Working Woman

So I have been back at work for about 2 months now. Unfortunately ( or Fortunately if you are a preggo in cville) , we haven't had very many babies at work lately. I havent had much of a chance to actually do patient care. And let me tell you, I like doing the schedule, but taking care of a  23 weeker is more of my cup of tea than staring at a computer screen of numbers all day.

Everybody has said that having a baby changes everything. And yes they are right in all the normal, expected ways ( inability to eat in restaurants, so excited to get three things on a to do list done, drying my hair is still a daily accomplishment, etc.) But the place it has changed me the most is at work. I have never been much of a crier, and at work to say the least I am always a little cynical. However since the Jack Jack came along, working is a whole new ball game. My first week back I took care of a little man, and when I asked his mom if she wanted to hold him, she starting crying, then I was crying. It was ridiculus. I never cry at work, even when  my primaries die. Yes the baby was very sick, and yes she had never held him, but seriously. I blamed that little emotional outburst on hormones. But it is continuing on, I can not stand to hear a baby cry or fuss without comforting him (I know that doesn't sound out of the ordinary but if you work in the NICU, you get that sometimes they just have to cry). I have patience for kiddos at work that never ends. I tear up when we take the babies away right after birth (even though obviously we need to) because the mom doesnt get to love on them. I have basically become a blithering mess. Clearly, jack has changed me and I think in the long run it is going to make me a much better nurse, at least a more understanding nurse to the parents. Dont get me wrong, I was a pretty awesome nurse before hand :) and I have always been a fan of letting parents hold. Now I get it though and it breaks my heart to think if that was me and Jack in that situation. Everyone who says having a baby changes you is right. And it words that are unexplainable, it is 100% for the better.


No worries though,  do not think that it has changed me in how and what I feel should be done, I'm still pretty cut and dry in what I would want done for my baby. I havent completely lost it. yet...

Sleep is for the Weak..,

and I am learning I am one of the weak. Jack went through a little bit where he would sleep from 8-4, eat nd go back to bed until 730ish. That however is a thing of the past. Jack is wanting to eat every three hours at night and needing a pacy put back in his mouth about once an hour. He has conveniently learned how to take it out and throw it across the crib.  Needless to say ,I am one tired Momma. Remember when I used to nap for three-four hours an afternoon, oh how I miss those days,,

here is the little night owl...

On a side note, there are only 161 days of intern year left, not that I'm counting...

good bye holidays hello winter

The holidays are officially over now that it is January 4th. I count the holidays as going through my birthday. We had a great and busy Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve in Charlottesville, Carter, jack and I opened presents in the afternoon, then we went to a Christmas Eve party with Carter's parents. Jack was a sweet boy and slept through almost the whole party. After wards, we went home and Santa had come early. Christmas day, Carter went to work for the next 30 hours, so Jack and I drove to Richmond and hopped on a plane. We spent 5 days in Omaha and Jack finally got to meet his Uncle Ben. Jack hung out with Nick and Abby. Jack was royally spoiled and I am now looking for some sort of toy box that doesn't look like a toy box for the living room.

 For New Year's it was questionable if I would have to work New Years Day after being cancelled on the Eve, so we grilled some steaks, made some potatoes and I was in bed by 9.  Not that I needed anything else to remind me of how old I was getting.

My birthday was pretty quiet. Carter's on night float this week so he brought me home some cookies and flowers at 10 am and went to bed. Jack and I went to Starbucks to get my free drink, had a long trip to Target and took a nap. Not a pretty bad day on my end. I was lucky enough not to have to make dinner a, because it was my birthday and b. because the oven keeps catching on fire when we turn it on. Jack wanted to keep telling me Happy Birthday all night long, so he woke up about every hour and a half. Wasn't that so sweet of him...

On a Jack note, he is busy, moving, and questionably suicidal :). In the past two days he has tried to throw himself out of his bumbo that was on the table while we were eating breakfast and then arched back in the tub and dunked himself. He was obviously fine after both events, and probably wouldn't have been phased by either if it werent for his mom frantically grabbing him and scaring him to death. Need less to say he can't be left alone anywhere.
Alright hopefully will post more often..
Here is the little man...

A package from when Unlcle Scotty is home

Sleeping at a UVA BBall game

With Grandpa at the game

Before opening presents

Santa Came!!

The Boo

Jack and Daddy in Christmas Jammies

PLaying with my new toys at Grandma and Grandpa's

So Happy

about 2 seconds before he tried to throw himself off the table

Chunky Monkey

we have mover..

Jack has rolled over twice now. I have yet to see either. The first time was with Carter and he rolled front to back. The second time I was home but missed it. I left him on his belly on his play gym mat to let Harper out.

 and when I turned around he looked like this...

While it is great that he is moving, it also means I can no longer leave him anywhere alone..

Its the Holiday Season....

Its that time of year again where the traffic is horrible, going to Barracks Road can take 2 hours, and there are people everywhere. While Carter may think the above, I love the Christmas season. My Pandora has been set to Nat King Cole since the day after Thanksgiving. Our tree is up, now straight ( thanks grandma and grandpa) and decorated. There are elves all over my house making sure Jack and Harper are going to end up on the nice list. Jack has a few Christmas outfits that he is trying to wear out before December 25th and he won't be able to wear them again.

Carter and I were planning to just get Jack a stocking this year, but that idea is quickly disappearing. I asked Carter which toy to get Jack and he said why can't he have both?? So I bought both:) His stocking will definitely be overflowing when Santa visits.

Here are some Christmasy pictures of Jack. Don't be surprised if you see one of them on a Christmas card...

three months old!!!

So Jack turned three months yesterday. Its hard to believe that he is getting so old. We've had a busy week this week. I went back to work Tuesday and Carter stayed with Jack for three days. It went as well as to be expected on everyone's end. I have pretty mixed feelings about going back, but it hasn't been too bad. All of that might change, however, when Carter is back at work and both of us are sleep deprived. I start actual patient care this week and Carter starts on cardiac service.

Jack had lots of first this week. He rode on his first horse, went to his first football game and meet Tyler for the first time.
Hope everyone has a Happy Thanksgiving!!

doing laundry

Riding a horse at Elizabeth's house

all bundled up at the football game

ty-ty finally came to visit

hanging with daddy all day

12 weeks

 I am attempting to try this blogging thing again. Based on my one post last time, we'll hope I have more success this time around.

In the past 12 weeks, Jack has become a completely different baby. He is still pretty laid back, but is definitely showing his stubborn side. He refused to participate in tummy time for the last 10 weeks. When I would put him on his tummy, he would not scream, he would simply snuggle his face into the ground and go to sleep. It didnt matter where, when or who was around, he wanted nothing to do with it. Until last week, and now if he is on his stomach, his head is up and he's looking around. He can last that way for at least 15 minutes at a time. I guess he might be one of those "I'll do it when I am ready and I want to" kiddos.

Lately, he is also trying to laugh. He has way more "words". He also is becoming slighlty opinionated and wants to be entertained when he is awake, which is fun for him and us, but not so great for my house. He loves to grab a hold of things, talk to anything and everything, especially any stuffed monkey, and is constantly putting things in his mouth, his hands, his blankets, toys, my shirt, Harper's tail.

As my 12 weeks of being a stay home Mom are coming to an end, I thought i would share a few things I have learned.

- coffee is not too bad (especially if it has white chocolate and peppermint in it)

-you can never have too many burp clothes

- Running with a dog and a baby is not exactly relaxing

- Babies are expensive, especially when your dog seeks attention by eating money

- my mom might know what she's talking about

- DVR is the greatest invention ever

- 6 hours of sleep is a good night

- your baby will survive and you will hear him cry if you turn off the monitor.

- an arm workout should be included in prenatal care packets

- if you shop at the harris teeter by target, and not the one in Barracks, people might actually offer to help you as you struggle with your baby. ( same for the panera up 29, strangers hold the door open while you navigate your stroller, while students just talk on their phones and look annoyed)

-getting up at 3 am is a lot better when you are greeted with a grin and giggles

-no matter how masculine you dress your child, someone is still going to call him a girl

-12 weeks is not a long enough maternity leave. they make you go back to work just when it's getting fun.

alright here is what everyone is waiting for some pictures of the jackaroo... so here you go...

i'm not so sure about the camera

watching TV

loving my lovey