Latest Sadie Pictures

Sadie in the Hospital

The world was waiting just for you

Sadie arrived at 8:24 AM EST today. She has a head of dark hair, blue eyes, weighs 7 lbs 15 oz and is 21 in long. Both she and Sarah are doing well.

Easter Celebrations

We had a good time celebrating Easter with Grandma and Grandpa King. Evidence below.

Fortune Favors the Prepared Mind (Wolverines vs. The Big Green)

We got a positive response back from Tuck (Dartmouth) today and are now faced with deciding where to go to school next fall. The decision is between Darden (Virginia), Ross (Michigan) and Tuck (Dartmouth)....or we could just stay put or apply to some jobs in the Bay area (i.e. Lucasfilm). Like to keep all options in play to keep Sarah on her toes.

So, thought I'd provide a brief comparison of the University of Michigan and Dartmouth, since those are the two most likely candidates.

Year Established

Dartmouth: 1769

University of Michigan: 1817

Enrollment (2007)

Dartmouth: 5,849

University of Michigan: 41,042

Average Temperature (January)

Hanover (Dartmouth): 9 F

Ann Arbor (University of Michigan): 17 F

Lowest Recorded Temperature

Hanover (Dartmouth): -40 F

Ann Arbor (University of Michigan): -22 F

Population

Hanover (Dartmouth): 10,850

Ann Arbor (University of Michigan): 114,024

Football Stadium Capacity

Dartmouth: 20,000

University of Michigan: 110,000

Official Colors

Dartmouth: Green and White

University of Michigan: Maize and Blue

Mascot

Dartmouth: None (though the unofficial mascot Keggy the Keg is a student favorite)

University of Michigan: Wolverines

Keggy the Keg

Number of Living Alumni
Dartmouth: 60,000
University of Michigan: 420,000

Endowment (Per Student)
Dartmouth: $642k
University of Michigan: $172k

Business School Class Size
Dartmouth: 240
University of Michigan: 427

Year Business School Established
Dartmouth: 1900
University of Michigan: 1924

Miles to Closest LDS Temple
Dartmouth: 149
University of Michigan: 43

Number of Dunkin Donuts Locations
Hanover (Dartmouth): 1
Ann Arbor (University of Michigan): 0

Miles to Closest Target Store
Hanover (Dartmouth): 67
Ann Arbor (University of Michigan): 0 (Ann Arbor has two)

Number of Movie Theaters
Hanover (Dartmouth): 1 (Only has four screens)
Ann Arbor (University of Michigan): 4

State's Largest Employer
New Hampshire (Dartmouth): Dartmouth Medical Center
Michigan (University of Michigan): General Motors

Alumni You May Know
Dartmouth: Henry Paulson, Robert Frost, Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., Jeffrey R. Immelt, Fred Rogers, Michael Corleone
University of Michigan: Gerald Ford, Arthur Miller, James Earl Jones, Mike Wallace, Larry Page, Theodore Kaczynski, Tom Brady

Fictional Films Based on the University
Dartmouth: Animal House
University of Michigan: American Pie Presents: Beta House

First Year University Admitted Women
Dartmouth: 1972
University of Michigan: 1870

What a US President Had to Say About the University
Dartmouth: This is what a college is supposed to look like. — Dwight D. Eisenhower
University of Michigan: I am a graduate of the Michigan of the East, Harvard University. - John F. Kennedy

We are currently leaning toward Tuck (Dartmouth). We really liked it when we went up there, even if the College began with the somewhat unique purpose of providing,"... for the Christianization, instruction, and education of youth of the Indian Tribes."(I am not kidding. That is directly from the College's original charter). As you can gather from the snapshot above, Dartmouth and Hanover are small, tight-knit communities. Love what Daniel Webster said about Dartmouth in defending the College against the state of New Hampshire's attempts to make it a public institution in 1819: "It is, Sir, as I have said, a small college. And yet there are those who love it." Too early to tell but I expect we'll be among them.

My day of reckoning

Tomorrow is my due date. I had an appointment with my OB this morning to see how things were progressing. He gave me an ultrasound to check on the amniotic fluid level. Unfortunately it is low, which he said is a sign that the placenta is starting to deteriorate and isn't functioning as effectively as it should. So that means we need to deliver her very soon. He checked my cervix to see if I'd made any progress since last week and there's no change- still 1 cm, 50-60% effaced, which isn't enough to try an induction on a VBAC patient. So... my cesarean is scheduled for Monday morning at 7:30.

I am disappointed. I really didn't want to have surgery again, and deal with the recovery afterwards, especially with an active 40-pound toddler to take care of too. But of course I will do anything and everything to make sure she is healthy.

So please say a little prayer for us on Monday morning that Sadie and I will be okay and all will go well with the surgery. All you local types better come visit us! : )

Vikings and Fat Ladies

I'd recommend most of you just skip this post. It talks about Norway and Opera. Yeah. You've been warned.

Oslo, Norway's capital, is opening a new opera house next month. I am sure it was meant - in part - to provide a distinct architectural landmark, like Sydney's Opera House. The new building is very sweet looking but think Oslo is kidding itself if its is angling for some type of comparison between cities. Sydney is associated with a pleasant climate, Norway with a harsh one. In addition, the city of Sydney's population is on par with that of the whole country of Norway. The buildings, on the other hand, may be more evenly matched. Judge for yourself.

via Kris Taeleman (Flickr)

via vandrende (Flickr)

via Ida C'K (Flickr)

Webcam

No rest for the weary

Yes, it's 5:30 in the morning and I am wide awake. I've been up since who knows when, maybe 3:30 or so. Every day it's the same- go to bed around 11:30, wake up at some point in the middle of the night and then can't go back to sleep. Truly, this is Mother Nature's cruelest joke. Yes, I realize that very shortly I will be getting up every few hours to tend to a newborn. But that's just it- I don't have to do that right now, so why the heck can't I sleep? Shouldn't it be like a squirrel before hibernation who stores up as many acorns as possible? I get to sleep all I want now because I won't be getting it very soon. Seems logical to me. But apparently my logic is bass ackwards or I'm just messed up and normal people really do get to do that. And can I please go for at least one 24-hour period without nausea or a headache? I'm so excited to not feel like barfing anymore. Haven't experienced that since some time in late July.

Oy.

So if you see me during the day looking completely zombie-fied, now you know why.

To a young man who doesn't think he's seen anything good today

Twenty bucks to whoever can name that quote. Not really, but I am interested to see if anyone recognizes it.

I think today was the last of our jaunts into DC. At least ones that include me. We started out at the National Building Museum (yes, you read that correctly- didn't know we had one of those, did you?), and on the way there from the car we passed through the Law Enforcement Memorial, where Ethan liked playing with the big lion statues.

This is the inside of the building museum- a very cool building. It obviously used to be used for some other purpose but neither of us knows what exactly. It's huge and open, and there's even a big fountain in the lobby! Ethan loved that!

As part of the museum there is a playroom for kids with all kinds of blocks, tools, dump trucks, etc. Ethan loved that too! We had to tear him away kicking and screaming.

After the building museum, we drove over to the White House and walked around the park on the north side. There were two people standing in front of the gates protesting- one was dressed as the Devil with a Dubya mask on, and the other as the Grim Reaper, with a sign that said something like "Thanks Mr. President for all the overtime." Classic. We took pictures in front of the Old Executive Office Building (below) and the White House itself.


This is St. John's church, just across the street from the aforementioned park. It is very old but very nice inside. We just meandered through very quickly, but it is quite impressive!

Ford's Theater is currently closed for renovations but we stopped illegally to take this picture anyway. The best part? The DC Hard Rock Cafe is right next door. What better way to commemorate the assassination of President Lincoln than overpriced hamburgers and Freddie Mercury's sweaty spandex.

The Ideas of March

More of what we did today...

I just like this picture of Paul with Ethan on his shoulders. Unfortunately for Paul this was the arrangement of choice for most of the trip.

After posing in front of the White House we went to the Renwick Gallery, which is right across from the Old Executive Office Building. It was really HOT in there! Ethan liked the big round couches in the main hall. Even Paul found a new object of his affection in this bizzare fish sculpture (pictured below). Can anyone figure out why??? (here's a hint- look closely at the close-up picture and you'll see something only Paul or Ethan could appreciate)




Next we hit up the DAR building/Constitution Hall. Neither of us really knew what was inside but it was kinda cool- about 15 or so rooms scattered throughout the building, each one representing a different state and outfitted with antiques. In the center is the library, where they have a ton of geneology stuff.



Last and definitely least, we went to the Corcoran Gallery. Don't waste your time or money. It was small and (gasp!) cost money to get in. We only paid for the general admission and there wasn't a lot to see. Then again, it's hard to appreciate art when you've got a 40-pound toddler on your shoulders or a huge pregnant gut and swollen ankles. Live and learn.

FHE & the NBA

So, Washington's NBA team, the Wizards, are having a promotion where you get a free ticket to select games with the purchase of a combo meal at Wendy's. So, for our family of three, we get dinner and game tickets for about seventeen bucks. Not bad.

We initially were planning on going to see LeBron this Thursday but it now looks like we'll be attending the game vs. the Hawks next Monday for Family Home Evening.

If Red Vines + Mr. Pibb = Crazy Delicious, what does Agent Zero + Chinese Food for FHE equal?

Details on the promotion are available at http://www.nba.com/wizards/news/wendysrules.html

A League of Their Own

Is where my friends belong because they threw me an amazing baby shower on Saturday.

It was so fun to have everyone together and the food was awesome. I loved those little cupcakes with the mint chocolate on top- mmm... thanks, Melanie!! Paul loved them too.

Everyone was so generous and gave us the cutest things for Sadie. She will be all decked out all the time! I can't wait to see her in all of her new adorable outfits! We got some other great things too, like diapers, burp cloths, cute socks, and even a scrapbooking kit. Again, my friends are amazing!

Here are a few pictures of the (many) highlights:

The adorable scrapbook set from Naina

Andrea made these *super cute* baby leg warmers- aren't they awesome?!

The amazing handmade blanket from Melanie; it's so pretty I almost don't want to use it!

Polka dot dress from Anne- you guys know me so well and my love of polka dots!

Look at this cute little onesie from Denise! Mmm... strawberries!

I wish this dress came in adult sizes- thanks, Emily!!

This set is sooooo cute- it has a long sleeve bodysuit under a jumper, then the little hooded jacket. Thank you, Lisa!

Once again, does this come in my size?? Love it!

Look at this precious cherry outfit from- who else?!- Janet! I SOOO hope one of your twins is a girl so I can get you an adorable cherry outfit for her!

This picture turned out a little too bright so it's hard to see all the little pink flowers all over the dress, but it is so cute! And it came with green gingham bloomers! Thank you, Monica!

And for good measure, here I am as of yesterday, at 38 weeks. Come out, come out wherever you are Miss Sadie Rose!!!

Fifty ways to leave your mother

Am I the only 27-year-old lame enough to get that reference?

As you are all acutely aware, I am nearing the end of this pregnancy. Twelve days to go. I am desperate to get her out. I am exhausted. I can't sleep at night. My legs feel like they have Mexican jumping beans implanted in them. I can't walk for long distances because the ligament pain is a killer. Basically I'm just miserable and want her out. NOW.

So in the interest of maintaining my own sanity, I have begun researching natural techniques for inducing labor. There is some crazy stuff out there, but these are the methods that seem to pop up most frequently.

1. Relaxation techniques
2. Visualization
3. Sex
4. Nipple stimulation
5. Enemas
6. Exercise
7. A bumpy car ride
8. Pineapple
9. Cumin Tea
10. Blue Cohosh (alone or in combination with other herbs such as Black Cohosh)
11. Castor Oil
12. Acupressure

My FIL insists that spicy Mexican food is what forced Paul out of the womb. I've been sitting on an exercise ball to try to get her to descend. I'm too chicken to try the castor oil (intestinal upset sounds like a bad companion to labor). Anyone have any other ideas? Anyone? Like I said, I am desperate.

What Ethan and Paul Did Today Part 2

We also visited Tudor Place, a historic manor in Georgetown.

Tudor Place Front Gate - Washington, DC - March 2008

Tudor Place Main House - Washington, DC - March 2008

Tudor Place Garage House - Washington, DC - March 2008
Ethan in the Tudor Place gardens - Washington, DC - March 2008

We also visited the National Aquarium located in the Department of Commerce building.

Ethan with a crocodile at the National Aquarium - Washington, DC - March 2008

Finally, we visited Embassy Row and Woodrow Wilson's House.

Ethan at a park on Embassy Row (all the buildings in the background are embassies) - Washington, DC - March 2008

The Textile Museum (we didn't visit it but cannot believe there is a whole museum devoted to textiles) - Washington, DC - March 2008
Ethan at the Myanmar Embassy - Washington, DC - March 2008
The Old Post Office Building - Washington, DC - March 2008

Ethan at Woodrow Wilson's House - Washington, DC - March 2008

Ethan with Woodrow Wilson's Rolls Royce - Washington, DC - March 2008