USMLE, Ryan Update, Very Pregnant and Solomon's Island
Ryan getting out of his crib
A couple days ago at nap time Ryan experimented with getting out of his crib for the first time. I heard a big thud accompanied by some crying. I opened his bedroom door and found him standing there looking at me. "Food downstairs Mommie” Ha ha. I put him back in and as sternly as I could, told him to stay there. The next morning at 7:15 guess who climbs in bed with us. Chris and I look at each other and at the same time ask, "Did you get him out?" Great. Since that we have told him to stay in his crib each time he gets in and so far no problems. Eventually we'll get him in his own bed AND own room but I'm not quite ready to give up my scrapbook room yet!
Miniature Golfing
Chris’ Studying for the USMLE Part 1
Chris and I went to a matinee last Thursday. I dropped off Ryan at a friend's house, picked up Chris from the church (studying) and we went and saw FREQUENCY. A definite two thumbs up. It was fun to be on a real date... we had the whole theatre to ourselves. Then I dropped Chris off back at church and he studied for the rest of the afternoon and evening until 9:00. Then I left for 'girls night out' which the husbands now refer to as "group therapy". I got home at 12:30am and Chris was still studying. Right as I'm trying to settle down, the baby woke up and started doing cartwheels in my stomach. Chris watched in amazement and then started 'playing' with it. They were having fun... but I was sure in pain. My right rib is giving me big pains too!
Garage Sale Shopping
Saturday morning I went garage sale shopping. I got a classic Winnie the Pooh bumper pad and sheets and curtains... the works... for a good price. In the stores the whole set is about $300.00! She wanted $50 and I haggled her down to $20. At first she said no and I was IN my car backing up when she flagged me down to agree. Funny, huh? I'm such a good haggler... then I had to decide if I really wanted it. I think it will be fine and if I get tired of it, oh well... (I've been looking for bumper pads FOREVER and they are so expensive.. I decided I was going to just make one but then found this.) My other fun finds included Scattergories with all the parts for $1.00 and a Boppie (nursing pillow thingy) for $2.00 (haggled down from 5.00). Then I bought a ton of petunias at Home Depot so I can arrange them in my flower bed. My front yard area is really in need of help so I'm hoping some flowers will do the trick... now I'm going to have to wait for a cool day or I'll have to do my planting at midnight.
Chris Studying
Chris is studying like crazy and really stressed out. We are both nervous for him. He takes the test next Wednesday and doesn't feel ready at all. He is studying harder than ever and I feel guilty when he even eats dinner with us. I just hope he passes!!
Back to Church
It was nice to be back in our own ward again yesterday. Bro Sorressi, one of the bishopric asked me "how long do we get you now?" I said we'd be in town for about 2 months. He was overjoyed. "Really, two months. That's great!" You would think he was being sarcastic... but he wasn't. Montgomery Village Ward has had so many medical students that they are used to our wacko schedules. Unfortunately the youth program is made up of almost all med students... especially the young mens presidency, so it's typical that not everyone is there all the time. Now that Chris is starting third year we fall into the 'traveling medical student crowd'.
Ryan in the Kitchen
Ryan is a very big kitchen helper now. Whenever I'm cooking something he comes running in and reaches up and says "See, see!" I lift him up and he is enthralled with whatever I'm making. It usually makes him giggle... especially to see water boiling... however he is always quick to say "HOT, ouch." Yesterday I made pizza (with a ready made pizza crust... from a YW camp fundraiser) Anyway... I put it on the counter and while I was turned away Ryan picked up the whole pizza crust and took a bite out of it. He's such a great helper. Then he helped me spread the sauce (by sticking his finger in it and then licking it) helped me put on the pepperoni (all in the same clump) and then helped put the pineapple on (actually he took the pineapple OFF and ate it as quickly as I put it on.) But he loves to be up there helping me with everything. Of course it takes twice as long but it is so fun.
Scrapbooks
Creating Keepsakes just called and wants to publish another one of my scrapbook layouts. My WINTER WONDERLAND spread with a snowman on it... apparently they are doing a snowman theme in one of their books.
36 Weeks Pregnant
I had my 36 1/2 week doctor's appointment today. Everything’s just fine. Next Wednesday I'll have my first pelvic and we'll see if anything’s happening. Probably not... but who knows. I've started having contractions but just Braxton Hicks. I've definitely come to the awkward stage. Everything takes so much energy now. I'm really lucky I had such a good vacation before I started feeling like this.
Clean House
I spent quite a few hours last night trying to get the house straightened up and now it looks great. It even makes me feel better. I love having a clean organized house. Now I just hope I can keep up on it… especially since I’m running out of energy!
Ryan
Ryan is almost 2. This past year has gone by so fast. He surprises us every day with new words, actions, etc. Just in the past 2 weeks, he has changed from saying Dada and Momma to Daddy and Mommy. It’s really cute. He loves to read books and can point out so many things. If there are 8 balls on the page, he has to point to each one and tell you it’s a ball, while of course, looking up to you for your acknowledgement. He is a big fan of Winnie the Pooh and knows all the characters - except he points to Christopher Robin and says “Ryo”, which is how he says Ryan. He LOVES to go outside and go on walks. We are teaching him about roads. Every time he comes to a road he stops and points at the road and says ‘road’. Then he freaks out and falls to the ground when we try to hold his hand to cross the road. Yes, he is very 2. He has started to say his own prayers now. When we say, “Ryan, do you want to say the prayer?”, he folds his arms and bows his head and says “Fooooooood”. We have to help him say the rest. Then he says Amen pronounced ‘Amy’. If Mom or Dad’s prayer is going too long, he will hint to us by saying ‘Amy’ 3 or 4 times during the prayer.
Solomon’s Island
Our weekend was fun. Chris, Ryan and I headed to Solomon's Island just after 2:00pm. We got there just in time to meet Doug and Missy in the swimming pool for a while. At 6:30 the Currans and Breinholts got there and we unloaded and started to prepare dinner... well, all the other girls prepared dinner, they wouldn't let me do a thing. All the boys and kids were outside playing. The weather was beautiful. After dinner we took a long walk. We had a luggage wheelbarrow thing we took for all the little kids... Jason (3yrs) Ryan and Jace (2yrs) and new baby Daniel (3mo.) in his car seat. It was so cute. After we put all the kids to bed we naturally separated into our 'girls group' who sat talking and pasteling etc. and the 'boys group' who pretty much had a YM presidency meeting. The four of them consist of Doug - President, Chris - 1st counselor, Brian – Teacher’s advisor (works with Chris), and Pete - 2nd Counselor. Funny, huh? They definitely have a great time together. We went to bed about 1:30am.
The next morning came early. Ryan woke up at 6:30 and we fed him a banana and let him read books and crawl all over us. What a pain. By 9:00 we were down on the beach... walking distance from our cabin. Ryan loved it. He picked up rocks and sand and threw them into the water over and over again. We girls took the beach chairs and put them right by the water so the waves splashed against our feet. The kids played around us and the boys went out into the water a ways to throw the football around. A very pleasant morning. 12:30 we went back to eat lunch and put the kids down for a nap. Chris and I slept too. When we woke up the pool and beach were closed due to lighting warnings so we just hung out around the cabin, cooked our dutch oven dinner and peach cobbler, ate, played frisbee and watched the kids catch fireflies. After the kids went to bed we taught everyone how to play GREED. They loved it. We wanted to start another set of dice but everyone declined since they liked watching what everyone rolled! Sunday morning we got up, packed the car, ate breakfast and headed to church.
37 Weeks Pregnant
My RIGHT RIB IS KILLING ME! AHHH! My body is SO ready to have this baby. 18 days left till my due date… AND COUNTING! Right now I have to say I have a suspicion that it’s a girl… but who knows, maybe it’s just because a lot of people think it’s a girl. Terri, Lisa C, Jared & Geneva, some of my YW and even a random lady in the store the other day. Within the last 2 weeks, I have gotten to the ‘awkward stage’. Sleeping is a pain, putting on my socks in near impossible, and getting in and out of the car takes forever. When Chris drives, he bounces out of the car, gets Ryan out and then feels he has to remind me to get out of the car. I just sit there thinking about it. I’m starting to get really excited about my hospital experience and bringing home a new baby. My Mom is coming out on July 4th and staying for 2 weeks to help. My friend is throwing me a baby shower after the baby is here and before my Mom leaves so that will be fun!
Ryan’s 2nd Birthday
Ryan’s birthday was great. We gave him a cake with a big “2” on it. We’ve been helping him practice saying two. He says “Two-a”. He tried to blow out the candles himself but I had to help. Chris showed him how to take a big bite out of the cake and he loved it. Opening presents was great. He loved tearing off the paper and squealed as he peered into the boxes. We gave him a set of new golf clubs, a big car garage and some cars.
Letter from Lisa - June 30, 2000
It has been a good day today. Ryan and I went for a long walk this morning and ended at the park where I sat in the shade and Ryan ran around throwing bark all over the place and sending my keys down the slide. It’s always tough to get him back inside. He sure loves to be outside. During lunch, Ryan fell asleep in his high chair so I carried him up to bed. That was almost enough to put me into labor. I decided to scrapbook while Ryan was asleep and actually got a lot done. I’m behind, mostly because our camera wasn’t working properly and I still need vacation pictures from everyone from St. George.
Chris was chosen to participate in a performing physicals practice thingy at the school this afternoon so he won’t be home until 6:30. Otherwise, this week has been great. He has been getting home between 3:30 and 4:30. SO NICE! I’m so glad he’s doing Outpatient Psychiatry instead of Inpatient. He participates in marriage therapy sessions and childrens disorder sessions instead of working with locked up patients who think they are Superman or who tried to kill themselves or someone else. Plus outpatient is a lot less time consuming - so more time with me. In six weeks, he only has to be on call 3 nights where he will spend the night at the hospital. I can’t even imagine a day and a night without sleep. But if it is slow, he might get a little bit of sleep there. But he also has to work on the inpatient ward on July 4th.
I’ve gotten a lot done the past couple days. I am feeling more and more ready. The little crib is up in our room, the infant clothes are washed, the house is clean. I just need to pack my hospital bag one of these days.
Lisa