an interesting little op-ed on romney

Today is the big day in Michigan, and I am very interested to see how it plays out. This morning the New York Times had an op-ed piece, "Driving Mr. Romney", by Dean Barnett, a staff writer for The Weekly Standard, who has known Romney for years.

You should read the article as it's not very long, but basically Barnett says that Romney's campaign has left people not trusting him, when in fact Romney is a really good guy who has the skills to be a great president and who's motivation is very sincere. I don't know Mitt Romney, but I have met quite a few people who know him well, including the current president of BYU-Idaho, Kim Clark. For years Mitt Romney was the Clarks' home teacher in Boston. Mr. Clark had nothing but wonderful things to say about Romney, and this was back before he was running for president.

Even if Romney gets the nomination, I don't yet know if I'll vote for him. I am still undecided on a lot of things. But... I really want to see him do well at this stage of the game. I am disappointed that he has been portrayed as a flip-flopper (not without reason). I really admired Gov. Romney who was elected in the very Democratic Massachusetts and really got a lot done. It makes me sad that he has now come across as so insincere.

I just hope he can pull off a win today in Michigan. If he doesn't, I'm afraid he might be done. But if he does, this campaign will be all the more interesting. He has, after all, managed to get the most total votes in 3 states than any other candidate. I'd say that's consistency, wouldn't you?

11 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your baby, just over 1 1/2 inches long and about the size of a fig, is now almost fully formed. Her hands will soon open and close into fists, tiny tooth buds are beginning to appear under her gums, and some of her bones are beginning to harden.

She's already busy kicking and stretching, and her tiny movements are so effortless they look like water ballet. These movements will become more frequent as her body grows and becomes more developed and functional. You won't feel your baby's acrobatics for another month or two — nor will you notice the hiccupping that may be happening now that her diaphragm is forming.

Good news! I have felt SO much better the past four days! It's been wonderful. I haven't been at all sick, just hungry! I hope this lasts, but I won't hold my breath.

Thank you to everyone who commented on my last post. I really appreciate your input. For anyone who still has thoughts, feel free to keep commenting. I welcome the different perspectives.

new documentary

Watch the trailer! I am so interested in watching this new documentary about childbirth in America. Fortunately, it's being released on DVD February 12, and I already have it on my Netflix queue. Anyone who has had or will have children will find this very interesting. As I am preparing to have my first, I have started thinking about how I want my birth to go. Obviously, I still have a lot of time, but it doesn't hurt to start thinking about these things now. My doctor is going to play a large part in that, and I want to make sure we are on the same page from the start.

Did you know that the US has the second highest infant mortality rate among developed nations? #1 is Latvia. Crazy! If you want to know more check out this CNN article. And for a review of the film check out this article from the New York Times.

I'm sure I'll have a lot more to say about this after watching the film and of course after I experience childbirth for myself, but I'd love to know what you all out there think. How do you feel about natural childbirth, hospitals, epidurals, midwives, c-sections, etc? If you've given birth, are you happy with your birth experience(s)? What surprised you most? The question posed on the film's website is this: "Should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potentially catastrophic medical emergency?" I really am interested in what you think, so please comment!

10 months, pregnant celebrities, katie's hair

First off, 10 months ago, Jared and I were married! Fun, fun! It's crazy how fast it goes. Marriage is fantastic! And I sure do have one fantastic husband! He's been taking such good care of me. Basically I come home from work and proceed to lay on the couch for the rest of the night while he makes me food and smoothies and whatever else might be of utmost necessity. He even watches Project Runway with me.... and likes it! I love you more, babe!








Secondly, there is something about being pregnant that makes you intensely aware of all pregnant women in the world. Like suddenly, every third woman you meet is also knocked up. And with our culture's obsession with celebrity, it suddenly becomes imperative to know which famous ladies out there are also expecting little ones. Suddenly, you feel a bond with women you will never, ever meet. It's weird. There is even a whole blog about celebrities and their babies! On that note, I thought I'd share a few of my current favorite pregnant celebrities.

• Nicole Kidman (I am so happy for her!)
• Halle Berry (Still as gorgeous as ever!)
• Jennifer Lopez ( Also still looking super hot)
• Giada De Laurentiis (She's a chef on Food Network whom I've recently started watching sometimes. She also guest co-hosts on the Today Show sometimes.)
• Cate Blanchett (She's so classy and stylish. Love her!)
• Toni Collette (I didn't even know she was pregnant until just now, but I think she's great and very pregnant.)

Of course there are lots more out there too, and there will be even more in the next 7 months. Ah, babies, there will always be more babies.

Thirdly, I am in love with Katie Holmes hair at the Critics Choice Awards the other night! I know she's had this cut for awhile, but I especially loved it that night. I am planning on chopping my hair off this spring to donate it, and I'm thinking I will do something similar to this. What do you think?

Question: Am I totally gonna regret having short hair during my last months of pregnancy when I get super fat, or will it be nice to have all that extra hair weight gone for the hot months of summer? Just so you know, this isn't a rash decision at all. I have been planning on cutting my hair for months. I'm just letting it grow a bit more to give the layers a chance to grow out some.

*In case something crazy happens with this photo, like the last one, I got it from InStyle.

pregnancy and politics

I still need to upload pictures in order to do a satisfactory recanting of our holidays. I have a feeling though that I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I could have because the pregnancy sickness finally hit while out in Utah during week 8. Lame. I didn't throw up, but I definitely had some bad days. And some good ones too I must add. I just never know. Since we've been back, I've actually felt the worst yet. And I did finally throw up for real yesterday. My entire eggs and toast breakfast. (I'm not counting the mouthful of water and stuff that I "burped" up on Saturday after walking off the plane.) Sorry, that is gross. I'll stop. Suffice it to say that I have felt rather lousy. But I know many of you have had it MUCH worse, so I'll stop complaining.

Monday we had a pseudo-doctor's appointment. We met with the OB nurse who went over medical history and the plan for the next 7 months of visits. I go back the 22nd for my first real visit with the OB. I'm excited to hear the baby's heartbeat!

On an entirely different note, what do you all think of all the presidential campaign stuff? I have been obsessed with watching CNN. There's only so much you can do when you feel nauseous every time you stand up. The presidential race is fascinating. I have my favorites on both sides, so it's fun to keep track of. I was really surprised Hillary pulled off a win yesterday in New Hampshire. She is definitely NOT my favorite. I really thought Obama was gonna beat her decidedly. McCain winning was not so surprising, but it was good to see that Romney wasn't that far behind. Oh the craziness that is politics! It's good entertainment.

i'm back

For all of you who have wondered where I've been, we were out in Utah for the Holidays. We got back Saturday night. Sunday I felt not so swell and today I am back at work. I promise updates soon on my trip and the latest on the alien that has taken over my body. I didn't blog at all while we were gone because my grandparents dial-up internet is the slowest in history! I do not have patience for such things. But I'll now be back to my regular blogging ways. More to come!

10 weeks

How your baby's growing: Though he's barely the size of a kumquat — a little over an inch or so long, crown to bottom — and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce, your baby has now completed the most critical portion of his development. This is the beginning of the so-called fetal period, a time when the tissues and organs in his body rapidly grow and mature.

He's swallowing fluid and kicking up a storm. Vital organs — including his kidneys, intestines, brain, and liver (now making red blood cells in place of the disappearing yolk sac) — are in place and starting to function, though they'll continue to develop throughout your pregnancy.

If you could take a peek inside your womb, you'd spot minute details, like tiny nails forming on fingers and toes (no more webbing) and peach-fuzz hair beginning to grow on tender skin.

In other developments: Your baby's limbs can bend now. His hands are flexed at the wrist and meet over his heart, and his feet may be long enough to meet in front of his body. The outline of his spine is clearly visible through translucent skin, and spinal nerves are beginning to stretch out from his spinal cord. Your baby's forehead temporarily bulges with his developing brain and sits very high on his head, which measures half the length of his body. From crown to rump, he's about 1 1/4 inches long. In the coming weeks, your baby will again double in size — to nearly 3 inches.

9 weeks

How your baby's growing: Your new resident is nearly an inch long — about the size of a grape — and weighs just a fraction of an ounce. She's starting to look more and more human. Her essential body parts are accounted for, though they'll go through plenty of fine-tuning in the coming months. Other changes abound: Your baby's heart finishes dividing into four chambers, and the valves start to form — as do her tiny teeth. The embryonic "tail" is completely gone. Your baby's organs, muscles, and nerves are kicking into gear. The external sex organs are there but won't be distinguishable as male or female for another few weeks. Her eyes are fully formed, but her eyelids are fused shut and won't open until 27 weeks. She has tiny earlobes, and her mouth, nose, and nostrils are more distinct. The placenta is developed enough now to take over most of the critical job of producing hormones. Now that your baby's basic physiology is in place, she's poised for rapid weight gain.

8 weeks

How your baby's growing: New this week: Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from your baby's hands and feet, his eyelids practically cover his eyes, breathing tubes extend from his throat to the branches of his developing lungs, and his "tail" is just about gone. In his brain, nerve cells are branching out to connect with one another, forming primitive neural pathways. You may be daydreaming about your baby as one sex or the other, but the external genitals still haven't developed enough to reveal whether you're having a boy or a girl. Either way, your baby — about the size of a kidney bean — is constantly moving and shifting, though you still can't feel it.

pay it forward

Tomorrow I am off to do some holiday traveling. Pray for me that I make it to my destination! I really don't want to be stranded in some airport all alone overnight. Jared left on Monday so this is a solo trip cross-country for me. I'll probably not be around here as much for the next couple weeks, but I'm leaving you something special before I go. Read on...

I told Jen I would participate in this blogging game so that I could receive a handmade gift from her. In return I will send a handmade gift to the first three people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF (Pay It Forward) exchange. Just as Jen said, you may not receive it tomorrow or next week, but you will receive it within 365 days! The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your blog. (So, you must have a blog to participate.) Keep in mind that if you want to get something from me, you have to give. Sound good? So, who's it gonna be? Leave a comment and post this on your blog to get something special from me! I don't know what it will be yet, but it's gonna be good!