B snuck in our bed sometime before 6am and was hot and sweaty. London slept from 11pm (she went down around 9-10p but woke up for a quick nurse around 11pm) until 6:30am...she's such my sleeper. She was just in her swaddle and her arms were out. I kept hitting snooze but finally got up around 7:30 and after feeding London again, I had a nice workout in this morning and had my smoothie before getting B up and taking her to school.
Despite all of my cute outfits I had out for B, she wanted orange pants but couldn't find anything to match so she picked Halloween PJs....oh the style of a toddler! We did her Halloween activity (fire in fireplace....maybe not so good in 75 degree weather!).
I got some stuff done around the house and headed out with L for her 2 month appointment. She is officially 11'3", 22 inches and 38.5 head circumference. She checked out well and got her 2 months shots (rotavirus oral, hep B, DTP, pneumovax) and cried for about 10s before nursing her back to comfort.
We then had our checkup for the dental study and I took her over to campus for a REC meeting before coming home.
B just wanted to dance, dance, dance to Gangnam style...she is so cute and just loves to dance. She loves her little sister. I am so excited to see them grow up together.
We also got some news about dad....it frustrates me that no one thought to tell me. I just want to talk to the doctor and get the info I need before I would feel better about it. Ugh!!!!
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
London Harper...2 months!
Time is just flying by! We cannot believe London is 2 months old already. Today, she was quite the cranky one as she barely slept an hour before she was up and she woke up almost every time I tried to put her down. Definitely frustrating from my end of things as I tried to finish B's birthday invitations to get them in the mail and tried to catch up with my work email.
On our Halloween Countdown, today was Decorate a Pumpkin so Erik designed some Jack o'Lantern faces and I cut them with my Silhouette cameo. We picked B up a little early from school and used the vinyl stickers to make pumpkin faces.
Erik and I had a productive meeting with our architect and I think we have finalized an overall design for our house. We have to arrange a meeting with the owner in Indian Meadow to see a "version" of the house. I'm excited, yet scared, to build our forever house. We have listened to others and have changed quite a bit about what we want and are eliminating the 2 story great room but instead of 5 bedrooms, we're just doing 4 bedrooms and having a 2nd floor laundry and sitting room off the master. We will still have the finished 3rd floor but with this space and the basement space, we won't be excavating under the garage. We also added in a nice shed under the porch so that should help with lawnmower and snowblower storage.
I must say that B has become one of the sweetest, most kind kids there could be (minus a toddler tantrum or whining). She so eagerly shares her snacks and gives kisses and hugs all the time. We were cuddling on the couch watching Bang Bang and she just hugged and kissed me and said "love you too." Sometimes, I have to step back and understand that many times, her whining is just from her being tired or not feeling well. Today, she is still recovering from the weekend (I think) because she complained about a headache at school to her teachers. It was also PJ day for her.
London Harper
Age: 2 months
Weight: probably about 12 pounds but her appointment is tomorrow
Length: guessing around 22 inches
Clothing: sadly, I had to put away her newborn clothes since she's probably about 22 inches and popping out of the bottom but she's in size 1 diapers and 0-3 or 3m clothes.
Hair: filling in to be more fuzzy on the top. It looks a bit brown but at times, can have a strawberry-blond-reddish hue, especially in the sun. She's also getting longer eye lashes.
Teeth: none
Sleep: Typically, she'll go to sleep around 9-10pm and will get up around 4-6am to eat. This is where she is totally different from her sister and I love that I get a solid night sleep. This is heaven as I remember how exhausted I was with Brooklyn because she would be up at 1, 4, 7, etc. She goes back down pretty quickly after nursing for about 10-15 minutes and then gets up around 8-9 for the day (that's why I try to get my 7am workouts in...try being the key word). She's usually up for an hour or two and then back down for a good 2-3 hours (except today where she barely napped 30 minutes). She LOVES to nap in the swing. She'll be up another hour or two and back down for a nap, maybe an hour or two. She's usually up around dinner time and then we start winding down around 7pm. She's been fully transitioned to the crib at night, especially with only getting up once really overnight. B doesn't seem to be bothered by her nighttime cries.
Eating: Nursing is going great. Taking a bottle is misery. She will only take a bottle if absolutely necessary, after quite a significant struggle and usually more milk winds up on her onesie or on her mouth than in her. We have tried....and tried....and tried to get her to take a bottle. Avent, Playtex, Breastfriend, Medela, etc, etc. She still poops quite a bit with feeding and will just stick her legs straight out or curl up when she has to do her deed. You know it's coming because she just slows down, stops and looks all "serious" before getting her "O" face and then you hear it. Man, sometimes, she is so loud and wet sounding.
Movement: She's still unmyelinated jerkiness (random and uncontrolled). She likes to grab on while she nurses and still sticks her legs straight out. She will make eye contact and follow around the room. I know I even got a few social smiles with her cute right dimple this week.
Milestones: First social smiles. First time on a subway and staying in a hotel.
Favorite toys/activities: She's starting to enjoy her activity mat and likes hitting the animals and looking at herself in the mirror. She could care less about the bouncer. She's been in the Bumbo a few times and will tolerate it for 10-15 mintues or so. She still likes the bath....sometimes.
Dislikes: NURSING AND THE CAR SEAT. Both sources of misery as I feel horrible that she hates the bottle. She usually cries for 10-15 minutes every time she goes in the car seat thought it has made a difference with putting the puppy strap covers back on.
Words/Sounds: She's just doing the regular "gey-yeah," "gah" and cooing. Sometimes a squeal too.
What we love: the baby smiles, nice sleep schedule, more predictable naps/routine/eating, seeing Brooklyn doting all over her "Lomon Harper"
What we don't love: We would just love for London to start taking a bottle without a fight and to make a car ride tolerable! A week ago, London was having her witching hour between 7 and 10 but that seems to have improved quite a bit.
What we are looking forward to next month: London will be starting daycare at the end of the month and hopefully, crossing our fingers, will be taking a bottle!!!! We can't wait to see more baby smiles and laughs
On our Halloween Countdown, today was Decorate a Pumpkin so Erik designed some Jack o'Lantern faces and I cut them with my Silhouette cameo. We picked B up a little early from school and used the vinyl stickers to make pumpkin faces.
Erik and I had a productive meeting with our architect and I think we have finalized an overall design for our house. We have to arrange a meeting with the owner in Indian Meadow to see a "version" of the house. I'm excited, yet scared, to build our forever house. We have listened to others and have changed quite a bit about what we want and are eliminating the 2 story great room but instead of 5 bedrooms, we're just doing 4 bedrooms and having a 2nd floor laundry and sitting room off the master. We will still have the finished 3rd floor but with this space and the basement space, we won't be excavating under the garage. We also added in a nice shed under the porch so that should help with lawnmower and snowblower storage.
I must say that B has become one of the sweetest, most kind kids there could be (minus a toddler tantrum or whining). She so eagerly shares her snacks and gives kisses and hugs all the time. We were cuddling on the couch watching Bang Bang and she just hugged and kissed me and said "love you too." Sometimes, I have to step back and understand that many times, her whining is just from her being tired or not feeling well. Today, she is still recovering from the weekend (I think) because she complained about a headache at school to her teachers. It was also PJ day for her.
London Harper
Age: 2 months
Weight: probably about 12 pounds but her appointment is tomorrow
Length: guessing around 22 inches
Clothing: sadly, I had to put away her newborn clothes since she's probably about 22 inches and popping out of the bottom but she's in size 1 diapers and 0-3 or 3m clothes.
Hair: filling in to be more fuzzy on the top. It looks a bit brown but at times, can have a strawberry-blond-reddish hue, especially in the sun. She's also getting longer eye lashes.
Teeth: none
Sleep: Typically, she'll go to sleep around 9-10pm and will get up around 4-6am to eat. This is where she is totally different from her sister and I love that I get a solid night sleep. This is heaven as I remember how exhausted I was with Brooklyn because she would be up at 1, 4, 7, etc. She goes back down pretty quickly after nursing for about 10-15 minutes and then gets up around 8-9 for the day (that's why I try to get my 7am workouts in...try being the key word). She's usually up for an hour or two and then back down for a good 2-3 hours (except today where she barely napped 30 minutes). She LOVES to nap in the swing. She'll be up another hour or two and back down for a nap, maybe an hour or two. She's usually up around dinner time and then we start winding down around 7pm. She's been fully transitioned to the crib at night, especially with only getting up once really overnight. B doesn't seem to be bothered by her nighttime cries.
Eating: Nursing is going great. Taking a bottle is misery. She will only take a bottle if absolutely necessary, after quite a significant struggle and usually more milk winds up on her onesie or on her mouth than in her. We have tried....and tried....and tried to get her to take a bottle. Avent, Playtex, Breastfriend, Medela, etc, etc. She still poops quite a bit with feeding and will just stick her legs straight out or curl up when she has to do her deed. You know it's coming because she just slows down, stops and looks all "serious" before getting her "O" face and then you hear it. Man, sometimes, she is so loud and wet sounding.
Movement: She's still unmyelinated jerkiness (random and uncontrolled). She likes to grab on while she nurses and still sticks her legs straight out. She will make eye contact and follow around the room. I know I even got a few social smiles with her cute right dimple this week.
Milestones: First social smiles. First time on a subway and staying in a hotel.
Favorite toys/activities: She's starting to enjoy her activity mat and likes hitting the animals and looking at herself in the mirror. She could care less about the bouncer. She's been in the Bumbo a few times and will tolerate it for 10-15 mintues or so. She still likes the bath....sometimes.
Dislikes: NURSING AND THE CAR SEAT. Both sources of misery as I feel horrible that she hates the bottle. She usually cries for 10-15 minutes every time she goes in the car seat thought it has made a difference with putting the puppy strap covers back on.
Words/Sounds: She's just doing the regular "gey-yeah," "gah" and cooing. Sometimes a squeal too.
What we love: the baby smiles, nice sleep schedule, more predictable naps/routine/eating, seeing Brooklyn doting all over her "Lomon Harper"
What we don't love: We would just love for London to start taking a bottle without a fight and to make a car ride tolerable! A week ago, London was having her witching hour between 7 and 10 but that seems to have improved quite a bit.
What we are looking forward to next month: London will be starting daycare at the end of the month and hopefully, crossing our fingers, will be taking a bottle!!!! We can't wait to see more baby smiles and laughs
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
I love Shutterfly!!
I love Shutterfly and we go to them all the time for our cards! Thank you, birthday, Christmas, or a whenever/whatever card, folks love to see pictures of B as she grows up!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
So ridiculously funny
As if we weren't already head over heals in love with B, she just keeps becoming more fun everyday! Today, when I got home, I was greated by B and Roo in teh garage. Then, after dinner, B and I made chocolate chip cookies for Erik. She loved tasting the chocolate chips and even threw a little hissy fit when I moved the bag away.
While they were baking, she even played "fetch" with one of the balls and laughed and laughed as Erik chased her around the living room and kitchen.
What was so hilarious was that before bed, Erik and I kept tickling her and she just laughed and laughed......her beautiful little smile and giggles...and even left out a toot or two while we were tickling her!
She definitely has had a hard time settling down when it's still light out so she and I went over her animals and sounds....She just continues to amaze me.
Cow: Moo
Goat: Ba
Sheep: Ba
Pig: undecipherable
Monkey/Gorilla: Ah, ah, ah (as in oo, oo, ah, ah)
Dog: tongue out for panting
Cat: yow
Elephant: her little phwwt with her lips
Lion, Tiger, Bear: rar
Duck: duck, duck, duck (not quite a quack)
She did have a hard time settling down and we were unsuccessful in Operation Bubber Fairy. We need to come up with a better solution for getting her asleep...ideally, falling asleep in her own bed as tonight, it took an hour until she fell asleep in our bed then she still ended up crying. It's tough because I love looking over and seeing those night time smiles and sleeping angelic face.
On a random note, I totally think B's face is thinning out...where did my baby go? We did go through our nice stash of babyfood.....I think every baby we know will have a hefty allotment.
On the work end of things, I won't even begin to complain about my day but I will say, people are idiots when they make, or rather, revise schedules. As a warning: do not ever try to F**K with my schedule without asking/notifying/confirming the change is appropriate considering you changed my schedule when I put in the post-call request 6 months ago!
While they were baking, she even played "fetch" with one of the balls and laughed and laughed as Erik chased her around the living room and kitchen.
What was so hilarious was that before bed, Erik and I kept tickling her and she just laughed and laughed......her beautiful little smile and giggles...and even left out a toot or two while we were tickling her!
She definitely has had a hard time settling down when it's still light out so she and I went over her animals and sounds....She just continues to amaze me.
Cow: Moo
Goat: Ba
Sheep: Ba
Pig: undecipherable
Monkey/Gorilla: Ah, ah, ah (as in oo, oo, ah, ah)
Dog: tongue out for panting
Cat: yow
Elephant: her little phwwt with her lips
Lion, Tiger, Bear: rar
Duck: duck, duck, duck (not quite a quack)
She did have a hard time settling down and we were unsuccessful in Operation Bubber Fairy. We need to come up with a better solution for getting her asleep...ideally, falling asleep in her own bed as tonight, it took an hour until she fell asleep in our bed then she still ended up crying. It's tough because I love looking over and seeing those night time smiles and sleeping angelic face.
On a random note, I totally think B's face is thinning out...where did my baby go? We did go through our nice stash of babyfood.....I think every baby we know will have a hefty allotment.
On the work end of things, I won't even begin to complain about my day but I will say, people are idiots when they make, or rather, revise schedules. As a warning: do not ever try to F**K with my schedule without asking/notifying/confirming the change is appropriate considering you changed my schedule when I put in the post-call request 6 months ago!
Monday, April 25, 2011
5x7 Folded Card
Happy Grandma Collage Mother's Day 5x7 folded card
Personalized Mother's day cards by Shutterfly.
View the entire collection of cards.
Friday, January 7, 2011
On call at Presby....
Today was a good day....lots of positive vibes from some meetings I had today.
Grandma got Brooklyn up and had Apple Pancakes ready for her to eat for breakfast. We took her over to school and straightened up some confusion regarding daycare as we changed B to 4 days a week from 3 starting January 1st but since the center has 5 day and 3 day options when they click their logs, they billed us for 5 days so I wanted to correct the misbill before we get too far into the year. Also, B officially moved up to the Pre-toddler tuition so it was cheaper which was one reason we went to 4 day.
Then today, I had some meetings for work to discuss the after life and I was please with some of the developments. It great to finally see the light turn from a miniscule electron microscopy glimmer to more like a zippo lighter!
Tonight, I'm just chilling on call and while it initially started as typical Presby fashion...the white cloud of surprising may be following me!
Also, just going to announce some great contests sponsored by a friend's blog:
Here is her series on What I wish I got for Christmas giveaway...check it out for your chance to win!
Day 5
Day 4
Day 3
Day 2
Day 1
Grandma got Brooklyn up and had Apple Pancakes ready for her to eat for breakfast. We took her over to school and straightened up some confusion regarding daycare as we changed B to 4 days a week from 3 starting January 1st but since the center has 5 day and 3 day options when they click their logs, they billed us for 5 days so I wanted to correct the misbill before we get too far into the year. Also, B officially moved up to the Pre-toddler tuition so it was cheaper which was one reason we went to 4 day.
Then today, I had some meetings for work to discuss the after life and I was please with some of the developments. It great to finally see the light turn from a miniscule electron microscopy glimmer to more like a zippo lighter!
Tonight, I'm just chilling on call and while it initially started as typical Presby fashion...the white cloud of surprising may be following me!
Also, just going to announce some great contests sponsored by a friend's blog:
Here is her series on What I wish I got for Christmas giveaway...check it out for your chance to win!
Day 5
Day 4
Day 3
Day 2
Day 1
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Finally
Luckily today, I had a nice belly case that was done around noon. Unluckily for me, there was a liver case so I "helped" put in the lines and get the case started. By the time we had to go to PBLD, they were just about an hour into it so didn't get to see too much. Grand Rounds was journal club so it was interesting to see how the article presentations have transitioned from the earlier year when we weren't combined to now when we have multiple people from each year in a group.
Unfortunately, it was snowing so 279 was ridiculously slow until it merged with 79. By the time I got home, B was fed. Erik had just gotten home and Andrea was holding down the fort. Seriously, I hate...absolutely hate....when Erik is gone for 3 days like that. I miss him. I miss intelligent conversation. I miss his harping on me to keep the house in order. I miss having someone occupy the other half of the bed because if Erik's gone, I can guarantee Crosby will be on his half!
Crosby also wasn't herself today. Too much play, was Shelai sick and spread to Crosby, did she eat something she shouldn't have. She was still somewhat her self but clearly more tired, fatigued, etc and Andrea said she was like that all day. Oh how I hope she turns around so we can spare a vet visit!
B went down easily at 8pm...she was too tired I think before I got her ready...rubbing her eyes. I just changed her and gave her the sippy during her books. Then I brushed her teeth. I find it amazing how she loves having her teeth brushed. She would suck on the toothbrush all day if she could! So stinkin' cute! She even loves the back teeth being brushed! After that, she popped in her paci and fell asleep and stayed asleep when I laid her in the crib!
However, she did have a 2 minute crying spell around 10 and Erik had to go in and get her the binkie that fell.
As of now, we're just catching up on Top Chef and I'll be heading to sleep after some reading!
Unfortunately, it was snowing so 279 was ridiculously slow until it merged with 79. By the time I got home, B was fed. Erik had just gotten home and Andrea was holding down the fort. Seriously, I hate...absolutely hate....when Erik is gone for 3 days like that. I miss him. I miss intelligent conversation. I miss his harping on me to keep the house in order. I miss having someone occupy the other half of the bed because if Erik's gone, I can guarantee Crosby will be on his half!
Crosby also wasn't herself today. Too much play, was Shelai sick and spread to Crosby, did she eat something she shouldn't have. She was still somewhat her self but clearly more tired, fatigued, etc and Andrea said she was like that all day. Oh how I hope she turns around so we can spare a vet visit!
B went down easily at 8pm...she was too tired I think before I got her ready...rubbing her eyes. I just changed her and gave her the sippy during her books. Then I brushed her teeth. I find it amazing how she loves having her teeth brushed. She would suck on the toothbrush all day if she could! So stinkin' cute! She even loves the back teeth being brushed! After that, she popped in her paci and fell asleep and stayed asleep when I laid her in the crib!
However, she did have a 2 minute crying spell around 10 and Erik had to go in and get her the binkie that fell.
As of now, we're just catching up on Top Chef and I'll be heading to sleep after some reading!
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Beer Exchange....
Today was a great lazy day....we all slept in and of course, we made our way to Costco. Um, yeah, what were we thinking? The entire parking lot was jam packed and so was the store! We had our hot dog and ran into Mitro and Landon at the same time. B enjoyed her snacking and tried green beans, hearts of palm, various cheeses, meatballs, etc. We were lured in to Mr. Yoshida Teriyaki sauce (I can only imagine how good it would be with salmon!) and meatballs to take as our appetizer for the beer exchange.
We also ventured to Dicks to return some of the Winter Classic hats I didn't want (I just kept the blue print one) and let me tell you how grumpy someone can be in a packed parking lot and busy store. He just wanted to get home because he hates the crowds!
We tried our hardest to get B to nap but really about 30 minutes was all we could get out of her daytime. The good thing was that the sun was shining and it was relatively "warm" so Erik was able to do some outdoor work and clean out the garage. After a busy day of straightening the house and finishing up wrapping all of the gifts, we had leftovers for dinner and got B to crash for a nap around 5:30. She slept until 6:45 (yay...so she wouldnt' be a crankpot for the party). We ventured to Scott and Jess's for a Beer Exchange party.
We took Dirty Blonde beer. Last year, B slept in the car seat and we had fun posing her with beer. This year, she was still good and loved playing with their dog Tucker....Tucker isn't used to kids so she was a little annoyed at B when B thought she was like a Crosby whose tail and ears she could pull so we had to pay a little closer attention to her and Tucker. We got a great selection of beer....Great Lakes, Blue Berry, home brews, etc and can't wait to sample some!
After a long day, I'm venturing to bed!!
We also ventured to Dicks to return some of the Winter Classic hats I didn't want (I just kept the blue print one) and let me tell you how grumpy someone can be in a packed parking lot and busy store. He just wanted to get home because he hates the crowds!
We tried our hardest to get B to nap but really about 30 minutes was all we could get out of her daytime. The good thing was that the sun was shining and it was relatively "warm" so Erik was able to do some outdoor work and clean out the garage. After a busy day of straightening the house and finishing up wrapping all of the gifts, we had leftovers for dinner and got B to crash for a nap around 5:30. She slept until 6:45 (yay...so she wouldnt' be a crankpot for the party). We ventured to Scott and Jess's for a Beer Exchange party.
We took Dirty Blonde beer. Last year, B slept in the car seat and we had fun posing her with beer. This year, she was still good and loved playing with their dog Tucker....Tucker isn't used to kids so she was a little annoyed at B when B thought she was like a Crosby whose tail and ears she could pull so we had to pay a little closer attention to her and Tucker. We got a great selection of beer....Great Lakes, Blue Berry, home brews, etc and can't wait to sample some!
After a long day, I'm venturing to bed!!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Lazy Friday
Today, I was lucky in that the OR was pretty light. I didn't have a case until 11am so I was able to finish some of my applications and then the case was quick. So, at 1pm when I was out of the room, I got to go home for the day. Can you say "yay"!!! I love getting home early. I took a quick nap and then got B from school. It was so cute seeing her look up from the snack table and smile her big cheesy grin! So precious! Gosh, does B love to eat! She was polishing off her crackers. Then we went back to the house and sure enough, at 5pm, she was climbing into her high chair for dinner. We had a tombstone pizza.
I did have a party to go to tonight but tomorrow we have another party and really, I just don't think I can do 2 nights in a row. B (and us) value our sleep!
B went down for sleep so easily but then at like 9pm she woke back up and was hysterically crying so I went in and got her back to sleep. I think she's teething and her molars are ready to pop....I can feel the bumps on the top. Poor baby girl!
So, Erik and I cuddled on the couch downstairs with a bottle of wine and caught up on the first Penguins 24/7.
Winter Classic: 2 weeks!
Is it wrong that it's 11pm and I'm exhausted on a Friday night! Erik and I have a rule that we cannot go to sleep before 11pm on weekends so we don't feel like old people!
I did have a party to go to tonight but tomorrow we have another party and really, I just don't think I can do 2 nights in a row. B (and us) value our sleep!
B went down for sleep so easily but then at like 9pm she woke back up and was hysterically crying so I went in and got her back to sleep. I think she's teething and her molars are ready to pop....I can feel the bumps on the top. Poor baby girl!
So, Erik and I cuddled on the couch downstairs with a bottle of wine and caught up on the first Penguins 24/7.
Winter Classic: 2 weeks!
Is it wrong that it's 11pm and I'm exhausted on a Friday night! Erik and I have a rule that we cannot go to sleep before 11pm on weekends so we don't feel like old people!
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Long day...
Had a decent night last night. Got to catch up on work in the evening. Then had 3 epidurals to do between midnight and 3:30am in between which I had some great conversation with my attending regarding life goals. This is a huge topic of concern because I know what I want, but in the immediate future, there's no possibility because that isn't even present yet at the hospital I want to be at.
Anyway, I then proceeded with a meeting with some folks to try to sort things out. I have a lot of thinking to do this weekend/next week.....too much! Sometimes I wish it was 1907 and I couldn't vote or do anything because then I would at least know my role in life and not have so many darn decisions to make.
I was home around 1pm and took a nap before picking B up from school. In the mean time, I did drop off some of our neighborly gifts to our next door/street neighbors. Instead of baking cookies and buying some little trinket trash that will be in next summer's yard sale pile, I used some practical ideas for neighbor gifts: wrapping paper, bows, sparkly ribbon and sparkly gift tags, attached our Christmas card with a little note that said "Wrap Yourself Up in the Holiday Season." So cute!
Then, B and I played all afternoon and evening and let me tell you, we tuckered each other out. She sat in her outside swing and I got the idea to pull her around because if you laid the back part of the swing on the ground, it made a sled looking shape for her to sit on and I just pulled her around the basement. Big....stinkin....mistake because now, she just wanted pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled. I think this was a better workout than the Shake Weight because this was pulling 24-ish pounds of kid around with friction!
This kid also loves to climb....She climbed from her little desk to the the kids chair to the top of the table (her kid size one) then I caught her as she konked her head on the other chair. Of course she was crying but at this point, it was almost 7 and this clearly was starting to be tired time so up to a bath she went. Then, she tried to climb out of the bath tub. Mama mia....I'm already trying to take bets as to when she gets her first set of stitches.
Anyway, Erik and I also had a conversation about both of our futures and goals today. A lot of important decisions will need to be made in the coming weeks....ay yai, yai, this gives me a headache thinking about it.
Anyway, I then proceeded with a meeting with some folks to try to sort things out. I have a lot of thinking to do this weekend/next week.....too much! Sometimes I wish it was 1907 and I couldn't vote or do anything because then I would at least know my role in life and not have so many darn decisions to make.
I was home around 1pm and took a nap before picking B up from school. In the mean time, I did drop off some of our neighborly gifts to our next door/street neighbors. Instead of baking cookies and buying some little trinket trash that will be in next summer's yard sale pile, I used some practical ideas for neighbor gifts: wrapping paper, bows, sparkly ribbon and sparkly gift tags, attached our Christmas card with a little note that said "Wrap Yourself Up in the Holiday Season." So cute!
Then, B and I played all afternoon and evening and let me tell you, we tuckered each other out. She sat in her outside swing and I got the idea to pull her around because if you laid the back part of the swing on the ground, it made a sled looking shape for her to sit on and I just pulled her around the basement. Big....stinkin....mistake because now, she just wanted pulled and pulled and pulled and pulled. I think this was a better workout than the Shake Weight because this was pulling 24-ish pounds of kid around with friction!
This kid also loves to climb....She climbed from her little desk to the the kids chair to the top of the table (her kid size one) then I caught her as she konked her head on the other chair. Of course she was crying but at this point, it was almost 7 and this clearly was starting to be tired time so up to a bath she went. Then, she tried to climb out of the bath tub. Mama mia....I'm already trying to take bets as to when she gets her first set of stitches.
Anyway, Erik and I also had a conversation about both of our futures and goals today. A lot of important decisions will need to be made in the coming weeks....ay yai, yai, this gives me a headache thinking about it.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Christmas...
10 days away....the last 3 weeks of my favorite 3 months of the year. Fortunately for me, I think I'm well ahead of schedule.
While Erik and I always said we would only get B 3 gifts per year because that's what baby Jesus got, it's been so hard because there have been things I would have gotten her anyway but I just disguise them as Christmas.
Like I got her snowflake socks, cloth swim diapers, play doh, etc. Her major gifts are one of the battery operated quads (hey for $29, it beats the $289 Mercedes Power wheels that she wouldn't be able to reach the peddles on for the next 2 years) and the Swarovski angel crystal ornament.
Compared to last year when I was wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve, we're way ahead of schedule.....
What we have done:
While Erik and I always said we would only get B 3 gifts per year because that's what baby Jesus got, it's been so hard because there have been things I would have gotten her anyway but I just disguise them as Christmas.
Like I got her snowflake socks, cloth swim diapers, play doh, etc. Her major gifts are one of the battery operated quads (hey for $29, it beats the $289 Mercedes Power wheels that she wouldn't be able to reach the peddles on for the next 2 years) and the Swarovski angel crystal ornament.
Compared to last year when I was wrapping gifts on Christmas Eve, we're way ahead of schedule.....
What we have done:
- Christmas card envelopes are printed and addressed so all we had to do was stuff the envelopes
- Tree is up (Thanksgiving Saturday) and decorated
- House is decorated (I did not put bulbs on the stair garland but some little girl would have that tendency to rip off the bulbs and I didn't want to clean up glass)
- Christmas pictures have been taken (twice...ugh...technically 3 times because I went once at the beginning of November mainly for the wallets and some quick pictures for Baba's funeral and then the 2 photo failures courtesy of a B meltdown).
- Outdoor decorations are up.
- All lights on timers (makes life so much easier to not have to remember to turn them on or off)
- All gifts are purchased...just need a few last minute gift cards.
- Attempted to see Santa at the house in Zelienople with the resulting failure and then again at the zoo with another failure.
- All gifts are wrapped and under the tree or already at Mom and Dad's
- Christmas outfits are picked out and ready to go
- Parties are well underway
- Most of the house is well organized
- Maybe a trip to Phipps for at least the tree photos....I think Santa is a failure this year
- Finalize our Christmas driving plans
- Snowman ornaments and handprint ornaments
- Order Christmas cards (yikes)C
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Ten on Tuesday
In traditional 10 on Tuesday format, here are my thoughts for the day:
1. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders by getting my book chapter done last night. Even though I didn't finish until midnight and really didn't get started until the evening, I was able to crank my butt in gear and get it done. I work best under pressure. Always have...always will. I've had months, months to get this thing done but I would write a little, maybe a paragraph, and have mental block to just not want to complete it. Likewise, anytime I wanted to start to write, it would take me 20 minutes to lay out the 15 journal articles, 2 textbooks, etc that I wanted to use as resources and no one wants to lug that around. So, even if I did get out of the OR early on some days, unless it was noon and B wouldn't be home for 3 hours, there was no way I could get everything set up and get into a mindset of writing. Hence, why it took Erik (though not by choice....we kinda fell into a jam) taking B into my parents and me having a library day to catch up on my life responsibilities like clothes and bills where I felt comfortable forcing myself to commit to the book chapter. But alas, it's done and I can move on with my life. I just have the editing remaining so hopefully it will be fairly quick in the process.
2. As for the work under pressure, I've always worked best under pressure. It's October and I still don't have my personal statement done....no problem, just crank it out at 2am the night before it's due. Haven't studied for exams....no problem, I'll open a book at 10pm the night before and start reading. I never really studied. Never really learned how to pace myself because I could always get by with last minute deadlines. It actually stresses me to think about getting something done early but I keep ignoring that "you have a book chapter, case report, poster, etc to write that's due next month, week, tomorrow" until it's the wire. My life would be so much less stressed if people gave me deadlines 2 weeks before they were due. And technically, regarding the chapter, it was due in August. However, I "knew" the final book didn't have to be to the publisher until January. So, it wasn't until the powers that be put a little bug in my ear to get working.
3. I miss my B. She's been out of town since yesterday and the house is eerily quiet (and clean, but hey, if I get a smile from seeing B destroy things, then I'll take disarray over spotless any day). Man do I miss that girl! Her little giggles, her "stinky toes," her constant hunger and desire to eat anything and everything, her little moans and grunts.
4. B has had me a little worried. She's "almost" 14 months and hasn't talked. Not one word. No mama, dada, Crosby, ball, etc. However, she signs "more," she points to what she wants and grunts and doesn't get frustrated. She follows commands like "get mommy's socks" and brings them over and puts them on my feet (though she has yet to get the concept of the hole in the sock. She just drops them on my feet). She goes straight to her high chair (even if we're upstairs...she just slides down the steps in lightning speed and goes straight to her high chair and lifts up the tray) when we say breakfast, dinner, lunch, snack, etc. She gives Crosby hugs and kisses when we ask. She follows along songs like "wheels on the bus" and "if you're happy and you know it" and rolls her arms or claps accordingly. She stacks those rings on a peg and attempts to stack blocks. She's starting to use utensils. She makes good eye contact and smiles constantly at people (except if we're at Portrait innovations where she's cried hysterically the last 2 times). I know she's far developed in her fine and gross motor skills, receptive language, etc. It's just her expressive language has me concerned because it's like she has no interest in talking. So, I called Community Resources for Butler County to have a referral done. I figure the least that will happen is an evaluation to say "she's fine" because having worked with kids across the spectrum, I know she's not exhibiting other signs or symptoms of spectral disorders, except for the not talking. Who knows? Like everything else in life (B's induction day, work, etc), if you schedule it, the opposite will happen.
5. Snow....seriously, I love the snow! It makes for such a beautiful backdrop in life. What I don't like: cold. In fact, I hate it. I was outside for like 5 minutes walking to my difficult airway course and about froze everything off on my body. Definitely not a day to wear earrings because I swear it transmitted freezing cold temperatures to my ears. I love the snow...I loathe the cold. I just wish it wasn't 11 degrees and something less bitter like 29 degrees.
6. Today was a perfect day to have a difficult airway course. I was in a very big, very long case surgically. However, anesthetically, once the large IV and a-line were in, my job was pretty much to keep the patient chill as there wasn't a lot of blood loss or other things to do. So, I was never happier when someone came in at 12:15 to send me to the Advanced Difficulty Airway Management (ADAM) course at the WISER center.
7. Love when the attendings at WISER are chill because we were done at 2:15 pm. Enough said! The only thing that stunk was that my ID was in the Mercedes so I had to pay $5 at Magee to park. Boo!
8. I swung by Target on the way home and picked up the next size up in a Penguins jersey for B. Yay! Have I mentioned how much I love my little girl! And I still made it home for 3:30pm. So wonderful!
9. I spent the late afternoon catching up on important housework such as putting away clothes that were washed the day before and straightening up the house. Not to mention that I threw away 52 receipts that had been piled in my purse. Also found in my purse: 5 diapers, sippy cup, snack cup, random change, random craisins, and a puzzle piece. Yep, b/c in the middle of the OR, I put together puzzles.....rather, I think some little suspect put it in there.
10. On another note, I must constantly watch the garbage can. B has this tendency to put stuff in there (almost an iphone one day....she had the lid up with the phone in hand). She threw away several bows when I was wrapping gifts. She also throws away her dirty diapers (don't ask me how she figured that one out....all of a sudden one day, she took her dirty diaper and went to the trash and put it in....I love watching life through the eyes of a child because they are just little sponges that suck up everything around them which makes me be on extra good behavior) which I thought was a great thing until now she throws everything in there.
So, there ya have it! 10 on Tuesday
1. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders by getting my book chapter done last night. Even though I didn't finish until midnight and really didn't get started until the evening, I was able to crank my butt in gear and get it done. I work best under pressure. Always have...always will. I've had months, months to get this thing done but I would write a little, maybe a paragraph, and have mental block to just not want to complete it. Likewise, anytime I wanted to start to write, it would take me 20 minutes to lay out the 15 journal articles, 2 textbooks, etc that I wanted to use as resources and no one wants to lug that around. So, even if I did get out of the OR early on some days, unless it was noon and B wouldn't be home for 3 hours, there was no way I could get everything set up and get into a mindset of writing. Hence, why it took Erik (though not by choice....we kinda fell into a jam) taking B into my parents and me having a library day to catch up on my life responsibilities like clothes and bills where I felt comfortable forcing myself to commit to the book chapter. But alas, it's done and I can move on with my life. I just have the editing remaining so hopefully it will be fairly quick in the process.
2. As for the work under pressure, I've always worked best under pressure. It's October and I still don't have my personal statement done....no problem, just crank it out at 2am the night before it's due. Haven't studied for exams....no problem, I'll open a book at 10pm the night before and start reading. I never really studied. Never really learned how to pace myself because I could always get by with last minute deadlines. It actually stresses me to think about getting something done early but I keep ignoring that "you have a book chapter, case report, poster, etc to write that's due next month, week, tomorrow" until it's the wire. My life would be so much less stressed if people gave me deadlines 2 weeks before they were due. And technically, regarding the chapter, it was due in August. However, I "knew" the final book didn't have to be to the publisher until January. So, it wasn't until the powers that be put a little bug in my ear to get working.
3. I miss my B. She's been out of town since yesterday and the house is eerily quiet (and clean, but hey, if I get a smile from seeing B destroy things, then I'll take disarray over spotless any day). Man do I miss that girl! Her little giggles, her "stinky toes," her constant hunger and desire to eat anything and everything, her little moans and grunts.
4. B has had me a little worried. She's "almost" 14 months and hasn't talked. Not one word. No mama, dada, Crosby, ball, etc. However, she signs "more," she points to what she wants and grunts and doesn't get frustrated. She follows commands like "get mommy's socks" and brings them over and puts them on my feet (though she has yet to get the concept of the hole in the sock. She just drops them on my feet). She goes straight to her high chair (even if we're upstairs...she just slides down the steps in lightning speed and goes straight to her high chair and lifts up the tray) when we say breakfast, dinner, lunch, snack, etc. She gives Crosby hugs and kisses when we ask. She follows along songs like "wheels on the bus" and "if you're happy and you know it" and rolls her arms or claps accordingly. She stacks those rings on a peg and attempts to stack blocks. She's starting to use utensils. She makes good eye contact and smiles constantly at people (except if we're at Portrait innovations where she's cried hysterically the last 2 times). I know she's far developed in her fine and gross motor skills, receptive language, etc. It's just her expressive language has me concerned because it's like she has no interest in talking. So, I called Community Resources for Butler County to have a referral done. I figure the least that will happen is an evaluation to say "she's fine" because having worked with kids across the spectrum, I know she's not exhibiting other signs or symptoms of spectral disorders, except for the not talking. Who knows? Like everything else in life (B's induction day, work, etc), if you schedule it, the opposite will happen.
5. Snow....seriously, I love the snow! It makes for such a beautiful backdrop in life. What I don't like: cold. In fact, I hate it. I was outside for like 5 minutes walking to my difficult airway course and about froze everything off on my body. Definitely not a day to wear earrings because I swear it transmitted freezing cold temperatures to my ears. I love the snow...I loathe the cold. I just wish it wasn't 11 degrees and something less bitter like 29 degrees.
6. Today was a perfect day to have a difficult airway course. I was in a very big, very long case surgically. However, anesthetically, once the large IV and a-line were in, my job was pretty much to keep the patient chill as there wasn't a lot of blood loss or other things to do. So, I was never happier when someone came in at 12:15 to send me to the Advanced Difficulty Airway Management (ADAM) course at the WISER center.
7. Love when the attendings at WISER are chill because we were done at 2:15 pm. Enough said! The only thing that stunk was that my ID was in the Mercedes so I had to pay $5 at Magee to park. Boo!
8. I swung by Target on the way home and picked up the next size up in a Penguins jersey for B. Yay! Have I mentioned how much I love my little girl! And I still made it home for 3:30pm. So wonderful!
9. I spent the late afternoon catching up on important housework such as putting away clothes that were washed the day before and straightening up the house. Not to mention that I threw away 52 receipts that had been piled in my purse. Also found in my purse: 5 diapers, sippy cup, snack cup, random change, random craisins, and a puzzle piece. Yep, b/c in the middle of the OR, I put together puzzles.....rather, I think some little suspect put it in there.
10. On another note, I must constantly watch the garbage can. B has this tendency to put stuff in there (almost an iphone one day....she had the lid up with the phone in hand). She threw away several bows when I was wrapping gifts. She also throws away her dirty diapers (don't ask me how she figured that one out....all of a sudden one day, she took her dirty diaper and went to the trash and put it in....I love watching life through the eyes of a child because they are just little sponges that suck up everything around them which makes me be on extra good behavior) which I thought was a great thing until now she throws everything in there.
So, there ya have it! 10 on Tuesday
Monday, December 13, 2010
Getting back on the blog....
Blogging has taken a back burner to life for a while, but now, I'm committed to getting back on the blog.
First things first....I have this huge project (a book chapter) hanging over my head. The project is already late...by a few months, but it's because it requires a significant effort and it's not the type of project, at least in my style of writing, that I can write 20 minutes a day on. It requires that I sit and focus for several hours at a time to write. I could see if I was an expert in this field...I could probably crank out a chapter in no time flat. However, this requires effort. Lots and lots of effort! Now, with a 13-month old at home and prior rotations that were 5 days per week, where can I find the time for that? In all fairness too, most of the other people already had most of their chapter written...they just had to update with some new photos, information, etc whereas my chapter is from scratch and it's not like I'm describing the steps for a process.
I must say...I love my daughter and my husband to the extreme. They are around what my world revolves. However, last night at 6pm when they left, I had a beaming smile on my face (that, after I wiped the look of disgust at what Brooklyn could destroy in 1 hour). I went to Old Navy to pick up camis for Lauren, stopped by Target to get neighbor gifts, and then came home to straighten up the kitchen/living room that Brooklyn had destroyed. I also managed to squeeze in some time to straighten up my cake decorating supplies and whipped out the tackle box to organize all of my random supplies. Let me just say that it's so much easier to find what you're looking for when everything is in a place.
I then retreated to bed to catch up on the DVR and prepare my to do list for today and tomorrow....though I know what the biggest item is on the list today.
While it's not quite December 31st, I'm getting sad to see 2010 is coming to a close as this has been a fantabulous year. October -December, by far, hands down, are my favorite months of the year. I love the holidays, the fact that people have generally been happier, and that there's so much festivity going on.
I hope B has a fun day at grandmama J's house today!!!
First things first....I have this huge project (a book chapter) hanging over my head. The project is already late...by a few months, but it's because it requires a significant effort and it's not the type of project, at least in my style of writing, that I can write 20 minutes a day on. It requires that I sit and focus for several hours at a time to write. I could see if I was an expert in this field...I could probably crank out a chapter in no time flat. However, this requires effort. Lots and lots of effort! Now, with a 13-month old at home and prior rotations that were 5 days per week, where can I find the time for that? In all fairness too, most of the other people already had most of their chapter written...they just had to update with some new photos, information, etc whereas my chapter is from scratch and it's not like I'm describing the steps for a process.
I must say...I love my daughter and my husband to the extreme. They are around what my world revolves. However, last night at 6pm when they left, I had a beaming smile on my face (that, after I wiped the look of disgust at what Brooklyn could destroy in 1 hour). I went to Old Navy to pick up camis for Lauren, stopped by Target to get neighbor gifts, and then came home to straighten up the kitchen/living room that Brooklyn had destroyed. I also managed to squeeze in some time to straighten up my cake decorating supplies and whipped out the tackle box to organize all of my random supplies. Let me just say that it's so much easier to find what you're looking for when everything is in a place.
I then retreated to bed to catch up on the DVR and prepare my to do list for today and tomorrow....though I know what the biggest item is on the list today.
While it's not quite December 31st, I'm getting sad to see 2010 is coming to a close as this has been a fantabulous year. October -December, by far, hands down, are my favorite months of the year. I love the holidays, the fact that people have generally been happier, and that there's so much festivity going on.
I hope B has a fun day at grandmama J's house today!!!
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Christmas Cards...Oh Christmas Cards....how pretty they make our family
I love Christmas cards....just like our wedding invitations, I can spend hours crafting the P-E-R-F-E-C-T card that reflects us as a family. I love Shutterfly and we use that as our sharesite at ligda.shutterfly.com and if you know us, you know the password (or you can email us for the password and we'd be happy to give it to you). Seriously, B's entire life is on the sharesite and it's convenient to have all your photos in one location for uploading for times like this when you want to pull upon her messiest food experience for coming up with Christmas card designs and inspiration. While I think there are other cheaper sites out there for ordering photos, Shutterfly is always running a special and I like the convenience and ease of use and the quality of the products.
Since we use it as our upload and share site, we use it for all sorts of publishing needs. For the past year, I've ordered almost all birthday, Mother's/Father's, special occasion cards from Shutterfly because I'd rather spend $2 for a card of B stuffing her face with cake from Shutterfly than some meaningless card that will be recycled into the next Starbucks coffee holder. In fact, I love giving grandparents, aunts/uncles, great grandparents, parents, etc these personalized cards, most of which have included pictures of B in some form or another.
We have even gotten folks calendars in the past with pictures of B and Crosby and one special one came in March where Lauren announced her pregnancy.
However, the project I'm most excited about is the A to Z book! Since B is on the verge of this language explosion (we hope), I can't wait to read the book to her! It contains photos of the important people in her life and I'm so excited to see her little face smile at Daddy, Mommy, Roo Roo, Grandma, Pap, Aunt Lauren, Uncle Nate, Aunt Heidi, etc.
Since we use it as our upload and share site, we use it for all sorts of publishing needs. For the past year, I've ordered almost all birthday, Mother's/Father's, special occasion cards from Shutterfly because I'd rather spend $2 for a card of B stuffing her face with cake from Shutterfly than some meaningless card that will be recycled into the next Starbucks coffee holder. In fact, I love giving grandparents, aunts/uncles, great grandparents, parents, etc these personalized cards, most of which have included pictures of B in some form or another.
We have even gotten folks calendars in the past with pictures of B and Crosby and one special one came in March where Lauren announced her pregnancy.
However, the project I'm most excited about is the A to Z book! Since B is on the verge of this language explosion (we hope), I can't wait to read the book to her! It contains photos of the important people in her life and I'm so excited to see her little face smile at Daddy, Mommy, Roo Roo, Grandma, Pap, Aunt Lauren, Uncle Nate, Aunt Heidi, etc.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
How many shoes can I wear...
when I only have 2 feet (or hats when I only have 1 head)? I must say recently I've felt pulled in so many different directions to fulfill so many different roles and I realize I have to start prioritizing what's important to me. This post is going to be a rambling so just a pre-warning.
Who am I? I'm a
Wife.
Mother.
Anesthesiologist.
Sister.
Daughter.
Granddaughter.
Niece.
Aunt.
Friend.
Employee.
Crafter.
Photographer.
Adventurer.
Leader.
I could probably come up with dozens more roles and positions but these give a good picture as to why sometimes I think I never truly have a handle on life as my to-do list grows exponentially by the day. Do I tackle too much? Of course! Do I try to do too much? I'm thinking so. Do I need to find a better balance in my life so I can fulfill my roles as completely as possible? I'm working on that.
Prioritizing and organizing my life (now, my home, that's a different story) have been current projects of mine. I want to maximize the time I spend with my family while still fulfilling my duties such as studying or paying bills.
It doesn't help things when I leave for work at 5:15 in the morning and don't return home until 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening.
Do I ever wish I was in a 9-5 world? Yes, but do I love what I do...that's a resounding yes.
This weekend will be tough because I'm on call from 7am-7pm Saturday and Sunday so I will barely see Brooklyn awake which just tears my heart apart...sometimes, I feel like I'm missing out on so much of her life and of my life in general. It's tough. It's even tougher starting back to work on this rotation and really, I feel like I watch the clock all day long until the room is over and I can hopefully go home.
Brooklyn has also been having a bit of a regression lately...she's spacing out her poops and last week went on Wednesday night but not again until Saturday morning and then starting Saturday night, she has been up every few hours at night for a comfort feed of maybe an ounce or two before going back to sleep. It's been frustrating to say the least. She finally pooped last night which I think helped her sleep cycle regulate a bit better as she was only up like 2 or 3 times to pop the pacifier in and eat.
Erik comes back tonight after being gone this week. Mom is out at the house. I swear she must be a light sleep because she's already with B and a bottle before I even hear her crying. It must be that I'm trying to maximize my REM sleep for the little time that I do get to sleep, I'm in a deep sleep.
So, I continue to play the waiting game on my room since my case was cancelled....
Now, trying to figure out my life and what direction I want to take with it....this is another story!
Who am I? I'm a
Wife.
Mother.
Anesthesiologist.
Sister.
Daughter.
Granddaughter.
Niece.
Aunt.
Friend.
Employee.
Crafter.
Photographer.
Adventurer.
Leader.
I could probably come up with dozens more roles and positions but these give a good picture as to why sometimes I think I never truly have a handle on life as my to-do list grows exponentially by the day. Do I tackle too much? Of course! Do I try to do too much? I'm thinking so. Do I need to find a better balance in my life so I can fulfill my roles as completely as possible? I'm working on that.
Prioritizing and organizing my life (now, my home, that's a different story) have been current projects of mine. I want to maximize the time I spend with my family while still fulfilling my duties such as studying or paying bills.
It doesn't help things when I leave for work at 5:15 in the morning and don't return home until 6:00 or 7:00 in the evening.
Do I ever wish I was in a 9-5 world? Yes, but do I love what I do...that's a resounding yes.
This weekend will be tough because I'm on call from 7am-7pm Saturday and Sunday so I will barely see Brooklyn awake which just tears my heart apart...sometimes, I feel like I'm missing out on so much of her life and of my life in general. It's tough. It's even tougher starting back to work on this rotation and really, I feel like I watch the clock all day long until the room is over and I can hopefully go home.
Brooklyn has also been having a bit of a regression lately...she's spacing out her poops and last week went on Wednesday night but not again until Saturday morning and then starting Saturday night, she has been up every few hours at night for a comfort feed of maybe an ounce or two before going back to sleep. It's been frustrating to say the least. She finally pooped last night which I think helped her sleep cycle regulate a bit better as she was only up like 2 or 3 times to pop the pacifier in and eat.
Erik comes back tonight after being gone this week. Mom is out at the house. I swear she must be a light sleep because she's already with B and a bottle before I even hear her crying. It must be that I'm trying to maximize my REM sleep for the little time that I do get to sleep, I'm in a deep sleep.
So, I continue to play the waiting game on my room since my case was cancelled....
Now, trying to figure out my life and what direction I want to take with it....this is another story!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
We finally have...
Poop....
This girl was on a poop strike from Saturday morning until tonight! She was uncomfortable yesterday and had a ton of gas and was struggling to try to get the gas out. I got her some Prune-apple juice and pear juice at Giant Eagle and slowly gave her a bit of juice. We had her in the Bumbo while we got dinner ready and all of a sudden, B's face turned red and she looked like she was straining. Of course, the mother in me ran to get the video camera because Old Faithful was getting ready to explode and sure enough, within a minute, we heard the rumbling explosion and then it repeated itself.
Any mother knows that this is something you do not mess with...do not pass go...do not collect $200...just go straight to the bathroom and have a bath ready. By the time I lifted her from the Bumbo, my hand could already feel the wetness seeping out and I carried her like a fragile egg with her head and shoulders cradled in one arm and her legs in another. I had help in me stripping her down and running the water and wow...this was intense and greenish tinted and everywhere...
She got her bath and then was a happy little camper. She was starting to get tired so I gave her her bath and then went to pump for my last session but apparently she needed to go down immediately after her bath because I think she got a little too tired and was really fussy trying to go to sleep (she would sleep in my arms but the moment I would put her down, she would wake up and be this bright eyed and cheery little baby). M took her while I tried to get some studying done and get to sleep.
Otherwise, I can't believe it's Ash Wednesday already...man, time has just flown by and Easter will be here before we know it. I did get out "relatively" early from the OR today and had some interesting lessons on the heart and oxygen saturations. When I got home, B was out and about shopping and I was able to pump in peace and quiet (since I forgot my pump parts at home, I was quite uncomfortable by this time since it had been nearly 12 hours).
This girl was on a poop strike from Saturday morning until tonight! She was uncomfortable yesterday and had a ton of gas and was struggling to try to get the gas out. I got her some Prune-apple juice and pear juice at Giant Eagle and slowly gave her a bit of juice. We had her in the Bumbo while we got dinner ready and all of a sudden, B's face turned red and she looked like she was straining. Of course, the mother in me ran to get the video camera because Old Faithful was getting ready to explode and sure enough, within a minute, we heard the rumbling explosion and then it repeated itself.
Any mother knows that this is something you do not mess with...do not pass go...do not collect $200...just go straight to the bathroom and have a bath ready. By the time I lifted her from the Bumbo, my hand could already feel the wetness seeping out and I carried her like a fragile egg with her head and shoulders cradled in one arm and her legs in another. I had help in me stripping her down and running the water and wow...this was intense and greenish tinted and everywhere...
She got her bath and then was a happy little camper. She was starting to get tired so I gave her her bath and then went to pump for my last session but apparently she needed to go down immediately after her bath because I think she got a little too tired and was really fussy trying to go to sleep (she would sleep in my arms but the moment I would put her down, she would wake up and be this bright eyed and cheery little baby). M took her while I tried to get some studying done and get to sleep.
Otherwise, I can't believe it's Ash Wednesday already...man, time has just flown by and Easter will be here before we know it. I did get out "relatively" early from the OR today and had some interesting lessons on the heart and oxygen saturations. When I got home, B was out and about shopping and I was able to pump in peace and quiet (since I forgot my pump parts at home, I was quite uncomfortable by this time since it had been nearly 12 hours).
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Snowed in or not really...
Apparently NC must be in the heart of the Arctic Tundra as they have gotten another 6+ inches of snow to bring their total to >1 foot. We just had flurries here but it was enough to keep us inside while Erik and I took down the Christmas trees and decorations.
We left the outside wreaths up because I like the look of the house with some wintery greens. Erik and dad were able to tie up the trees so our first tree in the dining room fit nicely into a tree bag (however, if anyone has a Christmas tree box, I would love to have it to try to fit the tree back into the box to stack better in our basement.....please!?!?!?!).
The living room tree fit nicely back into it's box, again after some careful tying. We put away all the ornaments back into their boxes and took down most of the major decor except for some candles and snowman plushies.
I also worked on a craft with Brooklyn where I painted her hand with white paint and put her handprint on an ornament (which when I have time, I will turn into a cute little family of snowmen)....however, now I'm on the lookout for clear glass ornaments (please please let me know if you see any) so that I can fill them with fake snow and use them as G-rents gifts next year. It will also be a nice annual thing to do with B. I used the colored glass ornaments but the paint on the glass wipes off too easily for my wanting to have these ornaments for life.
Mom and I ventured out to Lowe's to pick out some ceramic tile for their backsplash in the kitchen (along with carpet...they need new carpet before a kitchen redo). We then went to Babies R Us because Slickdeals had a post about diapers at BRU...of course, they only had size 5 and 6 diapers and I'd love to have the child potty trained by then (okay, probably not realistic but I'd rather stock up on hundreds of size 3 and 4s).
When we came back, we had dinner downstairs and then watched Star Trek. This is officially my last night to relax before I have to go to work.....ugh....this is so bittersweet!
We left the outside wreaths up because I like the look of the house with some wintery greens. Erik and dad were able to tie up the trees so our first tree in the dining room fit nicely into a tree bag (however, if anyone has a Christmas tree box, I would love to have it to try to fit the tree back into the box to stack better in our basement.....please!?!?!?!).
The living room tree fit nicely back into it's box, again after some careful tying. We put away all the ornaments back into their boxes and took down most of the major decor except for some candles and snowman plushies.
I also worked on a craft with Brooklyn where I painted her hand with white paint and put her handprint on an ornament (which when I have time, I will turn into a cute little family of snowmen)....however, now I'm on the lookout for clear glass ornaments (please please let me know if you see any) so that I can fill them with fake snow and use them as G-rents gifts next year. It will also be a nice annual thing to do with B. I used the colored glass ornaments but the paint on the glass wipes off too easily for my wanting to have these ornaments for life.
Mom and I ventured out to Lowe's to pick out some ceramic tile for their backsplash in the kitchen (along with carpet...they need new carpet before a kitchen redo). We then went to Babies R Us because Slickdeals had a post about diapers at BRU...of course, they only had size 5 and 6 diapers and I'd love to have the child potty trained by then (okay, probably not realistic but I'd rather stock up on hundreds of size 3 and 4s).
When we came back, we had dinner downstairs and then watched Star Trek. This is officially my last night to relax before I have to go to work.....ugh....this is so bittersweet!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy New Year!!
Happy Birthday Crosby!!!!! Our little pup is 2 years old! The terrible twos or the teenage years (in dog years) are upon us. I can't believe how much joy she has brought to our lives and how our lives have been forever changed by having her apart of it. She got some Filet Mignon treats to start off the day in her gift bag.
We watched Angels and Demons last night and it was awesome...so reminiscent of Italy. We watched the ball drop and finished watching A&D. We cleaned up and finally made it to bed closer to 2am.
B was up at 6:30 this morning and again at 9:30....followed by a HUGE poop that overflowed her diaper...so much so that I had to change her clothes, the changing pad and just put her in the tub. We then relaxed for the morning and got the pork and sauerkraut going.
I straightened up around the house and just spent time playing with B. I LOVE seeing her big gummy grin. I put her in the Bumbo while I washed bottles and we just talked back and forth (me in English and she in baby coos).
We cozied up downstairs in the theater room to watch Boston and Philly duke it out in the Winter Classic. Mom and dad came down around 6:30 or so and we watched Angels and Demons with the leftovers from our antipasto plate and their NYE snack leftovers.
We also sang Happy Birthday to Crosby while she ate her Carrot Cake Birthday Muffin (though no candles since a little someone doesn't quite get that concept).
I had a few Peach Bellinis (love this drink...maybe I'll try subbing a different Schnapps to give a different flavor to the champagne). By the time the movie is over, we probably won't be in bed until close to 1am.
Anyway, it was a perfect start to 2010.
We watched Angels and Demons last night and it was awesome...so reminiscent of Italy. We watched the ball drop and finished watching A&D. We cleaned up and finally made it to bed closer to 2am.
B was up at 6:30 this morning and again at 9:30....followed by a HUGE poop that overflowed her diaper...so much so that I had to change her clothes, the changing pad and just put her in the tub. We then relaxed for the morning and got the pork and sauerkraut going.
I straightened up around the house and just spent time playing with B. I LOVE seeing her big gummy grin. I put her in the Bumbo while I washed bottles and we just talked back and forth (me in English and she in baby coos).
We cozied up downstairs in the theater room to watch Boston and Philly duke it out in the Winter Classic. Mom and dad came down around 6:30 or so and we watched Angels and Demons with the leftovers from our antipasto plate and their NYE snack leftovers.
We also sang Happy Birthday to Crosby while she ate her Carrot Cake Birthday Muffin (though no candles since a little someone doesn't quite get that concept).
I had a few Peach Bellinis (love this drink...maybe I'll try subbing a different Schnapps to give a different flavor to the champagne). By the time the movie is over, we probably won't be in bed until close to 1am.
Anyway, it was a perfect start to 2010.
Thursday, December 31, 2009
New Year's Eve...
Wow...what a year 2009 has been...
Yesterday, we enjoyed sleeping in and having family cuddle time in bed. B was up at 5 and I brought her into bed when she was up at 8. Erik was working while I was visiting the day care again. I just straightened up the house and organized the items for the Secretary desk which is arriving tomorrow. We ventured to Levin to check out a bedroom set we liked but even with their great "sales" the price isn't that much different than it had been and we still haven't found a set we absolutely love enough to justify the price tag (I like the Bassett West End but they don't carry it anymore so Levin's French Quarters was close enough).
We said from the beginning we were going to do a low key NYE and eat in and watch a movie and ball drop with Crosby and Brooklyn and reflect on all the great things in our life. Well, we then decided we were going to do a variety of appetizers so we stopped at Giant Eagle in Wexford and got a large antipasto tray (seriously, like 5.4 lbs of food for $20) with dolmades, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella, prosciutto stuffed peppers, capelloni onions, artichokes, etc and then paired it with some popcorn chicken, cheddar and jalopeno bites, along with a meat/cheese/cracker tray. We had our bellini's all night and watched Angels and Demons and reminisced of our trip to Italy. Seriously, it has been an awesome New Year's Eve and now with just minutes to go before the ball drop.....I can't wait to see what 2010 brings for us as it surely will bring a lot of firsts in our house.
2009 truly was a great year for us (probably one of the best ever) and we are so lucky to be at this position in our lives. I looked down on the sleeping Brooklyn in my arms and the sleeping Crosby between Erik and I and I just want to cry thinking about how perfect our life is right now (granted, there are plenty of things I would love to add to it but we are so happy as a family right now).
A review of the Decade:
2000: survived Y2K, finished my freshman year of college, was supposed to go to Greece but the trip was canceled because Bill Clinton cancelled his trip back in November 1999
2001: spent the summer doing research at Penn State in Hershey and working at the Hersey Grill; 9/11; turned 21, traveled to England with Erin and Kisa, Traveled to Cali and Chicago with Erin for American Chemical Society trips
2002: did my Senior Honors Thesis after a summer and fall of research on the tobacco hornworm; New Year's Eve in Times Square; med school interviews and accepted to my first med school (huge relief), Traveled to Orlando with Erin and Kerry for ACS
2003: $200,000 scholarship for med school (which made me change my plans from going to Pitt to leaving the state given the terms of the scholarship); graduated from college; cruise with my Erik, moved to Virginia; met Susan; kinda "separated" from the BF/now DH
2004: Traveled (Dominican Republic, spent the summer in Europe, traveled a few places in the US for conferences); reunited with Erik
2005: Vacay to SoCal with Erik, got engaged, decided I did not want to be a surgeon anymore, moved into townhouse with Erik
2006: decided my career field (dermatology vs anesthesiology), got married, honeymooned in Jamaica and traveled for conferences
2007: found out I matched to Pitt for residency and disappointed (blessing in disguise as we never would have realized that we could have bought our current house had this not occurred) in where I would spend internship; graduated from medical school, traveled for weddings and pleasure
2008: 10 year dating anniversary, bought our house; moved; finished internship and left Virginia; started residency; got Crosby (LOTS OF CHANGE this year), and had our big trip to Italy, Bought the Mercedes (accomplished Erik's goal of owning a BMW/Benz/Lexus before age 30).
2009: Got pregnant, Lauren got married, had Brooklyn, Steelers Superbowl, Pens Cup (which Erik was fortunate enough to be able to actually go to the game), Erik wins his 2 FF leagues (they were his first wins ever and he's been in the leagues for 10 and 7 years so his wins are like my wins), limited travel this year :(
A review of the Year:
January: Chronic Pain rotation, an extremely cold January with lots of snow (almost the entire month), almost lost Crosby as she took off (unleashed) through 18 inches of snow running down the road at mom and dad's, Ski weekend at Decker's, Steelers Superbowl, did well on my AKTs
February: PACU rotation and a week on pain service (really like Regional), found out we were pregnant February 13th and cleaned out Babies R Us of all 0-3 month Christmas items at 88% off and bought the "I'm the Big Sister" shirt for Crosby, told Erik on February 14th using said shirt
March: Magee ORs, really liked my limited OB experience, told Lauren of the news, went to conference in DC, did well on my ITE, Lauren's Bachelorette Party Weekend at the house
April: Presby, Easter, saw the peanut on US on 4/9, told the parents on 4/10 when we came home for Easter using said shirt, had a week off where we landscaped and cleaned the house, Erica's Bridal Shower
May: Magee OB, trying my first stint of maternity clothes and loving the stretchiness, BBQs, Doug's wedding, Lauren's and Erin's Bridal Showers, watching Pens playoffs seemingly every night I was on call, finding out that our little Peanut was a girl
June: Magee OB, 10-year HS graduation anniversary, Lauren's wedding, Penguins Cup, Going to Game 4, Erik going to Game 7 (seriously, Game 7...how fricken' awesome), watched all of the games essentially of the playoffs, Erin's wedding, finished the ceiling
July: ICU hell...seriously 30-hr call shifts almost every 3rd or 4th night...ugh...Gary and Erica's wedding, painted the basement and got furniture, painted the nursery and bought furniture
August: ICU hell, Lauren came out to visit, finished nursery, our 3rd anniversary
September: Neuro, starting to get more difficult to move, FF party out here and home to NC for FF Draft #2, our big Garage Sale, Baby Shower here and Baby Shower in NC
October: Southside Regional (absolutely loved this), home for Katie's baby shower, my birthday weekend with the parents out here while we all decorated for fall, PSA meeting in Harrisburg, B's arrival on October 23rd after lengthly debate about induction, Halloween
November: spending time with our Brooklyn, home to meet the family, 10-year high school reunion, Thanksgiving with the family
December: home for dad's birthday, Christmas, baptism....December was quite the blur
Best of 2009 series of questions:
December 31 Resolution you wish you'd stuck with. (You know, there's always next year...)
I really didn't have resolutions, but rather goals for the year. I wish I had been better in keeping the house more organized and cleaned more frequently (yes, I have been told many times that our house is always so organized, put together, clean, etc but in my mind, it's not). I really would rather have quality time with Erik, Crosby, or now Brooklyn than worry about the last the hardwood floors had been hand scrubbed as I'd rather just run the Dyson over them.
Yesterday, we enjoyed sleeping in and having family cuddle time in bed. B was up at 5 and I brought her into bed when she was up at 8. Erik was working while I was visiting the day care again. I just straightened up the house and organized the items for the Secretary desk which is arriving tomorrow. We ventured to Levin to check out a bedroom set we liked but even with their great "sales" the price isn't that much different than it had been and we still haven't found a set we absolutely love enough to justify the price tag (I like the Bassett West End but they don't carry it anymore so Levin's French Quarters was close enough).
We said from the beginning we were going to do a low key NYE and eat in and watch a movie and ball drop with Crosby and Brooklyn and reflect on all the great things in our life. Well, we then decided we were going to do a variety of appetizers so we stopped at Giant Eagle in Wexford and got a large antipasto tray (seriously, like 5.4 lbs of food for $20) with dolmades, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella, prosciutto stuffed peppers, capelloni onions, artichokes, etc and then paired it with some popcorn chicken, cheddar and jalopeno bites, along with a meat/cheese/cracker tray. We had our bellini's all night and watched Angels and Demons and reminisced of our trip to Italy. Seriously, it has been an awesome New Year's Eve and now with just minutes to go before the ball drop.....I can't wait to see what 2010 brings for us as it surely will bring a lot of firsts in our house.
2009 truly was a great year for us (probably one of the best ever) and we are so lucky to be at this position in our lives. I looked down on the sleeping Brooklyn in my arms and the sleeping Crosby between Erik and I and I just want to cry thinking about how perfect our life is right now (granted, there are plenty of things I would love to add to it but we are so happy as a family right now).
A review of the Decade:
2000: survived Y2K, finished my freshman year of college, was supposed to go to Greece but the trip was canceled because Bill Clinton cancelled his trip back in November 1999
2001: spent the summer doing research at Penn State in Hershey and working at the Hersey Grill; 9/11; turned 21, traveled to England with Erin and Kisa, Traveled to Cali and Chicago with Erin for American Chemical Society trips
2002: did my Senior Honors Thesis after a summer and fall of research on the tobacco hornworm; New Year's Eve in Times Square; med school interviews and accepted to my first med school (huge relief), Traveled to Orlando with Erin and Kerry for ACS
2003: $200,000 scholarship for med school (which made me change my plans from going to Pitt to leaving the state given the terms of the scholarship); graduated from college; cruise with my Erik, moved to Virginia; met Susan; kinda "separated" from the BF/now DH
2004: Traveled (Dominican Republic, spent the summer in Europe, traveled a few places in the US for conferences); reunited with Erik
2005: Vacay to SoCal with Erik, got engaged, decided I did not want to be a surgeon anymore, moved into townhouse with Erik
2006: decided my career field (dermatology vs anesthesiology), got married, honeymooned in Jamaica and traveled for conferences
2007: found out I matched to Pitt for residency and disappointed (blessing in disguise as we never would have realized that we could have bought our current house had this not occurred) in where I would spend internship; graduated from medical school, traveled for weddings and pleasure
2008: 10 year dating anniversary, bought our house; moved; finished internship and left Virginia; started residency; got Crosby (LOTS OF CHANGE this year), and had our big trip to Italy, Bought the Mercedes (accomplished Erik's goal of owning a BMW/Benz/Lexus before age 30).
2009: Got pregnant, Lauren got married, had Brooklyn, Steelers Superbowl, Pens Cup (which Erik was fortunate enough to be able to actually go to the game), Erik wins his 2 FF leagues (they were his first wins ever and he's been in the leagues for 10 and 7 years so his wins are like my wins), limited travel this year :(
A review of the Year:
January: Chronic Pain rotation, an extremely cold January with lots of snow (almost the entire month), almost lost Crosby as she took off (unleashed) through 18 inches of snow running down the road at mom and dad's, Ski weekend at Decker's, Steelers Superbowl, did well on my AKTs
February: PACU rotation and a week on pain service (really like Regional), found out we were pregnant February 13th and cleaned out Babies R Us of all 0-3 month Christmas items at 88% off and bought the "I'm the Big Sister" shirt for Crosby, told Erik on February 14th using said shirt
March: Magee ORs, really liked my limited OB experience, told Lauren of the news, went to conference in DC, did well on my ITE, Lauren's Bachelorette Party Weekend at the house
April: Presby, Easter, saw the peanut on US on 4/9, told the parents on 4/10 when we came home for Easter using said shirt, had a week off where we landscaped and cleaned the house, Erica's Bridal Shower
May: Magee OB, trying my first stint of maternity clothes and loving the stretchiness, BBQs, Doug's wedding, Lauren's and Erin's Bridal Showers, watching Pens playoffs seemingly every night I was on call, finding out that our little Peanut was a girl
June: Magee OB, 10-year HS graduation anniversary, Lauren's wedding, Penguins Cup, Going to Game 4, Erik going to Game 7 (seriously, Game 7...how fricken' awesome), watched all of the games essentially of the playoffs, Erin's wedding, finished the ceiling
July: ICU hell...seriously 30-hr call shifts almost every 3rd or 4th night...ugh...Gary and Erica's wedding, painted the basement and got furniture, painted the nursery and bought furniture
August: ICU hell, Lauren came out to visit, finished nursery, our 3rd anniversary
September: Neuro, starting to get more difficult to move, FF party out here and home to NC for FF Draft #2, our big Garage Sale, Baby Shower here and Baby Shower in NC
October: Southside Regional (absolutely loved this), home for Katie's baby shower, my birthday weekend with the parents out here while we all decorated for fall, PSA meeting in Harrisburg, B's arrival on October 23rd after lengthly debate about induction, Halloween
November: spending time with our Brooklyn, home to meet the family, 10-year high school reunion, Thanksgiving with the family
December: home for dad's birthday, Christmas, baptism....December was quite the blur
Best of 2009 series of questions:
December 31 Resolution you wish you'd stuck with. (You know, there's always next year...)
I really didn't have resolutions, but rather goals for the year. I wish I had been better in keeping the house more organized and cleaned more frequently (yes, I have been told many times that our house is always so organized, put together, clean, etc but in my mind, it's not). I really would rather have quality time with Erik, Crosby, or now Brooklyn than worry about the last the hardwood floors had been hand scrubbed as I'd rather just run the Dyson over them.
Another 2009 in Review
1. What did you do in 2009 that you’d never done before?
We had a baby =)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes and no, I didn't quite accomplish all of them (such as losing weight but I had a wonderful excuse), but we stuck pretty well to the everything has a place organization of our house and our goals to be more green. I would like to lose that extra baby weight and then lose some that extra post-marriage weight.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, our friends Melanie, Rachael, and of course moi
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No one close but my great aunt did pass away
5. What states/countries did you visit?
For the first time in about 10 years, I did not leave the country...in fact, with baby on the way, we didn't travel much. I did visit Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and DC...holy heck was this overall a boring travel year.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Aside from extra money to work on some of the projects that we would like to do (it's not that we don't have the money...we just don't like to spend it)
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 31st-February 1st - a very important weekend (do the math), the ski weekend and the Steelers Superbowl
February 13th - the day I found out I was pregnant
February 14th - the day I told Erik
April 9th - the day we first saw the peanut on US and she actually looked like a baby
May 29th - when we found out our peanut was a girl
June 6th - Lauren's wedding
June 12th - Penguins win the Cup and Erik is there to see it (I felt like I had just accomplished my lifelong goal knowing he was there to see it)
July and August - 2 months of hell in the ICU
October 23rd - Brooklyn Sydney changed our lives
November 28th - our first Thanksgiving here
December 25th - Brooklyn's first Christmas
December 26th - Brooklyn's Baptism
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a mommy
9. What was your biggest failure?
Realizing it's almost impossible to keep an impeccably clean house anymore
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope...except for being in the hospital for the first time overnight when I had Brooklyn
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our Nikon D60 and the theater room
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Don't really know how to answer this one...probably Erik's for being an awesome dad and Crosby's for being a wonderful big sister and getting along with B so well
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one's really...except maybe Tiger Woods and another person in my life disappointed me more than anything else.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills and my 8 page American Express Credit Card Statements
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Brooklyn and when we first saw her smiles and coos
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Probably "My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride or "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? slightly fatter - I just had a baby
c) richer or poorer? richer (in love)
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Relaxing, appreciating all the blessings we have in our life (we do this all the time but really, we are so lucky, fortunate, and blessed to be in the position in life we are now)
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Housework, worrying, and stressing over little things
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve by driving into NC, spending time with my grandparents then Erik's grandparents then home to change and off to church, then off to Erik's mom's then home for opening gifts at my parents then waking up Christmas morning and having our family dinner then spending time with relatives
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes, on Friday, October 23rd
22. What was your favorite TV program?
I really liked Glee ;) Top Chef, Next Iron Chef, Next Food Network Star and a few other Food Network and Bravo shows have always been my favorites.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't have time to hate people
24. What was the best book you read?
Since I didn't do much pleasure reading since I have a pile of textbooks to read, I would say Happiest Baby on the Block since it saved our sanity the first week home
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I guess Glee and probably realizing that B loves music
26. What did you want and get?
My camera and a healthy pregnancy
27. What did you want and not get?
I didn't get my house completely finished with the basement bar or the outside patio
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I think we watched Marley and Me this year...I also really liked Up
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29 and was 38 weeks pregnant. I worked, then came home and napped. Yep, that about sums it up! However, the day before, my parents, Erik and I went to the Springfield for my birthday brunch while the waitress looked at me with evil eyes while I drank my glass of champagne
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Pretty much nothing (except maybe winning the lottery) as 2009 probably was our best year ever
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Scrubs :) My favorite....I have no fashion concept. My husband picks out my clothes on the rack in the store and then I just find the size to fit. I admit I have no style and wish someone would nominate me for What Not To Wear as I would rather wear jeans and a casual shirt, scrubs, maternity clothes (at the time and even for the first 6 weeks or so because I loved the loose fit and elastic waistbands until I was forced by he-who-shall-remain-nameless to buy new jeans)
32. What kept you sane?
Given the 2 ICU months, probably milkshakes and chocolate =) and in reality, Erik who managed to keep me sane and grounded
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Sidney Crosby
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Health care
35. Who did you miss?
Some of my old friends from MCV that I've not seen in over a year
36. Who was the best new person you met?
New person...besides Brooklyn, I feel like I just formed better relationships with the people I already know
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Live in the moment and cherish each fleeting second because they will be gone before you know it. My little B is growing and changing each and every day and I won't get a second chance at these moments with her
38. What was the single best thing that happened this year?
Brooklyn's birth
39. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Finding a balance between wife, mother, doctor, sister, daughter, friend and all the other hats I wear.
40. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Kinda an expected joy but having a daughter and realizing how much I love seeing her smile and laugh
41. What was an unexpected obstacle?
42. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of 2009?
Starting 2009 hoping to become a mother by year's end and ending the year as a mommy
43. In what ways did you grow,
emotionally? Having a deeper understanding of love
spiritually? Having a connection far beyond this physical world
physically? More like increased size, like about 15 pounds more
44. In what ways did you grow in your relationship with others?
Most importantly, I grew more in love with my husband by seeing him as a father
45. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
Definitely with Erik and now with Brooklyn....having a better relationship with my parents knowing what they went through in raising baby
46. Who did you miss?
I miss some of my girlfriends and other friends who I haven't seen in a long time...
47. Who was the best new person you met?
Um, Brooklyn ;)
48. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
I'd say this year it was landscaping the outside and finishing the theater room
49. What was your most challenging area of home management?
I'd say it's probably putting away the clothes and keeping our breakfast table clutterfree as that's where mail and everything accumulate....I did make great strides in keeping the counters clear and hopefully the secretary desk will help with the breakfast table.
50. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this year?
I would say Facebook and the Nest have to be a tie.
We had a baby =)
2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Yes and no, I didn't quite accomplish all of them (such as losing weight but I had a wonderful excuse), but we stuck pretty well to the everything has a place organization of our house and our goals to be more green. I would like to lose that extra baby weight and then lose some that extra post-marriage weight.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Yes, our friends Melanie, Rachael, and of course moi
4. Did anyone close to you die?
No one close but my great aunt did pass away
5. What states/countries did you visit?
For the first time in about 10 years, I did not leave the country...in fact, with baby on the way, we didn't travel much. I did visit Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, and DC...holy heck was this overall a boring travel year.
6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Aside from extra money to work on some of the projects that we would like to do (it's not that we don't have the money...we just don't like to spend it)
7. What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 31st-February 1st - a very important weekend (do the math), the ski weekend and the Steelers Superbowl
February 13th - the day I found out I was pregnant
February 14th - the day I told Erik
April 9th - the day we first saw the peanut on US and she actually looked like a baby
May 29th - when we found out our peanut was a girl
June 6th - Lauren's wedding
June 12th - Penguins win the Cup and Erik is there to see it (I felt like I had just accomplished my lifelong goal knowing he was there to see it)
July and August - 2 months of hell in the ICU
October 23rd - Brooklyn Sydney changed our lives
November 28th - our first Thanksgiving here
December 25th - Brooklyn's first Christmas
December 26th - Brooklyn's Baptism
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a mommy
9. What was your biggest failure?
Realizing it's almost impossible to keep an impeccably clean house anymore
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nope...except for being in the hospital for the first time overnight when I had Brooklyn
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Our Nikon D60 and the theater room
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Don't really know how to answer this one...probably Erik's for being an awesome dad and Crosby's for being a wonderful big sister and getting along with B so well
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No one's really...except maybe Tiger Woods and another person in my life disappointed me more than anything else.
14. Where did most of your money go?
Bills and my 8 page American Express Credit Card Statements
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Brooklyn and when we first saw her smiles and coos
16. What song will always remind you of 2009?
Probably "My Daughter's Eyes" by Martina McBride or "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? happier
b) thinner or fatter? slightly fatter - I just had a baby
c) richer or poorer? richer (in love)
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Relaxing, appreciating all the blessings we have in our life (we do this all the time but really, we are so lucky, fortunate, and blessed to be in the position in life we are now)
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Housework, worrying, and stressing over little things
20. How did you spend Christmas?
Christmas Eve by driving into NC, spending time with my grandparents then Erik's grandparents then home to change and off to church, then off to Erik's mom's then home for opening gifts at my parents then waking up Christmas morning and having our family dinner then spending time with relatives
21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
Yes, on Friday, October 23rd
22. What was your favorite TV program?
I really liked Glee ;) Top Chef, Next Iron Chef, Next Food Network Star and a few other Food Network and Bravo shows have always been my favorites.
23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't have time to hate people
24. What was the best book you read?
Since I didn't do much pleasure reading since I have a pile of textbooks to read, I would say Happiest Baby on the Block since it saved our sanity the first week home
25. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I guess Glee and probably realizing that B loves music
26. What did you want and get?
My camera and a healthy pregnancy
27. What did you want and not get?
I didn't get my house completely finished with the basement bar or the outside patio
28. What was your favorite film of this year?
I think we watched Marley and Me this year...I also really liked Up
29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 29 and was 38 weeks pregnant. I worked, then came home and napped. Yep, that about sums it up! However, the day before, my parents, Erik and I went to the Springfield for my birthday brunch while the waitress looked at me with evil eyes while I drank my glass of champagne
30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Pretty much nothing (except maybe winning the lottery) as 2009 probably was our best year ever
31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Scrubs :) My favorite....I have no fashion concept. My husband picks out my clothes on the rack in the store and then I just find the size to fit. I admit I have no style and wish someone would nominate me for What Not To Wear as I would rather wear jeans and a casual shirt, scrubs, maternity clothes (at the time and even for the first 6 weeks or so because I loved the loose fit and elastic waistbands until I was forced by he-who-shall-remain-nameless to buy new jeans)
32. What kept you sane?
Given the 2 ICU months, probably milkshakes and chocolate =) and in reality, Erik who managed to keep me sane and grounded
33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Sidney Crosby
34. What political issue stirred you the most?
Health care
35. Who did you miss?
Some of my old friends from MCV that I've not seen in over a year
36. Who was the best new person you met?
New person...besides Brooklyn, I feel like I just formed better relationships with the people I already know
37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Live in the moment and cherish each fleeting second because they will be gone before you know it. My little B is growing and changing each and every day and I won't get a second chance at these moments with her
38. What was the single best thing that happened this year?
Brooklyn's birth
39. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
Finding a balance between wife, mother, doctor, sister, daughter, friend and all the other hats I wear.
40. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
Kinda an expected joy but having a daughter and realizing how much I love seeing her smile and laugh
41. What was an unexpected obstacle?
42. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of 2009?
Starting 2009 hoping to become a mother by year's end and ending the year as a mommy
43. In what ways did you grow,
emotionally? Having a deeper understanding of love
spiritually? Having a connection far beyond this physical world
physically? More like increased size, like about 15 pounds more
44. In what ways did you grow in your relationship with others?
Most importantly, I grew more in love with my husband by seeing him as a father
45. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
Definitely with Erik and now with Brooklyn....having a better relationship with my parents knowing what they went through in raising baby
46. Who did you miss?
I miss some of my girlfriends and other friends who I haven't seen in a long time...
47. Who was the best new person you met?
Um, Brooklyn ;)
48. What was the most enjoyable area of managing your home?
I'd say this year it was landscaping the outside and finishing the theater room
49. What was your most challenging area of home management?
I'd say it's probably putting away the clothes and keeping our breakfast table clutterfree as that's where mail and everything accumulate....I did make great strides in keeping the counters clear and hopefully the secretary desk will help with the breakfast table.
50. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this year?
I would say Facebook and the Nest have to be a tie.
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