For Rachel...

Rachel tagged me in one of her notes on facebook, but since I don't write notes on facebook, I will put it here. The rules are that you post 25 random things, habits, facts, or goals about yourselft, then tag 25 people. I tag everyone that is in my blogs I visit list (I think there's probably around 25). So, here we go...

1. I love candy so much. I will eat it until my tongue is raw (example: a night or two ago, I ate half a bag of the sweethearts Valentine's Day candy).

2. (Related to number 1)- My mouth holds artificial dyes like no one else I've ever met. Eight ounces of blue powerade will dye my tongue, teether, and lips bright blue and it will last about 12 hours (me and my roommates figured that out my freshman year). Even brushing my teeth doesn't help.

3. I was 21 before I took my first plane ride (that I remember, at least- I went to Hawaii when I was 2).

4. I've fallen off a galloping horse (I was 10).

5. Before I settled on majoring in geology, I considered journalism, veterinary medicine, architecture, and music teaching.

6. Mike and I never fight.

7. I have a goal to run a half marathon (or at least be fit enough to) between each child I have. This August and the Provo River Half Marathon will be the first test of that.

8. I can pick split ends out of my hair for hours (obviously time for a haircut).

9. I'm a really fast reader; I breeze through books like it's my job (so does Mike).

10. 12:34 and 11:11 are my favorite times. It's very satisfying for me when I look at a (digital) clock and it's one of those two.

11. I'm ultra-sensitive about people either being mad at me or being disappointed in me (I was like this when I was little and just never grew out of it).

12. I'm super meticulous about how I fold laundry. Mike doesn't help me anymore because I would always just have to "fix" what he folded, anyway.

13. I lisp when I say "j," "g," "sh," and "ch" noises.

14. Mike and I both want 6 kids.

15. I lose my temper really quickly when I drive.

16. I have a cat, but prefer dogs (and will get one once I'm done with school).

17. I worked at the Yogurt Parlor when I was in high school and since I've been pregnant have craved something from there at least once a week. Too bad they closed 4 years ago.

18. I really love cooking, but I don't do it if the kitchen's messy.

19. In high school, I got voted "most likely to never grow up."

20. I never used to be a big TV watcher, but now I never miss the Office, Pushing Daisies (well, I never missed one- I'm sad it's cancelled), or 24.

21. I'm a total packrat. I have a hard time throwing away old school stuff, especially.

22. I've never gotten a ticket (a moving violation), despite being pulled over multiple times.

23. I can listen to my favorite songs over and over and over again. I mean I'll put it on repeat and listen to it for an entire day.

24. I want to learn how to sew. I can do basic stuff, but I think it would be neat to be really good at it.

25. I like having someone yell at me when I work out. I used to go to classes at the AF Rec Center and my favorite teacher was a kickboxing instructor who would yell at you and come push on your punching bag while you were hitting it. If I was going to be on Biggest Loser, I would want Jillian to be my trainer because she's so mean when she trains. I think it's awesome.

I accidentally deleted this when fixing a mistake I noticed, so that's why it's now after the "Taking Bets" blog instead of before it. I'm glad I typed this one up in Word.

Taking bets

My family makes bets on everything (well, pretty much just mission calls) and it's way fun. I would like to hear all your guesses on when this baby's going to born, as well as how much she'll weigh. Whoever is closest will win a prize (so there will be two winners, one for each category). Anyway, leave your guesses (as well as your spouse's/kid's guesses) in the comments and I'll keep track of them and we'll find out who wins. As a reminder, my due date is March 29th.
To get it started, my guess is that she'll be born March 30th at 2:30 in the afternoon and she'll be 8lbs 4oz. Mike guesses that she'll be born April 1st at 2:00 AM and she'll be 8lbs 0oz.

Stuff has been happening...

...just nothing huge. Mike and I had a wonderful, relaxed Christmas break and were able to spend lots of time with both our families and with each other. He got me a couple really thoughtful gifts that I love, and we both pretty much stuck to the budget. There was tons of great food, which Mike was especially excited about since he missed out on it last Christmas (because he got super sick Christmas Eve). I especially loved my family's Christmas buffet -- my mom had made tons of won-tons (I could eat a million), Nate and Ki brought authentic Texas-style brisket (yum), and Trav and Debbie brought like a gourmet cheese plate (I love fancy cheese so so much). Everything was delicious. Oh boy. I'm already excited for next year's. Another highlight of Christmas break was getting to talk to Jessica on Christmas; we miss her. It's crazy to think that she'll be home in less than 6 months (hooray!). I just realized that on Mother's Day, we'll get to talk to Jessica AND Conner (at least I think we'll get to talk to Conner- he might still be in the MTC and I don't think they get their phone call if they're there). Hooray for missionaries!This is one of the only photos we took over Christmas break, so I thought I should probably stick it up here.
Well, I guess Christmas break is over (boo). Mike has started classes again (he did really well last semester, by the way), and I'm back to TAing PS110B and working on my thesis. I don't have to take any classes this semester, which is fortunate, because Baby is due two weeks before finals. Mike and I are still leaning towards the name Miriam Elizabeth (this way, backwards her initails will be J-E-M, woot for geology, minerals, etc.). I keep trying to think of back up names just in case we have her and decide she's not a Miriam, but so far Mike has not approved the other options I've presented. Lately, I decided I like the name Ella a lot, but Mike says that it only sounds like a half name. I actually always wanted to name a girl Bella, but now, after the Twilight books, I'm staying away from that one. I'm so mad Stephanie Meyer ruined that name for me.
Other baby news -- we're so excited. March seems a lot closer now that it's the new year. Only 2.5 months and we'll meet our daughter. Despite not being born yet, she is making her presence known. Mike can feel her kicking and moving much more often and more easily than he has been able to previously, and I feel her almost constantly now. Sometimes, when nothing exciting is going on for me, I just stare at my tummy and watch it move -- still a weird sensation.
That's it for us, really. We're back to the school/work grind, but still having a great time.

Way to go, lil brudder

My baby brother, Conner, got his mission call on Wednesday and is going to Hiroshima, Japan. He had to wait until after midnight to open it because he wanted the whole family to be there. I can't believe he's this old. I'm gonna miss the little tike. He doesn't leave until March 25th, which I'm kind of glad about (it occurred to me when he put in his papers that he could be in the MTC for Christmas because his birthday is just a few days after, and I didn't want that) but I'm sure is kind of frustrating for him. I could see that. I mean, after waiting for the call and then finding out you have to wait 4 months until you can go...hmmmm. Anyway, it's also kind of neat because he could possibly be around to meet his newest niece, and probably will meet one of his nephews that's on the way (both my sister-in-law and my oldest sister are due two weeks before and two weeks after me, respectively, and they're both having boys). Of course, I could also be in labor when he goes into the MTC (I'm due March 29th, I don't know if I've mentioned that).
I'm proud of you, Conner! You're the best lil brudder ever!

GREAT NEWS, EVERYBODY!!

We're having a girl!! Mike and I are definitely thrilled (which we would have been if it was a boy, too). I'm just glad that everything they measured in the ultrasound was normal and looking good. She's actually measuring a week ahead- I think it's because she's as anxious to get here as we are to see her. As you will see in the pictures below, she is obviously the cutest thing in the world.
There she is. The profile pictures are both me and Mike's favorite, but I also thought her little legs were so cute. She was stretched out a lot of the time, though on the DVD you can see her reach up and grab her toes and give me a couple good kicks. When we first saw her, I made a comment about how she usually is punching me, and right then, as though on cue, her little arms started pumping. The bottom picture is another of my favorites because she's all stretched out, ankles crossed, relaxing. Although she was being very modest, the ultrasound technician was very skilled and managed to get some pictures proving she is very much a lady. Getting the ultrasound was very fun. Neither Mike nor I had any trouble figuring out what the pictures were of (the technician commented that we seemed more able than some to follow what was going on, which I am a little bit proud of), and most of all, it was just wonderful to see her and know that everything was looking good.
Mike and my mom apparently coordinated forces to make Monday extra awesome. Not only did I get to find out that I was having a little girl, but when Mike and I got home from school, I found a bag my mom had left for me that had a little bib and a onesie in it. The onesie is green with pink and purple flowers (so cute) and is still sitting on our piano bench and every time I see it it just makes me grin.
And not to brag about how great my husband is for two posts in a row, or anything, but I have to say, he is the best. He went out on Monday night (the day we had the ultrasound) to run an errand or something, and when he came back...
TA-DA! Two dozen pale yellow roses with pink edges! And the Willow figurine of the pregnant woman, "Cherish." It was so sweet. No wonder I love this guy.