Riley-

I didn't realize how happy I am about having a daughter until I was at the store today. I saw a mother with her son and I watched as he smacked her rump and threatened to fart on her. I almost said outloud "Thank goodness I'm having a girl" but I didn't want to offend her :) I will still be happy if we end up with a boy later on but I'm glad that you will be our first.

Well, we had an appointment with your Pediatrician today and I think we're ready for you... I think. Your bag is packed but I still need to pack mine and daddy's. We found out that you weigh about 5lbs 12 ounces now and your head is 11 centimeters from back to front! Ouch, I only have about 10 centimeters worth of room so you'll be coming out with quite the headache. Only around 3 weeks left until we get to meet you and we are equally thrilled and nervous. I'm worried about the labor and daddy is worried about everything else!

Stay strong and don't grow too much bigger!!

Love you lots,

Mom

Riley-

We are getting closer and closer to the big day and I find myself tearing up with joy when I fantasize about the moment I first get to hold you in my arms. Daddy is already fighting me for rights to hold you and even though I've carried you for 8 1/2 months I don't want to give you up. Don't get me wrong, your daddy will be the best in the world, but I already know how empty my arms will feel when someone else is holding you. Maybe daddy can hold you when it's diaper time.... maybe.

You are very active lately and we can see my stomach moving back and forth while you try to get comfortable. Soon we'll make the mold of my tummy so you can see where you grew.

I love you so much already and I know that love will only grow stronger after you arrive and we get used to each other :)

Love,

Mom

Riley-

I had the most beautiful dream about you last night. You were just an infant and I was holding you in my arms. We were both trying to figure out how to nurse and your face was so soft and sweet. You fell asleep as I was holding you and it was so peaceful. I can't wait for the real thing!

Love you lots

Mom

Hey Little Lady!

We had a great weekend in Florida and are looking forward to having you out to cheer for daddy at his next Alumni Soccer game! There are lots of people waiting to meet you and our buddy Jason bought you some REALLY cute UF onsies for you to sport around town :)

Let's see, what's new with you? You get the hiccups a lot and sometimes I have to jump up and down to make them go away. You twist and turn a good deal and sometimes I can tickle your foot or arm and you will pull away from me. You're getting heavier to carry around and you like to stay really low so I'm hoping we'll have an easy birth. We have a baby shower coming up soon and there are a LOT of people planning on attending! You're a lucky little girl to have so much family and friends eager for your arrival! Your nursery is waiting for you and daddy and I walk in there everyday to look around and mentally picture you. Everything we do these days we would rather be doing with you in our arms. We're excited, scared and nervous, everything first time parents should be. We're also pretty confident though. I know we'll be great with you. We have lots of love to give you and you are going to be such a wonderful way to begin our family!

7 weeks and counting.....

Love,

Mom

Riley,

Well as your mom pointed out in the last post we got to actaully see you this past weekend. You have the biggest baby feet we have seen (not that we have seen that many). You Uncle Mike was thinking about nicknaming you Bigfoot, Sassquatch or Chrissy because of your huge feet, but don't worry we won't let him. You were adorable all nestled up against your momma's back, but we saw your fingers and mouth and eyes. You even yawned and sucked your thumb! We can't wait to see you.

Daddy

Hey you sweet thing you! We finally got you into a position where we could get some good pictures of you yesterday. You were so cute yawning and putting your fingers into your mouth. They say you are stubborn but c'mon, you had no idea what we were trying to do out here. You do look like you have HUGE feet though and maybe that's why your kicks are so strong! You can go shoe (boat) shopping with Aunt Chrissy and Grandma Lipp. Your Aunt Chrissy had a dream about you recenty and said you were beautiful with blonde hair and blue eyes, we'll see if she's right. Your daddy is obsessed with who you are going to look like, act like, think like. We are just excited to meet you after all this wait time. You will be your own independent person and we know we'll love you SO much!

Love you,

Mom, momma, mum, mommy, what will you call me?

Riley,

We really wanted to see what you looked lke today, but you had different ideas. Your mom says that you have been so active the past few days that apparently you wore yourself out. When we went for the 3-D/4-D ultrasound you were in the perfect position - not to be seen! Your little face was bury in your mothers back and all we could really see was you giving us a "peace sign" with your fingers and we caught a glimpse of an ear....woooo hooo! Maybe that was baby sign language for go away. The doctor poked and proded on your mama's belly, but you weren't going to move an inch for us to see your face....stubborn just like your mom. So we are going to try this again young lady on Saturday and you better be ready to say hi to the camera. Until Saturday be good, be safe and be nice to your mother's belly.

We can't wait to actually see who you look like.

Love,

Dad

Well my little Valentine, we had another doctor's appointment today and everything went smoothly. The doc said we were perfect (I already knew that). She asked if you were active and I told her you move ALL the time. You've just started to kick me in the ribs though which is a little uncomfortable....

Your nursery is coming along. I painted everything I can reach because daddy won't let me stand on any ladders or chairs. I've also been working on your bedding! I'm learning how to sew because I want your room to have a lot of handmade items that are full of love!

We'll see you in just over 15 weeks, don't be late!

Love,

Mom