What's better than a good book?A whole bunch of good books!!

My Job is...

• Wonderful: I must admit, I am a pretty lucky lady to work where I do. I am there with families as they become Mommy and Daddy for the first time or the fifth. I get to be there as sweet little spirits enter this world, watch tears flow and faces light up as infants are placed in their parents arms. I get to offer encouragement and help through each experience, sometimes helping someone do something they don't think they can.




• Humbling: I am also frequently made strongly aware that I have a lot more to learn. You have a few shifts that make you feel like you have got this thing down. Then I miss every IV I try to start for the next two weeks. I am reminded that I am practicing medicine and I will never be perfect. Learning is a continual progress that must be sought after.




• A Team: I work with some of the most amazing people! No matter what is going on and how crazy the night you know that you will never be alone in a situation. If you need help and are willing to ask for it, there are lots of hands willing to be there with you. No one looks down on you if you look to them for answers or guidance in the care you give. Each one is encouraging and kind.




• An Adrenaline Rush: Many people don't think of the Labor and Delivery unit as an ER but they should try it sometime. Delivering babies in cars and hallways are not unheard of. If you want to see our entire unit get up and run, then bring a lady having her 5th baby screaming through the entrance that her water is broken and the head is coming out!




• Frustrating: I am not against unmedicated deliveries, in fact I am amazed by women who are able to do this. I feel like they are wonder women actually. I will do everything I can to help them achieve this goal and respect their plans and wishes for their birth. Now, that said there needs to be a little bit of respect given back. When I come in to put the monitors on your belly it isn't because I want to be mean, cause you pain,or inhibit your focus in anyway. I am actually required by law to monitor your baby to make sure that it is tolerating labor well. I will take it off as soon as possible as long as your little one looks reassuring. Give respect, get respect.




• Hilarious: You have no idea how funny things can be at 3 o'clock in the morning. And you would also be surprised to find out that pretty fantastic lingerie can be fashioned out of surgical masks and other supplies lying around the unit to spice up a co-workers honeymoon.




• Mind Boggling: Some of the things people ask me to do or to let them do is very interesting. First, placentas were meant to be thrown away! Not eaten like a steak, dehydrated and taken in capsule form, or planted in your garden. If you want to do it, great and I will put it in a nice clean Tupperware for you to take it home in but that doesn't mean I don't want to gag thinking about it. Second, when I am asked to not dry or stimulate the baby after it has been born to allow for it to transition naturally and absorb the vernix into it's skin it is taking every last bit of control I have to respect their choice especially if the baby is struggling. That often leads to some quick explaining of what is happening and a little prayer that they will change their mind. Third, gloves are a good thing! I don't care if you are the patients husband, some bodily excretions should not be touched with bare hands and vernix is not lotion. Blech! Finally, my biggest battle and pet peeve... hep-locks. I have to poke you anyway to draw admission labs, you might as well let me leave a little tube in your arm to give us access in case you hemorrhage or something crazy like that.




• Heart wrenching: Along with all of life's other experiences the good is counteracted with the bad. I get to be there for them both. I have had to be at the bedside as a mother finds out that her little on has returned to heaven. These experiences are never easy, my heart aches and tears fall as I wrap tiny, perfect little bodies and hand them to their grieving parents. My heart aches as I try to come up with any words of comfort. It doesn't matter if they are 16 weeks or 40 weeks, those sweet parents have lost their little one. I had a wonderful mentor that tearfully shared this thought with a parent who had asked them if she thought they should name their little one. "You carried that little spirit under your heart for - weeks, she is part of your little family. You put her name in your Bible and make her a part of your family if that's what feels right to you." I have never forgot the tenderness that was in her voice and the pure love and compassion that she showed to them.




• Full of Opposites: The other night we had an emergency c-section with complications that put both mom and baby in danger. The baby was out quickly and the maternal issues were stabilized and corrected. From a medical standpoint things were on the up and up and we knew that. But the poor husband/new father, who was unable to accompany his wife to the operating room didn't. As I looked at him with his eyes full of tears I witnessed his internal turmoil of trying to be happy that I was telling him that his baby was out and doing wonderfully and the absolute terror of losing someone he loved. I thought about being in that situation and couldn't imagine how that must have felt.




• Stressfull: Nights when every room is full, and more ladies keep walking in the door and there is not enough of us to take care of everyone are nights when you have to laugh or cry. Also adding keeping the staffing at an absolute minimum and adding additional responsibilities and training to our already descent list...a little stressful.

This post was not meant to be offensive in any way...I have just had a bunch of these feeling floating around in my mind for a while and had to get some of them out to make room for other things.

Zoo Day

The girls and I decided that before Uncles K and Tyson start school and leave/get insanely busy we had better have one last family play date. So we convinced them and Grams to go with us to the Zoo. It was a fantastic afternoon! I'm so glad we found a day that we could all go.
Miss Sadie and I
She wanted to walk everywhere! And truly I am a reasonable mother and let her be as independent as I could. She wandered freely around the exhibits, looking in all the windows, squealing at each cute animal and growling at the dinosaurs. But, when it was time to hike to the next area and she had to get back in her stroller she flipped out. I had to make sure she was buckled or she would climb out.

Pausing to have a little snack with Grams and Uncle K.

Miss Mya was slightly terrified of this large elephant that made noises that were much too loud for her liking. There were also dinosaurs scattered around the park that moved, roared and occasionally spit water. Those were not appreciated at all and whenever one came near she would run to McKay and insist that he hold her until they had reached safety.

We did manage to snap a quick pic with the elephant who was not quite as horrible as the dinosaurs.

Watching the mommy, daddy and baby elephant with Grams.

They were having a grand time spraying water on themselves with their trunks.

It was really fun to see them playing in the water. I had never seen one do that, except for on the jungle cruise in Disneyland, but I don't think that counts.

Little Miss right in the middle of the action.

Miss Sadie LoVeS stuffed animals. She is so sweet and tender with them and this snugly white tiger was quickly embraced. After this sweet encounter Grams and I decided it needed to come home with her. She was thrilled and snuggled it all the way home.

I'm still not completely sure what these two little beasts are. They look like a cross between a kangaroo and deer with a little sprinkle of rabbit.

Anyway, Mya thought they were cute.

She and McKay named them Mern and Rufus.

Uncle Ty and his cute Sadie lady, she thinks he is the coolest!

Hallah thinks Ty is pretty cool too, she's his other cute lady.

Spending some quality time with the giraffes.

We concluded our trip with the 'classic' zoo picture with the lion drinking fountain.

Mya took her time, inching slowly closer.

"He not bite me?"

move a little closer...

"He will not bite me."

a little closer...

I won't bore you with how many times I answered this question.

Finally we got her to lean in and get a drink.

I love the Zoo and have so many wonderful memories there. I remember being there with family, going for my birthday party and just for fun. I loved the anticipation of driving there. I loved getting the plastic animals from those machines... you know the ones I'm talking about... the machine by the hippo tank. I remember laughing at the false teeth someone dropped in the hippo pool. I am so thankful for those memories and hope that my little ones will enjoy it as well and be able to share it with others as they grow. Thanks to Grams and my awesome brothers for coming with us. We had a great time!

Summer Splashin'

Yesterday my sweet little girls were going a bit stir crazy. I'm sure our neighbor who shares a wall with us was wondering what all the wailing and tears was all about. So I made the quick decision that it was time to experience the splash pad for the first time. And it was a hit! We spent a good 2 1/2 hours playing non stop, which is a big time success.

At first Sadie wasn't sure she wanted to get over her grumpy ways and actually have fun. But, there is only so long that our little water duck can resist and soon she was out in the middle of all the watery goodness.

As well as the fountains there was this great little river area that was a true delight. It was the favorite place to hang out.

So, asked Mya to smile so I could take her picture and this is what I got. Oh, my! I laughed out loud, and still have to giggle a little when I see this pic. I am a little jealous of her mile long legs.

Sadie kept leaning over this little bubbler and trying to drink it / blow bubbles into it.

The water was just cool enough, that in combination with the wind, Miss Sadie would play and play until her little chin would quiver. So we had multiple warm up breaks. As soon as she was warm she would squirm out of the towels and head back for more.

It was a fantastic way to spend the afternoon and I'm sure now that we have discovered it, we will be spending many afternoons here and trying out the others around the valley.

Walking and Animal Sounds