Thursday: March 7, 2013 7:53 P.M.

I was washing up the dishes from dinner in the kitchen. Randy wasn't home at the moment because I was having a bit of a craving for pickles, and we didn't have any in the fridge. Randy nobly volunteered to go buy some from the grocery store for me, so I figured that I'd do the dishes. My phone starts to ring. I answer it and put it on speaker, so I can continue washing dishes.

Me: "Hey, what's up? You're on speaker because I'm in the middle of washing dishes."

Chelle: "I figured I'd see how you were doing and let you know that we're sending baby shower invites out on Monday."

Me: "Thank you so much. I really appreciate it."

Chelle: "Of course, I know how busy you already are. I figured taking care of the baby shower stuff would be a lot of help."

Me: "It honestly is."

Chelle: "So what's Randy up to at the moment?"

Me: "He's actually at the grocery store, buying me pickles at the moment."

Chelle: "I understand. I had John doing the same thing when I had cravings."

Me: "Randy is seriously such a good sport about doing things for me. He just finished the nursery. It's absolutely perfect."

Chelle: "Girl, you already know I'm looking in there when we have the baby shower for you."

Me: "I figured as much."

Chelle: "Isn't it exciting though?"

Me: "It really is."

Chelle: "When I was pregnant, none of you fully understood because you haven't been, but it's so crazy getting pregnant and growing a baby inside of you. I'm glad you get it now."

Me: "I'm excited. I just wish Randy and I could agree on a first name."

Chelle: "I'm sure you guys will eventually find the perfect name for the baby."

Me: "Man, I hope so. I'd like to get that decided on sooner than later."

Chelle: "And I'm sure you will. Sounds like mine just woke up, so I'm going to go. Talk soon. Bye."

Me: "Bye."

The call ends. I finish washing dishes and start putting the dishes away.

"Did Dad leave?" Al asks from the kitchen entrance.

I nod. "Yeah, he went to buy me some pickles. He should be back soon. Did you need something?"

"It's about my bedtime, and I was going to tell him goodnight."

"Well, I'm sure it wouldn't hurt anything if you didn't go to bed until he got back."

"Will Dad be okay with that?"

"I don't see why not."

"Okay. Thanks, Rissa."

"Of course. You know what, I kinda want to eat some ice cream. How about we both get a bowl of ice cream and hang out in here until your dad gets back?"

"I was told that I'm not supposed to get into the ice cream."

I get two bowls out and start scooping out some ice cream. "Well, that's because it's my ice cream, but since I'm allowing you to have a bowl, your dad shouldn't have a problem. I'm not going to give you a large amount of ice cream since you need to go to bed though."

"Okay. Thank you."

I pass her a bowl. "Of course. Are you okay? You've been awfully quiet lately."

"I'm just not used to things yet. There's been a lot of change."

I nod. "I know. It's a lot. You can talk to me and your dad if you need to talk though. Okay?"

"Okay. Am I gonna have to share my toys with the baby?"

I laugh. "Maybe eventually. Not when he's first born though. He'll have some toys of his own that are a bit more safe for babies."

"Good. Did you pick a name yet?"

"Not yet, we're still working on that."

"You could name him Pizza."

I laugh. "We'll have to think about that."

Randy walks into the kitchen with a jar of pickles. "Here you go. What are you two doing?"

I smile. "Eating ice cream."

"Of course you are. Kid, you're supposed to be in bed."

"Rissa gave me permission to stay up until you got home, Dad." Al answers.

"I did." I comment.

Randy nods. "Alright then. It looks like you're done, so it's time to brush your teeth and go to bed."

"Can Rissa tuck me in tonight?" Al asks.

Randy glances at me. "Uh, if she's okay with it, that's fine."

I nod. "I am."

"Okay. Goodnight, kid."


I walk back downstairs to find Randy on the couch in the living room. "Hey, I didn't expect her to do that."

Randy gestures for me to sit with him. "Me either, but I'm glad she did. I like seeing you two bond."

I sat down next to him. "That's good. I was concerned because you always tuck her in."

"No big deal. I'm happy with it. Anyway, what are we doing now?"

"I figured we were going to stay up a little longer to watch TV and talk before going to bed."

"That sounds like a great plan." Randy pulls me close.

I lean on him. "It is."

Randy turns the TV on. "Have we discussed godparents at all for the baby?"

"If we did, I don't remember at all."

"Well, who do you want to choose?"

"Chelle and John make the most sense."

"I agree. There we go, decision made."

"I'd like to decide the name sooner than later too."

"I would too, but it's hard even after narrowing down what letter is the first letter."

"I know."

Randy gave me a serious look. "We'll get it figured out. We still have about four months."

I sigh. "I know. I just want it figured out sooner than later."

"I see your point. We'll get it figured out."

I look at Randy. "I just don't want to make that decision last minute."

"We won't. We'll find a name that we both like before it's considered last minute."

"I hope so."

Randy turned the TV off. "We will. I don't know about you, but I am tired. I'm going to bed. Are you joining me?"

I stood up. "I'm always tired. Of course I'm joining you."

Randy grabs my hand as we head upstairs. "If we're lucky, we'll get a full eight hours of sleep."

"That would be nice."