Isabelle

Up until now we've somehow managed to think of "the baby" as just that, a small genderless thing barely recognizable as a human being in the making. We've referred to "it" and "him or her" and, most often, "little whoever." We never thought much about the years beyond infancy, when personality and other traits will start to manifest. Our eager yearnings for the future have been so vague, and we didn't even realize it.

Now all of the sudden there's no "little whoever" anymore, but Isabelle. Cute little Isabelle, who already has fingers and toes, and who regularly lets us know that she's in there by moving all around, stretching her little limbs. Sweet Isabelle, whose adorable, intricate features stand out in the sonogram they printed for us yesterday. My little darling Isabelle, my daughter I can't wait to meet.

We entered a darkened room with an ultrasound machine and two nurses, and 45 minutes later we left with the future taking shape in our minds.