And....We're Back! (to School)

Well, that was a fast summer...Did August even happen, or nah?

I cannot believe I am the mom to a fourth grader and a kindergartener o_O Isabelle is SO PUMPED to be at the same school as her big bro. Nate is also loving being able to get Isabelle up to speed on all things at their now-shared school in true "know-it-all" fashion.

And Mama's work life is conducive to me being a part of all the awesome First Day/Week of School hustle... seriously, my heart = FULL.

The first few days of school this year were a success! Here is the photo dump to prove it:

Nate's first day was last Wednesday...

Isabelle's been photobombing him since 2013 hahaha

Wednesday, Isabelle had a her Kindergarten visit day and then her first official day was the next day, on Thursday...

Genius classroom scavenger hunt to help them find the classroom essentials before the first day!

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw my walk down First Day of School memory lane in my stories. Man, that chalkboard was money well spent! 

We don't talk much about third grade - Mama's struggle year...LOL

Hope all you parents and students are having a great start to the school year!

8 Things to Remember While Parenting in Residency

Four years ago when I finished medical school, I wrote an article for Student Doctor Network called Six Things to Remember While Parenting in Medical School.

A lot of what I wrote back then still holds true for residency, but I thought I would give an updated run-down on some important things to remember while parenting in residency...

1. It really is about quality of time over quantity. I used to think that people were saying this to me so that I wouldn’t feel badly about not being around all the time, but it really is true. Your kids want to be with you no matter whether it is during a 15 minute visit on Labor and Delivery, or a whole golden weekend. They love you and anything you do together can be memorable. The biggest thing is to make the most of the time that you do have with them.

Visitors on Nights during Intern Year

Visitors during Nights during Chief Year

2. Don’t forget to do something for yourself. Between working, and trying to be everything to everyone at home, it is easy to forget about yourself. You need those hobbies you had before this thing started - whether it is long bubble baths, writing, working out, or your favorite TV show. You have to TREAT YO SELF too. 

That Disney trip we took? Definitely mostly for me ;-) 

3. Residency is not going to be easy with children, no matter what specialty you choose, but it can be done. Social media sometimes can hurt us, because we are looking at everyone’s highlight reel and end products without seeing all of the outtakes or mess in between points A and B. Let me tell youThere is so much mess. And it is still going to be OK. 

4. Take the pictures (even if the school year is halfway over). Take the seemingly inconvenient overnight trip (even after being on the third hellish rotation in a row). Go to the movie. The time is going to pass you by and these moments are going to be things that you cherish with your fam when the going gets tough.

5. Make even the simple things a family affair. Isabelle always points out that she is willing to “rest” or “watch the news” with me. Train 'em up! 

6. Get creative about making what is important to you happen. You will be able to make it to :some: of the kids'/family things. It just takes a lot of advanced planning, and the support of your people who are willing to cover you if need be.

7. Ask for help. I have NO SHAME in sending out the yearly "recruitment email" to our extended family letting them know when we need them most during the year. 

8. Don’t forget to say thank you. And say it often - not just when you are all done. You didn't get here alone and don't forget it. 

Bedtime Stories for Girls Who Kick Butt...

Morning peeps! Head over to Mode.com today to check out my newest story. And be sure to share it with any parents of little girls you know - we are raising our daughters to be fierce!

Check out Bedtime Stories for Girls Who Are More Than Princesses

by Jasmine Johnson at Mode

Check Out My Guest Post on the Student Doctor Network!

If you are pursuing a career in the health sciences, then you are probably more-than-familiar with the abundance of resources and forums on The Student Doctor Network. If this is your first time hearing about it, go there now!

Today, I am super excited to be guest posting on the about parenting in medical school, and I would love for you to check it out and let me know what you think! [Link Here]

Have a great day everyone :-)

Things Little Nate Says: 4 Years-Old Edition; Volume 1

Eating PB&J like a boss...

This post is long overdue. I'm sure I am biased, but this kid gets funnier as he gets older. Here are some of the hilarious things Natey is doing and saying these days...

The very first thing he says as he's walking into before-care at school a few weeks ago (for the first time since Christmas break):
"Guess what? I'm four now and I'm going to get a brother and a sister and a dog...well, a dog after we move into a bigger house..."


Natey: "What are you eating?"
Me: "A salad, want some?"
Natey: "No, no thank you for that..."


"I missed you so much :big hug: So how was your day mommy/daddy?"

"Is your baby sleeping? Can I talk to your baby?"

"Is my baby awake?"

Natey: "Where's daddy?"
Me: "He went to Sam's Club."
Natey: "He went without me?!"

Natey: "How old do you have to be to be a grown up?"
Me: "18 years old"
Natey: "No, I think you need to be a thousand..."

"I want to name the baby Ellie." (he keeps referring to his little sibling as a girl)

Natey: "Can your baby come out?"
Me: "Well the doctors are going to help mommy get the baby out this summer"
Natey: "Are you going to open your mouth like this? AHHHHH!"

My husband's mom came to take care of Nate when he had a short break from school. Natey hadn't seen her yet since she arrived when he was sleeping. In the morning when his dad was getting ready for work, I guess Natey thought we were just gonna let him chill at home alone and he told his dad: "Have a good day. Don't worry, I'll be brave..." HA!

Natey every other day: "How old are you now?"
Me: "25 still..."
Natey: "I think you're a thousand!"
-_-

Natey while eating an oatmeal cream pie: "These cookies don't make crumbs...Did you know that mom?"
Me: "Oh really, who told you that?"
Natey: "Myself."

Natey: "I have good news and bad news..."
Me: "What is it?"
Natey: "Nothing."
Me: "You shouldn't tell people you have bad news because it will make them sad or worried."
Natey: :blank stare: "Mom, I have good news and bad news..."
Me: "What did I just say?"
Natey: "The bad news is I can't find my stickers. The good news is I have my horsey."

While the husband is making his coffee...
Natey: (looking disgusted) "Are you putting eggs in your coffee?"
Dad: "No, it's coconut..."
Natey: "Ooooh, when did you go to the beach for that?"


One day I picked Nate up early from school because I had an early afternoon...
Nate's teacher: "Nate! Look who's here!"
Natey: "Mom?! What?!..."
You would have thought he won Publisher's Clearinghouse haha


One night I was getting Natey ready for bed and he coughed and then quietly said: "Bless me God"
Then he coughed again and said, "bless me God. Hallelujah!" (with appropriate praise hand raise)
Me: "What did you say?"
Natey: "I was talking to Jesus. We did that at Lita's church."



Hope we brought a smile to your Tuesday!

Prayers for Newtown and Any Parent Who Has Lost a Child.

I have had no words since finding out what happened on Friday. Like most parents, I just keep thinking about my own beautiful baby and the unspeakable grief of the Newtown families. As a parent you do the best you can to give your kids the best life and opportunities you know how. It is so disheartening to think that even when you do everything in your power, someone can come and suddenly take all that away from you. It's not fair and it is so difficult for me to wrap my mind around this. My heart is so broken for every family touched by this tragedy.

Tonight I read this well written piece by the mother of a child with mental illness, and it immediately made me think about the children I interacted with during my inpatient psychiatry rotation. On one hand they were just kids, but without a moment's notice they could become both violent and extremely dangerous. I have no intention of making this a post about mental illness, but I know first hand that it is real. And it is terrifying because these children who are sick really have no options until they end up doing something worthy of going to jail - which houses the greatest portion of those mentally ill in this country.

No parent should have to bury their child. Be it from gang violence, sickness, or a horrendous, unimaginable massacre like what occurred on Friday. No parent should have to deal with this. Ever.

As the days following this tragic event continue to pass, I hope and pray that we start having some serious conversations about our country and all of the things that are so broken. Enough is enough. Something has got to change.

"When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge." Proverbs 14:32

To all those gone from this earth far too soon, rest in heavenly peace.

Daddy's Rock

Big Nate has been on full time afternoon night duty with the little one and let me just say, Daddy's rock!

Since this arrangement, Nate has been SLEEPING in his own bed. ALL NIGHT. Boom.

Nate laughed at me because now I'm always suggesting that we watch TV in bed or go get in bed extra early just because we can spread out hahaha!

I don't care, this is a monumental moment in the history of our household. All I know is, when baby #2 comes (whenever that may be), he/she will be starting out in their bed from day one.

Before waking him up for school

"When You Thought I Wasn't Looking"

My mom emailed this to me a year ago and I recently saw the email, so I thought I'd share: 

-------

A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say...


WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING - Unknown

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. 

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking' 

For all of you who do so much for others, but think that no one ever sees. Little eyes see a lot. 


Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child. 

How will you touch the life of someone today? Just by sharing this with someone else, you will probably make them at least think about their influence on others.


Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. 

Why Medical School is Easier Than Being a Parent

Well, today is the day I am back to the daily class grind for the first time since May. It's all out until graduation, so I would really appreciate your prayers!

This post back in June got me thinking about the comparison between medical school and being a parent. So just for fun, here's what I came up with:

10. When sitting somewhere for a long period of time, you don't have to bring with you an abundance of snacks, books, toys, and other distractive devices - in addition to anything you may need for yourself. Although sometimes we do try to distract ourselves from falling asleep in lectures...

9. Stinky odors stay in the anatomy lab, and they are not your responsibility to get rid of.

8. You don't have to make sure you have a "nap time blanket" washed and packed every Sunday night for the week...

7. Wearing the tools of the trade (i.e. white coat, stethoscope, etc.) make people automatically assume you know stuff, but carrying/wearing mommy "tools" (i.e. diaper bag, bottle, comfortable shoes) makes people tell you that you look tired -_-

Gee, thanks...

6. Everyone understands the concept of personal space.

5. After lunchtime, no one starts getting extremely irritable, unable to make decisions, or do any work until they take at least an hour nap.

4. Your patients don't come home with you, sleep in your bed, and wipe their snot on your shirt.

3. At the end of the four years, you start getting a $alary for doing what you do.

2. No one asks you when you're going to add "another med school" to the mix, and you feel no pressure to do so...

1. There is no curve, and if you fail a class (opposed to parenting), you can do it over at least once before they kick you out...

Chris Rock said his job as a father is to keep his girls "off the pole" LMBO Parenting is such a challenging job and unlike in medical school, your performance on raising your child is not curved based on the performance of your peers.

Happy Back to School!!