Well we made yet another trip to Indiana. Since about July of last year, we’ve been back 5 times and that is a lot when you consider I use to hate making the trip twice a year. It is going to be weird living there again and not having to show up two days early for family events and taking time off work to make the trip. I can’t imagine what I will do with those extra 4-10 days per year.
Well the trip home served a number of purposes. We had Leo baptised (photos pending). Angie and I looked for houses and, of course, we got together with the rest of the family for Easter.
The baptism went well. Poor Leo just couldn’t make it throught the whole thing though and fell asleep in Angie’s arms.
On the housing front, we saw a number of houses for sale and almost all of them were written off within ten seconds of walking in. It really bewilders me how my house hasn’t sold when I was looking at some real junkers for just slighlty cheaper than mine. Ultimately, and with no less than 2-3 days of debate, we decided to just rent a house. With our current house still on the market, it just didn’t seem like the right time to buy for us. Maybe in a year or two things will settle down and we can shop for more than an afternoon. Honestly, I am just looking forward to not having to work on a house and being to spend some time working on my various hobbies.
William spent the weekend playing with his cousins, eating candy, and generally crying about not being in his own bed. I slept with him the whole weekend mainly due to lack of beds and after the first night, he seemed to control his obsessive need to put his feet on my back. After that it wasn’t too bad. He did a couple of Easter egg hunts and with help from his older cousins managed to find a few.
Now perhaps I am just a tiny bit hungry, perhaps it is the spring weather, or perhaps I have just not been able to get back in the kitchen due to the need to keep it clean for showings, but I have a major hankering to do some cooking. Although I visit and poke around on various woodworking blogs and forums, its never really occurred to me to do the same for cooking. I found Pinch My Salt while googling around for biscuit flour and just her photos alone make me want to run to the kitchen and get started. Adding to that the labyrinth of information at the Good Eats Fan Page and I really just beginning to see the iceberg of information.
The issue I have always had with recipes on line, esp from places like Allrecipes.com, is who do you trust? I’d say about 50% of what I make only gets made once and I won’t go back to try it again (aside from biscuits and gravy). So if I am going to take the time to find and try a recipe, I don’t want it to suck. My sister Liz is usually a good barometer. She either has good sources or a better understanding of cooking basics (likely both) and when she makes something, its usually very good. Much like woodworking, I’d like to work with someone to learn some of the basic ins and outs. The cooking classes I have taken were always helpful, but since its been well over a year since I took one, retaining all the information that was packed in an hour class is difficult.
Now with the pending move, job change, extra kid, residency, and daily life, I am worried cooking is going to take a serious backseat. Already, I can say my consumption of McD-like food grossly outweights home cooked food. But I have fired up the grill a few times and added an excellent butter to my steaks, so I have to be happy with that. I’d just like to expand on that and get away for just eating mashed potatoes and bread with that meal (although my potatoes rock the block).
I think that is enough thinking aloud for now. Time to hit the grocery.
April 16th, 2009
Just wanted to document this wonderful day! I got my first choice for Ob/Gyn residency which was St. Vincent hospital in Indianapolis. Jon and I were anxious for this day since oh, last summer, when I started seriously thinking about residency and where the best place would be. I happened to look at Ob/Gyn programs in Indiana and liked what I saw from St. Vincent’s website, but also noticed they only took 4 students (now 5) per year. So I decided I would probably have to do a rotation there to a) figure out if it was a good place to train and b) help them know me from Eve so I would have at least SOME chance at one of their spots. The only open time in my schedule was August and, of course, they told me they didn’t have any openings for an away student in August. I could have given up at that point, and part of me wanted to because I couldn’t IMAGINE leaving Jon and Will for a whole month to live in Indy and I didn’t know where the heck I would live there anyway. But I sent one last pleading email to the residency coordinator stating my case and to my surprise, she created an opening for me. I was shocked and realized it would be very impolite to now say “I don’t have the kahunas to come!”
Then, fate paved the way again. My sister-in-law Laura is a nurse and decided to do a little away rotation herself in Colorado and her apartment in Indy would be sitting empty in August. That was definitely a big sign that this was meant to be. Anyway, I got it all arranged and the day finally came for me to head to Indy. To think back to that day STILL makes my stomach churn. I literally vomited on the side of the interstate somewhere in Wisconsin because I was SO sad to leave my little Will who was 2 years 3 months at the time (plus I was 3 months pregnant and still a little nauseated). I cried and cried so much that I was a hazard on the road, and I had to call Jon at least 5 times to have him convince me not to do a U-turn. But eventually I arrived in Indy, eyes nearly swollen shut from crying, and I at least found a little piece of comfort in Laura’s apartment – pictures of Jon as a baby:)
The next day I headed to St. Vincent’s main hospital and the minute I walked through the doors I felt better. It felt like home. Statues of cute little nuns made me smile and feel at peace with my decision. The day kept getting better, too, as I met more of the residents who all seemed very much, well, like me. It was still an incredibly difficult month (Jon and Will came down for about 10 of the 30 days), but even though I felt so lost without my boys, I was excited to be “at work” everyday, learning from the residents, delivering babies, doing surgeries with the high-risk team, rounding, and seeing my Indiana friends in the evenings. I had a good feeling St. Vincent would take the cake in the end…
But for some reason, I still felt compelled to apply to lotsa programs and interview at 8. That’s not a ton – I think the average medical student interviews at around 5-12 places depending on how competitive their chosen specialty is – but it was again very difficult to travel all over pregnant and alone. A few places seemed promising but I always felt like I was cheating on St. V’s to even think about ranking them first.
Then came my St. Vincent interview. The night-before dinner was at one of the resident’s homes and as I headed there I said a little prayer that God would give me a sign if this was the place for me. I parked in front of his home and sat for a second in the dark and glanced up to see a bright shooting star. So God is cheesy, but I was thankful for what I considered glorious confirmation!! The next day I headed to the hospital for the interviews thinking it would be low-key considering everyone knew me….think again Ang! I was asked the TOUGHEST questions I’d been asked anywhere. Lots of ethical questions that I really wasn’t prepared for. Everyone was nice as could be, but they meant business. And you know what? That made me want to go there more. They challenged me when I thought I could be lazy, and if they do that for the next 4 years, I know I will be as well trained as I can be. I left there wondering if I had any shot after my bumbling replies to questions like “do you think children should be allowed in the room during childbirth?” and “how do you feel about prescribing contraceptives….what about abortion?” But I had faith that all the hard work and signs from above meant something. And today, I got my reward. Funny – my reward is going to suck around 80 hours out of me per week, but I strongly believe that I couldn’t be happy doing anything else. Hopefully my boys will realize that I’m not putting them second by accepting such an all-consuming career, I’m simply leading them by example. Go for what you want, pray and listen when God sends you signs, and challenge yourself to see how far you can go….but don’t worry, I’m looking for a home within 10 minutes of the hospital so Jon and the boys have NO excuse for not coming to see me on those long days and overnight stays!!
I also can’t end this without saying thanks to everyone who has helped me along the way, especially Jon. I don’t know how many times throughout the last 4 years I’ve said, “I just don’t know if I can DO this” and he always reassured me that I could. And that we, as a family, would make it through just fine. I can’t say that he is a patient person, but somehow he mustered the strength to be patient enough over the past 4 years as I did rotations with call every 4th night and spent most weekends studying only to fret for 2 days after the test and then repeat the whole process again…I’m so grateful, and I hope the support we receive from family and friends in Indiana will help him remain patient through the next 4 years as well!!
March 19th, 2009
Angie matched to St Vincent’s in Indianapolis. More to come.
March 19th, 2009
Since my family tried my “almost homemade” spagetti sauce and no one hated it, I am confident in posting it as my first recipe. This is actually a combination of things I heard, read, or was told and I very well could have read it somewhere, but as far as I remember, it is original.
The origins of this recipe are from the facts that I hate spagetti and I hate jarred sauce even more. I hate it for its cheapness and whenever I was out of money in college, I always ate spagetti. Nonetheless, its a decent meal when you want something fast, so I decided to at least try to make it taste better. Enough rambling:
This feeds about 2-3 people:
- 1/2 Jar of Bertolli Marinara Sauce (or whatever brand you want)
- 8 oz can of Tomato Sauce
- Dried Basil
- Dried Oregano
- Salt
- Pepper
- 1 Tablespoon of Sugar
Mix in the Sauces in a pot over medium heat. Sprinkle the sauce with the dried basil and oregano. I never measure how much I use, I will say I generally cover the top of the sauce. Call it 1/2 Tablespoon of each. Add the sugar and stir it all together. I add a tiny bit of salt (its a flavor enhancer) and some ground black pepper. Mix until warm.
There you have it, easy as it gets. It is obviously a sweet sauce, so just an FYI.
March 12th, 2009
We are officially within one week of Angie’s residency announcement. The anticipation is palpable. I should rename the title to Angie’s Countdown though, as the location has a bigger impact on her than me. I will just have to move, she will have to move and work at this new location. I have to admit, its kind of a crappy way to pick a job.
Nonetheless, the countdown is on. After the envelope is opened, we will finally have some clarity on what will happen for the remainder of 2009, and really the next four years for that matter. So all that is left is to sit back and enjoy easy/off time Angie has with us boys (Me, Will, Leo, and Hank).
Pandora
If you are like me and like to drown out the sound of work, I highly recommend using Pandora.com. From a song, artist, genre, etc, you can build a “station” and enjoy new and different music all day long. I find it a nice change of pace from itunes which I swear picks the same songs all the time when it is on random.
Kart It Up
At some point I picked up a copy of Mario Kart for the Wii, thus justify owning a Wii (at least to me). The Wii Ski and Fit are nice, but Karting is where’s at, like two turntables and a microphone. I love looking forward to the CPU completely screwing me on the last lap of any 150CC race. I played online once for about 5 minutes and I doubt I will ever have the time to master the game like some of those guys. They can probably play Guitar Hero on expert too, who has time for this stuff?
Leo, the Lionheart
Leo has taken to watching the bird that hangs above his bouncy seat. He usually hangs out with me while I take my morning shower and I frequently check on him. For the most part, he kicks his legs and watches the bird sway back and forth. I know, not exciting at all, but it keeps his attention. I just got the report from Angie that Leo’s head size is in the 95th percentile. Imagine that, a kid of mine having a big head…
It occured to me, just this week, that when Angie starts residency I will have to get ready in the morning with both boys and likely have to start dinner with both boys, then there are the weekends… Yes, I kind of freaked a little bit. Sure Leo will be older, but I have fed him like two bottles. Even when I did that I almost forgot to burp him. Hopefully, it is like riding a bike. Hopefully…
Visitors from the South
Two of my sisters came up last weekend with my brother-in-law. It was a little hectic with two open houses, a showing, and 3 different nap schedules, but I think we managed to squeeze 5-10 minutes of fun in there. We fired up the grill, for the first time in who knows how long, and went to the Children’s Museum on Sunday so the boys could wear themselves out. I got exactly zero photos from the weekend. I know, I am really on top of things. It was fun to see Will interact with a younger cousin. I think he enjoys following his older cousins around (a lot) but this was the first time he got to really play with Evan. They took baths together and Will helped Evan pick up his water cup a few times. I am wondering if Will has put two and two together to realize Leo will be that big soon enough.
The Housing Market
Yes, it is still for sale. Lots of showings, some good feedback, 4 open houses, 0 offers. *fingers drumming*
That’s about all there is to say.
March 12th, 2009
In honor of Scrubs, I am seriously considering titling all future posts “My something or other”. I actually spent probably 20 minutes thinking of the above. How do you convey all that has happened in the last month in a succinct, interesting title. My Month, was about as good as I could come up with. Unfortunately, I slightly predicting that I will probably only post once a month for the remainder of the year, which is sad given what type of year this will be. Obviously Leo was born, now our house is on the market, Angie will match for residency and likely move us out of state, I will change jobs at that point, and then of course, we’ll hope to get another house. Lots to do, the first two of which have kept me busy for the last month…
My Leo
This really should be written by Angie as I have been a rather negligent parent. Angie will have had about 9 weeks off, when it is all said and done, to spend with Leo and I can honestly count the diaper changes I have done on two hands. I don’t even need to count the baths I’ve given because there haven’t been any. Sad, I know. Nevertheless, Leo has been packing on the pounds, crying when needed and generally just getting use to the “activity” level. Will has taken Leo in such stride, I think he is only disappointed in Leo’s inability to play like Will expects. However, Will is always sharing his lesser toys with Leo and asking to hold him, usually for about five minutes or so, and he is always excited when Leo is awake.
My Headache
The house… I can sum it up best by saying the relief I felt yesterday after the open house was nothing short of therapeutic. In the last month we’ve touched up paint everywhere, installed carpet in the bedroom, moved several things out of the house, cleaned *everything*, finished the trim in the basement, finished the plumbing in the basement bathroom, etc etc. I am sure there are some minor things I forgot, but needless to say it is done. Is it perfect? No. Is it sellable? Hopefully, yes, but time will tell.
It is weird to say, but I have some regret leaving the house now. Now that everything is cleaned up and all kinds of loose ends have been tied up, I actually feel like I could finish some things, but I will never get to them. I guess I feel like I am leaving money on the table or walking away from unfinished business. I wanted a nice fence built, a patio for enjoying eating outside, a finished basement (completely), and some real crown moulding throughout the house. So on one hand, I am so happy to not have to think about what “has to be done” every time a weekend rolls around and I am looking forward to the next house and its possibilities, on the other hand, I am disappointed I didn’t get more done.
With the house officially on the market last Friday, the 13th, it is all about just sitting and waiting to see what happens (and keeping the place spotless). I think Angie and I are both excited for the next house (assuming we can get one) although our preferences differ like Republicans and Democrats these days.
February 16th, 2009
This is Angela actually making a post – I just want to document the way Leo arrived in the world. In short, it was more perfect than I could have anticipated. In long, here it goes…I started off my uneventful Wednesday by carpet shopping and going to Target. I was really hoping to go into labor soon, so I was trying to stay active and jiggle him out little by little. At the carpet store, the salesman said “try not to deliver here, okay?” I’ve learned that these little comments are God’s clues that you’re getting close. On the day I went into labor with Will, a lady at the mall told me I looked like I was going to pop. I was a little annoyed, but there really is something to it when people take one look at you and worry you are going to explode right then and there. Anyway, I went on to Target and there I thought that maybe, possibly I had felt one little contraction so I raced home smiling. I got home and bounced (literally) around the house saying “come on OUT Leo!” and saying a little prayer for Motherhood that my sister Aimee bought me when I miscarried back in February. But nothing happened and so I picked up Will from daycare and we went about our evening. Ate some spicy chili, asked Jon to massage my feet, and popped in a movie and…contraction. 10 minutes later, another. This went on for about 2 hours so again, I got excited and gotup to call my sister Lisa so she could get to MN for the delivery. And like magic, no more contractions. So Leo is a little prankster. Hrrmph. We headed to sleep.
12:45am – drowsy, but did pain wake me up?
2am – yep, that’s pain, but no way am I getting excited again…
3am – ok,this isn’t going away, but Jon is sleeping so peacefully. I’ll just lay here…
4am – wake up Jon. Just like last time, he doesn’t really believe me but tries to stay awake and time the contractions…every 8 minutes. Call Lisa again and tell her to come – SOMEthing is happening today…
10am – still contracting every 6-10minutes, so we’ve taken our time and dropped Will off at daycare, ate breakfast and are finally going to St.Joseph hospital!
10:15 – nurse Chrissy hooks me up, later admits she thought “yeah right, this girl isn’t in labor”
10:30am – midwife Linda Gellerman checks me and says “umm, let’s get the warmer out. She’s 6-7cm with a bulging bag of water!” I give her a thumbs up and tell myself “you can do this.” Lisa arrives, camera in hand. Aimee still hasn’t caught a flight…
noon-ish – I ask to be checked again…these suckers are getting strong and coming on fast! But in between, I’m enjoying an aptly named Push Pop to stave off nausea. Linda says I’m a good 9cm – yikes, there is no turning back now.
12:45pm - though I’m in too much pain to reaize it, Linda tells me it is time to push! I start to sweat, Jon swiftly recalls his duty and busts out the cold cloth and takes his stance. I push, let out blood-curdling screams,apologize for the screams, start bossing Linda around,apologize for not doing what she tells me, start asking for HELP and everyone looks helpless.
1:09 pm - But then a push and a scream and a “honey, his head is out” and…tears of joy. The rest of Leo’s perfect little body made its debut, I grabbed him and immediately professed my love of him and thanked Him. Leo latched on to breastfeed right away and I got to sit and study his face…a little of Will, a little of me and Jon…do I see a little of Sarah Martin in those eyes?? Genetics are a wild thing…
Over the next 24 hours we had the most amazing nurses who got me back to feeling normal in record time. Will met his “buddy!” and told me “good job,mom!!” and poked at my empty belly. Aimee arrived about 2 hours after Leo’s birth and told me she had looked at her watch at exactly 1:09 and got the feeling he had arrived. Amazing. Family ties are so strong…and now, another little soul to share in it. Welcome home, Leo Max. Prepare yourself for overwhelming amounts of love!!
January 17th, 2009
Born at 1:09 pm 1/15/2009, stats below.
Weight 8.15
Length 20.5″
Head 14.5″
January 15th, 2009
Here It Goes Again…
January 15th, 2009
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