stubborn child

A few weeks ago I had an ultrasound at which the tech commented that the baby was breech, but that I still had plenty of time and she would definitely flip over soon. Then about three weeks ago I had another ultrasound at which I was told that the baby was breech, but again that I shouldn't worry because most babies turn between 32 and 34 weeks. Then at my 34 week appointment last week I had another ultrasound and the baby is still breech! The chances that she will turn at this point are pretty slim, so the options that my midwife gave me are moxibustion or seeing a chiropractor (neither of which my insurance covers) or I can try to have a doctor do an external cephalic version sometime in the next couple of weeks or have a C-section at 39 weeks. Anyone have any advice?

34 Weeks

(Click on the photos below to view a larger image)

A weekend where we actually did some stuff

I'm not going to lie - Tom and I have been sitting around like a couple of lazy bums for the last few weeks. This doesn't really give me an excuse for not updating the blog because I have had time to update, I just haven't had anything to update it with. I'm exhausted, we were both sick, I've been having trouble sleeping which means we've both been having trouble sleeping, and my feet and hands are swelling a little more every day. We have accomplished a few things on my to do list: we watched the first three seasons of Lost and I cleaned out and organized most of the man-baby room, but neither of these things haven't actually required leaving the apartment. So this weekend we wanted to get out and get some fresh air.

Friday after work we went to Santa Monica to the beach and to do a little shopping. The weather in LA had been perfect for the last few days (not too hot, not too cold and sunny) and we had a great time walking along the beach and wandering around the promenade.

Then yesterday we got up and went to the temple and then went to Westwood for some Chipotle and brownies. Tom loves Chipotle and when we lived in Westwood we really wished there was one nearby since the other two closest options are in Beverly Hills and both have difficult parking situations, but now that we've moved they have opened one up so we decided to check that out. It was delicious.

Overall, we have had a very nice weekend. Also, the other day when I was at CVS I saw an actress from one of my all-time favorite TV shows, NewsRadio. She played the secretary, Beth (the one with the red hair). This brings our celebrity citing total to: Dr. Rey, Rick Gomez, Eva La Rue, Eddie Izzard, Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, and Tom has seen Wolfgang Puck and Jake Gyllenhall.

Speaking of celebrities, some of you may have seen this article which has been one of the headlines on msnbc.com for the last couple of days. Don't worry, I'm not one of these people. In fact, these people have to be morons because the day Britney Spears was admitted to the hospital all of the employees were sent at least three or four emails warning us that if we looked at her medical records we would be fired. I just thought it was interesting how much press that this was getting.

Also, speaking of running into people, I had a really random experience last weekend. Tom has been waiting for this Wii game to come out (Super Smash Brothers) and we went to Best Buy to see if we could pre-order it, but they weren't taking preorders but said they were having a mid-night opening on Saturday and we could get it then (Tom does not want me to include this part of the story since he thinks it makes him sound dorky, but I think it's a relevant and necessary part of the story). So Saturday at midnight I consented to accompany Tom to Best Buy to pick up the game, however THEY WEREN'T OPEN. I don't know what that employee had been thinking earlier in the week, but they apparently weren't having a midnight opening. So we decided to head over to the Best Buy in Westwood to see if they were open. They weren't. But while we were there I decided to run into Ralph's and pick up some milk (Note: we live within a few blocks of four grocery stores and I never go shopping at this Ralph's). So I walked in the door and I saw this guy from my freshman ward at BYU standing in the produce section. He had just flown in from Utah to check out the math grad department at UCLA and we just so happened to be in the same grocery store at 12:30 in the morning. So random. What is really interesting to me is how often things like this have happened to me over the last few years, but we will have to save those details for a future post. It really is a small world.

Anyway, I could write an entire post right now about how frustrated I am about trying to choose a name for the baby. We are both somewhat indecisive (to say the least). We always take way too long to order in restaurants and then usually regret our decisions after we've made them, but now we have to choose a name which is very permanent and very scary. At this rate, her birth certificate will probably just say Baby Girl Jackman.

32 Weeks

Sorry it has been so long since our last blog. Tom and I both have both been sick and our lives have been even more boring than normal. We are now completely caught up to the Lost episodes that are currently airing (don't do the math, that adds up to a lot of hours in front of the television over a very short period of time). We have also been cleaning out our apartment and organizing and reorganizing everything in preparation for the baby. I spent one morning this week making a spreadsheet of everything I would like to get in the next couple of months, so I'm feeling a little more prepared for everything.

We are still having naming issues. We've narrowed it down to a few options, but even those change pretty often. I have a feeling we'll still be throwing around ideas after she's born.

Until the last week or so I had been feeling fantastic. I had been pretty tired most days, and that has gotten worst. I also noticed earlier this week that my hands and feet were a little swollen and that has gotten progressively worst over the last few days. Here's an updated slide show with my most recent picture. It may not look like a big difference from a couple weeks ago, but it has definitely impacted my ability to get up off the couch.

10 Week Countdown

Tom and I have been taking it very easy this weekend. Since we've both been feeling a little under the weather and because this is one of the last three day weekends we have before the baby is born, we wanted some time to relax and spend some time together. We went to dinner, went for a few walks, and watched the entire first season and most of the second season of Lost. We were going to save the Lost-a-thon for late nights with the baby, but we got a little impatient. Not exactly a productive weekend, but it was very relaxing.

I had a really great experience this last week. I had been a little concerned because I hadn't felt the baby move much for a couple of days, so I emailed one of the midwives that I have been seeing and she made me an appointment to have the baby's heart rate monitored. I was pretty nervous (let's face it, I'm always pretty nervous), but the two women who work in the fetal diagnostics office were so nice and they didn't even make fun of me for being nervous. They hooked me up to a monitor for 20 minutes and got to hear the baby's heart rate go up and down as she was moving. It was amazing. Then they did an ultrasound to make sure everything looked ok, and everything was great. I'm so glad that I was able to have this experience and the baby has been moving like crazy ever since.

We only have about 10 more weeks. Actually, I'm hoping that she'll hold on for a few extra days (though I'm sure I won't feel that way in a few weeks) because the new hospital is supposed to open on May 4th (that's 6 days after my due date) and the new hospital is SO nice. We are slowly getting a little more ready (this week we got the crib mattress). Here's a slide show with an updated picture from this week, but I think I look smaller than last week.

Los Angeles in February

Jealous?

29 Weeks

We've had a pretty great week. Going to work is becoming increasingly more miserable, but I'm still hanging in there. Tom has really helped out by cooking the occasional dinner. Yesterday we enjoyed a nice lunch as an early Valentine's Day celebration.

A few weeks ago I started buying diapers occassionally so that I would have some stockpiled for after the baby is born. I have been cutting coupons and using them when diapers on sale with the help of this website. Unfortunately, that website reported today that the price of diapers has just been increased 3-12% :( I am sad.

Well, here's the updated slide show. Just in case you were wondering, I don't actually wear the same thing to church every Sunday. I just think I look the most pregnant in this shirt.

100th Post

So, this is our 100th post. I was sitting here at work thinking: I should do something to commemorate this event. I searched around on google to see what other people have done, and lots of people have listed 100 things that others may or may not know about them. What a great idea. Unfortunately, I gave up at number 71, so if you can think of any interesting or random facts about us that we might have missed, feel free to add them as a comment.

1. I have lived in 3 states. I was born in Utah, then lived in Texas for 15 years, then moved back to Utah, and now live in California.
2. I had never been to California until about 2 years ago. And I have never been to Disneyland.

3. I have 3 sisters (Kara, Carly, and Kelly), a stepsister (Aubrie), a brother (Chase), and a stepbrother (Tyson). I am the oldest. I also have a stepbrother-in-law (Greg) and a stepniece (Hailey).

4. I have been to 5 countries: the United States, the UK, France, the Netherlands, and Jamaica. I have never been to Canada or Mexico.

5. When I was 15 I tripped on a suitcase and broke my ankle in three places. This required two surgeries. I am very clumsy.

6. All of my grandparents and stepgrandparents are currently living. And I am very grateful for them.

7. I am part Cherokee.

8. Before I got married my middle name was "Jean," after my paternal grandmother. When I got married I changed my middle name to my maiden name, "Taylor," because I thought it sounded better with Jackman.

9. When I was in elementary school my mom would buy my presents if I would talk or read more loudly in my classes. I was (and still am) very shy.

10. I graduated from BYU with almost 200 credits. I majored in biology and minored in math and English. None of these have any classes that overlap.
11. Tom graduated with exactly 120 credits (the bare minimum)
12. Tom took a 1 credit intro to psychology major as a senior to hit that requirement
13. I was a majorette in 7th and 8th grade.
14. My favorite book is Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut.

15. In elementary school we participated in the Accelerated Reader program which gave you points for every book you read. I usually had about five times as many points as everyone else and I got to be the "principal for the day" every year because of it. I am such a dork. I was even in a promotional video for the program.
16. Tom was in a math program that gave you a milk shake the teacher made in class every time you scored a certain number of points via right answers from weekly quizzes. He pretty much had more than the rest of the class combined that year.

17. I am very good at taking tests on subjects that I know nothing about. I participated in academic decathlon in high school and regularly won awards after randomly guessing on tests.

18. I don't think I have ever really argued with my mother. We get along really well.

19. Tom, on the other hand, regularly argues with his mother. They were both into debate in high school and it's almost like a sport for them.

20. Tom was born in Texas, then moved to Oklahoma, then moved to California, then moved to Utah for college, and now is back in California.
21. Tom also spent two years in Alaska while on an LDS mission.
22. My most embarrassing moment involves me in the men's showers in the baptistry at the St. George temple. It was bad.
23. I really enjoy contemporary poetry. I was the editor of the literary magazine in high school, I had a poem in BYU's literary journal my first semester of college, and I won $100 by winning first place in the Hart-Larson poetry contest at BYU.
24. I love sugar. My favorite types of candy are Twix, Reese's Pieces, Kit-Kats, and Junior Mints.
25. The only food that I have ever tasted that I really hate is the beet. I think it tastes like dirt.
26. My favorite colors are earth tones. I have always been particularly fond of grey and brown. (note from Tom...she also seems to like black)
27. I have only had one pedicure in my entire life.
28. My great-something grandfather Parley P. Pratt was friends with Tom's great-something grandfather Levi Jackman.
29. My favorite hymn is Lead Kindly Light.
30. In the 8th grade I was voted the "Most Honest Student."
31. I am a former Diet Coke addict. In my last couple years of college I could easily drink a 12-pack of Diet Coke a day. I quit a little over a year ago and haven't had one since.
32. I love angry girl music.
33. I am a Democrat. I know, scandalous.
34. Two of my favorite meals are chicken and dumplings and chicken spaghetti, both made by my mother. So good.
35. Sometimes I leave for work without looking in the mirror or brushing my hair. This usually results in me realizing later in the day that I have peanut butter on my face.
36. I am very sensitive to loud noises. I turn my ipod and the TV down to a volume where I can just barely make out what is being said. For this reason, going to the movies or a concert can be a really bad experience.
37. Tom likes music and movies to be really loud.
38. I cannot stand to wear socks. I really don't understand why I can't just wear flip flops all of the time.
39. I also really don't understand why I can't just wear sweatpants all of the time.
40. When I was a kid my sister and I watched a lot of Nick at Nite. As a result, I have seen every episode of most classic television shows multiple times.
41. I don't particularly like cartoons. I also tend to dislike movies that are old, that are westerns, or that involve too much science fiction. This really limits the number of movies that Tom and I want to watch together.
42. I am very prone to motion sickness. When we were on our honeymoon in Jamaica we went snorkeling and I threw up multiple times.
43. I gained about 25 pounds during my freshman year of college. I didn't think I could study unless I was eating Ben and Jerry's. Luckily, this trend didn't continue for the rest of college.
44. I didn't go to prom. I was asked to the homecoming dance, but couldn't go because it was the after I had surgery on the aforementioned broken ankle.
45. I only like to use mechanical pencil with #9 led. Interestingly, Tom has the same taste in mechanical pencils.
46. I cannot stand being around people who yell all of the time. I am very grateful that I have married a very wonderful, very mild mannered man. (note from Tom - but also mysterious and deep)
47. I have only been in one car accident. I was a little kid and my aunt was driving and I don't really remember what happened.
48. Tom totaled a car while on his mission...but it was the fault of the SUV that hit him. Of course the person didn't have auto insurance.
49. I changed my major from English to biology after watching the movie Lost in Translation. That movie completely changed my life.
50. When I was in elementary school I was on the jump rope team. It was awesome.
51. I am a big believer in the celebration of birthdays. And half birthdays. It's important.
52. The only thing Tom loves more than a gadget, is a new gadget.
53. When we met Tom had given up on getting married before graduating from BYU.
54. He had gone on about a dozen first dates with no second dates.
55. We got married about three weeks before graduation. (thanks PELL Grant!)
56. Tom is the only person he knows who got a firm job for this summer after interviewing in shorts and a t-shirt.
57. In our first apartment, the water heater had to be re-lit every day or we wouldn't have any hot water. Tom was terrified he was going to get blown up.
58. Tom is not allowed to buy gum because he goes through the whole pack in about five minutes.
59. Tom doesn't mind talking in class, but hates public confrontation. I don't mind confrontation, but would rather do just about anything than talk in class.
60. I have many phobias. I am afraid of heights, closed spaces, getting into a car accident, etc. I'm kind of a nervous person. (note from Tom - this is true, she also gets worried that I don't worry)
61. In high school I helped write a rock opera called Waiting for Gobot with my friends Tim, Nick, and Dan. We thought it was the funniest thing ever.
62. I am a penny pincher. One of my favorite events every week is cutting the coupons out of the paper and then organizing them.
63. Tom has two sisters (Denise and Robyn) and a brother (Brent).

64. Tom and I took piano lessons for the same number of years and used the same piano books. Somehow he's much better than I am.
65. Tom had/got to play the piano in Priesthood growing up, as well as on his mission.

66. Tom and I were both in the marching band in high school. I played the clarinet and Tom played the saxophone.
67. I have had the following jobs: busser at an Italian food restaurant; I worked at Deseret Book; I transcribed interviews for the education department at BYU; I worked in the publication lab at BYU; I was a math grader (for calculus 1, 2, and 3, and for linear algebra); I was the assistant editor, the editor, and then the graphic designer for the honors journal at BYU; I worked at a terrible web design company in Provo; and I now scan documents at UCLA.
68. I love shopping. Since Tom and I have gotten married, I have gotten much better at keeping this impulse under control. My favorite places to shop are Target, Costco, Ikea, and the Container Store.
69. While I do enjoy cheese in small quantities, a big hunk of cheese totally grosses me out.
70. I get really, really bad red eye in photos. Thank goodness for the red eye removal tool in Photoshop.
71. Whenever Tom doesn't want to talk about something, he pretends he's asleep and starts snoring. This has been happening a lot lately. It seems baby related. (note from Tom - ZzzZZZzzZzz)

Nursery Photos

We got the crib put together tonight. Actually, of all the things that we have from Ikea (most of the furniture in our apartment is from Ikea) this was one of the easiest to put together. These pictures are the baby's half of the room and the other half of the room has Tom's desk/other junk. On top of the dresser there is wonderful a diaper bag that Tom's brother and his wife got us for Christmas and our current collection of baby clothes. I was very excited to get a box of baby clothes from both my mother and my grandmother in the last couple of weeks. The crib is a little bare (we haven't figured out the mattress or bedding situation) but I am really happy with it.

28 Weeks

Tom and I have had a fun weekend. Yesterday we met Tom's parents in Burbank at Ikea and got a crib and a few other things for the baby. I am so excited to get everything ready for the baby and I really feel like I'm starting to run out of time, so I was looking forward to getting the crib. We have yet to put the crib together, but once we do that I will post a picture. We don't have a mattress or any bedding for it yet, but the crib is one more thing that we can cross off our list. On our way back we got stuck behind this truck (sorry about the dirty windshield). Just one more thing to make me nervous about driving on the freeway in LA.

After we got back from Burbank we went to dinner at Crustacean in Beverly Hills with some people from Irell. We have gone to a couple of dinners over the last few months with Tom's mentor, but this was the first time that we have seen some of the other attorneys and summer associates so they were a little surprised to see that I'm seven months pregnant. Dinner was fantastic. With all of these restaurants we've eaten at with the firm over the last year, I've been a little disappointed that we haven't seen many celebrities but last night we actually sat at a table next to Eva La Rue.

Well, I'm going to try to update this slide show with a new picture each week so here it is updated with my 28 week picture. I'm starting to feel huge and I still have 12 more weeks. I had an appointment with the midwife this week and I was measuring a few days ahead and my ultrasound a few weeks ago estimated my due date as April 25th, so we'll just have to see.

Happy 24th Yesterday!

Yesterday was Erica's birthday as some of you may know. I tried to treat her like the queen she is by getting up early to make her breakfast. I stayed late at school to ride the bus home with her after work and then we topped the evening off by trying a new place to eat, an Indian restaurant which reminded me of one of those little special places that locals frequent but nobody else would give a second look. I thought it was pretty dang good and enjoyed eating some new spices and flavors. The jack fruit and Indian cheese dishes were especially tasty. Saturday some people from Irell are taking us out to eat at a "nice" place called Crustaceans. We decided to eat cheap last night so we could save up our pretentiousness and have that on the firm's budget.

p.s. as you can see in the post below (well if you check the blog tonight) only 85 days to go until Project: Baby comes to fruition. Crazy.

very . . . slow. . . workday

I am sitting at my desk at work and there is absolutely nothing to do. Actually, there's a stack of papers on my desk that need to be stapled but I am saving them so that I have something to do this afternoon. Normally, I am able to stay pretty busy at work, but over the last month or two things have really slowed down so I have had to find something else to do: research baby stuff online.

I tend to be a researcher in general; if I am going to buy something, I am going to read every review I can possibly find and search everywhere for the best possible price (Tom is the same way). This has definitely been true when it has come to buying baby things. Most of this research has been pretty productive (it was geared towards things that we actually need for the baby), but lately I have drifted. My most recent obsession has become Etsy. This is a website that I have looked at in the past for various other things, but since I am not a very crafty person it never held my interest like it does now. Basically, they have a bunch of things that I really don't need but that I love to look at. Here's what I've been drooling over today:

Pink and Brown Quilt
Nursing Cover
Baby Leg Warmers
Slippers
Art Print
And another print
Bib

Well, I guess I better find something productive to do. If there is anything.