The Bun That Wouldn't Come Out of the Oven

Hey, all.....

Yup, I'm still waiting around, serving as incubator for our little Sprout-nugget. "What??!!?? I thought for sure that you would have had that baby by now!", you might be asking yourself....well, you and me both. As well as everyone else I know!!!

Jeff and I found out at my appointment yesterday that I was dilated to 3 (and still 80% effaced)...and my doctor said, "It will happen any time now". And I was like, "I've been hearing that for two weeks!" I realize I am still two days away from my "official" due date, but I am feeling so uncomfortable and impatient. Now that I have everything pretty much wrapped up at work (though I am still going to work), it's like a switch was flipped inside of me and I want to have this baby NOW! Especially when I constantly have people saying to me, "You're still here?" or "You haven't had that baby yet?" It's making me a little crazy. ; ) I guess I'm just too impatient. A couple from our birthing class (who we became friends with and was also due the same day as us) had their little guy (Simon) on Mother's Day. And my friend Lauren (also due the same day as us) had her baby boy Evan a week before that, even. I wonder what my problem is? ; )

(on a side note, I am still REALLY happy for both of you, despite my envy!)

Anyway, I've been trying all of the old wives' tales that I've heard to try to induce labor...walking around (as much as I can handle, anyway), eating tons of spicy foods, having my ankles rubbed, eating graham crackers, etc. So far, nothing has worked.....but I'll take any suggestions you all might have! : ) I have an induction set up for next Wednesday (the 20th) at 7:30am.......but I am praying that I have this little guy long before then. Jeff and I are sooooo ready to meet him!

In the meantime, here are a few photos of the nursery (minus the framed wall art, which is still on its way) to pass the time:

Crib and glider, with the wall mural that Jeff and I painted to match Sprout's bedding.....

Dresser (which Jeff refinished, as well as built the frame for the changing pad)...along with the little mobile I made on a whim.....

Little nook with bookcase, to house Sprout's growing library.

Ok, that's it for me. I am PRAYING that the next time we post, it is to introduce you to our little (soon-to-be-named) Sprout!!!! Take care, and feel free to pass along that induction advice! : )

Love,
Farrah, Jeff and a stubbornly incubating (yet inherently lovable) Sprout

39 weeks, 5 days.....EDD May 16

Say "Buh-Bye" to the Belly

We've certainly had an eventful couple of weeks since I last posted....

* RKMC Baby Shower *

The girls at work threw me a fabulous baby shower (thanks, Leah and Stacey!) on April 28th, and our little Sprout-nugget was lucky to receive a handful of adorable outfits, a diaper changing pad and a slew of cool baby gear/gadgets. Of course I forgot to take photos of everything before I had washed and put it all away, but it is a guarantee that these items will all be making appearances on (or around) Sprout very soon! Thank you to everyone.....your generosity is so appreciated!

* Getting Ready for Baby *

This past weekend, I went with my sister (Laura) to get a pedicure.....I had been planning to get one before my due date, and it was a wonderful treat! Laura is chomping at the bit for Sprout to arrive, so I joked that she was going to slip my attendant a $20 to get her to massage the pressure point on my ankles that is said to induce labor. I'm still preggo, though, so nice try. : )

Earlier that day, Jeff and I had the Richfield Fire Dept. inspect our car seat and walk us through all the ins and outs of car seat safety, which was incredibly helpful and informative. It's great to have that task crossed off the list! Jeff and I have also gradually picked up the last of the immediate essential items we'll need for our little guy, including the baby monitor, some newborn-sized clothes, extra receiving blankets, a mongo case of diaper wipes, and a diaper bag that we both like (FINALLY). We still have our two family showers coming up (Wiberg family shower on June 20; Haase family shower in ND on July 18), so between the two of those we should be covered for our remaining registry items. The nursery is finally DONE (look for photos soon), other than hanging a few pictures on the walls. I made a simple mobile this weekend to hang above the changing table/dresser...and while I kind of rushed through it, it still turned out pretty cute. The whole room looks better than I ever imagined it would.....Jeff and I are thrilled!

* Mother's Day *

We had a great Mother's Day yesterday. While I was bummed not to be able to spend any time with my mom, I was able to talk with her for a while over the phone....and I am very excited to be able to see her (and my dad) when they come to visit in a couple of weeks. We were, however, very lucky to spend some time with Jeff's mom and family, as we stuffed our faces at brunch (Flame Restaurant in Roseville) then hung out at his parents' home. Even though our little guy hasn't arrived yet, Jeff was so sweet and gave me a lovely bouquet of flowers and a card in honor of my first Mother's Day.....needless to say, I was touched! I am incredibly lucky to have such an awesome husband. : )

* Belly Watch *

As of last week's doctor's visit on May 6, I was already dilated 2 cm and 80% effaced! Our doctor was pretty surprised with how things seem to be progressing, since most first-time moms tend to go past their due date. Dr. Arnhold, however, seemed pretty convinced that I will go early. And now that I have things pretty well wrapped up at work, I am honestly hoping she is right. Jeff and I are SO ready to meet out little Sprout....and to officially be parents! Yippee! : ) Admittedly, I am starting to get a little freaked out by the idea of labor and delivery......but my excitement far outweighs any worries I may have. And even though I'll miss being pregnant, I just want to finally be able to see and hold our little guy!

So now the clock is ticking.....this Saturday (the 16th) is my due date, and as of today I am still incubating. Anyone wanna place a last minute bet as to his arrival date? (Please, oh please, let it be today!) My last appointment is scheduled for Wednesday (the 13th) morning....it will be interesting to see if we make it until then!

Take care.....and we'll keep you all posted!

Love,
Farrah, Jeff and Sprout

And this, folks, is as big as it's going to get....

Hey, folks!

Here is my belly, photographed one week ago at 36 weeks, 2 days. I literally don't think it is possible for me to get any bigger than this....but now I may have just tempted fate with that remark. ; )






Jeff thought it would be funny to take this picture of me in the entrance of Babies 'R Us.....notice anything interesting? ; )

The funny thing is, until I saw this photo I honestly thought my belly was MUCH smaller than the woman's in the poster. Good grief. : )
I cannot believe how quickly time is flying by.......only 19 days until my due date!! Wow!!!

Love,
Farrah, Jeff and Sprout
37 weeks, 2 days.................EDD May 16

A Rockin' Shower, and Many Thanks

I'm finally getting around to posting about a handful of photos that have been sitting on our camera for the past couple of weeks.....please bear with me:


*4/4/09- Couples' Shower

We had a fabulous time at our couples' shower two weeks ago. Hosts Jamie & Jill and Jared & Carrie provided an awesome meal (two different kinds of lasagna!), which allowed everyone the chance to visit and catch up. Then came the gift opening, and everyone was so generous:

baby bathtub and dino toy, from Jamie & Jill


sound & light toy, book, blankets, "udderly cute" onesie and other baby gear from Jared & Carrie

baskets, books, paci clips, pirate rubber duckie and outlet covers from Ryan & Becca

Then, in lieu of your "typical" shower games, we all spent the remainder of the evening playing Rock Band on Wii. Yes, that's right. And we are not ashamed to admit it. : )

First, the guys took the stage......

From left: Ryan, Jill (seated), Jamie and Jeff

After a startling rendition of Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer", it became clear that the ladies had to show them how it was done by rockin' out to Blondie (and two of us are pregnant, mind you):

From left: Farrah, Jill, Becca and Carrie


Dear Sprout: Let these next two photos stand as proof that your parents were at least a little cool once.

Daddy
Mommy

Thanks to our hosts and guests for such an awesome shower......we had the best time!

* More Gifts for our little Sprout

We seriously have the best family and friends ever, because gifts for Sprout keep rollin' in. Colleen gave us a couple of sleepers, Mom W. gave us a Diaper Genie (and yes, it is quite magical), Tanya gave us an adorable giraffe planter to place in his nursery....

Val gave him an cute onesie and sock set, plus a stack of books for his library (including her published juvenile sports books....awesome! I made her sign them.)

....and Judy gave us a great cookbook, as well as knitting a cute panda hat to keep Sprout warm next winter!
Thank you again to everyone.....your generosity is astounding and VERY MUCH appreciated! : )
Love,
Farrah, Jeff & Sprout
36 weeks, 2 days..........EDD May 16

April Showers bring May....Babies?

Hello, all!

I thought I would hop on and post about my very first baby shower this past weekend (which, technically speaking, was held in March, not April...but I made my own rules when it came to the title of this post). My lovely sister Laura (with help from my dear friend Amanda) hosted the shower for me, and it was PERFECT!

Me and Laura

Me and Amanda

Here is a bit of the decor....

We had great food (props to my sis for cutting tiny sandwiches into the shape of little ducks), which included a darling cake and a fabulous rubber-duckie punch....

The ladies planned a handful of games, which everyone really seemed to enjoy (although I, for one, had a difficult time with the blindfolded baby food tasting. Let me just say....Gerber's mac-n-cheese is NOT tasty.). Tanya came the closest to measuring my belly diameter, but apparently everyone else thought I was much larger. Hmmm..... ; )

Here are the rest of the party-goers:

Alison, Tara and Deb

Tanya, Kristina and Colleen (w/ baby Micah on her lap)


One of the activities that Laura and Amanda had prepared was for everyone to decorate a little onesie for our Sprout.....and I have to say, no baby has ever had a finer wardrobe:

(Our designs, going clockwise starting with "Team Wiberg" on the far left: Kristina, Laura, me, Amanda, Colleen, Tara, Alison, Deb, and Tanya. )


Everyone was also SO generous, showering our wee baby-to-be with amazing gifts:

(The perfect bouncy seat, from Laura and family!)

(a onesie, burp cloth, and booties, handmade by Amanda, along with an adorable book and rubber duckie)

(A basketful of adorable baby gear from Deb, Kristina, Tanya, Colleen and Marge)

(a sampling of all of the wonderful items from Tara)

(adorable onesies and booties from Alison)

All in all, it was a wonderful shower.....and I feel so blessed to have such an amazing sister, and so many great friends. Thanks again to everyone......we appreciate your kindness and generosity so much, and Sprout is going to be stylin' in his new threads! : )

Love,

Jeff, Farrah & Sprout

33 weeks, 4 days...........EDD May 16

Does this bump make my butt look big? ; )

As promised, here are a few updated pics of my baby-incubating belly (taken yesterday at 32 weeks, 3 days). And before you try anything, be warned that I will NOT giggle like the Pillsbury Dough Boy if you give me a poke. I may, however, poke you right back. ; )

(Hey, a girl's got to have SOME ground rules....)

And this is why you should never tempt fate...

We had big plans for this past weekend. I had a to-do list that was a mile long, with every intent of checking every item off. Fate had something else in mind, however, at least where I am concerned. I remember telling someone a week ago how lucky I was to have been healthy for over eight months (which is VERY rare for me, since I seem to catch every bug that goes around)...seriously, I haven't even had so much as a sniffle all winter long. So what do you suppose I woke up with on Friday? Yep, that's right....a full-blown head cold. This wouldn't be so bad, except that in my current preggo state I can take next to nothing to alleviate the symptoms. Three days later, this cold shows no signs of departing. Blech.

Then, to top it off, I managed to tweak some muscles in my thigh (yes, I'm that cool), which then spread to my groin area.....leaving me in a great deal of pain and unable to walk or move around much for a good chunk of the weekend. A call to the doctor calmed any fears that something was wrong with the baby (considering where the pain was originating from, it had me a little worried), and he instructed me to take some Tylenol and use heating pads to take the edge off. Luckily, this seemed to help....as I am doing better today. I still have some pain, but as long as I take it easy I should be ok. The on-call doctor indicated that I can probably expect more of this in these remaining weeks of pregnancy, as everything in that "region" begins loosening up to prepare for labor and delivery. I'm sure I'll appreciate this once I'm actually in labor, but for now I am less than excited about this prognosis. : P

Anyway, as I said, these little "hiccups" meant that I accomplished next to nothing on my to-do list, which frustrated me to no end. Jeff, being the excellent caregiver that he is, insisted that I rest....so I felt pretty useless. I did manage to get a couple of things done, though, and luckily Jeff took care of a great deal. Other than a few touch-ups, the painting in the nursery is completed....yay! Jeff is also nearly done refinishing the dresser we bought for the room (last coat of enamel goes on today), which is great. I did some laundry, and he took care of some outdoor chores in the lovely weather. Next up.....doing our taxes. (Can you tell how excited I am?)

Sprout has been learning some acrobatic tricks over the past few days. He'll be quiet for a bit, and then all of a sudden I seriously feel as though he is doing somersaults inside of me! (Ok, he must have read my mind....because there he goes again!) It is becoming more and more evident that Jeff and I are going to have a VERY active little boy on our hands. : )

We didn't take our next batch of belly shots this weekend (which we do every four weeks) because I felt less than photogenic....so we'll take those tonight or tomorrow and post them soon. It's hard to believe it is already time for that to happen!

I was very excited to hear the news of my friend Ann Marie's arrival over the weekend.....beautiful little AnnaBeth was born late last week, and both mom and baby are doing well! I couldn't be happier for them. My thoughts and prayers are also with my friend Katie, who is set to be induced today. I know everything will go well, and I can't wait to hear all about it!

Take care, everyone.....look for new belly shots soon!

Love,
Jeff, Farrah and Sprout

32 weeks, 2 days......EDD May 16