Hey Strangers...

Yep. She still blogs...

After my birthday #SummerSixteen seemed like it flew by even faster than it came in. I'm happy to report that I survived the busiest service of third year. I still have to conquer two mini-blocks of antepartum (inpatient obstetrics) and 7 weeks of GYN-Onc, but I think I will be just fine.

Since leaving Wake Med, I have been on a rotation called Ambulatory Care Clinic (or ACC). ACC is just what it sounds like - I get to spend my days in the outpatient OB and GYN clinics. It has been great to learn how to run my clinic more efficiently, especially now that I am a big, bad third year and know a whole lot more about what I am doing...

The hours are also quite nice which has allowed time for other responsibilities - like working on my third year research project, meetings about interview season, tending to my self-care initiative (or lack thereof), and some much needed recuperation with our family. I feel like it took me two weeks before I felt like I was crawling out of the hole of exhaustion from Wake.

In Johnson news...

Natey started second grade! Isabelle is beaming with as much pride over him as we are.

Big Nate finally was able to live out his fantasy on the race track one weekend when our family visited the Charlotte Motor Speedway. And I am sure his fantasy all those years ago included being at a racetrack with his two kids haha!

Back when he was just a teenager with a Mustang :-D

And we completed the fasted (and longest) road trip in history over Labor Day weekend when we went to Detroit for Nate's mom's birthday party:

And then afterward hit the road again to see my parents in Indiana. Something about the familiar spaces at home that seem to put everything back into alignment. I needed it. An added bonus was that  my brother josh, his girlfriend, plus my uncle and his family all came up for the day too!

Seeing your babies in the place you grew up gives you all the warm fuzzies...

So happy I got to see my sweet Samson

And my sweet middle brother came to see us

Josh and Bridget xo

Backyard fishing with my dad (Grampy)

We will talk about my child's sass at another time...

Thanks for bearing with me, still reading, and indulging in my photo dump...

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

xo

Weekend(s) Recap

So life is a bit cray cray right now since I am in the SICU (Surgical Intensive Care Unit). I have to be ready for sign out at the hospital at 5:30am and I get off around 6:00pm. It's not too bad, but by the time I get home, my functionality outside of eating dinner and vegging out with the fam is minimal.

So blogging has taken a hit, but I am still here. The last two weekends have actually been pretty awesome.

First of all, I finished nights!!! Friday morning our team went out for celebratory breakfast.

My awesome nights team

Then I headed to the airport to pick up one of my college besties from LA who was visiting for the holiday. Although we try and keep in touch, we hadn't actually been together since 2011.

2008

2011

2016

When she got here it was like we picked up right where we left off.

I have always felt that her life was way more fabulous than mine - because it is. She works in entertainment and gets to rub elbows with the Hollywood In-Crowd. And of course, she brought some hipness to the Johnson house - including selfie stick usage, Snapchat {you can now follow me @MrsMommyMD}, pool party decorum, and celebrity gossip. Jokes aside,  she is one of the sweetest and most thoughtful people I know. It brought me so much joy that the littles got to spend time with Auntie Larissa...

Best. Nail. Salon. EVER.

Should have never given the Johnsons Snapchat

This past weekend, we had planned to go to Charlotte for Nate's Muscle Car Experience birthday present, but the Raceway over booked and now we have to reschedule - I was so bummed. Nate's mom also came to visit us and thanks to her, we were able to go on our first date, outside of the house, without the kids, IN A YEAR. I know...that is like the epitome of a marriage technical foul (I'm in basketball playoff mode). But it was great, we met up with some friends for dinner and then just hung out in downtown Durham talking and eating ice cream...shhh don't tell the kids.

Sunday, Nate and I went on a couples run and then we all went to the pool.

This coming weekend is my last call as a second year...Ya'll, I am almost halfway done with residency. If that doesn't deserve the celebratory Diddy gif, I don't know what does...

Alright, off to bed I go! xoxo

"Moooovin' on Up..."

Our closing was scheduled for the Wednesday afternoon after graduation, and so we *planned* to be on the road to North Carolina by Tuesday evening (Yes, 48 hours after all our guests left our house) at the latest.

26ft Truck + Car Trailer + Car = A Long Ride 

Have you ever tried to host guests at your house while simultaneously trying to pack for your cross-country move? In hindsight this probably wasn't good planning but...YOGO (You Only Graduate Once. No? Oh ok.)  In all seriousness, even though it was a stressful process to say the least, we actually made a ton of great memories :-)

In the pre-move planning stages, we realized that movers was ridiculously expensive, so we decided to do it ourselves. Nate rented a 26 foot truck - HUGE! And we thought, "Surely we won't even fill this thing, especially since we filled a 20 foot dumpster with all our junk a week ago..." HA. Long story short, we filled the truck with our stuff, and filled my little brother's 12 foot truck with things that just would not fit (i.e. things for his college apartment).

He thought he was so cool in the truck

At 2AM on Wednesday morning, we were all set to hit the road (still determined to make closing), but Nate realized that the truck's trailer lights were shorted out -_- Honestly, I think it was divine intervention because we were exhausted and it was probably safest that we just went to sleep...

After some much needed rest, we pulled out of the driveway home for the last time, and said goodbye to Indianapolis. It was a rainy morning, which set the tone for continuing the crying outbursts I had been having throughout the evening prior as I listened to Miranda Lambert "The House That Built Me" on repeat. I know, I know...but I'm really, really good at being dramatic. Sure this wasn't my childhood home, but it had so many memories, and the bigger picture here is that I was moving the furthest away I've ever been from my parents' home. Don't judge me.

The drive was LONG. Normally it takes about 10 hours by car. However, by car following a 26 foot Penske truck towing a car, going 50 miles an hour (or less) the whole way, it takes about....16 hours.

We obviously did not make the closing. Fortunately, we prepared for this by having a power of attorney ready to sign in our stead. What we were not prepared for was that when we got to Virginia the lights in the truck would short out again - causing us to have to check into a hotel and finish the last 3 hours of the trip in the morning. This was seriously thee most anti-climactic trip ever.

So close!

Finally, on Thursday morning we made it! When Nate was packing up the truck in Indy, I helped a little with the really heavy stuff because I am so strong, he told me that he looked into having a moving company help us unload when we got to our place. I assumed that was the plan. However, when we got there, it was just us...

Trickery.

My mom came along for the ride and stayed with us for a week. This was immensely helpful because she was able to keep the kids while we unloaded and ran around town for Home Depot & Lowe's errands. She also unpacked our kitchen, helped me clean, and pretty much did anything I was too overwhelmed or stressed out to do.

Dame's Chicken & Waffles with my mom

Doing grown up things (i.e. trimming our bushes) 

We have been Durham residents for almost two weeks and we absolutely love it! The area is beautiful and everyone is so friendly. Not long after moving in we discovered that we live next door to another 5 year old boy. Couldn't have planned this any better if I tried! Nate started his new job the Monday after we arrived. It seems like a great fit so far and I'm so excited for him :-)

Residency orientation starts June 12th. Needless-to-say, I am in "try and get everything done while you can" and "try and do something nice for yourself too" modes until showtime.

Over the last year we have added Johnson child number two, got two new jobs, graduated, moved approximated 700 miles, and bought a house! I told the hubby we aren't allowed any more big changes for a while... Nothing wrong with some good ole' monotony ;-) 

Home Sweet Home!

Baby J Has Been Served!

39 Weeks HUGE!

No, the baby is not here yet. I'm still pregnant. But the eviction papers have been served and this baby is coming out by tomorrow whether he or she wants to or not. I have been putting off blogging until I finished all the work for my July elective. I was hoping to get my project done a week ago, but here I am on the morning of my induction day (we go in tonight at 6!!!) and my project is done. Hey, at least its finished with half the month to spare, right?

Project done. House is clean. Bags are packed. Baby J we are ready for you! Natey told us last night that he is ready for the baby to come too because "we have been waiting a long time..." I agree. Yesterday, I got all caught up in my feelings. Little Nate is seeming so mature but so much like my baby at the same time, like even within the last week. It's almost as if he is preparing for his big kid role and making room for a new baby in the house. We [little Nate and I] have been through so much together and reflecting on the time between my pregnancy with him to now really got me all emotional. The three musketeers will become four. I still can't believe it's really happening...

Since I was put on bedrest, not too much has been going on - aside from drinking ridiculous amounts of water and reaching new heights of uncomfortableness. Being a regular person really took two weeks to get used to, but it really has been a blessing to slow down for a bit. I did my best to take it easy while staying at home with a four year old. Nate decided last week that he wasn't going to take naps anymore o_O. The baby has been doing fine and my fluid levels went back up to normal! My doc said that she wanted to keep baby cooking until at least 39 weeks, and here we are!

I thought the color execution was impeccable ;-) Thanks Mom!

On Saturday, my mom threw us an awesome shower to welcome the new addition. Sidenote, she should really go into event planning because she made our little messy yard look like a clubhouse haha... The oh-so-true theme was "Ready to Pop" and the colors were pink, blue, and yellow (see pictures). A lot of my friends from school came up to show their love and even one of my friends from college (Her 5-year-
old daughter came too, and she and Natey were hilarious all weekend). Even though I have been feeling totally drained of energy, it was a great day and it will definitely be one of my favorite memories of this pregnancy.

This morning Natey and I are just taking it easy and enjoying our last morning alone. I think God really wanted me to get my project done because not only did Nate take his first nap in two weeks yesterday, but also he slept in until 8AM which allowed me to knock out the last few pages of my paper. Praise Him.

Friends!!

Keep us in your prayers, I will update you with the stats of our new bundle as soon as I feel up to it!

My sweet boy...

Things Natey Says: Summer Vacation Edition

Me: Come on, Nate, we're going somewhere...
Nate: Are we going to Target?!
Me: Nope.
Nate: The dollar store?!
You would think we don't take him anywhere -_-

Nate: I don't want to go to camp!
Me: A lot of your friends are going to camp this summer after school gets out.
Nate: Not L---, he's going to Florida.

Walking in on his dad reading the manual to the car:
Nate: Is that your Bible?

Nate: How is the doctor going to get the baby out of you?
Me: Mommy has to go to the hospital so the doctor can help her and I am going to push the baby out.
Nate: Oh, how did you get that baby in you?
Me: Well, when mommies and daddies love each other they can make a baby.
Nate: But how did that baby get IN you?
o_O I didn't think I would be having this conversation so soon!

After seeing a commercial for Gymboree on the TV:
Natey: Hey Mommy, we can take my baby there!

I'm going to teach my baby how to read!

We have been working on sight words and reading. One day in the middle of the lesson...
Natey: Mommy, I love when you teach me how to read.
Me: Me too Nate, I love teaching you to read. And you are doing so well, how do you remember all this stuff?

Summertime!

Natey: God tells me.

In the car with his Dad:
Nate: I know everything. Ask me a question.
Hubby: (there is a blimp in the sky) Hmm...How do blimps fly?
Nate: Well...that is a very good question...They use hot air
Haha good to know he pays attention in school ;-)
~~~~~~~

15 MINUTES into our drive to New Orleans:
Nate: :long sigh: Ugh...this is such a long trip!

6 hours into the trip and way past his bedtime:
Me: Natey, you should try and go to sleep.

Nate: I don't want to go to sleep because I don't want to miss anything exciting!

Nate: What is there to do in Tim Horlins (New Orleans) again?

Walking into the hotel room and opening the curtain:
Nate: This is so nice!

After hearing someone cuss in the French Quarter:
Natey: We aren't allowed to say "damn", right daddy?

Summer is Here!!!

I knew better, because this has happened before, but I thought that when my vacation started I would have all these witty and interesting posts to write. Welp… as you can see, that was not the case. I want to think that part of the reason is because I was too busy out enjoying regular people life - which is true. But deep down I know it’s because honestly, on this vacation I did not feel like doing naan thing.  Fourth year starts on Monday, and although I am going back to the daily routine of the morning rush and my night time shut down , I am thankful that this month will be more of a 8am-5pm gig and that it signifies the commencement of fourth year – a year filled with rotations I chose to do.

I do have a "quick" recap for you though.

Vacation kicked off with a bang. After my final exam, the family and I hit the road and headed to New Orleans for one of my college BFF’s (and college roommate’s) law school graduation at Tulane. It was awesome. Natey was absolutely hilarious the whole time (sidebar, stay tuned for a “Things Natey Says” post). I wasn't sure how a four year old would do on a 14hour drive, but he was so excited to travel and see new places, and it was so cool to see his little self take everything all in. 

College Roomies!!

The Crew!

The Nates!

On the River Walk in NO.
Right after some creepy bayou man unsolicitedly
informed me I was carrying a boy...Thanks sir.

I am so happy I was able to go and support my friend. Medical school has a habit of draining all of the desire to do anything extra out of you – and you tend to use it as an excuse for why you don’t go anywhere or do anything – but I am so happy I didn’t do that this time. It’s amazing how much seeing your close friends fills you up. I love these people dearly and can’t wait for us to do this again next spring (my other college roommate graduates from law school next year and of course, yours truly is going to get that M.D.! IT’S. ABOUT. TO. GO. DOWN.).

On the way home, we stopped in Terry, Mississippi for a night to visit my mom’s side of the family. It was so much fun! It feels so good to be around family and I was so happy that Natey (and the Hubby) got to see where my Grammy grew up and how beautiful it is! The little one was loving the country life. As soon as we arrived, we pretty much did not see him again until we left. On the final leg of the trip, we stopped in Memphis for lunch and got to see one of my cousins and her daughter. BEST. WEEKEND. EVER.

Natey got to meet some of the family horses...

When we got home, it was back to reality – i.e. field trips, the car that had overheated the week of my final exams :sigh:, and many other things on my massive three-part “To Do” list (pictured). I have been slowly but surely crossing things off which feels super good. Notice how very little under my "Self" list has been crossed off...don't judge. However, I have managed the following: 

Ahhhhh!

• Almost completed the nursery… (I made my first Craigslist sale when I got rid of our guestroom furniture…Go me!)  
• We had maternity pictures taken…
• I wiped down all the baseboards in the house and organized almost all the closets....
• I found a summer camp for the kid…
• Started my preliminary nanny/childcare search…
• Registered for Step 2… (let us all shed a tear for that $1,750 exam HUGE side eye)
• Started my CV and personal statement for residency…

Oh, and I am so over my self-inflicted Mommy Guilt secondary to our regular use of before and after care at school. I thought Natey would be stoked when I told him that we could sleep in and I could walk him into his classroom at the regular time for the last two weeks of school. Nope. He wanted to wake up early so he could still go in to before care -_- 

Oh, and the first day I picked Nate up at the “usual” go home time of 11:15am (I know…keeping my kid in school until 3pm was considered “extended day" - and usually Nate is in aftercare until after 5pm), the KID CRIED ALL THE WAY HOME BECAUSE HE WANTED TO STAY FOR AFTERCARE!!! -_____- 

I cannot. 

Mommy Guilt instantly cured.

BELLY!

As far as pregnancy updates, the only new thing is that I am even huger (sp?) than before. And my sleeping is non-existent – which kind of sucks a lot. I’m currently trying to think of a new pregnancy pillow invention because I have tried them all and they are just not cutting it. Oh, and being pregnant in this heat hasn't been so bad. All you have to do is keep the A/C on 65... :Kanye shrug:

Today, my little one had his last day of Pre-School!! I am so thankful that his last two weeks of school fell on my vacation, it was probably the most present I’ve been in his class all year, and I can tell he loved it (despite the before/aftercare comments haha). On to Pre-Kindergarten!!!

Happy Summer from me and my little boo!