and the color of the pumpkin is...

Pink!

Pumpkin is officially a girl, no doubt about it. She is also extremely active, to the point that the tech, who sees hundreds of babies, commented on how squirmy she was. Pumpkin is very nearly perfect. She's growing well, and the only thing the doctor wants to watch is her kidneys (he says that due to the fact that some of the valves aren't fully formed, she's having some reflux. But in 85% of babies with this condition, the issue corrects itself before birth, so it's just something to watch for now).

Pumpkin also officially has a name, Vivian Bliss Manfredi. Baby Viv's middle name is the same as my grandfather's, just as Eliza's middle name was Pearl, after Rich's grandmother.

Rich & I are both thrilled to see how well Pumpkin is growing, and can't wait to meet her this summer.

Stuff & Nonsense

Absolutely no rhyme or reason to this post, just an update so you (my faithful readers) don't assume I have fallen into the abyss.

The Awesome Helicopter Ninja Fanclub is officially open for business. You know you want to.

Progress on Pumpkin's quilt is coming along.
Deano has decided that, since Pumpkin isn't here yet, he might as well break it in. The appliques are all sewn on, so now the actual quilting can begin, except that I seem to have misplaced the fabric I cut for the backing. So it's back to the fabric store I go.

Progress on Pumpkin is coming along, too. I'm almost 20 weeks along, and on Wednesday morning, we get to have another ultrasound and hopefully get a gender confirmation. I'm excited, but there is a kernel of fear, too. I just have to concentrate on all the kicks Pumpkin is giving me to keep me upbeat.

On My Own

Ok, not really on my own, Richard is still around. He's just traveling like a rabid gypsy for the next month or so. Here's his schedule:
March 2-3: Ogden, UT
March 10-13: Austin, TX
March 23-25: Memphis, TN
March 30-April 1: St. Louis, MO
April 6-8: Portland, OR
April 15-19: Las Vegas, NV

This is not normal. But he's trying to get all his business travel over before July, when we'll hopefully be a bit busy.

So I'm on my own, at least for many weekends. But even then, not really. I'm keeping busy seeing friends and being social (what a shock). This Monday, Julia & I will be seeing a live performance of This American Life, complete with a sneak preview of the TAL tv show, which begins airing later this month on Showtime (I knew I paid for those premium channels for a reason). Next weekend, we'll get to see Mel, Grant & baby Mark, when they drive down from the Bay. And the 31st-1st, my lovely friends Carrie & Christa are coming down for a visit. So luckily, my friends are keeping from a life of self-imposed hermitude.

And speaking of getting out of the house, I went back to prenatal yoga on Saturday. My back had been killing me, and walking really wasn't helping, so I needed a safe exercise opportunity that would help me feel better. However, I hadn't been back to my studio since we lost Eliza, and I was very apprehensive. Overall, it was a good experience, and the exercise felt great. I did have a minor panic attack as I walked into the class -- I actually had to walk out and sit down on a bench and do some deep breathing to calm myself down. And it was hard, being around 15 happy, very pregnant women who are so confident that their bodies know what to do in regards to their baby. Even the teacher was 39 weeks pregnant! Hearing everyone chatting about their doulas, and how they are just ready for their pregnancy to be over was just a touch bittersweet. I couldn't help but think, "be careful what you wish for." I know I'm just in a different emotional place because I can't trust that my body knows what to do.

But on the positive side, I'm feeling good, and Pumpkin is kicking away. I have my 20 week ultrasound in 2 weeks, and I'm excited about that. I'm just trying to appreciate every day, every kick, and every opportunity I have to bond with this baby. Yay Pumpkin!

Too cool for school

In case you did not know, I have a very cool husband. Strange, weird, and some might even say off-putting, but definitely cool. And it's officially not just me who thinks so.

Someone not related to either Richard or I actually auctioned off a kickball t-shirt autographed by Richard. And there were several bids. I'm not at all kidding. And someone is actually going to pay $10.50 for the privilege of owning said autograph. Apparently, my husband, he's a star.

And soon, you too could have the privilege of owning your own Richard Manfredi autograph, just by joining the official Awesome Helicopter Ninja Fanclub, the Army of Awesomeness. You know you want to join.