Weblog
Thursday, 17 June 2010
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- Are you planning on having more children? If so, when?
YES!!!!! Not sure when though right now. We originally thought that Garrick would be done with residency July 2011, and the end was in site, until someone approached Garrick about doing a Surgical Trauma ICU fellowship during the 2011 year. He was just approached about it his week, and the more Garrick thinks about it, the more he seems interested in it. I just hope that if he does it, it will enhance his career opportunities or make sense to do it career wise as a residency trained emergency department doctor.
Any of you doctor's wives have opinions on this one--fellowship versus non fellowship.
- How did you decide you were "ready" to be a mom?
Garrick and I decided to wait to get married because we decided when we were to first get married that we would not actively prevent pregnancy. I came home from the honeymoon pregnant, but miscarried. Anyway, we always knew we wanted to be parents, but knew it would be difficult to do it while he was in the course of medical school and with me just getting out of graduate school, so we waited until right before his last year to get married and decided if we waited to get married that we would not prevent pregnancy.
- How much harder is it with two kids instead of one?
It's a lot harder, but I love it! I wouldn't change it for the world! I love watching them interact with each other even if it is just smiles and giggles from Caroline.
- If you have another kiddo, how far apart do you want him/her from Caroline?
Unless something happens, we are planning for another baby. I'm not sure about timing. Ideally, Garrick needs to be working a full fledged physician and out of residency and now maybe fellowship (see first question's answer). I would like both children potty trained. By the time Garrick is out of a possible fellowship, Isabel will be turning 4 and Caroline will be turning 3. It seems like a long time to wait though since I waited to have children until I was 28 years old.
- How is your job going? How many hours a week are you working?
Busy! I work 3 days one week, then 2 the next. I also bring home work... chart reviews and dictations to sign off of. Doesn't sound like much, but it feels like more than enough with 2 little ones at home and having to wait until nap time or bed time, which is very late with Caroline to get the "homework" done.
- When can i come visit? just kidding...for now
Whenever you're in town, let me know! I would love a visit!
My two favorite meals are: chicken basil lasagna and grilled shrimp in a peanut thai sauce:
Chicken Basil Lasagna:
Ingredients:
2 (10 3/4-ounce) cans CAMPBELL'S Cream of Mushroom Soup 1
(16-ounce) container cottage cheese
1 (12-ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips
4 cups chopped cooked chicken
3/4 cup refrigerated grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
9 no-boil lasagna noodles
4 cups (16 ounces) shredded Italian 5-blend cheese, dividedMethod:
1 ) Mix soup and next 6 ingredients in a large bowl.2) Layer 3 lasagna noodles on bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish; spoon and spread one-third of soup mixture on noodles.
3) Sprinkle with 1 1/3 cups cheese. Repeat layers three times.
4) Bake, covered, at 350 degrees for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake 15 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes.
Serve with garlic bread and garlic green beans (green beans, butter, garlic powder, and 2 table spoons brown sugar... delicious)
Grilled Shrimp in a Peanut Thai Sauce:
Peel and devein shrimp. Take tails off. Marinade in a peanut thai sauce for a few hours prior to grilling. Peanut Thai Sauce: 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1/4 teriyaki, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 4 table spoons creamy peanut butter (combine all and mix until well blended). Serve with white steamed rice and a salad.
- what is your favorite thing to cook?
I love to cook one dish meals and stir frys for simplicity.
- when Garrick is done with school will you go to being a full-time stay at home mom?
Not sure. Garrick says I can be a SAHM when he finishes residency in July 2011. I do have a good job and a license and certification I would like to keep up should I ever need to be the full time provider for my children if anything ever happen to Garrick. I need 1000 hours of practice and 150 continuing education hours every 5 years. We'll see what happens. I would love to be a SAHM, but it just doesn't make sense right now since I'm the breadwinner and when he is the breadwinner, I still would like to keep my license and certification active.
- what is your favorite thing about the town you live in?
EVERYTHING! I LOVE CHARLESTON! Love the beach--we're 20 minutes from Isle of Palms, Folly, Kiawah, & Edisto. 10 minutes from downtown Charleston. Just wish we also had mountains. haha! Love the water parks during the summer.
- Post a picture of how your garden is doing (and remind me to post mine).
Will do this in another post as I have taken multiple pictures of the garden on several occasions.
- Also, give us an update if you were able to jazz up your wardrobe, I recall you talking about this awhile back.
I was able to get a few summery tops from Banana Republic and LOFT. I still need to get some pants that fit though!
- Finally, if you got 24 hours with your hubby without work or kids interrupting, how would you like to spend it (the clean version :P)
I did a lot of thinking about this question. And I love doing outdoor things with Garrick. I was never an outdoor person until after college much to my family's and myself's surprise. He tends to push me physically and it surprises me what I can do when I put my mind to it. Like we never kayaked until our honeymoon, but we loved it.
Anyway, this is what I would do with 24 hours with my hubby without work or kids or having to clean or get caught up on chores:
Get up early, eat a good breakfast, and then take a ride to the upstate where the mountains are at. Take a hike. Eat lunch. Go kayaking. Get a hotel room, take a bubble bath or shower. Then get dressed up and go eat a nice restaurant with good reviews. Maybe get to see a live show if time allows for it. Then crash!!!!
This was fun. I love doing these question things.
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EDIT: for some reason, the first two questions weren't showing up, so let me try it again:
- Are you planning on having more children? If so, when?
YES!!!!! Not sure when though right now. We originally thought that Garrick would be done with residency July 2011, and the end was in site, until someone approached Garrick about doing a Surgical Trauma ICU fellowship during the 2011 year. He was just approached about it his week, and the more Garrick thinks about it, the more he seems interested in it. I just hope that if he does it, it will enhance his career opportunities or make sense to do it career wise as a residency trained emergency department doctor.
Any of you doctor's wives have opinions on this one--fellowship versus non fellowship.
- How did you decide you were "ready" to be a mom?
Garrick and I decided to wait to get married because we decided when we were to first get married that we would not actively prevent pregnancy. I came home from the honeymoon pregnant, but miscarried. Anyway, we always knew we wanted to be parents, but knew it would be difficult to do it while he was in the course of medical school and with me just getting out of graduate school, so we waited until right before his last year to get married and decided if we waited to get married that we would not prevent pregnancy.
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Tagged Survey and Answers
I had gotten all my answers typed, then safari unexpectedly shut down. Darn! Will do this again later as the baby is waking up.
But, I do have enough time for a tagged survey!
Five names you go by:
1. Jill
2. Jillybean
3. Jilly
4. Ate Chill
5. Momma
Two of your favorite smells:
1. Freshly bathed baby
2. Gardenias
Three things you are wearing right now:
1. wedding rings
2. black lounge pants
3. purple under armour shirt
Two things you want very badly at the moment:
1. chocolate
2. sodaNeither of which we keep at our house. :(
Three people you hope will fill this out:
1. KTtheKCbride
2. DellQueen
3. sugartomyhoney
Two things you did last night:
1. Recovered from the water park yesterday
2. Barbecued some chicken
Two last things you cried over:
1. Garrick's unrelenting residency schedule and lack of time for us.
2. See number 1
Two things you ate today:
1. Grapes
2. Turkey and cheese sandwich
Two people you last talked to on the phone:
1. my mom
2. Garrick's mom
Five favorite bands/songs:
1. Bush
2. Ben Folds Five
3. Sarah Maclaughlin
4. Josh Turner
5. Jewel
Two things that you are proud of:
1. Giving birth twice!
2. Getting my masters and passing my certification exam the first time.
Two things that you are not proud of:
1. I am a worry-wart and it can be pretty limiting at times.
2. How I selfishly want to spend all the time I can with my husband (stole onesly's answer here, but it's true for me too).
Two things you are going to do tomorrow:
1. Work
2. Love on my babies
Two longest car rides:
1. South Carolina to California
2. South Caroline to Buffalo, NY
Two favorite beverages:
1. Water with lemon
2. Sweet tea with lemon
Two of your favorite memories
1. Getting to see Isabel for the first time
2. Hearing Caroline cry right after giving birth--Isabel was not crying...
Three favorite vehicles you have owned:
1. 1995 Nissan Altima (my first car)
2. 2003 Lexus RX 300 (our current family car, which we will upgrade after residency)
3. 2008 Toyota Tundra (Garrick's truck--it's so spacious and roomy)
Three favorite concerts you have been to:
1. Jump, Little Children
2. Aerosmith--the first concert Garrick ever took me to
3. Transiberian Orchestra--Garrick and I have made this one somewhat of a holiday tradition when he is available.
Saturday, 12 June 2010
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Haven't had much to blog about lately, but am missing it. So--I've done this before, but it's fun to keep doing it:
Ask me any number of questions you've been wondering! :)
Tuesday, 01 June 2010
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struggling
Been struggling with:
1. My weight. I cannot break through the 155 mark. When I work, I eat out, so I bought an insulated lunch tote yesterday to bring my lunch in.
2. Exercise is non exsistant other than running after the kids. This is also related to number 1. I am jealous of mom's of small children, who work, and find time to work out. Where do they find all this time??? I feel like I'm constantly running around.
3. Trying to wake up in the morning before Isabel wakes up to get the chores done.
4. Getting Caroline to sleep in her crib.
5. Trying to get Caroline to sleep in 4 hour stretches at night. This is still not happening. She gets up once before midnight, then again around 2, and again around 5. This is why I am struggling with numbers 3 and 4.
6. I would love to have activities to do this summer with the kids: Children's Museum and Waterparks and Beach!!!!! But, see number 3, 4, 5. I would love to be at the waterpark now early before lunch then bring a lunch, eat a picnic, then bring them home for naps, but I'm still in my pajamas and Caroline is napping.
7. When the house is disorganized, I feel disorganized. See numbers 3, 4, and 5.
8. Garrick's erratic work schedule. It's hard to develop habits like him helping with certain things like bed time or cooking or even just sweeping or vacuuming when he's never home at the same time or isn't home during day light (don't need him vacuuming and waking up the kids and me at 3 AM!).
I am just not liking any of these above things and am at a loss as to what to do to change them (other than losing more sleep to exercise and get up early to do the chores. I don't go to bed until after the midnight feeding usually and then she's up again 2-3 more times before Isabel wakes me up).
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
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Kid Update
CAROLINE: was 16 pounds, 1 ounce at her 4 month check up last week. She is staring rice cereal, but still gags on it, so I give her a break several times a week from eating it. She's getting enough nutrition from breast milk since she is gaining weight so well, but she does need the iron from rice cereal as the iron in my breast milk depletes at 4 months. And we need to start her on her multivitamin, but she doesn't really take bottles except on the days I work, so when I am home with her, it is a struggle to get her to take the multivitamin since she breast feeds. She is not rolling over yet, but she has good back and neck control, so we have put her in the jumperoo and she loves it. She still gets up once in the early morning between 3 and 5 for a feeding, but she goes down for bed at 10.
ISABEL: eats whatever we do now, but she is struggling to gain weight. She was 20 pounds even at her 18 month check up and when we took Caroline for her 4 month check, she was still 20 pounds at 19 months. Her waist is getting smaller, we had to go down to a size 2 diaper for her because the 3's were too big in the waist. So, she is currently in Caroline's diapers. She is saying more and more words: boys, milk, cup, bowl, more, sister, grandpa, momma, dada, outside, dog, bird, duck, geese, what you doing, i want to play, book, fish, doll, bye bye, bye guys... just the ones I can recall from the top of my head. The neighbor noticed she is always trying to figure out the way things work since yesterday she was watching them in their wagon and had to go check out the wheels when it was standing still even though she has a wagon, she never paid attention to it before. She loves Caroline and always wants to be around her. Yesterday when I was shopping one of the sales ladies took Caroline to hold her while I tried on stuff and I took Isabel with me in the fitting room. Well, Isabel starting crying horribly, and I had to show her where Caroline was and she quieted down. So she had to know where her sister went-they are not used to being separated at all!
Mother's Day: Was good. We spent the morning at the SC Aquarium since mom's got in free and both the kids were free, so only Garrick had to pay. We then grabbed some lunch on the way home and sat and listened to the baseball game, did some veggie gardening, then Garrick had to go to work, and I went to my mom's for a chicken parmesan dinner. Garrick gave me a card and some truffles that morning. And Wednesday before, I got some early Mother's Day flowers.... Garrick told the neighbors that it was the first time he gave me flowers since being married, and he's right. At least he's making more of an effort now. He said he forgets that our relationship needs maintenance after marriage, but he's working on it.
Sunday, 09 May 2010
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Vote!
I need silver shoes for my sister's wedding July 10th, also a cocktail June 11th.
#1. J. Renee-Delora ($95)
#2. Nina-Haily ($80)
#3. Nina-Culver ($80)
#4. J. Renee-Stardust (sale $65)
#5. J. Renee-Whirl ($80)
Tuesday, 27 April 2010
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PP again. will have to do shifting and arranging as I only have room for 10.
Sunday, 18 April 2010
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PP
Saturday, 10 April 2010
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The Dirty 30
Well, it's been a while, but not much has been going on. Just working, cooking, cleaning, taking care of the kiddos, and trying to spend what little time we do have together as husband and wife. Garrick is really doing much better with trying to be engaging after work instead of letting his fatigue get in the way. He worked every day this week and is off this weekend, but what do you know--this is his National Guard drill weekend, so he's up in Columbia this weekend with his family so he can get his duty time in. I kind of pouted last night when he was packing his bag. He said, "I know. I didn't even get off of work until Isabel was upstairs sleeping, I have to look at her sleeping just to see her this weekend." :(
I will be 30 in 5 days. I had always said I would be done building my family (having kids) by 30. I know after 30 isn't too old to be having children, but this was my reasoning: we spent most of our 20s with me going to nursing school and getting my masters and him in medical school and starting residency, which means that a lot of the time we did not get a lot of time together or our time together was always limited by our responsibilities to our higher education. And our children will be out of the infant stage and the newborn and infant stage is the hardest. I wanted to spend my 30s enjoying our marriage and our children.
So, now Garrick and I have 2 children, which has been such a blessing. Many consider 2 to be the perfect number. I was sooo happy to just have one child, and now I have 2 precious little ones. Garrick always wanted Isabel to have a sibling, and now she does. He has mentioned wanting a third child and now I think the desire for a 3rd has entered my heart too. I absolutely love being a mom. But the idea of having three children under three is just crazy to me! 2 under 2 is hard, but totally worth it. So, that means that maybe I won't be done having children when I turn 30 in 5 days or maybe I am done and just don't know it.
Other things that I have accomplished before 30: got my masters, own my own business, work part-time for said business, got married, bought a house, & got into vegetable gardening. Things I haven't accomplished that I wanted to: learn to swim and run a 10K (I don't think I could run a mile uninterrupted right now).
I thought I would be happy to turn 30. I always figured I would enjoy my 30s more than my 20s. I weigh less now than what I did on my wedding day which is great considering we will have been married 3 years this June and during those 3 years I've gotten pregnant 3 times and have had 2 kids, that reeks havoc on your body. But for some reason, I still am feeling a little bummed about the dirty 30 and just can't put my finger on it.
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
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All About The Hubby
Garrick and I have been through a lot since being married for 2 1/2 years (miscarriage, buying a house, moving, starting residency for him, new contractor job for me, high risk pregnancy, getting pregnant while the first baby was 6 months old) and I haven't always kept a positive attitude. It's easy for me to get caught up in the loneliness of my husband never being home and working lots of nights and weekends and the overwhelming feeling of being the only present parent of two children under two while trying to work three days a week to help out so Garrick doesn't feel so burdened even though he has two other jobs other than just residency--Army National Guard and he also officiates football and umpires baseball.
My friend made a list of all the wonderful traits of her children so that when she gets burned out on mothering them, she pulls out the lists and has a renewed spirit, and inspired by Kelly's list of positive things about her husband, I decided to do the same.
1. Garrick is a hard worker.
2. He is a wonderful father and likes to do things with the kids.
3. When there is a problem and I bring it to him, he tries to problem-solve it.
4. He attempts to see my side of things.
5. If I ask him to do something, he will.
6. He is always trying to learn new things.
7. Garrick maintains the landscaping, flower and vegetable gardens, and he does it well.
8. He gives me a hug and kiss daily.
9. He kisses the kids before bed when he is home for bed time.
10. He is smart.
11. He is level headed and doesn't get angry easily.
12. When we do argue, he does not yell or call names or threaten.
13. Garrick is very sweet; he doesn't have a mean bone in his body.
14. He believes in God and His Word.
15. He is fair and diplomatic.
16. He tries to show me he loves me by doing things for me like building shelves in the garage, washing the car, etc.
17. His vice is sports--there are many worse vices.
18. He is a good cuddler.
19. He takes care of our finances and stays on top of it.
20. Garrick is a good encourager when I have a bad day at work or at home.
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june2007bride
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- Name: Jill
- Location: South Carolina
- Gender: Female
- Member Since: 4/29/2006
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About Me
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Busy mom of 2 beautiful girls under 2. Juggling physical health, spiritual health, mental health, play time, eating, sleeping, a part-time job, laundry, cleaning, being a good loving wife, and the occasional teachable moment.
Pulse
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It's my birthday today, and I'm just not in a good mood. :(
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I think I may have found a pacifier that Caroline will use! YAY!
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Up and at 'em again. :)
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