Oh what a day. We are somewhere in the middle of potty training and by "middle" I don't mean that we're half-way there. I mean that there's no turning back now, even if I wanted to and for the most part, I do. :)
Today was my fault completely. Last week I lost my debit card and called to deactivate it and order a new one. Of course, 2 hours later it was the first thing to pop out when I opened the dryer door. Go figure. I meant to get Carey's card so that I could go grocery shopping this morning and forgot. We had enough to scrounge up for lunch and dinner, but no diapers. Not one. Since AGW had already gone tee-tee in her big girl potty once, I thought this may be the perfect opportunity to spend the entire day practicing. After breakfast I striped her down and asked frequently if she needed to go potty. Every time she insisted that she didn't and I was a afraid to push her. I hoped that the questioning would remind her that our goal is to use the potty. Finally she came running up to me frantically saying "potty! potty!". And that she did. I was so proud! She got lots of praise, hugs, and her reward, and I thought we were off to a great start. Until 15 minutes later as I was doing the dishes I heard sudden screams and crying. I ran into the living room to find her standing on the couch soaking it and the pillows. She was scared and upset by the whole event so putting her on her potty wasn't an option. We went to the bathroom and she sat on my lap on the potty. After she calmed down I explained potty training the best way I know how (for the 50th time) and cleaned her off in the bath tub.
We still had no diapers so I couldn't exactly give up. She continued to run around with a bare hiney while I cleaned the couch and washed the pillows. As I went to put the cleaner back in the kitchen she ran in screaming again. She had left a tee-tee trail through the dinning room and into the kitchen so I knew what was going on this time. I quickly scooped her up and turned to run into the bathroom, hoping to make it in time. Before I could even take 2 steps she let it all go. The front of me was drenched. The kitchen rug was drenched. I just stood there. How could a little girl hold so much pee? Not even 30 minutes ago she had gone in the potty. Then all over the couch. There was nothing to do but laugh and comfort her. It was time for bath #2 and I would be joining her. In the shower I thought to myself "Potty training is great birth control. Oh wait... crap. Too late now!" :)
At that point I really wished we had diapers. I wasn't sure that I should put her back in them, (Will that just confuse her? Does it send mixed signals about what she can and can't get away with? Does it un-do what little we did accomplish earlier?) but I really didn't want to go through that again. However, we still had no diapers. So again, she went with a bare hiney. After the last two episodes I literally asked her to potty every 2 minutes. She insisted that she didn't need to go. I believed her because of all of the fluid I had just seen. I went about my business of sewing a button on Carey's white coat when she came running into the office leaving a trail behind her. This time I scooped her up and held her way out in front of me as I dashed around the corner to the bathroom. Whew, made it! I stood her up in front of her potty and cheerfully asked her to sit down to go tee-tee. She refused. Once again, the flood gates opened and as she stood there crying and screaming and me begging and pleading, the bathroom floor quickly became a wading pool. It was time for the 3rd bath in an hour.
That was enough to determine that this wasn't going to get any better. After the bath we loaded up and rushed to the closest Walgreen's for the cheapest package of diapers available. AGW is now worry-free in her soggy diapers and we are back to normal. I'll try this potty training gig on another day when I know that I have plenty of backups.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Friday, July 30, 2010
It's Friday night and Carey is on call. So I declared it movie night! AGW is vegging out on a pile of pillows on the livingroom floor and eating a huge bowl of watermelon. She is happily engrossed in a chickflick and busy bossing around and arguing with the girls on the screen. :)
The last few days have been extremely emotional for me. I'm on a mission to prepare for the arrival of Baby Hayes so I'm guessing that the hormones are in full force. I've done most everything I can in the nursery including pack his hospital bag. Now all I have to do is wait. And get Carey to put the crib together. Who knows when that will happen! :0
I've also realized that I only have a few more months with just AGW. Just a few weeks to focus all off my love, attention, and affection, on her. Today I cuddled up in bed with her for our nap. Before I dozed off I thought that there will only be a few naps left until a little cry from across the hall will pull me away from her. So as much as I'm looking forward to my sweet little boy joining our crazy life, I'm also slightly mourning the days of just us girls.
Mostly I think that I'm struggling with a particular day that is quickly approaching. Tuesday is a HUGE day for my precious little girl: her 2nd Birthday!!! I just can't believe that these two years have come and gone so fast.
Of course, there is also the fact that the reality of residency has set in for both Carey and me. The amount of time he spends at the hospital along with the tight financial squeeze has made us both slightly depressed! :) While we both knew this was coming, there was no way to prepare for it. So now we have to just hang in there for the next couple of years and enjoy all of the little things in life. Like the crazy giggles of a hyper two-year old running wildly through the house!
Alright, enough of that pity party. I'm a pregnant, hormonal, new medical spouse, and still adjusting to so much time alone in the new city. In a year I'll look back and miss something about all of this.
So below is a glimps of our life in pictures. Enjoy!
A yummy popsickle!
Daddy and AGW hard at work
AGW is trying to figure out all of these changes!
Post call cuddles
Playing
Daddy needs a helper, he eats a lot!
Pretty flowers
Today we took a trip to feed the ducks
Daddy Kisses!
cuddle buddies
Loves corn on the cob
buds
the neighbor and best friend
The last few days have been extremely emotional for me. I'm on a mission to prepare for the arrival of Baby Hayes so I'm guessing that the hormones are in full force. I've done most everything I can in the nursery including pack his hospital bag. Now all I have to do is wait. And get Carey to put the crib together. Who knows when that will happen! :0
I've also realized that I only have a few more months with just AGW. Just a few weeks to focus all off my love, attention, and affection, on her. Today I cuddled up in bed with her for our nap. Before I dozed off I thought that there will only be a few naps left until a little cry from across the hall will pull me away from her. So as much as I'm looking forward to my sweet little boy joining our crazy life, I'm also slightly mourning the days of just us girls.
Mostly I think that I'm struggling with a particular day that is quickly approaching. Tuesday is a HUGE day for my precious little girl: her 2nd Birthday!!! I just can't believe that these two years have come and gone so fast.
Of course, there is also the fact that the reality of residency has set in for both Carey and me. The amount of time he spends at the hospital along with the tight financial squeeze has made us both slightly depressed! :) While we both knew this was coming, there was no way to prepare for it. So now we have to just hang in there for the next couple of years and enjoy all of the little things in life. Like the crazy giggles of a hyper two-year old running wildly through the house!
Alright, enough of that pity party. I'm a pregnant, hormonal, new medical spouse, and still adjusting to so much time alone in the new city. In a year I'll look back and miss something about all of this.
So below is a glimps of our life in pictures. Enjoy!
A yummy popsickle!
Daddy and AGW hard at work
AGW is trying to figure out all of these changes!
Post call cuddles
Playing
Daddy needs a helper, he eats a lot!
Pretty flowers
Today we took a trip to feed the ducks
Daddy Kisses!
cuddle buddies
Loves corn on the cob
buds
the neighbor and best friend
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Nothing New
I am so grateful for the convienence of laptops and WiFi. I am blogging from a rocking chair on my front porch. AGW is eating her Gerber Meal for dinner (when Carey's on call, there's no reason to cook)and climbing up and down the front steps while jabbering away about something unknown to me. It's not too hot or humid right now, the sun is setting in front of me, and the birds are singing sweet songs throughout the neighborhood. It's a beautiful evening. I feel so blessed to have such a great front porch and be able to sit safely and enjoy it without worry.
Today has been a very easy-going day for the two of us. I sent Carey to work after a yummy big breakfast then relaxed in bed to read and have quiet time. AGW and I both slept late then she ate breakfast on the front porch while I drank my coffee. Throughout the day we played upstairs in her room, down in the basement, outside in the backyard, then we did it all over again!
Carey is on his last call of this service and will be home sometime tomorrow. While next month's rotation will be very challenging, (that's still a positive way to describe it, right? I'm trying to be very positive about the whole month in hopes of influencing Carey and easing some anxiety) at least his call schedule is much lighter. He will go in to work earlier and get off later at night, but he will sleep at home every night except Fridays. He's on call every Friday for the month. AGW may not handle this very well because he'll be gone when she gets up and going to bed when he gets home, but I'm sure the month will fly by just like the last one did. Then it will be another new schedule to adjust to.
We have no big plans for the remainder of the week. I still haven't finished the nursery or found the hardware for the crib. Poor Hayes, he may be in the pack-n-play until he's 2! :)
Today has been a very easy-going day for the two of us. I sent Carey to work after a yummy big breakfast then relaxed in bed to read and have quiet time. AGW and I both slept late then she ate breakfast on the front porch while I drank my coffee. Throughout the day we played upstairs in her room, down in the basement, outside in the backyard, then we did it all over again!
Carey is on his last call of this service and will be home sometime tomorrow. While next month's rotation will be very challenging, (that's still a positive way to describe it, right? I'm trying to be very positive about the whole month in hopes of influencing Carey and easing some anxiety) at least his call schedule is much lighter. He will go in to work earlier and get off later at night, but he will sleep at home every night except Fridays. He's on call every Friday for the month. AGW may not handle this very well because he'll be gone when she gets up and going to bed when he gets home, but I'm sure the month will fly by just like the last one did. Then it will be another new schedule to adjust to.
We have no big plans for the remainder of the week. I still haven't finished the nursery or found the hardware for the crib. Poor Hayes, he may be in the pack-n-play until he's 2! :)
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Happy Sunday!
Today Carey is on call, but I have a new perspective. I'll get to that later. As I write, AGW and I are camped out in the basement to avoid the heat. I opened our latest electric bill last night and just about had a heart attack. Something definitely has to change. Our thermostat will now stay put at 76, day and night. I'll also have to sacrifice looking out all of our beautiful windows during the heat of the day and keep the shades pulled down. Hopefully these two changes will make a significant difference in our next bill. I hate to wish away the summer (I think the idea of summer is the only way we'll get through the winter) but this heat is not exactly what we had in mind. Moving this far north, I never expected the heat and humidity. Who knew?
Anyway, AGW is happily playing in her basement play area with her favorite Go! Diego, Go! movie on in the background. She can usually watch the movie once a day. We don't do too much TV around here. She has plenty of push toys, babies, crayons, trains, trucks, cars, and books to entertain her down here! I am happily currled up in one of the two recliners facing her play area. It's a perfect place for me to get some work done and still interact with her. I have to thank Carey for those chairs, I've been trying to get rid of them for a year, but he just wouldn't have it! :)
Lately she has really started to piece together thoughts and sentences. She is trying each day to verbalize her world. It amazes me.
Last night we had the new general surgery residents over for a cookout. We bought way too much food and way too much beer, but that's never a bad thing! We all had a great time and it a good way for the group to share how each rotation is going. Each one is on a different service, working with different people, and at different hospitals. I was busy keeping up with AGW but I worked really hard to memorize which rotations sounded the most challenging and which ones would provide a much-needed break. Unfortunately, it looks like next month (which starts at 6 a.m. this Friday)will be one of the most difficult rotations Carey will have to face. He is already starting to let the anxiety get to him, so please include him in your prayers. He will be on the transplant service and taking care of some of the most serious patients in the entire hospital. After a transplant, a person has all kinds of medications and complications and caring for so many of them on your own is extremely overwhelming to a new resident. Rumor has it that the team that he will be joining isn't exactly the most helpful, supportive, or encouraging. Basically, we are trying to mentally prepare for a rotation of even longer hours, more difficult cases, no teamwork, and threats of being fired on a weekly basis. I'm just glad it's not me staring this one in the face.
Anyway, AGW is happily playing in her basement play area with her favorite Go! Diego, Go! movie on in the background. She can usually watch the movie once a day. We don't do too much TV around here. She has plenty of push toys, babies, crayons, trains, trucks, cars, and books to entertain her down here! I am happily currled up in one of the two recliners facing her play area. It's a perfect place for me to get some work done and still interact with her. I have to thank Carey for those chairs, I've been trying to get rid of them for a year, but he just wouldn't have it! :)
Lately she has really started to piece together thoughts and sentences. She is trying each day to verbalize her world. It amazes me.
Last night we had the new general surgery residents over for a cookout. We bought way too much food and way too much beer, but that's never a bad thing! We all had a great time and it a good way for the group to share how each rotation is going. Each one is on a different service, working with different people, and at different hospitals. I was busy keeping up with AGW but I worked really hard to memorize which rotations sounded the most challenging and which ones would provide a much-needed break. Unfortunately, it looks like next month (which starts at 6 a.m. this Friday)will be one of the most difficult rotations Carey will have to face. He is already starting to let the anxiety get to him, so please include him in your prayers. He will be on the transplant service and taking care of some of the most serious patients in the entire hospital. After a transplant, a person has all kinds of medications and complications and caring for so many of them on your own is extremely overwhelming to a new resident. Rumor has it that the team that he will be joining isn't exactly the most helpful, supportive, or encouraging. Basically, we are trying to mentally prepare for a rotation of even longer hours, more difficult cases, no teamwork, and threats of being fired on a weekly basis. I'm just glad it's not me staring this one in the face.
Friday, July 23, 2010
lake, Cash
Yesterday when Carey got off of his long shift he felt good enough (not great though) to head to the lake. We loaded up the dogs, AGW, and all of our gear and spent a few hours in the water. I've decided that we have to do these little things, even for just an hour or two, to remain sane. It's easy to just sit at home and not do anything but rest. I'm not good at that and AGW shouldn't have to miss out on all of the simple and fun things in life because of her daddy's schedule. So, as often as we can, we get out and experience the city. 
Tomorrow we are going to have this group of new residents over for a little cookout. I decided that if we keep waiting until the house is finished, we'll never have anyone over. Even though the bathroom is multicolored, only 1 wall in the bedroom is painted, and AGW's room STILL needs another coat on the trim, we will show our home off with pride. Besides, I'll soon be stuck inside and will be forced to tackle those projects! So today I'll be busy cleaning and preparing a menu for our new friends. Hopefully tomorrow won't be as hot as today and we'll be able to enjoy our friends in our backyard. We came home to a package on the doorstep. I said "oohh Aisley! Did you get a birthday present from Pops?" She excitedly respond "Yes! A book!" "That must be a big book" I questioned and she explained "Yep! A Bible!!!". How funny is she? :) 
Poor Cash got into something last week. I'm pretty sure that whatever it was, it won! He is all better now! 
Tomorrow we are going to have this group of new residents over for a little cookout. I decided that if we keep waiting until the house is finished, we'll never have anyone over. Even though the bathroom is multicolored, only 1 wall in the bedroom is painted, and AGW's room STILL needs another coat on the trim, we will show our home off with pride. Besides, I'll soon be stuck inside and will be forced to tackle those projects! So today I'll be busy cleaning and preparing a menu for our new friends. Hopefully tomorrow won't be as hot as today and we'll be able to enjoy our friends in our backyard. We came home to a package on the doorstep. I said "oohh Aisley! Did you get a birthday present from Pops?" She excitedly respond "Yes! A book!" "That must be a big book" I questioned and she explained "Yep! A Bible!!!". How funny is she? :) 
Poor Cash got into something last week. I'm pretty sure that whatever it was, it won! He is all better now! 
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
1st hospital dinner date
This morning at 5:30 I got a call from Carey explaining that he had left his phone at the house. I tried to listen to his directions to the hospital, but realized later in the afternoon that I had slept since then. Twice actually. But AGW and I loaded up in hopes of making it to the hospital and somehow magically wondering into the place only to find Carey available for dinner. I had hope, but it wasn't very high. I didn't actually mention any of this to AGW. I was afraid of getting her hopes up too and there is no reasoning with a 2 year old missing her daddy. Thankfully, OnStar got us to the hospital with no problems at all. Finding Carey's truck was a little more difficult, but after several loops through the parking garage we found the physician's parking. There it was in his very own "RESERVED for Physicians Only" spot. How exciting!
When we arrived I explained that we are going to the hospital to put Daddy's phone in his truck. AGW said "Oooh, yah. Cash.. Is.. Sick." She thought this because Cash had to go to the hospital last week when he was sick. I'm proud that she made that connection. When I told her that Cash isn't sick, she thought out loud "Momma... ok. Aizey... ok." Then stated "Ooohh, Daddy sick." Again, I was proud that she was thinking through it all. When I mentioned that Daddy works at the hospital, it all clicked!
After we parked and placed the phone in the truck I wondered how the heck we go about finding a new resident without a cell phone in an unknown hospital. I tend to be a little shy but found the courage to call the medical student who had let Carey borrow his phone earlier in the morning. Richard was very friendly and laughed "Well of course you're Carey's wife!". He was referring to the heavy accent :)He was no longer at the hospital but suggested that Carey would probably be found on 5-South. Great. What is 5-south and how do I get there? If I just show up, will I get Carey in trouble? This was my biggest fear.
Still, I didn't drive all of that way to just turn around and go home. With a tiny hand in mine, we ventured into the first elevator we could find and wondered around the hospital until we found ourselves in the south wing and on the 5th floor. As AGW and I stepped out of the elevator we passed Carey's chief resident. I felt so guilty for being there and so fortunate that he didn't recognize me. That chance encounter was enough to scare me out of really searching for him. I just refused to get him in trouble! I looked down the two halls nearest to the elevator and thought about sitting in the waiting area for a few minutes to see if he walked by. That's when I remembered that children aren't welcome in all areas of the hospital. Another reason to not risk getting him in trouble. I quickly turned around and headed back to the elevator. Just before the doors opened, a familiar face rounded the corner. Magically, there he was! He was just as surprised to see us as we were to see him! It turns out that he was in the restroom that we had just walked by and when he exited, he heard a little "yep! yep!". Out of curiosity, Carey thought he'd check to see who that little voice belonged to.Luckily the elevators were slow and we didn't miss him!
We were able to walk down and grab dinner in the cafeteria. It was such a priviledge to steal some of his time. After dinner in a courtyard, Carey showed us the surgery call room. It's nothing like what you see on Grey's Anatomy. I wasn't impressed by any means, but at least he has his own room to rest. The bed wasn't made, there was a a pair of slacks and a shirt thrown over the back of a chair, 2 pairs of shoes, (belonging to 2 different people) and other belongs that weren't Careys. He explained that usually housekeeping has made rounds and the bed is fresh, but the belongings have always been there and just stay. After about 5 minutes his pager went off. That was at exactly 7 p.m., the typical time when nurses start pages. This time it was the E.R. paging and Carey need to go consult with someone who had come in. On the way down to our car we stopped in the Surgery Lounge. It had a refridgerator, kitchenett, nice couch, big screen T.V., and cubical to finish paperwork. The cabinet was covered in Cambell's Soup To Go, oatmeal, cookies, and other free snacks. There was also a big beverage cooler filled with all kinds of juices and pepsi products. The surgeons also have a fance machine that makes all kinds of lattes, mochas, and flavored tea. This made me feel like he wasn't so deprived when he was stuck up there for a 36 hour shift!
When we arrived I explained that we are going to the hospital to put Daddy's phone in his truck. AGW said "Oooh, yah. Cash.. Is.. Sick." She thought this because Cash had to go to the hospital last week when he was sick. I'm proud that she made that connection. When I told her that Cash isn't sick, she thought out loud "Momma... ok. Aizey... ok." Then stated "Ooohh, Daddy sick." Again, I was proud that she was thinking through it all. When I mentioned that Daddy works at the hospital, it all clicked!
After we parked and placed the phone in the truck I wondered how the heck we go about finding a new resident without a cell phone in an unknown hospital. I tend to be a little shy but found the courage to call the medical student who had let Carey borrow his phone earlier in the morning. Richard was very friendly and laughed "Well of course you're Carey's wife!". He was referring to the heavy accent :)He was no longer at the hospital but suggested that Carey would probably be found on 5-South. Great. What is 5-south and how do I get there? If I just show up, will I get Carey in trouble? This was my biggest fear.
Still, I didn't drive all of that way to just turn around and go home. With a tiny hand in mine, we ventured into the first elevator we could find and wondered around the hospital until we found ourselves in the south wing and on the 5th floor. As AGW and I stepped out of the elevator we passed Carey's chief resident. I felt so guilty for being there and so fortunate that he didn't recognize me. That chance encounter was enough to scare me out of really searching for him. I just refused to get him in trouble! I looked down the two halls nearest to the elevator and thought about sitting in the waiting area for a few minutes to see if he walked by. That's when I remembered that children aren't welcome in all areas of the hospital. Another reason to not risk getting him in trouble. I quickly turned around and headed back to the elevator. Just before the doors opened, a familiar face rounded the corner. Magically, there he was! He was just as surprised to see us as we were to see him! It turns out that he was in the restroom that we had just walked by and when he exited, he heard a little "yep! yep!". Out of curiosity, Carey thought he'd check to see who that little voice belonged to.Luckily the elevators were slow and we didn't miss him!
We were able to walk down and grab dinner in the cafeteria. It was such a priviledge to steal some of his time. After dinner in a courtyard, Carey showed us the surgery call room. It's nothing like what you see on Grey's Anatomy. I wasn't impressed by any means, but at least he has his own room to rest. The bed wasn't made, there was a a pair of slacks and a shirt thrown over the back of a chair, 2 pairs of shoes, (belonging to 2 different people) and other belongs that weren't Careys. He explained that usually housekeeping has made rounds and the bed is fresh, but the belongings have always been there and just stay. After about 5 minutes his pager went off. That was at exactly 7 p.m., the typical time when nurses start pages. This time it was the E.R. paging and Carey need to go consult with someone who had come in. On the way down to our car we stopped in the Surgery Lounge. It had a refridgerator, kitchenett, nice couch, big screen T.V., and cubical to finish paperwork. The cabinet was covered in Cambell's Soup To Go, oatmeal, cookies, and other free snacks. There was also a big beverage cooler filled with all kinds of juices and pepsi products. The surgeons also have a fance machine that makes all kinds of lattes, mochas, and flavored tea. This made me feel like he wasn't so deprived when he was stuck up there for a 36 hour shift!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tonight I'm relaxing in bed listening to the rain after a very amazing day. AGW and I started out our day with a few hours at the gym. This has become a treasure for me and such a privilege. The daycare is only open from 8:45-10:45 so that helps ensure that we start our day early instead of sleeping until 11 (she takes after her daddy and loves to sleep! Of course, I do too!). The greatest benefit to my gym membership is that it serves as my "alone time". I've never believed in spending this much time working out but lately my views have changed. I cherish each moment that I'm sweating it out on the treadmill or lifting weights. I usually just blank out and think of nothing at all, listen to my choice of music, or I can actually watch T.V. (we don't have a single channel at home). Even though I don't speak to anyone at the gym this is my time with adults. It's so nice. The best part is that after my 2 hours away from agw I'm so eager and excited to spend the rest of the day with her! The daycare is great for her too. She's become very co dependant and needs time away from me. The gym has a big playplace (like you would see at McDonald's), a play kitchen, every toy imaginable, and a T.V. AGW is usually the 1st one there and the last to leave and they probably think I'm using them as a daycare, but I'm getting every penny out of that gym! The ladies both love AGW and say that she is good at helping with the younger kids and at cleaning up! She's such a sweetie!
After the gym today we walked 2 blocks to the park. She is starting to feel a little more comfortable there and will run around and play by herself for a few minutes at a time. She is still very shy and reserved and has no interest in playing with other kids. We spent over an hour there today because it was nice and cool and finally not humid. We got a very special surprise when at 1:00 Carey came to the park. He was actually given the afternoon to get work done at home! AGW was beyond excited and really didn't let him get too much done though. Our afternoon was so nice just having him around!
After the gym today we walked 2 blocks to the park. She is starting to feel a little more comfortable there and will run around and play by herself for a few minutes at a time. She is still very shy and reserved and has no interest in playing with other kids. We spent over an hour there today because it was nice and cool and finally not humid. We got a very special surprise when at 1:00 Carey came to the park. He was actually given the afternoon to get work done at home! AGW was beyond excited and really didn't let him get too much done though. Our afternoon was so nice just having him around!
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