Doctor. Doctor.

[Michele]

Some quick pics...





And my sister carrying him in the wrap:


Yes we have the same parents! I'm close to that dark if I spend as much time in the sun as she does! Ahhh.....I miss the sun and the ocean.....only 3 and a half more years....

[Michele]

So I have two very cool new toys!!!!

One is a webcam! OK head outta the gutter....although that could solve some of our $$ concerns while allowing me to stay home with the boy....j/k! We had our first video chat with the in-laws! And it was great for them to see Daegan and it helped Russ and I not feel so far away from the family! They bought us the webcam and I called my folks and they're going to buy one tonight! I get occasional flack for moving so far away and having a baby. Cause this is exactly the way I envisioned my life going...riiiiiight...so maybe their being able to see the boy more often, even if they don't get to hold him...maybe it'll help. And I'm way impressed with the picture quality! I don't know much about webcams, but this was really easy to set up and use!

Two is Karaoke Revolution for the GameCube! (And for later when we get the Wii, it's compatible!) I can sing my little heart out! I can create a character and dress her up in ridiculous outfits, chose the singing venue and the song and the lyrics and pitch are on the screen for me. The sucky part is that I'm scored on my ability to sing (not very good by the way) but it's neat because I can see how I'm off from the pitch so maybe, just maybe, I'll become a better singer by playing more often! And you can buy the dance pad and there is a sing and dance mode so I could do both! Oh and Russ bought the Donkey Konga game where you play bongo drums. Totally fun too! We are such nerds!

[Michele]

Daegan continues to grow, change and amaze me everyday! It's kinda crazy to think that I am *almost* solely responsible for all of his growth and development (besides the little NICU stay). I now know where all the weight I'm losing is going! I'm almost down to my pre-pregnancy weight! I'm about a pound away. I'd like to get down about 15 pounds lower than my pre-preg weight though....I'm going to give myself plenty of time to do it. My original goal was pre-preg by 9 months after birth...and since I'm likely to hit that, I'm adjusting the goal to target weight by 1 year after birth....that's about 15 pounds in 7 months. I think that's very reasonable. My plan for reaching that goal: eat good foods, until just full....no overeating! and to exercise at least twice a week (likely to increase once I ACTUALLY exercise ). I think I can do it! Shorter term goal: down 8 pounds by Jazz Fest.

On the job/daycare front:
I'm still really struggling with this. We signed Daegan up for one preschool place...he's ~40th on the waiting list and they only take 14 a year each August! It's one of the better ones in the area....I'm hoping he'll get in at 2 yo. Of course in the meantime we have no care for him. There are a lot of daycares here....a lot of sucky ones....and a lot of long waiting lists! I'm trying to work the recommendations, but I don't know who to believe. Louisiana has 2 'classes'...class A is acceptable to me...class B allows corporal punishment and felons to work with the children! I have a friend who loves her daycare and it's a class B! I've haven't heard good things about it from other moms and I can't believe she likes it so much! It worries me. I guess this is the ultimate mom-worry....is my child safe? Just thinking about putting Daegan in someone else's care makes me very nauseated....sometimes I think I may need medication to get over myself and go to work. I think my feelings are a little over the top. I wish I could be more comfortable with it, but I'm not. I probably should try to 'practice' leaving Daegan with someone before I actually put him in daycare....it's hard enough for me to leave him with Russ so I can shower! One of the worst parts about this whole business is that I have to work full time for 2 months in order to get my license (a preceptorship)....after I get my license, I only plan to work 2-3 days a week. We don't need a lot of money....just some. And it would be best for me to keep my knowledge and skills current. I even called the board to see if I could do the preceptorship over 4 months and do it part time. No dice. I'm currently trying to petition my family to 'visit' a lot this summer such that they could watch Daegan for the full time stuff......I don't know if our finances will hold that long. Though, if I can't find a daycare to watch him, it won't matter anyway. I'm going to call more places when the weather eases up. (It caused a panic in the town. Closed all schools....I didn't think slushy rain was that big of a deal.) Sometimes I wonder why I had a child if I can't let him go to daycare....how am I going to deal with all the other worries that go along with being a parent.....but then I think, I wouldn't be a good mom if I didn't have a healthy dose of worry. But what's a healthy dose??? And how do I get mine down to a healthy level? Is it just something that comes with time?

I wanted to find in-home child care....but no-one could come to our house with Guardian Tui....and the state is cracking down on childcare laws and many people aren't continuing to watch the little ones in their homes. At least Russ and I agreed to wait until closer to the end of RSV season...

Ugh, the whole discussion makes me sick to my stomach.

Some cutie pie pics to make me feel better!









Oh and we still have our Christmas lights up outside! :!

[Michele]

He's 5 months old! This time last year we were just waiting out the month until we could officially start trying to conceive! It seems like yesterday and yet forever ago all at the same time. He's been about the best baby I could've asked for. Even in his grumpy, refluxin', my belly hurts and I got a shot today, I still love him!

With this face, how could you not??


He celebrated by rolling over last night!!

Here are some from his first professional photo shoot:

[Michele]

We're going to NO, LA for the Jazz and Heritage Festival!!!



I think we're going to have sooo much fun! We're heading out on Thursday April 26th and we're staying until Monday April 30th. My parents go almost every year and they stay at their timeshare in the French Quarter. We have reservations at this hotel:





It's the W New Orleans - French Quarter on Chartres St. The pics online look awesome! And from my previous experience with Starwood hotels, it should be even better than it looks! One of the best parts?? We can bring dogs!!! Right now we just have a reservation for one dog, but they said we can just call and add the other one! It can be a hassle to travel with Tui. She's nervous in the car, she doesn't really like other people, other dogs, traffic, new places. But she's even worse to leave somewhere or to have someone try to come over and let her out (ha ha...ask Julie or Terri!). It's going to be Daegan's first vacation!

The line up for the weekend we'll be at Jazz fest includes:

Dr. John, Rod Stewart, Van Morrison, Norah Jones, Brad Paisley, Jill Scott, Irma Thomas, Ludacris, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Lee Lewis, Pharoah Sanders, Lucinda Williams, Calexico, Soulive, Rebirth Brass Band, Richie Havens, Johnny Rivers, George Thorogood & the Destroyers

The list is extensive, but I stopped recognizing people after this point. They've taken the photo galleries offline otherwise, I'd post a few pics of years past.

Should be fun! I'm excited and can't wait!!!

------------------------------------------

Russ filed our taxes! We're getting some flow back! The little duker is worth a pretty penny!!

He's on a ward month at the VA with q4 call. And tonight's one of the nights. He'll be home Sunday afternoon exhausted! I hate when he's on in-house call. I don't like not seeing him so long and being in the house at night...including this month, he only has 5 months of internship to go!!!!! We are over halfway done!

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Not too much new in the Daegan front. He 'rolled' over back to front, once...it was more like he rolled to his side, and then fell the rest of the way. He's really found his hands....and he's been playing with them and putting them in his mouth. He's starting to sleep a little better without me. I have to lay with him to get him asleep, but then I can leave....instead of having to lay there for a few hours. He's starting to take more frequent, shorter (1-2h) naps which all the books say is normal. Other than that, he's just chillin'.

----------------------------------------

I don't have any official dates on when I go back to work....but it'll likely be April 2nd. I'm going to call the daycare on Monday and see if they'll have a spot for him. The daycare is Evangel Learning Center http://www.evangellearningcenter.com/index.php and they have the webcams. I haven't heard anything bad about it. And another resident has her daughter there.

I don't have any recent Daegan pics....blasphemy I know....I'll try to get some and post them soon.

[Michele]

Still no pics of the boy...but I went on a shopping spree!!!!

Here's all the stuff I bought: (all for me for him of course!)

A mini wetbag in this print:


Three regular wetbags in these prints:




And and all day wetbag in this print:




And my FAVORITE of the recent purchases.....




drumroll......






A new wrap!





I love my Storch wrap, but I know it's going to be too hot when spring and summer roll around...ugh 100 degree weather! I'm not crazy about the Ergo like I am about my wrap. So I bought this Vatanai wrap....they're pretty new and I hear they are really breezy yet comfy...no pressure points, etc. I can't wait! It's back ordered right now and so it will take 4-6 weeks to get to me. I'll post a pic of it when it gets here! I'm so excited!

I pseudo-successfully wrapped Daegan on my back today...he was lower than I wanted him and he kept leaning to one side b/c I couldn't get the one rail right....but it was nice to vacuum and load the dishwasher without bumping him! I'm going to keep practicing! It was great having his weight on my back. And just a little scary flinging him onto my back like a Santa sack!

Russ should be home soon....post call....he had a rough night he said. That sucks...for him and the patients....but mostly for me cause I have to deal with him now!

[Michele]

First Mardi Gras parade!! Look at all this loot!!!

[Michele]

Saturday's Mardi Gras Parade

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/4 ... csXLZm0ctI

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/4 ... csXLZm0ctI

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/4 ... csXLZm0ctI

http://shim1.shutterfly.com/procgserv/4 ... csXLZm0ctI

[Michele]

It's been 6 months since Daegan was born and my C-section and all...Some days I still can't get over what happened. I think those days are lessening in number, but not yet intensity. I hate going back to the OB/Gyn clinic. The first time I was there was the day I was diagnosed with HELLP and Daegan was born. Every time I've been back I feel like I relive that day....but the bad parts not the good, I have a baby part. The general incompetence of the clinic doesn't help either....my last appointment I apparently checked in at the wrong desk (there are two side by side) and they didn't tell me I was at the wrong place until 1 hour after my appointment and the doctor had already left and then was across the street in a section. WTF! I had written the doctor's name clearly at the top of the little paper I have to fill out every time (which is annoying in itself too). The majority of the clinic's patients are medicaid/walk-in/very uneducated....I guess because it's the LSUS clinic associated with the teaching hospital....the "private" patients of the docs are often lumped in with the rest. I guess I feel like I deserve better since I'm paying for freaking health insurance and they've enslaved my husband (OK not the OB/Gyn dept but LSUS as a whole)!! I would find another OB/Gyn but there is only one high-risk OB in the entire area and he's associated with LSUS and only sees patients at that clinic. UF's private clinics were SOOOO much better with organization and patient care. I used to see the head of the OB/Gyn dept at UF in a private clinic...far off campus in a nice section of town. The waiting room was pleasing to look at...though I was never there more than 10 minutes...I was always brought right back to see the doc...and once he figured out Russ was a med student, he would spend extra time with us...not a 5 second fly-by appointment. The nurses were very helpful and pleasant. LSUS is VASTLY different. I don't know if it's because of the prominent population of uneducated/unemployed "I don't care's" or if UF just was that much cooler. When Russ and I were talking about a birth plan for Daegan....Russ rolled his eyes at me for all the stuff I felt compelled to point out b/c UF didn't have strict labor policies...most of the places here do. We are thinking more and more about having other children, but I don't want to have to go through this darn clinic again...and I don't want to be given a really hard time about a VBAC. I guess we could wait until we leave this town, but I really didn't want them that far apart. We don't plan to have another one any time SOON, but I guess I'm thinking about it more because I went to a "Lower your chances for a C-section" talk recently and it stirred everything up. I may be getting my period back soon and my hormones might also be making me a little emotional. I don't know.

In other news, I'm starting to feel better about Daegan going to daycare. I visited the place again when my mom was in town and it WAS really nice. I wasn't looking at it as well the first time...I think because of my internal block against the whole thing. The afternoon ladies were really nice and I think Daegan is going to have fun playing with other babies! He seemed to want to get down and play on the floor with them when we were there. He's made a big leap in his development recently...he can hold objects in his hands and turn them around a little. He still does a lot of dropping and can't pick them up by himself....but it's still pretty neat!!! He's also getting more opinionated about what he wants to do. It's frustrating at times, but I take it as a sign that he's normal and not retarded. April 2nd is the day!

Russ finally had a day off on Monday! WE needed it. He's been really cranky and I've needed a break! When my mom was here I over-planned and Daegan really reacted after his vaccinations and so I didn't feel like I got a break. There was still too much going on even if I wasn't holding him the majority of the time. And with the post-vax fussiness/sickiness he was really needy...and esp for his mama! So Monday Russ and I hung out and just chilled! He mowed the weeds (lawn is dead, weeds...not so much), and cleaned the kitchen. We also took the little guy to Sears for some pics! There are a lot of them! But I wanted to brag!















And here's one of him for my MIL, no she doesn't come here but she sent the scrubs b/c she's so proud that her son is a doctor!

I joked with Russ the other day that it would probably kill his mom if Daegan wanted to be a vet and not a 'real' doctor!

I started sewing! My mom taught me how to use my machine (it's an old hand-me-down from my Aunt)...I started a dress when my mom was here and it's almost done...but I made a shirt yesterday! I'll have to come back and post a pic! It doens't quite fit right....but I'm still learning! My measurements don't match the sizing so I'm still playing around with the sizes...this shirt was a combo of three different sizes and it was still not quite right.

OK must go tend to the babe!

[Michele]

My allergies are making me miserable! I hoped moving here would at the least slow them down some...but nope! Ahh.....I need the ocean breeze!!

Because I'm having such a fit right now, Russ is tending to the babe. He's popped Daegan in the Ergo and the boys are mowing the lawn!



I just checked on them and Daegan's almost asleep! Yay!

I've been trying to sew more. I made a ring sling and a scrub hat for Russ.

Here's Daegan in his new pimp ride:



My sister and her hubby are coming to stay with us! They'll be here in one week! My BIL hasn't seen il Duce yet! It will be good to see my sis and go shopping! I'm also planning to let my sis and BIL babysit Daegan for a few hours while Russ and I leave the house! This will be the first time I'm really away from him. I need to do this before daycare. I think we might try to see a movie or something....I think if I try dinner, I'm going to rush to get home fast...but a movie is a finite period of time...and hopefully the story will get my mind off the fact that my baby is with someone else! Ahhh...I'm such a nutcase when it comes to Daegan!

[Michele]

Only 6 more days of medicine this month.....only 6 more days of medicine this month....only 6 more days of medicine this month.

He is driving me crazy!!! He is so whiny and sleepy and whiny! Everything is about him! He wants a freakin' medal for giving Daegan a bath! Ugh!

He changes so much when he is on a ward month at the main hospital. And not for the better. Thankfully he only has one more ward month left! I want him to ask to have it at the VA. Even though it's q4d call at the VA and q5d call at the main hospital, he isn't such a bitch to be around when he's at the VA.

Next month is Ophtho...so he should be a peach right? It's what he wants to fricken do right??? Oh wait...he's gotta take step 3....I'm sure that's all I'll hear about.

But I have to go back to work!!! I have to give my son to someone else!!! I think it's really weighing on me and I'm sure I'm not being the easiest person to deal with either.


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In other news, I am going to be giving a babywearing class! I'm pretty stoked! I'm also starting a babywearing group...hoping to get NINO status soon... http://www.nineinnineout.org in case you wanted to check it out. I'm nervous about speaking in front of people...and I'm scared no one will show up. I've given flyers to most of the OB/GYN and peds clinics and to many of the daycares. I've also got flyers up in the local baby/maternity stores. I rarely get passionate enough about something to 'push' it on others....but this babywearing thing really gets me going. I hope I'm able to encourage others without sounding like some freaky bible-thumper. That is, if anyone shows up...

[Michele]

Here's a pic of my sis and I with the boy from when she was here last week.



Russ and Daegan bought a boat during Friday's 'daddy-care' day. So today we set it all up and went out for a spin.





The back of our house....view from the boat!








It was really peaceful eventhough it's really cold!!! It's down in the low 50s today! Ugh!



The little blue hat Daegan is wearing was a gift from one of Russ' patients! She knit Daegan a hat and a blanket! The people here are REALLY super nice! (even if they are really 'necky!)

[Michele]

I hate working full time!! I get up in the morning and pray Daegan will stay asleep long enough for me to get ready. Then I drop him off at daycare, head to work. At lunchtime I head over and nurse him and then come back to work. I leave work, pick him up, head home....if Russ is home he has dinner started, if not I make dinner, wash diapers, and go to bed. I feel like I don't have any time to play with Daegan, talk with Russ or even pet my dogs!!

I have NO IDEA how others do it!!!

At least it's supposed to end after this month. I don't have anything else lined up yet though. This place wants to keep me but I don't know if I want to stay. And I don't think they are going to be able to pay me what I'm worth.

Russ is on call on Saturday. So much for trying to catch up with the hubby this weekend.

I'm all pouty today. Pooh. At least it's Friday.






oh and Jazz Fest was fun! It was great to see my parents...and Daegan was a trooper up until the 6 hour drive home. pics to come later.

[Michele]

One little thing that has made our lives easier....

we hired a cleaning lady! She comes every other week and does bathrooms, floors and the kitchen. I love it! Besides the good-I-don't-have-to-clean factor, it forces us to straighten up the house often enough that the clutter doesn't get overwhelming.

Daegan is really an awesome baby! He was such a trooper for the Jazz Fest weekend. On Friday we went to the Aquarium of the Americas, walked around the French Quarter and then met my parents for dinner at a great French restuarant in the Garden District (La Crepe Nanou). Saturday, we were at Jazz Fest from 11am to 7pm....then showered and went out to dinner. Sunday we gave the little guy a break and hung around the hotel, let him play in the pool, nap for 2 hours, then we headed out to the festival for the afternoon and evening....then of course went out to dinner and a stroll down Bourbon Street. Daegan managed to score some beads from a few strippers!! He was soo good. The dogs had us up everyday at ~6am and we didn't get to bed each night until ~10pm. And we weren't home for any naps....so he just snoozed in the wrap or Ergo as he needed. Except for the blues tent....that was too loud for him and I didn't realize it until after about 20 minutes....poor kid's ears....we got him ear plugs for the next day. He would get a little fussy at dinner each night....but I never thought he'd be as easy as he is!

He's also adapted to daycare really well. He naps in a crib there and takes a bottle pretty readily for them now...two things he doesn't do at home. And he always comes home smelling like old lady perfume, so I know one of the workers spends a lot of time holding him!!

Because he's such a good baby, I'm a little nervous about having a second...I know the next baby couldn't possibly be as content and happy as he is. I guess since I wasn't spoiled with my late pregnancy and birth, I get spoiled by how great my kid is huh! I'll take that!

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Work front:

For the most part I really like the clinic I'm at. The staff is nice and helpful. The techs are good at restraining (a HUGE PLUS), they've been working there several years at least, they know the policies/computer system, and are not offended by my quesitons/new opinions/different methods. The other doctors are nice and very easy to get along with. The two old guys are the "grew up on a dairy farm, did mixed animal practice, now settled into small animal" type. The one is more medicine-y and the other is more of a surgeon. A really good mix for them. They added the son of the medicine-y guy two years ago. He's a decent blend of their old-timey ways and the new-ivory-tower medicine. He's slowly changing things....but he still has a "back country" root. I am almost totally "ivory-tower." I like my diagnostics. I do believe in a good physical examination, but also find a place for things like radiographs, blood work and cytology. I like to find the reason for the symptoms....they like to treat the symptoms. I am starting to see that a good majority of their clients are ok with just treating symptoms. And that cost is a major factor in what is done. I'm having a bit of a hard time with that. Right now I don't really have any cases of my own....I help out on everyone's cases and just see a few new puppy checks and such. The occasional case when everyone else is busy. I don't have the opportunity to really talk to the owners about diagnostics and treatment...so I don't know if the owners would agree to more if I gave them more options....or if I would still get shot down like the guys say will happen. I often think they are just perpetuating the 'just-a-dog' attitude that exists in many of their clients. If they don't offer a higher quality of care, then how are these people ever supposed to know it even exists....let alone that it's acceptable to spend $$ on a four-legged family member!

Salary: I feel I should be paid for parttime what the son told me he's paid for fulltime. That's a huge difference. The son is going to be buying into the practice. The 'surgeon' is selling his half to the son and then the 'surgeon' only wants to work 3 days a week. That might free enough money to pay me.....but the practice might not be busy enough for me to earn my keep.

I guess that's what I'm really worried about. I'm not sure the practice can support that many doctors. I guess right now we essentially are running with 4 full time docs....and after the sale goes through (within the next 2-3 months) and after I finish my preceptor period (end of this month) the practice will really only have 2 full time and 2 part time (including me). They also have another doc who just works Saturdays...but she's kinda on her own on Saturdays so she doesn't really affect the rest of us....though they might be wanting someone (me) to help out on the Saturdays....


I have so much to think about. It really helps to be able to type it all out. I do need to look into the other clinics in town. I feel somewhat indebted to this clinic....they also are paying me 4x what they were going to pay me as an incentive for me to "remember who took care of me." I'll admit the extra money has really been nice! But I know I've earned it for them.

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I'll post some pics later.

[Michele]

Daegan is being a whiny whiny baby.....and Russ is sleeping and grumpy. And it's only 7:30pm. I've been trying to put Daegan to bed for over an hour (normally only takes 10 minutes)....I've given up...so now he's screaming in the chair next to me while I type my frustrations out so I don't yell at him.

I think it's teeth. But that doesn't make it easier to deal with.

And tomorrow he goes to daycare and then I'll miss him. But now I'm frustrated. And tomorrow night I have an interview so I'll miss him some more. But now I'm frustrated.

And stupid intern is sleeping.

And the place I've been working at hasn't made me an offer yet.

And the place that seems the most interested is the one I like least.

It's a good damn thing he's cute. (Daegan and Russ)