http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fg4m_q_K6TA

The ultrasound appointment where we find out the sex of the baby!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OerySa5UbdA

Before the Doctor's appointment in the car.

Riley - my daughter,

Well from the moment I found out you were going to be my daughter I have been trying to figure out how I am going to raise a girl. At first I was suprised because you have broken the Lipp string of boys, but now I am starting to think of all the cool things we can do together. I plan on teaching you everything from kicking a soccer ball (very important) to playing poker to building a campfire. Of course I know we will do some girl stuff too, I just don't know too much girl stuff yet. I am sure you will teach me those things along the way. You see the only little girl I got to see grow up was your Aunt Courtney and I wasn't around too much to see everything. Speaking of your Aunts and Uncles here is what you need to know:

Uncle Travis - Wanted us to name you Travisina...need I say more. Yes, he is good with the ladies so if you ever bring home a boy like him you will be grounded until you are 30.

Uncle Matt - Will probably have the coolest car out of all of us. You are not allowed to learn how to drive with him. You can however ask him school questions because he is the smartest (according to his SATs) out of all of us.

Uncle Mike - Yes he is tall, but he was the first one to ask about you. I think he is excited about you and you can probably get him to do whatever you want. Just don't take advantage of that.

Uncle Blake "Bubba" - He just went to FAU to become an Owl. I think he played every sport in high school so hopefully he can teach you some of his moves so you can be our little All-star.

Aunt Courtney - She loves to bake, but won't eat any of her own cooking! Despite her sometimes tough exterior she is very much looking forward to seeing you and playing with you. She was a prom and beauty queen so I bet she will share some of those secrets with you.

Aunt Chrissy - She has an amazing ability to text while doing basically anything else. In case texting isn't cool when you finally read this just know that all the cool kids are doing it in 2009. She will teach you all about make-up, fashion and Brittney Spears and she will always want to do you hair...just indulge her,but don't let her break out the crazy colors!

I can't wait until I can feel everything your mom is feeling right now. I did feel you kick the other day, but she keeps bragging about how strong your kicks are and how much she can feel. I let her enjoy you now because I know when you arrive you are going to be Daddy's little girl....and I can't wait. Just hurry up and get here so I can hold you and love on you.

Lots of love,

Dad

You won't be a daddy's girl, you'll be mommy's #1 girl. Daddy's are boring and mean, Mommy's are fun and cool. I'm teasing, just know that we will both want you to love us most. Your daddy is an amazing man and I wouldn't be surprised if you turned out to be a daddy's girl. Just don't break his heart, he already loves you so much! Your daddy loves sports and is very competitive. He is also a daddy's boy and loves your grandpa like crazy :) Your daddy isn't just athletic though, he's very smart and funny, but by the time you're reading this you'll already know that. He's going to be a wonderful father for you and we are both SO lucky to have him. He's out buying us icecream right now because my throat hurts.... You should marry someone just like dad! Love you lots little Cat.

Mom

Baby-

I've started to feel your first movements recently and it feels like my stomach is winking at me. It makes me smile and even your daddy, though he can't feel you kicking yet is as excited as I am. I've been thinking about you a lot and can't wait to hold you in my arms for the first time. Daddy and I are planning out all the things we want to show you and teach you. He doesn't think David Bowie was relevant enough to bother sharing but I think he's wrong. You will be exposed to all sorts of good music and food and sights. Our primary concerns right now are that Maggie the cat will hunt you. We will try to stop her. I hope you will learn to love us half as much as we already love you. You are so wanted and you have a huge family ready to welcome you into the world.

Love,

Mom

Well the visit today was the most boring visit yet. Not only did we not get to find out what "it" is, we also got the pleasure of waiting in the stupid little room for 30 minutes before anyone came into see us and we got to see yet another new doctor (we liked the first one, but they said we had to meet the whole team...ughhh). Next appointment is in 30 days and we should find out the sex during that visit. That will be the most exciting one, making up for this one we hope :)

Well the appointment today was very cool. Not only was the baby kicking, jumping, squirming but we also saw the little arms moving. Baby was putting his/her hands into little fists and holding them against its head. It seems like he/she was scheming as to how to escape his/her current confines saying to his/herself thinkbaby think. The ultrasound tech also checked between the legs. Although it is still to early to call we did see a small buldge, but the tech said there was nothing distinct enough to say for sure. Those of you who haven't voted in the poll for which sex the baby will be we have on this site please do so because there may not be too much more time before we actually know. Some family members are already convinced after looking at the ultrasound pictures that the buldge means boy, but we aren't ready to make that call yet. We will keep everyone updated on the progress as we go.

Today was absolutely amazing. We did the ultrasound and saw a fully formed beautiful bouncing baby! He/she was like a little gymnist kicking and punching and turning this way and that. We could see the long legs and hands with fingers waving. We saw baby pull his fist up to his face and it looked like he/she had the hiccups! Full body spasms just like when a dog gets the hiccups :) There was a little nose and chin and mouth, full profile. So cute!! We have pictures and will load them as soon as we can. Everything feels a little more real now! Can't wait to hold Riley in my arms.

Love,

Mom

Going, Going almost gone. Morning sickness is gone and energy is returning. Looks like the second trimester is going to be great! We've started the belly pictures and plan to continue updating those as we go. Maybe Daddy will let me shower before the next one :) Our next appointment is in just over a week and we are looking forward to it. Can't wait to see baby again, we're getting quite attached to our little plum.