Monday, December 12, 2011
Friday, December 9, 2011
Colorado glory
While Ryan spends some quality time with the grandparents, Nik and I are enjoying the crisp beauty of the Rockies. Here are some pictures of our view while we were driving to go skiing. 
Sunday, November 20, 2011
More thanks
November 11: I'm thankful for my freedom and for those who fought so I could have it.
November 12: I'm thankful today for a working vehicle. Despite all the baby crap in the back seat, it works and gets us where we need to go.
November 13: I'm thankful for bedtime. That poor boy needed it tonight.
November 14: I'm thankful for being able to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel.
November 15: I'm thankful for the daycare Ryan goes to everyday. Those ladies love him to pieces and he is so happy there. If he can't be with me during the day, it's nice to know that he's with someone that takes good care of him.
November 16: I'm thankful for access to fresh fruits and vegetables. I think I take this for granted a lot.
November 17: I've already been thankful for my job, but today I'm thankful for my coworkers.
November 18: I'm thankful for Peek-a-boo apps on the iPad without which I would not be able to get Ryan to calm down when he thinks dinner is taking too long.
November 19: I'm thankful for the artistic/creative talent of others. It brightens my life when they share their gifts.
November 20: I'm thankful for the ability to work well under pressure. It has (and continues) to serve me well.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thanks continued...
November 5: I'm thankful for technology that keeps me connected to people all over the country.
November 6: I'm thankful for online school. Without it, I wouldn't be able to do what I've done so far.
November 7: I'm thankful for my supportive mom family that keeps me sane.
November 8: I'm thankful for 4 am wake-ups that result in two hours of sweaty snuggles on the couch. Totally worth it!
November 9: I'm thankful for the good balance of routine and spontaneity in my life. Just the right mixes of knowing what's going to happen next and not knowing what it the world is going on :)
November 10: I'm thankful for our home. Despite living in an apartment where one of the toilets doesn't function properly 80% of the time and the floor above us always seems to be inhabited by descendants of buffaloes, it's home. And I like it.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
More thanks...
November 3: I'm thankful for my husband who loves me in spite on all the crazy.
November 4: I'm thankful for my health.
November 4: I'm thankful for my health.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
"Cow"abunga
Could he be any cuter? I don't think so. Obviously, Ryan was a cow for Halloween. He was not terribly excited about wearing the hood, but he participated long enough for us to get some pictures. We didn't do anything for Halloween specifically since it was cold and really rainy. Ryan really enjoyed getting to play around during Spirit Week at daycare and wore his costume there.
Don't be fooled. He isn't technically walking yet. I would imagine this was a lucky shot and he fell right after this was snapped. He will take two or three steps before he falls down again. Although, the daycare swears that Monday he was walking all over the place. I've never seen it, so I refuse to believe it's true until I do.
I'm so excited to be heading into the holiday season. I've decided this year to make sure that I am intentionally thankful for something everyday during the month of November. With all we have going on, it's difficult sometimes to stop and take the time to really absorb all of the blessings we have.
So here we go...
November 1: I'm thankful for my little family. I could not be more loved.
November 2: I'm thanking for my job. Though I get frustrated, a steady income is not something everyone has right now.
More later :)
Monday, October 24, 2011
Residency Watch 2011/2012
You might be wondering what Nik's plans are as he finishes up school. Well, we're locked into a really interesting transition that grows more interesting by the day. Let me break it down for you: getting a residency is not easy. It's not like Med School. You don't just apply to schools, interview, wait for an acceptance, and choose which one you liked best out of the ones that accepted you. It's completely different, and the differences make it complicated and stressful.
Okay. To the best of my limited knowledge, this is how it works. You complete an application in ERAS (electronic residency application system/service?). These are due on 9/1 of the year prior to your residency. When you complete your application, you have to include a resume, a personal statement (that takes forever to write, hone, rewrite, edit, etc), and letters of recommendation (that you have to beg, steal, and borrow to get from reputable doctors in the hospital--and it seems everyone wants letters from the same people). Once you have all of that loaded into the system, you have to choose your residency programs. Well, I guess first you have to pick your specialty...specifically what kind of doctor you want to be...then you choose the programs that offer a residency in that specialty. After you choose the programs you want to possibly interview with (all over the country), you wait. And wait. And wait. Some specialties are faster at offering interviews than others. Interview season is pretty much from November to January. Once you have completed your interviews, you make what's called a "rank list". This is where you write down the programs you want to possibly go to out of the ones you had interviews with. This is tough. If you rank too few, you might not end up with a spot. If you rank ones you were only on the fence about, you might end up there for 3+ years. Ranking happens sometime during February. Then you wait some more while some weird computer algorithm matches you with a school on your list. I'm not completely sure about the process, but at the very least, your rank list and the school's rank list for its interviewees are involved. You find out on March 12th, 2012 next year whether you matched at all. AND THEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE WEEK TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING! How cruel is that? Once you find out where you're going you have from mid-March to June or July (depending on the program) to get your act together and get moved. Some people stay in the same place. Some people move. Again, the process is very strange. It's not like anything I've ever seen. There's no networking and greasing palms and "knowing someone".
NOTE: IF YOU ARE A MEDICAL STUDENT READING THIS AND CAN OFFER A BETTER EXPLANATION AS TO HOW THIS PROCESS WORKS, I WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK.
So obviously it's a tough position to be in as the wife of someone going through this process. I have no control. If you know me at all, you know that makes me crazy. I have created a MASSIVE spreadsheet that chronicles all the programs' best/worst features including items about what it would be like for us to live in the city in which the program is located. I won't even go into what it was like to try to narrow down the list of possibilities to 25 places.
Nik seems to be handling it pretty well. He is getting interview offers almost daily and is now weeding through the 25 to decide which programs he really wants to interview with. He wants to do about 12 interviews. He'll decide on how many programs to put on his rank list after he finishes all the interviews. In the beginning programs in Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Connecticut, and Texas were on the list.
And now to narrow the list...
Okay. To the best of my limited knowledge, this is how it works. You complete an application in ERAS (electronic residency application system/service?). These are due on 9/1 of the year prior to your residency. When you complete your application, you have to include a resume, a personal statement (that takes forever to write, hone, rewrite, edit, etc), and letters of recommendation (that you have to beg, steal, and borrow to get from reputable doctors in the hospital--and it seems everyone wants letters from the same people). Once you have all of that loaded into the system, you have to choose your residency programs. Well, I guess first you have to pick your specialty...specifically what kind of doctor you want to be...then you choose the programs that offer a residency in that specialty. After you choose the programs you want to possibly interview with (all over the country), you wait. And wait. And wait. Some specialties are faster at offering interviews than others. Interview season is pretty much from November to January. Once you have completed your interviews, you make what's called a "rank list". This is where you write down the programs you want to possibly go to out of the ones you had interviews with. This is tough. If you rank too few, you might not end up with a spot. If you rank ones you were only on the fence about, you might end up there for 3+ years. Ranking happens sometime during February. Then you wait some more while some weird computer algorithm matches you with a school on your list. I'm not completely sure about the process, but at the very least, your rank list and the school's rank list for its interviewees are involved. You find out on March 12th, 2012 next year whether you matched at all. AND THEN YOU HAVE TO WAIT A WHOLE WEEK TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU'RE GOING! How cruel is that? Once you find out where you're going you have from mid-March to June or July (depending on the program) to get your act together and get moved. Some people stay in the same place. Some people move. Again, the process is very strange. It's not like anything I've ever seen. There's no networking and greasing palms and "knowing someone".
NOTE: IF YOU ARE A MEDICAL STUDENT READING THIS AND CAN OFFER A BETTER EXPLANATION AS TO HOW THIS PROCESS WORKS, I WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK.
So obviously it's a tough position to be in as the wife of someone going through this process. I have no control. If you know me at all, you know that makes me crazy. I have created a MASSIVE spreadsheet that chronicles all the programs' best/worst features including items about what it would be like for us to live in the city in which the program is located. I won't even go into what it was like to try to narrow down the list of possibilities to 25 places.
Nik seems to be handling it pretty well. He is getting interview offers almost daily and is now weeding through the 25 to decide which programs he really wants to interview with. He wants to do about 12 interviews. He'll decide on how many programs to put on his rank list after he finishes all the interviews. In the beginning programs in Maine, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Connecticut, and Texas were on the list.
And now to narrow the list...
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Teeth and kisses
Ryan cut his sixth tooth today! He now has four on the top and two on the bottom. He's starting to figure out he can grind them. It makes me shudder, and I can't seem to get him to stop.
Also, on Saturday Ryan discovered how to give kisses. He was sitting in Nik's lap reading a book and just leaned over with his open slobbery mouth. Nik thought Ryan was trying to bite him at first, but then he did it again. And when I asked him to give momma a kiss, he gave me one too. It's super cute but super wet!
Also, on Saturday Ryan discovered how to give kisses. He was sitting in Nik's lap reading a book and just leaned over with his open slobbery mouth. Nik thought Ryan was trying to bite him at first, but then he did it again. And when I asked him to give momma a kiss, he gave me one too. It's super cute but super wet!
Monday, October 17, 2011
All of a sudden, we have a toddler
I know that makes it sound like he's walking. He's not. He's very close, but he's so cautious that as soon as he feels unsteady, he sits down.
Anyway...let me give a bit of background. Ryan has been a terrible sleeper from day one. He refused to sleep in his crib, in a bouncy seat, in a rocker, in the boppy, etc. until I ended up just sleeping with him laying on my chest on the couch for a good six weeks. After that, we transitioned to our room where I had a bassinet-like thing beside our bed. He always, however, seemed to end up in our bed before the night was over. There were a couple of nights of glorious misleading where he slept for 4, 5, 6 hours without waking, but that never lasted for more than a few days. We eventually moved his crib into our room with one side of it open so it was flush with our bed. I would just roll him back over in there when he finished nursing so we would both have more space and hopefully sleep. When he started getting more mobile, we put the other side of the crib back on. Each week we thought that we would finally, hopefully get to the point of him sleeping through the night. Each week we were disappointed by his seemingly relentless pattern of getting up every 2-3 hours.
Fast forward to the weekend of his birthday...I have some really great friends who are also moms of kids the same age as Ryan. Thanks to their advice and tough love, I came to the realization that it might be time to move Ryan into his room so we could move away from him nursing all night, every night. I left Massachusetts that weekend with the intent of moving Ryan's crib into his own room the following weekend. For whatever reason, Nik and I couldn't get our act together to get that crib out of our room until this past weekend. Still, I was determined.
On October 9th, I began working with Ryan to help him understand that he didn't NEED to nurse during the night. He also didn't NEED to sleep with me. Admittedly, those first few nights were rough. There was a lot of crying and a lot of back-arching and irritation on his part. Each night got a little easier, but it was definitely not fun.
Mark it on the calendar. On October 14th, 2011, Ryan slept in his crib in his own room for the very first time. And do you know what? That little stinker slept for 11 hours straight without waking up. I slept in the living room to be near him if he freaked out, but he never did. I even went in around 2:30 am since he had been sleeping for 8 hours. I had to make sure he was still breathing. Nik and I thought it was probably a fluke and that the next night would be awful. Nope. Another 11 hours. And last night, there were two different times that he partially woke, but he never had to be removed from his crib or nursed to get him back to sleep. We are a happy, happy house!!!
It seems that I created a vicious cycle. I kept Ryan in my room, because he was waking up every 2 hours and Ryan was waking up every 2 hours because he was in my room. I can't begin to express how guilty I feel that I ruined our entire family's sleep for MONTHS because I had no idea what I was doing. I know there was no real way of knowing that was what was going on, but still. It's tough to admit that the problem I often complained about was of my own creation.
I know we'll have set backs from this point forward when he's sick or about to cut a tooth, but I feel confident in my ability and Ryan's to manage this without creating another terrible situation. At this point, it seems like he woke up on Saturday a toddler. He's not a baby anymore. And while that is an exciting thing to witness, it's bittersweet. I have to remind myself that this transition is good for all of us. This parenting thing is not easy, but I think I'm learning.
Anyway...let me give a bit of background. Ryan has been a terrible sleeper from day one. He refused to sleep in his crib, in a bouncy seat, in a rocker, in the boppy, etc. until I ended up just sleeping with him laying on my chest on the couch for a good six weeks. After that, we transitioned to our room where I had a bassinet-like thing beside our bed. He always, however, seemed to end up in our bed before the night was over. There were a couple of nights of glorious misleading where he slept for 4, 5, 6 hours without waking, but that never lasted for more than a few days. We eventually moved his crib into our room with one side of it open so it was flush with our bed. I would just roll him back over in there when he finished nursing so we would both have more space and hopefully sleep. When he started getting more mobile, we put the other side of the crib back on. Each week we thought that we would finally, hopefully get to the point of him sleeping through the night. Each week we were disappointed by his seemingly relentless pattern of getting up every 2-3 hours.
Fast forward to the weekend of his birthday...I have some really great friends who are also moms of kids the same age as Ryan. Thanks to their advice and tough love, I came to the realization that it might be time to move Ryan into his room so we could move away from him nursing all night, every night. I left Massachusetts that weekend with the intent of moving Ryan's crib into his own room the following weekend. For whatever reason, Nik and I couldn't get our act together to get that crib out of our room until this past weekend. Still, I was determined.
On October 9th, I began working with Ryan to help him understand that he didn't NEED to nurse during the night. He also didn't NEED to sleep with me. Admittedly, those first few nights were rough. There was a lot of crying and a lot of back-arching and irritation on his part. Each night got a little easier, but it was definitely not fun.
Mark it on the calendar. On October 14th, 2011, Ryan slept in his crib in his own room for the very first time. And do you know what? That little stinker slept for 11 hours straight without waking up. I slept in the living room to be near him if he freaked out, but he never did. I even went in around 2:30 am since he had been sleeping for 8 hours. I had to make sure he was still breathing. Nik and I thought it was probably a fluke and that the next night would be awful. Nope. Another 11 hours. And last night, there were two different times that he partially woke, but he never had to be removed from his crib or nursed to get him back to sleep. We are a happy, happy house!!!
It seems that I created a vicious cycle. I kept Ryan in my room, because he was waking up every 2 hours and Ryan was waking up every 2 hours because he was in my room. I can't begin to express how guilty I feel that I ruined our entire family's sleep for MONTHS because I had no idea what I was doing. I know there was no real way of knowing that was what was going on, but still. It's tough to admit that the problem I often complained about was of my own creation.
I know we'll have set backs from this point forward when he's sick or about to cut a tooth, but I feel confident in my ability and Ryan's to manage this without creating another terrible situation. At this point, it seems like he woke up on Saturday a toddler. He's not a baby anymore. And while that is an exciting thing to witness, it's bittersweet. I have to remind myself that this transition is good for all of us. This parenting thing is not easy, but I think I'm learning.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Jury duty
This is going to be interesting. Ten minutes into my jury service, I am already annoyed with some of my fellow jurors. There is a lady down the row that has yet to take off her sunglasses (we're in an empty courtroom now). Also, despite having been told to park in specific places, many people still parked in the one place we were told not to.
Further, what is the proper verb to use for the word "orientation"? Oriented? Orientated? It has to be oriented. Orientated is a terrible word.
We've now discussed parking for 10 full minutes. Wow.
Update on sunglasses lady: yep. Still wearing them. We've been here an hour now. Maybe she thinks she is a celebrity.
150 people are now watching a riveting video (VHS!) about jury service on a 19-inch television that is 150 yards from the nearest person. Classy!
Now we're all sitting in the courtroom. Our judge is congenial and easygoing. He has worked with the court system for over 40 years. As luck would have it, the sunglasses lady was initially chosen for this jury pool. She was asked about her eyewear and indicated that she has "extreme light sensitivity" and wears her eyewear at all times. She also agreed to produce a note from her eye doctor if needed. She seems to be enjoying her time in the limelight as she is additionally sporting a boot cast on her left foot and has been quick to discuss it with amyone unfortunate enough to ask her about it. Also lucky, an Hispanic version of Little Richard is sitting in front of me right now. Perhaps he is Poco Riccardo? Oh. Also one of the jurors first identified herself as a nurse and had to go back and re-identify herself as a medical assistant. Naughty girl!
I don't know if anyone has been invited to serve on a jury recently, but the court reporter is speaking into a gas mask-like devise instead of typing. It makes me feel like she knows we're about to get bombed, but we haven't been notified yet. Disconcerting, most definitely.
This really old lady indicated to the judge at the beginning whenhe asked if anyone had any reason they should be excused from service that she has been brought up not to judge anyone based on her religion. The judge regretfully declined her efforts to be relieved of service. She has now been added to the possible jury for this trial. The judge has excused her for this case but is making her stay here for possible selection for other cases.
All and all, an interesting day. I have to call at 11:30 tomorrow to find out when I have to come back.
Further, what is the proper verb to use for the word "orientation"? Oriented? Orientated? It has to be oriented. Orientated is a terrible word.
We've now discussed parking for 10 full minutes. Wow.
Update on sunglasses lady: yep. Still wearing them. We've been here an hour now. Maybe she thinks she is a celebrity.
150 people are now watching a riveting video (VHS!) about jury service on a 19-inch television that is 150 yards from the nearest person. Classy!
Now we're all sitting in the courtroom. Our judge is congenial and easygoing. He has worked with the court system for over 40 years. As luck would have it, the sunglasses lady was initially chosen for this jury pool. She was asked about her eyewear and indicated that she has "extreme light sensitivity" and wears her eyewear at all times. She also agreed to produce a note from her eye doctor if needed. She seems to be enjoying her time in the limelight as she is additionally sporting a boot cast on her left foot and has been quick to discuss it with amyone unfortunate enough to ask her about it. Also lucky, an Hispanic version of Little Richard is sitting in front of me right now. Perhaps he is Poco Riccardo? Oh. Also one of the jurors first identified herself as a nurse and had to go back and re-identify herself as a medical assistant. Naughty girl!
I don't know if anyone has been invited to serve on a jury recently, but the court reporter is speaking into a gas mask-like devise instead of typing. It makes me feel like she knows we're about to get bombed, but we haven't been notified yet. Disconcerting, most definitely.
This really old lady indicated to the judge at the beginning whenhe asked if anyone had any reason they should be excused from service that she has been brought up not to judge anyone based on her religion. The judge regretfully declined her efforts to be relieved of service. She has now been added to the possible jury for this trial. The judge has excused her for this case but is making her stay here for possible selection for other cases.
All and all, an interesting day. I have to call at 11:30 tomorrow to find out when I have to come back.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Poor little guy
After being croupy on Thursday, I took Ryan to his pediatric appointment Friday morning. We had already scheduled to get his 12-month shots. Our doctor wanted us to bring him in to be seen for the croup thing too. That was the worst appointment ever! He had an ear infection, got five shots, and got blood drawn on top of the croup!!! What a sad boy! He got loaded up on antibiotics and had kind of a rough weekend, but he's definitely mending well. He was very excited to go to daycare today.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Croup baby
Poor Ryan is home sick today with the croup. His cough is so sad. He has an appointment in the morning where he's supposed to get shots. This little guy is gonna have a rough weekend!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Getting started...
Since I'm terrible, horrible, no good, very bad, AWFUL at keeping up with people, I am going to try to use this place to post updates, pictures, etc. about our family. I hope that you enjoy it. And don't worry if you don't know how to comment on the posts. I don't yet know how to read them...
Cheers~
Cheers~
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