Poll

A recent addition to the blog is the poll on the right-hand side navigation. We're looking to see if our family and friends will match the predictions we've received from strangers. While no official betting pool is in place, please vote if you like. That way, in less than three months you can go, "I told you so." There are few things in life you have a 50% chance of being right.

And, a bonus for me and baby Faw, we don't have to be man-handled in the process:).

p.s. all votes are anonymous

Last getaway?

After many talks of visiting friends in LA, we finally scheduled the trip for this past weekend. During what may be our last major trip before the baby comes, Rob and I had a fantastic time with dear friends. Both Chris, along with his wonderful girlfriend Nickie, and Greg were excellent hosts and made us feel at home.

The weather was rather stubborn as Rob and I took in the sights near where Chris lives in Santa Monica and Venice on Friday but we had a great time walking, people-watching and window shopping before dinner at a beach club (thanks to Nickie) right on the water in Santa Monica.

Saturday, we ventured to a few shops (with help from the very patient Rob and Chris) before heading to the Getty Center, which was pretty spectacular. We couldn't have asked for better weather, views, or architecture, both structural and landscape. It's just sad how quickly Rob and my pale, northwest skin turned pink once exposed to direct sunlight. Saturday night we headed to a great little wine bar in Pasadena with everyone before hanging out on Sunday and getting the tour of the beautiful homes and neighborhoods near Greg's place.

Here are some pictures from the weekend - and yes, bump shots are included.

Browsing in Santa Monica and the views from Palisades Park


Rob and Chris; Chris and Nickie; Rob and me at the Getty Center


Rob and Greg; Rob and me in Pasadena...waiting without reservations for breakfast on Mother's Day. Yes, sometimes we're not very bright.

Six months and counting

It's hard to believe that we're already at the six month mark...going on 25 weeks, pregnancy-ease. For the most part, it seems quick but for the other parts it seems slow. Like most things, I want to have the end result and just meet little Faw, but no, nature requires this slow act called gestation:).

The six month visit to the doctor went well... I am hoping that we have some excuse for another ultrasound soon since there was some shadowing in the last one that didn't let them get an overall view of important organs, like the heart.

For those of us who aren't on the up and up of baby development, here's a little snapshot from babycenter on what's going on this week. Please note that they use the pronoun "she" and not us. I don't want to get anyone excited.

"The baby is almost a foot long (picture an ear of corn), that makes for a pretty lean figure, but her body's filling out proportionally. Your baby's brain is growing rapidly, and her taste buds may be working now. Her lungs are developing "branches" of the respiratory "tree" and cells that produce surfactant, a substance that helps the air sacs inflate easily. Your baby can hear more now, and you may even notice her startle at loud, sudden noises. But she's probably getting used to the regular noises she hears around the house, such as your dog barking or the roar of a vacuum cleaner."

Based on the above regarding the ability to hear, I think baby Faw is on track...Rob and I have been trying to read to the baby a couple of times a week and during a loud and rambunctious reading of one particular book last week, the baby was going crazy with movement. It could have been the Thai food but I like to think he or she was just enjoying the show. We certainly did.

The only not so great news is that I found out our wonderful doctor is leaving to start his own practice (not in obstetrics) and can't finish out with his current patients. We've been referred to someone I hope is equally as good. I guess we were just getting spoiled.

We may post some gratuitous belly shots soon since many have asked. Hopefully this weekend on our trip to warmer territory (LA) we'll have some pictures to share. We're looking forward to seeing friends and the sun, as well as what might be our last trip pre-baby.

Before and after

The last piece of furniture for the baby's room we've been searching for is the rocker. We doubted the whole room could be furnished by Craigslist, but we were wrong. We made another ideal find. It was a ridiculously good deal and after a couple of hours with some great fabric, it's like a brand new chair.

Here's the before:


Here's the after:


It turned out pretty well, and the fabric just makes you want to believe that we'll have sunshine year round. Hopefully it will be a nice little nook for Rob and me to sooth the babes in the future.

Best of friends

Last weekend we were so, so happy to have Rebecca, Cory and Cole visit us. Each time I see Cole, it amazes me how much he grows and changes and remains one of the most adorable little ones ever. I love that we get to see him and his parents at least every month or so even though we're about five hours apart.

Cole the entertainer


The weekend also gave us the opportunity for Buster to get some baby action in his own house. He's always great around kids but we have a feeling he'll be a little less so in the beginning when it comes to a permanent resident.

There were some cute moments and after the first day Buster had certainly warmed up to the idea and was much more curious about Cole. Now we'll just have to get that CD recording of a baby crying for him to listen to since Cole certainly doesn't live up to the stereotypical baby noise level (well this is coming from the people that don't wake up in the middle of the night like his parents).

At first, not so much and then Buster let Cole get a hold of his ear.


I look forward to the days when we live closer to the Badgers since they're such dear friends and also such a great little family. Hopefully Cole will be able to show Baby Faw the ropes when the time comes.

Cole and his lovely mama.

Work in Progress

Here is a little sneak peek into our room preparations for baby Faw. Rob's been oh so great about indulging my design ideas (including my fabric addictions) and the results so far are just what I had in mind. We painted this last Sunday and we both love the color of the room - it's soothing, gender-neutral and will make it easier if we plan to resell the house.

The design and planning for this room has easily been one of my favorite pasttimes during the pregnancy and there's still so many fun things to find and do. I plan to start on the bedding soon which will incorporate the fabrics you see below. We found both the crib and the dresser/changing table on Craigslist, which were a steal. It's pretty cozy in there since part of the room will still serve as a work/sewing area. We have a few art pieces that I have found on Etsy and will also put up some shelving for books and other items, including an heirloom baby plate and spoon from Rob's mom's side of the family.

I will say that not finding out the baby's sex makes for some challenging, but interesting, choices. Since I am such a planner and plotter (as well as someone who would love to open up Christmas gifts two days early), I think I am most surprised by how we're waiting until the end to find out if we're having a boy or girl. I see the benefits of finding out early and at the same time, I am really excited about not knowing. It's also hilarious to hear others' predictions...but not so fun when practical strangers violate my belly to carry out those predictions.

It's a.....baby!

While ultrasound pictures are probably the least demonstrative of what a baby looks like, I still can't help but find the little person inside of me adorable. The above picture is by far the most human-like. The extra little white dot above the nose is actually an arrow the technician inserted to point out that it was, in fact, a nose at which we were looking. Our other pictures from the 20 week u/s were a combination of alien and dinosaur, or as the techinician coined it, a babysaurus.

Baby Faw, since about 18 weeks, is an active little fetus:). Seriously, he or she moves after most every meal and then at night before I go to sleep. He or she's even disrupted the doctor while trying to listen to the heartbeat. I love the consistent, surreal reminder that there's a small, very small, person inside of me. I can't pretend that it doesn't trip me out, but the attachment to someone I have yet to meet grows each day. We're so excited to meet our child and trying to enjoy the ride at the same time.