 9 weeks, and to know that we have no idea of what that’s going to mean. But we know it will be wonderful – only Justin and I could have made this particularly amazing human being,and no one has ever birthed, raised and loved him before. What a privilege to be his mom! I can’t wait to watch him learn and help him discover the world. 

Christmas Thoughts

Oh, Risotto... being pregnant with you at Christmastime is such a joy. Singing all the songs in church about a newborn baby boy both overwhelm me and bring such happiness... I've never felt a kinship with Mary before. Though I'm grateful I won't likely be riding any donkeys during my 9th month of pregnancy, I can imagine her wonder and amazement at knowing she would soon birth her son. I love feeling you move all the time. A few days ago, Justin and I were hugging and you kicked so strongly that he felt you on his belly! Thanks for sharing the excitement of your movements with him. We love you so much already and can't wait to meet you in a few months. Feel free to stay comfy in my tummy for as long as you need, and know that we will do all we can to make your entrance into this world a comfortable and easy one.

Measurements:
Weight - 15 pounds 
Belly button - 3" (I think, haven't measured lately!)

Tummy Wiggles

I felt you today! I think I've felt you before, but today was the first time I really knew. Today was our Real Heroes breakfast for work, so I don't know if it was my arising at 4:30 am (I hope not!) or the Splenda in my coffee that encouraged you, but your wiggling felt like you were blowing bubbles in my belly. Your movements made me smile so big! My colleagues were excited for us too - especially Ann, who is a few months further along in her pregnancy. I know logically you're growing in there, and feeling you today was such amazing confirmation that you really exist. I can't wait for Justin to feel you too!

Measurements:
Weight - 5 pounds 
Waist - 1 inch

It's a...

Boy! Oh boy! He's really in there! And he's a he! What a perfectly made little wonderful boy we will have!

Ticker: Birthday! Risotto

Baby Risotto is on the Way!

Things you may want to know:
- Risotto is already so loved, and we are blessed to have so many amazing people in our lives who are looking forward to our new addition. Thank you for loving us and the baby-to-be!
- Being pregnant is fun! It's been amazing to watch my body change, and it's barely even started doing that yet.
- I will be 15 weeks along tomorrow - one week into the second trimester! No nausea or nutty pregnancy symptoms yet, besides being pretty tired during my first trimester. I'm all for taking naps and resting because I anticipate my free time will be limited soon.
- Proof this child exists:

We learned we are going to parents the morning after we got back from Italy, June 23, 2012. Not everyone gets such a great souvenir, so since we are American Rices and the baby is an Italian Rice, we are calling him or her Risotto for now. It has such a nice ring to it.
- Yes, we are planning to find out the baby's gender.
- No, we don't really have names picked out yet. Might as well narrow them down by 50% before we get serious about that.
- A little more proof:

Measurements:

Weight: 0

Belly Button: 0

Belly: 1.5”