My Baby

Rob took Noah to the doctor for a well child checkup today while I was at work. Of course, since I wasn't there everything went wrong. He has to have allergy testing, she is worried about his eye (that it might be lazy) and he has a swollen lymph node that she is giving him antibiotics for. I feel terrible for missing the appointment and terrible that he can't just be healthy. I fear all of the things this could lead to. The possibilities of what could be wrong and the knowledge of the invasiveness of allergy testing. I am also frustrated by the fact that we have to add two more medications to his daily routine. I am at work, my mind always drifting toward him and all I want to do is go home and hold him. I know once I get there, he will be asleep for the night, and yes, I will be tempted to wake him. But I wont. Not tonight, anyways.

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love fall? I think I look forward to fall more than any other season. I love the colors, the smells and the cool, crisp air. I look forward to sweaters, jeans, warm socks, soft blankets, watching football and watching Rob rake the yard.

Then, of course, there is the food. We get to drink cider and eat apples, donuts, chili and roast. I can make hot tea again, also.

I get to dress my boys up for Halloween (and eat lots of candy) and then, less than a month later, we get together with family for Thanksgiving.

I love fall. If only winter wasn't so close behind...

What Does This Mean??

In the last couple of weeks, I have made the following purchases:

1. Ladies Home Journal Magazine
2. Anti-Wrinkle Face Lotion
3. Hemorrhoid Cream
4. Bran Flakes
5. About 37 Diet Cokes

I'm too young to get old!

Poor Ryan

Ryan has been sick this week. Not sure what is going on though. He has had a fever since Sunday, but no other obvious symptoms. He sometimes complains of a headache, but that is about it. He is really sad about missing school this week (I only wish I could miss school). My mom has been a big help, though. As "luck" would have it, she is home recovering from back surgery and Ryan is just old enough for her to take care of from the couch. Her friend Ann is also there, so she helped with Ryan also. Hopefully he will shake this thing soon...I think he is getting stir crazy.

TJ Ellis, you'll appreciate this...

I picked up my mom a couple of weeks ago from Fremont and brought her back to Muskegon for a hair appointment. Ryan was with us. While we were sitting there waiting for her, Ryan played with some animals and read books. He got quiet for a few seconds and then asked "Mamma, is zero a number?" I wasn't quite sure how to answer that question. I vaguely remember that lecture in Advanced Algebra, but obviously didn't pay enough attention. Maybe you can explain it to him, TJ.

Why I Want to be a Nurse

The last week and a half, I have had a patient named "Matt". He is a 44 year old Air Force Colonel who graduated from the University of Michigan. He was in Arizona, playing raquetball, when he suddenly went into Cardiac Arrest. He suffered a Brain Injury from prolonged CPR (and lack of oxygen to the brain). He is now in a pre-vegitative state, cognitively impaired and basicly lays in bed all day, unable to speak or move on his own.

After my first day caring for him, I knew he needed some stimulation. Since he can't communicate, I thought it would be a good idea to read to him. I borrowed a book about a Michigan football coach from my father-in-law (but got it from Deb) and planned to read it to him.

In our pre-conference, I told my classmates what my plan was and felt a little silly about it because I didn't know if he could even hear me. But I read. And read and read.

Two days later, I finally met his wife. I was able to spend some time talking to her and found out that she, too, was in the Air Force. She, however, was a graduate from Michigan State =). Anyways, they have two children 12 and 13 and they live in Battle Creek. She is torn between their scheule and spending time with her husband. She talked a lot about him when I was with her. Anyways, when she found out I was reading to him, she started to cry. "Thank you, thank you", she said. "You don't know how much it means to me that someone is spending time like that with him. He really needs that". I almost cried as well.

Although I don't know if the reading has done anything for him, I know that it has made a world of difference to her. That one moment has made all the work and sacrifice of nursing school worth it.

It's Only Fair

Ryan had his day in the sun on his first day of school. Here is Noah on Ryan's first day of school...

When Life is Too Crazy

I finally got to spend time with my best friend tonight. It had to be while grocery shopping, but it was nice to talk and laugh together. I hadn't seen her in what feels like forever because of work and school. Only ten more weeks and I promise to be a better friend...

The End Is In Sight

My mom had her back surgery yesterday. Everything went well. They even started her surgery early. She spent the night in the hospital and is home resting on the couch as I write. Her instructions are very strict: lay flat for the next week. After that, she can spend a limited time up, but still mostly laying flat. But hopefully, within the next two months, she will be feeling much better and will be back to work. Finally, the light at the end of the tunnel.

The end is in sight for me, also. Only one more night of work and then I can sleep like a normal human being. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

What I Missed

while I was at school tonight...

Ryan, My Big Boy

Ryan had his first day of preschool on Wednesday. He loved it. Rob and I were able to bring him (no, we didn't cry) and Miss Amber picked him up. Amber called me after picking him up and told me she got a lot of praises from the teachers about Ryan. He was an excellent "student" and had a great day. I can hardly believe that he is this old, but at the same time I am excited about the opportunities that he has.

In other news, I was able to switch to an evening clinical. This will do a few things for me.

a) I wont have to get up at 4:30 am to be at my site on time
b) It will free me up to do fun things like bring Ryan to his first day of preschool
c) It will save a whole day of driving to Grand Rapids and give me Fridays off
d) It will take some pressure off Rob in the mornings.

I was a little scared to do this because I wont see my family three nights a week, but so far, I am loving it. Don't worry, I will have to get up at 4:30am for the last four weeks of my program.

the pictures i promised...

Here are some pictures of Ryan at the Children's Museum.



Today was our last "yippee" for the summer. We spent the day at my parents house hanging outside by the water. We relaxed, played, took our last boat ride and had hot dogs on the grill. I'm going to miss summer...



Tomorrow, bright and early, I start my last semester in the PN program. Eleven more weeks of torture, but I know it will be worth it. I have to keep telling myself that, anyways.