Baby's first photoshoot

September 29, 2009 was the first time I saw you. I was so nervous going in for the ultrasound that it had all been a mistake and I wasn't really pregnant. You see, I wanted you so badly that I thought maybe this was all too good to be true. But there you were...and you were MOVING! Your tiny little legs and arms waving to a beat only you could hear. Thinking back now I can't believe those were the same little arms and legs that I kiss every night with their sweet, soft, tiny fingers and toes.

When we got home I sent the following email to all of my girlfriends and your future aunties:

Dear Aunties,

I just had my first picture taken yesterday and I wanted to see what you think.  The doctor described me as looking like Glinda the good witch in my little bubble which made my mom very happy as she loves Wizard of Oz references.  I even danced a little for my mom and dad to show them how much I like it in here and showed off my little heartbeat which my dad says looks like a butterfly. The pictures don't really do me justice as I promise I am not a fuzzy blob, but well, you get the idea.  Oh also, I thought it would be REALLY funny to make my due date April 26th and steal my mom's birthday, I am hilarious. Ok, love you all, I promise to tell you in about 10 weeks weather I am a boy or a girl! Hehe, I already know, but I'M NOT TELLING! I won't even tell the doctor until then, I am sneaky.

See you in 6 1/2 months!

Lots of love,
Peanut

You can see that your original due date based on size was 4/30/10, which they later adjusted to 4/26/10 (my 28th birthday!) Little did they know you would choose another holiday for your arrival.

A closer look (Nani said you looked like an owl holding a beer)

Here are some of the responses we received:

Dearest Peanut,

I am soooooooo excited for you to get here and your aunties cannot wait to teach you the ways of the world.  Auntie Jess will be waiting to accessorize you the second you come out.  Always remember, when you're having a bad day... just have mommy take you to Nordstroms, its a magical place.  And when you get older, Auntie Smita will teach you how to use those vocal cords to wooo the opposite sex.  That's how Auntie Smita landed her husband, Justin Timberlake.  Auntie Lisa will teach you all about football and beer (when you're old enough) and she'll be like your other mommy because, hello, you are best friend's with her little one.  Auntie Beth & Paula will tell you all sorts of secrets about your mommy when she was little when you visit them every year when mommy and daddy need some "alone time."  Most importantly, you need to know that you can always ask Auntie Emily anything you want.  She knows about everything.  As for me, I'm not allowed to hold you until you're three... but as soon as you can walk, I'm going to teach you how to run.  And later on, if you're lucky, I'll teach you how to sneak out of your bedroom to go to a party.  That is a very important life skill.  But that's going to be our little secret, ok?

Can't wait to meet you!

Auntie Mo


Ashley M.:
   
Mamma Chelsea!!!  Glinda (or Glindo, if it's a boy) looks beautiful!  I can't believe you got to see the babe already in there.  Have you started telling people yet, or are we still sworn to secrecy? More pictures please! :D

Love you


Smita S.:
   
PEANUT! I CANNOT WAIT TO MEEEEEET YOU!!! ahhhh you're cuter than your mom! ;-) xoxoxoxxoxo


Beth K.:
   
Yayayayayyayayayaayayayyayay!!!!!!!!!!!!


Emily J.:
   
Dear Peanut,
You are already an adorable little nugget.  I love you SO much and you are going to be the most spoiled nugget in the world.  I'm going to put your pictures on my bulletin board at work so that all my kiddos can see you.  Can't wait to meet you!  Be nice to your mommy.

Love, Auntie Em


Lisa M.:

Such a cute e-mail Chels!  I cant wait until our Peanuts can play :)  I love that your due date is your bday, now I wont forget!

Lisa


Paula:

Oh my gosh!!! I am so excited I can hardly stand it. Love you so much, tell your momma she better give you lots of good stuff so you are a cute lil' chunky monkey!!!!


Natalia F.:

Well Hello, Peanut!

Aren’t you just the cutest little thing!  You would steal your momma’s birthday, wouldn’t you – you little stinker!  (…I like you already!  Hehehe)

Don’t even worry about your gender now, you’ll have plenty of time to deal with THAT once yr out of the womb!

Love you,
Auntie Tal


Lauren F.:
   
Well hello there, Peanut! You look like you're going to be the cutest little thing in about 6 months! We can't wait to buy you lots of toys and onesies! Maybe we should start calling you Glinda? You can get back to me on that.

xoxo
Lauren


Katie W.:
   
This is sooooooooooooo exciting!  -- You are going to have the best parents in the world!!!! -- (and the best aunties :)

Congrats Chels and Ryan!!  Keep us posted every step of the way!  (except for the gross stuff... although I should probably know about that stuff too)

Love you guys so much!  -- I had a wonderful time Sunday!
xoxo Auntie Katie (i like it :)


Krista W.:

you are so photogenic! must take after the mum and pops and aunties! :)


Dana F.:
   
WEll Hello Peanut! It's wonderful to hear from you, you look comfy cozy in your mama's belly. Kevin and I can see where you get your name : )
Can't believe you'll be entering the world in 6 months! We best start preparing for your arrival

Can't wait for our next message from the womb : )

Lots of Love to you, mom and dad!

Auntie Dana xo


Nicole P.:

Hello Peanut!

Aren't you just the cutest thing ever?  You have a lot of anxious aunties out here getting more and more excited every day for your arrival.  Boy are you going to be one spoiled little kid. :)  We love the Wizard of Oz references too, so your doctor must be a good one.  Can't wait to meet you in just over 6 months!!

xoxo
Auntie Nicole


Meghan B.:

I can't get over that there is a little person living inside you. Amazing!


Kaitlin V.:

Congrats!  Glad to hear everything is going well:) Congrats again to both of you!

-k


Katy C.:

So amazing Chelsea!!  I am so excited for you.  Tell us as soon as you find out the sex.  Little selfish peanut stealing your b-day!!!  Hopefully I will get to see the little one sometime soon after it is born :)

love you
Katy Co


Kristen T.:

Oh my god!  So amazing!  I can't wait to meet you Peanut :)


April G.:

Chelsea!!  It's so amazing!!  I love it!!  Maybe the peanut will decide to come 2 weeks early and steal my thunder instead...ha ha!!  Lots of love to you, Ryan, and Peanut.  :c)


Emily C.:

Peanut is getting big!! What a cutie. I feel so honored to have already spoken with him/her.  Can't wait to meet you too, P-dogg!


Thalia S.:

Peanut, it's so nice to see you!!  I am looking forward to holding you in a year! Your mom threatens to sit me down and make me do it earlier, but I am planning to wait until you are a solid little nugget.  You have a lot of us to meet and just like in Sleeping Beauty with the little fairies each of your aunties will bless you with a gift we will help you to develop.  I plan to help you with the gift of "playerness".  Whether you are a boy or a girl you will be an undercover 'playa' and know how to get whoever and whatever you want.  You will be charming and beautiful and of course, since your mom is a DG and it is in her blood which she is passing on to you, you will be able to drink beer like a DG and handle your liquor.  This drinking talent of course will have to wait a number of years, but in the meantime you will be quite the little flirt.  I'm pretty sure you will have all your aunties' hearts with just a single yawn and a blink of your eyes.  Looking forward to seeing you nugget, in the meantime your mommy will keep you warm and well-fed.

Lots of love,
Thalia


Kristen T.:

Ooh!  I like the idea of bestowing gifts on the Peanut.

To you Peanut, I bestow the gift of humor: you will forthwith find all poop/fart jokes hilarious (especially when Auntie Thalia clears the room out), love to have spontaneous dance parties involving belly rubs, think the word "horticulture" is real knee-slapper, and die laughing when one of your clumsy aunties does something stupid (which will happen a lot).

I have to admit, Peanut, I might be a little scared of you... but only at first.  I might have to practice passing Howard to April (Thomas is too fat) to make sure I practice supporting your little neck, but I'm ready for the challenge because I have a feeling I won't want to give you back once I get to hold you.

For your first gift, it won't be a pretty silver rattle, or cute little dainty pair of shoes.  No, I will be giving you a martini mixer and make sure you know how to use it by the tender age of 5 so lazy Auntie Kristen doesn't have to get up off one of Mommy Chelsea's comfy couches.  Okay, okay, your mom might get mad about that.  (But really, we will.  We'll just keep that as our little secret.)
Can't wait to meet you, Peanut.  Stay warm in that belly of yours.

Love, Auntie Kristen


Donita N.:

I loved your letter on little peanut.  I am so happy for you growing your little family.  We look forward to sharing in your joy.  We love you very much.

Grandm


Clover S.:

Ryan & Chelsea-

Congrats!!!! What an exciting time for you. I promise that it only gets better. Being a parent is the best thing ever! I can't wait to hear more from "peanut".

Clover


Tahnee N.:

Sneaky Peanut!  How am I supposed to buy you clothes if you dont tell if you are a boy or a girl :)  Can't wait to meet you!

Tahnee


Tasha M.:

Ryan and Chelsea,

To cute for words!  I am so thrilled for you and really the adventure beyond your comprehension, is unfolding for you both.  Tayler, Tori and Troy each are such blessings and the love I have for them is immeasurable.
This love affair awaiting you will take your breath away!

Tasha


Lisa N.:

Soooooooooo  excited for you guys !!!  Can't wait to meet you Peanut...


Tilena K.:

Love your little story peanut!!! Looking forward to meeting your sweet face.

Thx for sharing!

Tilena