As I’m sure most of you already know via Facebook, etc. – Dan and I went for our 18 week ultrasound last week and found out baby Richards is a girl! It was really nice because we were able to do the ultrasound on vacation in Florida, and were allowed to bring my parents, and my grandmother into the room with us. Everyone was so excited, and it was really an awesome moment to be able to share with our family. Even though the vast majority of friends and family predicted we were having a boy (props to Taryn, Stacy and Traci for being the only friends who predicted a girl) – the ultrasound tech was 100% sure we’re having a little baby girl – and I for one, could not be more excited! Bring on the tutus and headbands!

Even though I know girls bring their own set of drama and emotional torture – I’ve always dreamed of having a little girl who will someday grow up to be a strong, powerful woman who values her family, her relationships, her work, and her passions. I know this family she is being born into has plenty of wonderful role models for her to look up to. I’m also excited for Dan, who now has a little girl to nurture, protect, and thoroughly embarrass. Our close friends are also having a baby girl this April – and I’m so excited for the “tough guy daddys” to take their little girls to all the princess parties (and soccer games and dirt bike tracks and football practices). It really is amazing when you go from saying, “we’re having a baby” to “we’re having a daughter.” It seems so surreal that this is actually happening and in 5 months we will have a little baby in our arms.

The only downside of having a girl – we totally had a boy name all picked out, and now we are back to square one on girls names. So any and all suggestions are welcome 🙂

In addition to finding out baby Richards is a girl – we also went on vacation to Florida last week which was so awesome. We pretty much sat by the pool every day and did nothing besides swim, tan and eat. The frozen yogurt bar at the pool was definitely a highlight of the trip for me. Now it’s back to reality, back to work – and back to “normal” life for about 5 more months until I know everything is going to completely turn on its head.

We couldn’t be more excited.

Here’s this week’s chart:

How far along? 19 Weeks

Total weight gain: 5 lbs (3 lbs this week, vacation and a frozen yogurt bar will do that to you)
Maternity clothes?  yep and they are so comfy
Stretch marks? thankfully not yet
Sleep: not horrible
Best moment this week: finding out baby Richards is a girl!
Miss Anything? Looking cute in a bathing suit, hot dogs
Movement: Lots of little kicks, getting stronger every day 🙂
Food cravings: hot dogs – and I can’t eat them!
Anything making you queasy or sick: not too bad this week
Gender: It’s a girl!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: heartburn and acid reflux – YUCK!
Belly Button in or out? in (but belly button ring is out, per doctor’s advice)
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: Starting our registry and buying some baby girl gear!

On that note – while I am trying not to buy clothes since I know we will get lots and lots of hand-me-downs – I did buy one little outfit for baby Richards after finding out she was a girl. I got this adorable onesie tutu with a matching headband for her to wear to my best friend Taryn’s wedding in September. I mean really, this is too cute.