Week 15
11:40 AM
On Sunday, our immediate family gathered together for lunch before our early gender ultrasound appointment. I'm not big on gender reveal parties, but I knew that just sending a text of an ultrasound photo to our first-time-grandparents also wouldn't do. We decided that inviting them to a private ultrasound and "letting my uterus make the reveal" was a great way to compromise.
I brought cupcakes and pins for everyone to wear their guesses- taco or hot dog 😂? After lunch, the future grandparents, my sister and BIL, and our best friends walked across the street with us to the private ultrasound office. Having everyone with us was so special, but because my family's always got the jokes, I couldn't stop laughing and the ultrasound was bumpy at times! The room is set up so that the future mom and dad have their own little TV in the back, and all the "spectators" sit in the front of the room with couches and a much larger TV for them.
With the ultrasound up on the big screen for less than a minute, my sister announced it was a girl, even though the baby was wiggling all over the place. I told her to hush and to let the professional do her job, but just a moment later, I saw it too. Definitely a girl. The room erupted in cheers from the soon-to-be grandparents. I was so thankful to my best friend, Emily, for recording my reaction (even though I told her not to!). I had totally been expecting a boy, but when I saw the tech type in girl, I just immediately began sobbing. Something inside of me broke and I realized how badly I'd wanted a daughter all along. My relationship with my own mom has always been extremely special, complicated, and close. Something about experiencing that for myself as a mom just speaks to me. Suddenly seeing her as my little girl on the screen changed absolutely everything. I haven't been able to stop tearing up all week, just thinking about Daniel with our little girl and how much she will adore him. The two of us taking walks with a tiny lady in pink (if she wants to wear pink of course!). I know she will test me, especially as a naturally moody lady myself. But my heart is just exploding out of my chest! Every five minutes I'm finding myself tearing up and I have to get over it soon or I'm going to turn into a puddle.
With the ultrasound up on the big screen for less than a minute, my sister announced it was a girl, even though the baby was wiggling all over the place. I told her to hush and to let the professional do her job, but just a moment later, I saw it too. Definitely a girl. The room erupted in cheers from the soon-to-be grandparents. I was so thankful to my best friend, Emily, for recording my reaction (even though I told her not to!). I had totally been expecting a boy, but when I saw the tech type in girl, I just immediately began sobbing. Something inside of me broke and I realized how badly I'd wanted a daughter all along. My relationship with my own mom has always been extremely special, complicated, and close. Something about experiencing that for myself as a mom just speaks to me. Suddenly seeing her as my little girl on the screen changed absolutely everything. I haven't been able to stop tearing up all week, just thinking about Daniel with our little girl and how much she will adore him. The two of us taking walks with a tiny lady in pink (if she wants to wear pink of course!). I know she will test me, especially as a naturally moody lady myself. But my heart is just exploding out of my chest! Every five minutes I'm finding myself tearing up and I have to get over it soon or I'm going to turn into a puddle.
We already knew her name... we actually knew her name long before we got married. Probably within the first year of dating. I cannot tell you how weird it is to say it out loud and know she isn't just a hope anymore. She's real. Daniel's maternal grandmother is Frances, and we knew we always wanted to name her for grandma. My sister, Grace, is one of the most special people on this planet, and I knew I wanted to name her to honor Grace, too. There are several other "nods" to other important parts of our lives... Daniel's paternal grandmother was Jackie (thus why we're calling her "Frankie"), my brother in law is John Frank, and Frankie is one of my favorite Bruce Springsteen songs. It just all fit together so nicely. So welcome, Frankie (Frances) Grace Russo. We can't wait to meet you. Sorry in advance for all the crying I'm bound to do.
How far along? 15 weeks
Maternity clothes? My belly made the "pop" about half way through the week. It was seriously like I ate a big meal and it just never went away. No option but maternity clothes now!
Stretch Marks? No, not yet.
Stretch Marks? No, not yet.
Bladder Watch: I feel like I'm spending my life in the bathroom .
Sleep? Not the worst, not the best.
Sleep? Not the worst, not the best.
Best moment(s) this week: Hands down, finding out we're having a DAUGHTER!
Miss Anything? Normal eating habits... I'm starving/so full I could vomit without any middle ground.
Movement: A few flutters at night when I'm laying still, but nothing consistent at all. High probability its still gas.
Food Cravings: I'll stop being absolutely starving soon one day, right?
Food Cravings: I'll stop being absolutely starving soon one day, right?
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Yay, second trimester!
Gender: BABY GIRL 💟
Labor Signs: None
Labor Signs: None
Pregnancy Symptoms: The boobs hurt much worse this week. Like, much much worse. Also, my pelvis feels bruised, but I know its just stretching. I'm getting uncomfortable when eating "normal" sized meals, which bums me out because I'm hungry 45 minutes later. And, of course, the crying.
Belly Button in or out? In
Rings on or off? On, unless I have a salted pretzel (yummmmm)
Happy or Moody most of the time: I am a word more than happy! I cannot believe I'm having a daughter!
Looking forward to: Shopping and registering for Frankie. It's so completely surreal to put a name to her. She was just a blob before! Now she's a human!
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