So Happy Together

After two and a half years, we're back.  All of us...together.  So happy are we.  At least I am. I love my siblings.  We've spent a lot of time together over the years, growing up together and all.

Mindy and I have always been close.  When we moved to Orem (at the ages of 5 & 7) we really banded together and became the best of friends.  I adored her throughout my life, doing everything she did.  We both played the piano & softball, I took all the school classes she took, and we both got the same things for Christmas (if Mindy wanted a ballerina porcelain doll, I wanted a ballerina porcelain doll; if she wanted rollerblades, I wanted rollerblades).  We did everything together throughout our elementary school years.  We ate lunch together every day and played with each other during recess.  We loved each other, even when it seemed like we didn't get along.  I usually laughed when she fought with me & I never wanted her to get in trouble for beating me up & so I never told on her.  (I was the best little sister anyone could ask for.)  When she started getting friends and doing things with them, I wrote in my journal how sad I was.  She went to a movie with some friends & I wrote something like, "I feel like I'm losing my best friend."  As we grew older, we didn't always hang out but we remained close to each other.  She was and is always someone I could/can count on to talk to.  She just moved back to Utah and I am loving the time we get to spend together.  I wish she lived a little closer, but I'm glad we're both in the same state now.

Brittany and I played sports together growing up.  That was our thing.  I remember playing for hours outside moving from one sport to the next.  We'd start by playing catch.  When we got tired of that, we'd play a little basketball.  Sometimes we'd throw in a game of two-square.  Other times we'd try to play volleyball.  Oh, those days were fun.  And when we weren't playing sports and we were in the same room together, I was usually teasing her.  I wasn't so good at being good to my little sister when I was younger.  {Will you forgive me?}  Looking back, I wish I would have been more inclusive when me and Mindy played together.  As we get older, I feel like we get closer.  I hope that lasts forever.

Austin is my little brother.  I love him.  I've always thought very highly of him.  I remember telling my mom that he was a really good kid.  He still is.  And, just like I did to Brittany, I used to tease Austin a lot.  A lot, a lot. He hated me for it.  For some reason, it was a thrill for me to bug my siblings....I don't know why.  Austin probably got the brunt of it.  (Brittany may argue otherwise.)  So, I loved him and he didn't really love me until I moved out for college.  Our relationship has been great ever since.  Now we tease each other, not nearly to the extent of how it used to be, but we both get in on the fun.  He loves me a lot and the feeling is mutual.

I just love siblings.  I love our relationships with each other and hope we will always make it a priority to get together when our busy lives get much busier.

"Mom"

This morning while feeding Henry some oatmeal & bananas, he kept saying, "Mmmm" with each bite.  So I took the opportunity to teach him one of the most important words he can learn.  As I said, "Mom...Mom..." Henry quickly caught on.  He said it numerous times throughout the day.  I had to make sure to capture this great event on camera (partially so dad would believe me, but mostly because it is so darn cute).  When dad came home from work, Henry told him his new word.  

See for yourself:

*I know, I know...he doesn't quite associate "Mom" with me yet, but the fact of the matter is Henry can say my name.

Our Little Family

Dad & Henry

Mom & Henry

Our little family

Already???

Henry is now seven months old and, as of today, he balanced himself against our ottoman (& then later on our barstool) & stood on his own two feet.  Already???  The boy loves to walk around (with the assistance of others, usually dad).  Already???  Standing up on your own, getting ready to walk...already???  Didn't you just learn to crawl, my little man?

Also of note, Henry now hates going to sleep.  Not all the time, but a lot of the time.  Sometimes, when it is nap or bed time, he cries in protest.  I think he has a hint of stubbornness in him.  He can be one adamant little boy.  Last night, after crying for an extended period of time, I checked on the little man for the fourth time, he quieted down, & started playing a game with me.  It made me laugh, which didn't help his sleepless situation.  So I fed him...again...and he went right to sleep.

Our Medical School Journey, Part III

I remember an SAA meeting where I found out more information about rotations & residency &, for the first time, realized there is so much more to medical school than classroom instruction for two years.  I knew there were more years to school; I just didn’t realize that it gets even more demanding & more stressful with the potential for less family time.  Is that possible?  I didn’t think so.  But I know it will...and someday soon.

For rotations, we got to rank our top five locations & then the selections were made.  Our second choice was Provo, Utah (our first choice was Wichita, Kansas).  When we found out we got our second choice, numerous people asked me if we were okay.  I said, “Provo was my first choice, Wichita was Brendon’s first choice.  I’m happy.”  And so was Brendon. 

We made the move & I had no clue how much I would miss Kirksville.  Life is a series of adjustments & changes, but this one has taken me awhile to feel comfortable with.  Don’t get me wrong: I absolutely love being near my family, but I feel like my Kirksville “family” is gone.  We are all spread out across the country & I’ve realized with this move that I have a really hard time letting go of people.  I’ve always tried to stay in contact with friends, and never thought anything of it, but now I realize I have a hard time letting go of people.  I like making new friends, but I hate not keeping in touch with the old friends.  

Recently we’ve started doing more with the “old” friends we left when we moved to Kirksville.  I think that has been a big help.  I feel like I’m finally adjusting.  Maybe time has helped a little bit, too. 

I need to insert here how great it is to be near so much family.  It has been much fun it has been to be within a mile of my parents.  I love being able to spend time with my mom multiple times a week.  I love watching my parents love Henry.  I love seeing my siblings & talking with them & knowing everything that is going on in their lives.  I love being near Brendon’s aunt, uncle, & cousins & eating, playing, & talking with them.  Basically, I love family.  Although a little overwhelming when we first moved, I now relish the time we spend together.

And as far as school is concerned, we are really enjoying it: me for the schedule & Brendon for real-life experiences & the lack of book work.  I love hearing Brendon’s stories at the end of each day.   He is learning so much & the doctors have been great to work with.  Each rotation is four weeks.  Brendon has four weeks to experience the lifestyle of numerous types of doctors.  One great thing about rotations is each one only lasts four weeks.  If he doesn’t like what he’s doing, it is so bearable.  If I don't like the schedule, it's only four weeks.  There is always something to look forward to as well.

The hard part of rotations has yet to come: out rotations.  I have been dreading those already & they are months away.  I’ve read several other blogs of those experiencing out rotations & have already felt more comforted about the whole thing.  You see, Brendon will likely be gone for four weeks at a time to “get in” with the hospitals where he wants to do residency, all of which happen to be in California.  And I know I just made four weeks sound like it isn't a big deal, but when it means not seeing your husband for four weeks in a row...it is a big deal.  But I think I can do it.  I think I can make it four weeks without Brendon.  I think.  Maybe???  Hopefully we’ll be able to work something out so that Henry & I can go visit or something.  Not sure how that’s all going to work out.  Just another reason why being near family will be really nice.

Brendon is in his fourth rotation.  He started with pediatrics, his love.  And just like he thought he would, he loved it.  I loved his schedule.  Someday I hope he has a similar schedule: start at 9 AM & be home by 5 PM.  Dream big, I say.  Brendon loved working with all the kids.  I’m hoping that by him being a pediatrician, it will help compensate for the number of children we have versus the number he wants (which is a minimum of five, by the way…not that I don’t want five, but this way there’s no pressure).  He can have hundreds of children as a pediatrician.

Brendon’s second rotation was internal medicine.  He said that really is the “know it all” doctor.  The patients have chronic pain, regular visits, and a lot of medications.  The patients talked very highly of the doctor he was with and I think Brendon learned a lot about listening & taking time with patients. 

The third rotation was OB-GYN.  His doctor let him do a lot & did a great job of teaching him.  The schedule was a little more demanding, but it was very bearable, especially because we knew it would only last one month.  Brendon really enjoyed this rotation because of his involvement.  I loved getting to hear how much he was able to participate each day. 

He just started his family medicine rotation this week.

Overall, Henry & I are enjoying how much Brendon is around.  At first I had a hard time with Brendon being home & not doing something with me during every moment.  For the past two years, whenever he was home, I had his attention (i.e. he was either talking with me or listening to me).  It took me awhile to realize that he is going to be home more now, that he doesn’t get to play pool at work or take any breaks (like he did during school),  & that he needs some time for himself.  I think I’m getting better now.  But it sure has been nice to have him around.

What do I think about medical school?  It’s good, it’s hard, I love it, I hate it; but overall, I really don’t want to look back & think about how much I anticipated it all to be over.  Rather, I want to look back & realize how great each stage was, no matter how easy or difficult.  I want to enjoy our medical school journey.  So I think we will.  

Our Medical School Journey, Part II

After almost a year of spending so much time together, we started our first year of medical school. (I always say “we” with reference to medical school, e.g. “we’re in our ‘x’ year of medical school,” but I realize it’s really Brendon going to school & doing the school work.) Our first year was challenging. The beginning required a lot of communication & getting used to. I went from a husband who cooked often, cleaned the house regularly, did the dishes almost every night, & assumed half the responsibility of Saturday chores to a husband who needed to focus on school in place of all those activities. Don’t get me wrong, he still helped around the house, just not as much as I had gotten used to.

I missed spending almost every week night & especially all day Saturday together. My favorite time of day was between 6:00 & 8:00 pm. That's when Brendon came home, we'd eat dinner, spend an hour talking, and then he was off to study. Some nights we played volleyball or went to the gym; other nights we only had time for dinner together, but we almost always had some time together. I always looked forward to Friday, our night to be together for the entire night. We tried to do something fun & relaxing. As far as Saturday’s were concerned, they were a full day for Brendon to study (poor guy). Fortunately, Brendon craves volleyball enough that he started open play in the TCC gym & so if when I really wanted time with Brendon on Saturday in the middle of the day, volleyball was my way of getting it. We really enjoyed that time together & with friends.

Outside of my relationship with Brendon, I really appreciated having good neighbors & friends to talk to often. It was reassuring that there were many others experiencing similar thoughts & feelings with a new lifestyle. We laughed, we comforted, we shared, we talked, we complained, we planned our futures, we vented, we watched movies, we ate, we played games, we learned from each other, we relied on each other, & we wouldn’t have made it as happily as we did without each other. We developed many good friendships our first year that only grew stronger as time went on.

I also really appreciated the good man I married. He was quick to help whenever I asked, he always kept his priorities straight, & he was always willing to talk whenever I needed him. He worked harder than he ever knew possible & performed really well his first year.

The greatest lesson I learned the first year was to really appreciate the time we were able to spend together. I learned that I needed to find things to do on my own--without Brendon--to be happy. I learned that even though we spent less time together, we needed each other more than ever before. I learned that when life gets busy, the most important thing is to prioritize the most important things.

The second year of medical school, looking back, seemed like a breeze. Maybe it was simply less adjusting. Maybe I was busier with work. Maybe I was busier with SAA. Maybe I was busy preparing for the baby. But whatever it was, it seemed easier…at least for me. Brendon would probably tell you otherwise. School was just as demanding, if not more so. On top of school, he had to prepare for board exams. And on top of that, we had a baby.

I don’t have much to say about the second year, other than it got better. “It” being my ability to handle my alone time when Brendon was studying for school. Life seemed a little easier. Busier, but easier. Maybe that’s why it was easier, because I was busier.