A Glider Chair

Mom and Dad took Chris and I to a furniture store a while back to have us pick out a glider chair (yes, glides, not rocks) for the baby's room! Since I'm sure we'll be spending a lot of time in her room feeding her and waking up with her, they thought we should have a quality chair to sit in. We loved this chair at the store and thought it was cozy and would last, probably forever. So, we chose it and and last week Mom and Dad suprised us by bringing it over!

Mom and Dad putting in a few screws

Note the padded arms, very nice.

Chris likes it. Note, the sides are solid, so little kids can't pinch fingers or arms or legs inbetween anything.

So, now the chair sits there and I probably sit in it at least once a day just gliding and thinkng and imaginging her being here. I could sleep in that chair, it's so comfy. Chris said he also sat in there and pretending holding her, heehee. So, we're very grateful for this generous gift! Thanks Mom and Dad, I know we will enjoy it for all the years to come :)

Graveyard Shift

Good news, I only have to work Sat overnight and not Sunday! I worked last Wed to make up for this Sun, so someone else is working my Sun overnight, yes! Hey, she asked, so I said YES!

It still seems like the night will never end. It's hard when it's on ly 1am, cuz there's six hours left. Not shockingly, I am floating, wow, I don't think I've EVER worked a full weeked on my own unit, whatever, I don't even care anymore. I actually assumed I would be floating. And to my happiness, I am in the neuro ICU. I love floating here, I always have the best assignments and nothing usually too critical so mostly, I dont' have to worry too much.

In the place of a very critical patient however, is the trade-off for a very needy patient. Needy patients remind me of working on Ortho. I spent from 9:30pm until now, 1am, trying to make her comfy. I have now given enough drugs to zonk her out a bit. I shouldn't speak too soon though, she's only been quiet for like 20 mintues. Basically as long as she's awake, so will be the resident, because I will be having to call him repeatedly. He'll figure it out soon enought that he needs to give me more drugs if this doesn't work! I spose it's better to give "baby" doses of everything then give too much.... Anyhoo, I'm hoping for her sake and my sanity, that she sleeps at least some of the night. Shoot, she just turned her head. Sleeeeeep sleeeeeeepppppp.

I am going on break at 2am. I am glad to do it, but I always feel so gross after eating in the night. I forbid myself popcorn, it tastes so good, but it feels so bad in the tummy afterwards. It's so werid, they serve regular food in the middle of the night, so my choices will be like hambergers/chicken/pizza/fries/cheese curds/motzarella sticks and then like vegetables of all sorts. Nice huh...nothing like fried food at 2am. Maybe I'll have mashed potatoes.

Today was fun. Mom and Dad were due to pick Chris and I up at 12:30 so we could go to lunch at Erb's (they volunteered to pick us up). Insted they showed up at noon with our chair! They bought us a glider chair, a very lovely and nice quality one, for the baby's room, for rocking/feeding her and such! We picked it out a few weeks ago and I'm so excited it's here! It looks very nice in the bedroom next to the crib, I'll have to put the pictures up soon. It is so comfy. I feel like I'll fall asleep in it. Thanks Ma and Pa! Then we ate and Chris and I went to an open house for fun, it was cute and pretty. Then we went over to my parent's house for a while. I helped Mom put away Brice's "Christmas village" that has been up in his room for like 4 years. It's about 12 or so houses and little figurines that he collected and set up. It included tons of fake snow and about a million light cords to unravel and dust. Now you can see the shelves in there again!

Soon I had to leave for work, sad day, Chris drove me through the drive-thru at Wendy's and soon I was off to work. Chris and Dad went to the JM/Century b-ball game, so hopefully they had fun.

Well, she's officially awake and moaning again, I shal go see what I can do....poor lady.

Goodnight and I hope you are all sleeping!

Mayo won't let me look at Facebook :(

Well, tonight is weird, I'm working a night shift, which is 11pm to 7am. A girl asked me if she could work my upcoming Sunday 12 hour overnight if I'd work her 8hr overnight today, I said, YES! I'll give up a 12 hr shift anyday!

It was very very hard to leave home for this shift. Chris was in his jammies and I felt like I should have been too! No fair! Now that I'm here, I'm ok. I have a very pleasent patient who is doing well, pretty well. So, I get to just hang out and keep an eye on her.

I'm not sure how I'm going to fill my time inbetween doing things with her, because I can't get on Facebook, what is the deal? I wonder if they're blocking it, jeesh. So, I'll just write a blog insted. I don't appreciate them blocking it, if that's the case. I am a responsible adult and my job as a nurse comes first, over Facebook. I would like the ability to be on whatever website I want when I have downtime. It's not like I'm going to be sitting on Facebook while my patient is in need of me. Whatev. They monitor us like we're prisoners. They're probably watching me write this right now! Hello!

This week has been lazy-ish so far. I worked Mon evening, did not much on Tues, and did not much today. Chris and I did go to Applebees for supper tonight for fun and then visited Mom and Dad and watched Idol.

I'm at a standstill with baby things. I guess the registries are mostly done. We just need to pick stroller, swing, and highchair, the stoller being the most important. I think I've done all the research I can do, I just need to pick :) The lil' baby is becomming quite the kicker. I just felt a strong kick. She's probably wondering why I'm awake and moving around at this time of day! I finally bought Pepsid today, well technically, the offbrand, due to my reflux. Tums don't really work, plus if I chew up another one I think I'll barf, yuck. I was told I coudl do Pepsid, so I'm trying it. I hope it works, my esophagus burns man!

FYI, when you're buying drugs/vitamins whatever from the store, you should look to see what the active ingredient is and then compare the fancy brand with the generic and most likely they are exactly the same drug, so pick the cheaper one! This also goes for soap/acne stuff, it's all the same, if you can get over the uglier bottle, you'll save lots of $$$. For example, my off brand famotidine was $7, vs the brand Pepsid, which was $15 for the same amount and they're identical drugs. Neato, I'm such a genius, heehee.

Chris and I had our 4th of 6 prenatal classes last night. The topic was drugs, ya know, like epidurals, which I plan on having. We also did some breathing exercises again. We were encouraged to try different things, sitting on the ball, backwards in the chair, lying on the floor, and all the while I got a backrub from Chris. What a good lil' supporter he is!!! I'm so glad to have him!

Tomorrow (later today) I think I'll try not to sleep the whole day away....but I don't work again until Friday evening and Sat 12 hr overnight. Then I think I get 3 days off, whoop! I'm so excited to go down to 0.6 FTE (24 hrs/wk) after the baby is born! I'm very lucky that Chris is supportive in this! It will hopefully allow no daycare and me being very very glad! The sacrifice is less income, obviously, but we're planning for the future around this.

I'm trying to think of more to say so I can take up more time, but I guess I'm out! I'm gonna take a break at 3-4am, then I'll have 3 hours left! This 8hr overnight goes pretty quick!

Talk to ya later!
~Brie

More Birthday Fun

Mom and Dad came over yesterday to watch the Superbowl with Chris and I! My dear mother made me a very wonderful chocolate cake. She also brought icecream and pizza too! And of course, some presents for little ol' me. My parents are so sweet, they never forget about my birfday, heehee. Thanks for hanging out with us, we love you!

Here Dad and Chris are acting out how the football game is making them feel. I made them do this :)

Chris is so upset, he's falling over

Chris, me, and my yum yum cake.

Mom and Dad got me rechargable batteries for my new camera! I'm so excited, no more double A's. Also a pretty pretty frame for Audrey's room and Dots (my fav)!

My 25yr old self with the cake! Yep, they even sang to me and I blew out candles.

My sweet mama and me.

Well, there you have it, my fun weekend is over and now it's on to work....

Scroll down for more new blogs :)

Magna Cum Laude

Look what Chris got in the mail! His diploma. It's official....he's a Bachelor of Arts! His official major is Business Administration (Management) with a minor in Management Information Systems! Not only did he graduate, but with honors! He's Magna Cum Laude, whoo hoo! I am very proud of my husband. I saw him start and finish college, working very very hard the whole time and never giving up! He's going to walk in the graduation ceremony in June. I can't wait to see him in his robe and get a picture of him with Audrey!
I love you Chris and I am so proud of you! Yay!!!!!!!!

PS: Scroll down, I was a blogging maniac and did 2 more :)

A Quarter Century Old

My birthday was yesterday and I turned 25! It was so much fun! First, we woke up and got to go to Perkins. This was very exciting for me because I love their french toast and hashbrowns. Chris isn't much of a "hot" breakfast person, so this isn't something we normally do! Then we drove up to the Mall of America. I was supposed to pick out a present, this was a deal, but I couldn't do it! I felt very bad, but there was just nothing I wanted! I had lots of fun just walking around and lookin' at stuff. I think Chris' highlight was the amazing Best Buy there with drums you could play and such, it was fancier than the Rochester Best Buy. We had a small Burger King lunch and were there for about 5 hours. That's about 5 hours of walking, I got a foot rub later! Then we drove to our hotel. I got a nice discount (for being a Mayo employee) at a hotel in Oakdale (around 10 mins East of the mall) that my parents have stayed at and liked. It was very pretty! The room was nice and it had an extended continental breakfast, yes! It was hard not to eat and eat and eat. I thought it would be fun to do something like this before we have the baby and don't have to arrange a babysitter, although I'm sure someone wouldn't mind :) Around supper time we drove to Woodbury, like 5 mins away. There are a ton of stores there and we ate at Champps (yes there are 2 p's). It was so yummy and I took 1/2 my meal home, so big! We later played rummy and watched a movie! It was sooooooo awesome to just spend the whole day with Chris, it made me very glad. To me, the whole day was one big present, especially since Chris told me I wasn't allowed to feel guilty about all the eating out and the hotel :) He also got me seasons 1 and 2 of House, which I have wanted for a long time. We got them on Amazon cuz I REFUSE to own them for $50 each (from the store, that's just sick and wrong). It was a wonderful birthday just taking out time and being together :) I also got calls and texts and facebook messages and emails from all my dear friends and family, thanks guys!
PS: The pic of Chris on the bed is when we got back from the Mall of America, haha, he fell into a deep sleep!

The Baby Room

So, we finally got a crib, or should I say the worst decision maker alive (me) fianlly picked one! We chose a crib from Pennys (free shipping!) and a mattress from Walmart as a gift from my Hemmer grandparents (spoiled). Okay enough parenthesis usage. It came in 3 days and Mom and I picked it up! Chris and I put it together in 40 mins, it was easy! And, we love it! Now the baby bedding has a home.

Me allen-wrenching a screw in.

Chris putting up a side.

Yay!

Us with our baby's bed, haha.

I bought wooden letters and decorated them to match her room. Her initials, Audrey Joanne Lewis.

A Special Girl!!!

Happy Birthday Friend! I hope you had a wonderful day turning 23!!! Love ya!

A Weekend At St. Mary's

I have not much to say that is exciting, just that I worked Fri, Sat, and now Sun (2 hours left!). I am glad to be done in 2 hours, but I'm having trouble with the fact that I only get 2 days off, then work 3, then get 2 off, then work 4. It's lame, usually I get 3 days off inbetween longer stretches of work! Oh well, obviously I'll live, but 2 days doesn't quite cut it in my book.

Friday I worked a day shift and it was pleasant. Saturday I floated to the Trauma ICU, I like it there. I get a "laid back" vibe when I'm there and also the nurses are very helpful and not all stressed to the max like the dreaded medical unit. I discovered early that morning that the Trama nurses do a lil' something called "morning break". And it's not just, "take a 10 mintue coffee break" no, it's "take a whole 1/2 hour" in addition to the hour lunch break. No one else does this, at least not to my knowledge. I was like, "sweet!" So, after working only 1 hour, I got a 1/2 break. I traveled my way down to the cafeteria and got breakfast (which I had not had at home).

Today, miraculously, I am on my own unit, even though 1/2 our unit is closed. I have one patient, intubated, confused, antsy, draining all over the bed, poopy, climbig outta bed just how I like 'em (sighing and looking for a new job on the job listings). I was all ready to be like "Ok dudes (the doctors) we're not going to have a whole day of this jumping outta bed business, what're ya gonna do about it?! However, they were on the ball and we got the poor soul some magic pills so he could rest adequately.

I love our doctors, I really do. Anesthesiologists are great (our docs), the doctors on Trauma yesterday were like, "hmm, let's take all day long (12 hours) to make decisions" I asked them 4 times for something other than tylenol to give my patient, this was after the previous nurse asked them several times. Each time I was adament and each time I charted that I asked them for it! "Doctor's aware that tylenol isn't working" "Doctors informed again about pain issues" "Doctors know patient is in severe pain and are choosing to do nothing" haha, ok, not quite like that, but that's how it felt to me! It's easier to be the one who just has to listen to problems, it's much harder to be the one in the room with the patient and family members all day!!! Ok, enough of that, they're not too bad, but jeesh, c'mon, let's make some progress!

So, I'm excited to be done with work, Chris told me we're havin' supper with my parents, fun! I walked to McD on my break today, cuz I forgot my lunch in the car. Chris surprised me by driving up by me while I was walking back, while I was on the phone with him, heehee, so I saw him for a few mins.

Nothing else much new to say I suppose. I'm waiting for Target to get their crib shipment, then I can go get the crib! Eventually I will do my registry too. In the meantime, I'm trying to research the best things to buy! Well I know what to get, just not what types, there's so much out there!

OK, have a nice week and enjoy this summer-like day! 20's!

Dish It Up and Baby Bedding!

Chris and I went to Dish It Up last night and made many many meals! Yay! Tonight we tried the Italian stuffed chicken and it was very very good! We never got a picture of ourselves the first time we did it, so I made sure to bring my camera this time, heehee.

Audrey's bedding came! It's the brand Kidsline and it's called "Tiger Lily" I decided against the pink/brown combo and decided that Audrey is a more colorful girl who likes butterflies, heehee. This is the quilt. I was pleasantly surprised that the package came early and the quality of it!

The whole set, a bumper, quilt, dust ruffle, valance, diaper holder, and fitted sheet.

Yeh, I need help here, it looks weird. I wanna remove the sick, broken blinds and put up something cloth, like a light pink or green something or other kinda pull down shade like thing. I know nothing about window things, anyone know where I should start in figuring this out?

So, there ya have it, the first stuff for the room. I want the crib now! C'mon Target, hurry up your shipments!

Our Spoiled Daughter

Audrey got a few new cute outfits lately. Her Grandma Jackie randomly got her this cute little green outfit....

And...Mindy, our friend we used to work with at Culver's, sent us a package yesterday. We opened it to find two super cute onesies saying "Mommy and I agree, Daddy's Charming" and "New family favorite" heehee. Also a supre cute dress with a little sweater too. And a soft lil' bear dressed as a bunny. Thanks Mindy! For some reason, Blogger refused to post the picture vertically and insisted on it being sideways, whatev.

I've spent a great deal of time empting out the office to make it Audrey's room, now the closet is all hers!

Empty! Weird. I can't wait to put baby things in it!

So, I've had this week off and it's been nice. I work the weekend, so I'm trying to be productive at home until them. I've done a bunch of rearranging so everything that was in the office can fit elsewhere. Chris and I had our first prenatal class last night, the first of six. It was fun, we're one of 10 couples there. Some people are due in March, but most in April like me, however, I am the one due last by 5 days. We split up in 2 groups, guys and girls and discussed things. Then the instructor asked who of the men would like to wear the pregnancy suit, I believe it's acutally called the "empathy belly" or something, and Chris jumped right up! She put the 35 pound suit on him as well as a strap to make breathing harder. He had to walk around, sit in a chair, tie his shoes and attempt to get comfy on a mat on the floor with a bunch of pillows. I was laughing so hard and wished I had my camera. I took a picture on my cell phone though, heehee. With much persuasion, 2 other guys tried it on too. Chris was like, "wow, it's hard to breathe!"

Tonight we're going to Dish It Up to make 8 meals. Megan and Kate got us a gift certificate there for Christmas. I figure, even without the gift card, it saves us money and a lot of hassle for me as I am a talant-less dinner maker. Now I have a ton of meals, since each one lasts us like 3 meals each. Plus, it's fun to go do. Thanks Megan and Kate! What a good idea! We did this right after our honeymoon too and I blogged about it then too with a picture of our freezer full of food!

Well, I suppose I should go organize some more things. I figure I should do it now before I get huge. It's actually already a lot of work to do stuff, like moving stuff around and bending over, hahaaha. Don't worry, I won't lift things that are too heavy.

Have a lovely day!!!!

2nd Post Today!

Some Fun Pictures...

4 wks, 12, 16, 20, and 24

Fun Baby Things plus Chris at 24wks!!

Cara and I

My husband/Baby Daddy

My dear family.

Chris is airbourne!

What, I have to float? I am shocked and alarmed......

Hello friends,

Here I write to you, once again from the medical ICU. I was here Saturday, yesterday, and today, it's my new unit apparently. In the past 2 weeks, I have worked 4 hours on my own unit. Today is ok, my patient is at least doing fairly well and by fairly I mean not actively deteriorating.

Yesterday, I got home just in time to celebrate the new year with Mom, Dad, Chris, Brice, Jenny, Ryan, Katie, Gavin, and Hunter. I arrived over at Mom's at about 11:45ish and they were all finishing up a rousing game of Catch Phrase. We watched the ball drop and drank some fake champagne. Fun fun fun.

Today, Gran E. invited us over for lunch. Our fam all came over, even Jenny. It was short but sweet, as I had to come to work. We played Bananagrams, a new game I got from Megan for xmas, it was fun, but Gran dominated. However, Mom did win a few herself. Jenny and I won nothin'! I need a re-match.

I have had a lunch date everyday this week and even one supper date. Monday I had lunch with Casey at Culver's before she had to go back to Kansas. It was nice really catch up with her. Tuesday I had lunch with Dad and Gavin at BB's Pizza follwed by watching Harry Potter I, haha. Wednesday I met with Cara at our traditional place, straight outta Mexico, Dos Amigos! She is already back in Cincinatti, so I'm glad I got to hang with her a lil' bit. Today was at Gran's and I guess we'll see what tomorrow holds. Kellie called me, so maybe it'll be lunch with her?! One of those nights Chris and I met Kelsey and Jeff for supper at Applebees! David was there and I got to feed him his dessert, he did a very good job eating, heehee.

On Saturday I get to help make invitations with all the Hemmer girls plus Katie for her and Ryan's wedding. Then I get to watch my lil' friend David while his mommy and daddy are at work.

Well, I need to go reposition my patient, it takes 4 people to do it, so I'll be searching for help for a good 15 mintues, so I better get started.

Happy 2009 :)
PS: I like 2009, fun things are coming!

Christmas and Such

So, I'm working the OVERNIGHTS, yep it's that time again, and as a bonus...I'm floating. This seems to be a weekend pattern, floating that is. I'm starting to think I'm part of the float pool (the nurses who are specifically here to float). I was dreading this very very much, it's so sick and wrong to leave for work at 7p, it's actually worse than leaving at 7a.

I got to work and saw that I was floating, to the MICU, the dreaded medical unit, the place I went 3 Saturdays ago and had the worst shift ever. Well wouldn't ya know, I got the exact same room with a patient with pretty much the exact same problems, no blood pressure to speak of and delerium! Yes! So, I ended up getting to leave there at 11pm, but for the four hours I was there, all I did was push fluids and call the doctors every 2 seconds.

Then, at 11p, they switched me to the neurology ICU, the only ICU I hadn't been yet. It's about 3am now and so far so good! Everyone's nice and I have 2 moderately easy patients. I just had an hour break and now I have 4 hours left. I hope they go really really fast!

Well, Christmas has come and gone. It was a weird Christmas because my mom and dad were sick and couldn't partake in any of the activities. It was sad not to have them at the grandparent's houses, but I was glad they were at least home together.

Christmas Eve was at Gran H.'s. First we went to church, which was nice, then we had din and hung around and then opened some presents. It was like every other year, but that's how I like it! We watched a lil' bit of A Christmas Story, which is necessary, and us "adults" did a new thing, we bought gift cards instead of presents and played a game were we could trade/steal them from each other. I ended up with Target! Yay!

Christmas morning was the bestest. Chris and I got up around 8a and had breakfast together, him cereal, of course, and me waffles! Then we gave each other a few things. I got a new purse and a movie! I love both! Chris and I also some of our budgeted Christmas money to buy special gifts for people through World Vision, the company we sponsor our "child" through. We figured they needed things more than we did. They got some chickens and clean water, fun fun. Then, at our own risk, we went to Mom and Dad's and just tried not to touch them too much, ahah, they both had that nasty norovirus (Gavin did too!) It was so fun trading presents with everyone. It's always fun to see what my brothers come up with. I got a camera!!! from Mom and Dad and an ipod car charger from Brice and Gavin. Audrey also got spoiled with things from everyone, she's gonna be a lucky lil' baby.

After a bit we, minus Mom and Dad, ventured to Gran E.'s. We arrived as everyone was lining up to eat. The food was awesome as always and it was fun to catch up with the cities cuzzins who I dont' see as much. We did the stockings/presents and we got lots of fun things! Audrey again, was spoiled. It'll be interesting to see what happens once she's actually born :) We stayed until after supper then brought Mom and Dad back their presents. And then went home and went to bed! It was an awesome day.

The evening of the 26th, Chris and I drove to Austin to hang with the other side of the family. Linda, Angie, Katie, and Laura seemed pretty glad with what we got them and we also liked what they got us! It was fun watching the annual wrestling matches between Chris and his sisters. Katie (26) has lost a ton of weight, so now Chris can throw her around, it's pretty funny to watch. We all went over to Culvers for a while and had icecream. It was a fun night :)

Yesterday, I slept in until 11am to prepare the best I could for the overnight. Chris and I went to Tinn's and my family showed up too! Later Mom and I went up to visit the Dietzman's. Cara's home! I was so excited to see her, it had been since August! I missed her a lot. We did the present thing and then I played Wii for the first time. They have had it for a while, but just got the Wii fit, so Cara and I did a dancing game and a skiing game, it was so cool. Since I am such a slug now, the dancing game actually was a slight workout, haha.

Before I knew it, I had to come here and work, sigh. I don't know where I'm meant to work, but I hope I figure it out sooner than later, I think I need to do something away from the "bedside" like at the clinic or something. I dunno.

Audrey is having a kicking frenzy right now. She's probably confused as to why I'm moving around and eating in the middle of the night. Now I got her all hyper. Chris and I continually amazed at the fact that we'll have a baby girl in 4 months. It's becoming more real as I'm sticking out so much now. I need to do my registry soon and start getting the room ready! I have lots of time left though, but I'm assuming it gets harder to move once I get bigger. I'm officially 23 weeks and 3 days now. I have felt her twice now with my hand, but not enough to have anyone else feel, but soon maybe! I feel her all the time inside though which is really cool. My Mayo book says that she can "feel" now, so she'll be likely to just be touching whatever she can, hahah, makes me laugh. She has taste buds now too. Oh sweet, I totally just felt a really strong kick in the middle of my belly with my hand, ahhh, it's the strongest she's ever been. I wish Chris were here right now cuz I'm pretty sure he could feel it. Oh fun.

Ok, I better end this. 3.5 hours left! Hurry!

Maybe I'll add some pics now, stolen from Mom's blog...

Christmas Eve

The Hemmer Grandchildren...

Christmas morning stockings

Mommy and Papa. He is very excited about something!

I have some from Gran E.'s on my home computer, so I'll have to add those later.

Adios!

PS: For some really obnoxious reason, my blog won't let me have spaces between my paragraphs, sorry, it looks really hard to read.

Snow Day

Hello friends and family,

I'm too behind, so I'll just start with today!
It's been a fun day. I woke up to find a pretty new layer of snow on the ground! Then Chris and I had a baby appointment. Audrey was kickin' away so it took the Dr. a few seconds to find her heart beat. It was in the 140s, this is good. My uterus is also an appropriate size, haha. Basically everything is about me, my weight, my blood pressure, and such, and all are find. I have a few new issues, gastric reflux (heart burn) and leg cramping! I eat one thing and I feel like it's coming back up and it burns and then at night I either get a really bad leg cramp (like my muscle becomes a hard rock and foot is pointed and it won't move) or I feel like it will come on at any moment. It hurts so bad! She said I can take TUMS and drink more milk for the calcium. I have also gained 9 lbs, which is appropriate, haha. She is kicking around more and more, but I cannot feel her with my hand, just inside. I like it though, it's fun to know she's there. One day she wasn't kicking and I got nervous, but then she kicked!

Chris and I then went to Erbs and he headed back to IBM. That's right folks, Chris is done with college, done with his internship, and has started his "professional" job at IBM! He's on his first week and seems to like it ok. It's not to thrilling at this point, a lot of reading and self-directed learning on the computer. He expected a cubicle, but has his own office.

Later I met up with Mom at the mall to tag along with her while she was shopping. I then decided to sparadically get my hair chopped off. I get an "itch" to get my hair cut and I cannot wait, I have to do it right then and there. I don't think I"ll ever be able to grow my hair out super long again, it just gets too heavy and I feel like I look too young with it like that, all long and straight. I think light and fluffy works a lil' better. Plus I never want to get so attached to it that I refuse to cut it like some of those peeps on What Not to Wear who start bawling when they get it cut, heehee. Anyhoo... Mom and I talked to aunt Cindy for a while. She has a kiosk at the mall which sells pretty purses, bags, and more fun things. It's kinda by Santa and I can almost always expect to see her there! It was fun :)

Now I am home and was going to sort out some Christmas receipts, but then I started checking blogs and facebook and email and now it's an hour later. I guess I better go do that before it all builds up. I am glad to have the weekend off, then I just work Mon evening and then get 4 days off! Yes!

Hope you all have a wonderful day and see you soon!

Where Have All the Sick Vascular Patients Gone???

I am done with my weekend at work, finally!

Our unit had 3 patients left, at least they did yesterday.

SO.....I floated, the entire weekend. Floating means you get to work, go see what your assignment is and find that you have to go work on another unit in the hospital because your own unit doesn't need you, but someone else does.

Floating adds a bit of challenge because usually you're not familiar with the unit, where things are, the little different things they do, how to find what you need. Everything just takes longer to accomplish. But often times, your assignment is the easiest, because you're the float nurse, so usually you end up bored, but not always.

On Saturday I floating to the MICU (medical intensive care unit). I had never been there, but the set up is similar to many other floors in the Mary Brigh building so I felt like I knew where things were. I had a 2 patient assigment, both were pretty easy and my job would be transferring them to the "floor" since they were doing well. Transferring is not just pushing them down in a wheelchair. It's a multiple step process and all parts must be in place, it can take all day to come together or it can be done in an hour, just depends. One guy I got out right away and the other had to wait for a bed until after lunch. Meanwhile, I got an admission. A man from the floor who was doing poorly and had to come to the ICU. I was thinking, ok, it's fine, usually they try not to give admissions to float nurses, but I don't think they had much of a choice. Obviously I cannot talk about my patients. But I can say that this became the most difficult shift of my LIFE. The man just basically went downhill. I worked non-stop for about 6 hours in his room. I did many new things I'd never done before and I feel like a much more experienced ICU nurse now. Nothin' like dealing with life threatening things while you're floating, fun. The other nurses were helpful though, they had to be. So yeh, I barely got outta there by 8pm (supposed to leave at 7) and I was on my last brain cell. Oofdah.

So, I come into work on Sunday and oh, shock, I'm floating again. I went to the cardiac surgical icu, where my mom actually started as a nurse. I had one nice patient that I transferred out in a few hours. So, at 11a, I floated to another unit, the cardiac medical ICU. I had the easiest patient on earth and I thought it would be a loooooooong day. But no, I got an admission! Yikes, I thought, here we go again. However, this admission was pleasant and not stressful, in fact I actually learned a ton from the nurses there and kinda had fun (as far as work goes).

So yeh, 2 very different days. It makes all the difference when you feel "taken care of" as a float nurse vs ignored and made to deal with bad situations practially alone. Of course I have to do my job either way, but it's nice when you're not "dumped on" and if you are it's nice when you get a ton of help. Anyhoo, that was my floating weekend. I've been to every ICU now except for neuro, so I feel more comfortable floatin' around.

And that is that. Off I go to look for new clothes for Chris' new job! Bye!

Audrey's Stuff

Many of you have already bought something for Audrey! So, I thought I'd put them up here cuz they're cute...

Audrey's 1st stuffed animal from auntie Kelsey

All pink kitties from Grandma Jackie

Audrey's wardrobe, contributing stylists are Grandma Jackie, Great-Grandma H., Auntie Jodi, Auntie Susan, and Kellie!

Her baby book.

Blankie from Kelsey and 1st aid kit from Great-Grandma E.

Toys!

Scroll down to see my another new blog about Christopher...

Scottrade (and other new things for Chris)

Tomorrow, Friday, is Chris' last day at his internship.

He started at Scottrade last March and has been there since! It's an online discount stock trading company, I'm sure Chris could explain it better. But basically you can made trade online for a lot cheaper than at a brockerage company, but you don't get the personal advice from a broker.
I think he's had a pretty good time there, learned some things, and made a few buddies. There's only three of them at the Rochester branch, but there'll be 2 interns taking Chris' place, cuz he was so awesome, they need 2 people to do what he did, haha.

Today I went there and brought him and his boss man lunch from John Hardy's. I got to stay and eat with Chris. Troy is the manger and is very nice and Mike is another broker, but wasn't there today. We played office bocce ball and I won! Don't ask.....

I got to hang out for a bit, as business was a bit slow and I took some pictures to commerate this almost year of Chris' life at Scottrade. And here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Troy, the manger, on a very important phone call.

Scottrade!!!! On County Rd. 22 W, by Cinemagic.

Chris, hard at work (on Jamey's blog) haha.

My handsome business man.

The face of the company, he's the 1st you see when you walk in.

Sweet desk huh?

Now Chris'll have one whole week off before his IBM life starts, ahhh!

He'll be an official IBMer on Monday December 15th as a financial analyst.

Besides analyzing finances, we're not sure what exactly he'll be doing!

Chris is also DONE DONE DONE with his bachelor's degree (with a minor in MIS I might add) on December 9th!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!! So, I guess that leaves him from the 10th to the 15th with absolutely nothing to do!

So, lots of new fun things for my husband and can I say am I SOOOO proud of him!!!

Falling Asleep

I am sooo bored!

I had a 2 hour class this AM and then am scheduled to work the rest of my shift. However, when I can up to my unit they have nothing for me to do. And, I will either float to a different unit at 11:00 or go home....this is soooooo lame. If I find out I'm going home, I'll be glad, but annoyed, cuz here I sit waiting to find out what I'm doing at 11:00. I've been on this computer since 9:20 and probably won't know anything until like 10:30 or later.....a 1/2 hour away from now. Dah! I'm not hungry, otherwise I'd go eat, my car's too far away to bother walking to, and I have no book or anything to read. La de dah, I could be in bed! haha. My guess is that I'll float at 11:00, I wonder where...

Anyhoo. I have had a nice 4 day off stretch. I did many fun things. On Monday I was with Mom most of the day baking Christmas cookies! It was mucho fun. Yesterday I hung out with Chris and such and then when he went to work I finished some cookie stuff and had supper and watched House with Dad. We went to Beetles. This past weekend...hmm...I dunno what I did. I have gotten some Christmas shopping done, but have much more to do.

On Sunday, I felt Audrey move, I know it. And each day since it's been a few little movements per day, nothing much, but it's definetely her! I feel more heavy in the belly area, like I'm carrying something around, what a shock, I am. Also, if I have to pee, it's a really heavy feeling, like I must go now! I am showing much more and people I don't know notice now. It's still hard to tell in my scrubs I think, although a patient's family member noticed and told me I shouldn't be lifting anything, hahah. People are thoughtful, my co-workers have already done things like had me push light things and not the bed and such, funny, cuz I'm very capable of doing everything I always do. But oh well, if they wanna be sweet, I'll let them. I have like 6 shirts I can wear, sad day, I should buy more, anyone wanna loan me some clothing money? Just kiddin'. I keep looking at baby clothes, they're so cute, but I haven't boughten any. My mom is funny, she's always like, guess what I looked at or bought today??? And she's referring to baby girl clothes, heehee. I already have like 5 things for her to wear from different people. Audrey can hear now, or so my book says, so I told Chris he should talk to her, it's just funny and hard to believe she in there, just hangin' out. I'll be 20 weeks along, 1/2 way, tomorrow!

Welp, I better go before y'all stop reading this longness. I guess I'll just sit here and waste more time, blah!!!

Have a wonderful week!

Fill 'er Out

Make sure to keep reading if you haven't read about Audrey....but here's a fun thing I stole from my friend Anne's blog. You should do it too!

I am: peaceful knowing I am a child of God.
I know: that God is in control
I want: some Diet Coke from the fountain
I have: a baby in my tummy
I miss: Camp, Park Rapids, and sometimes, being little again.
I feel: pretty excited to have gotten an 8 hour EA today for the 1st time at my new job.
I hear: Cars on the highway
I smell: Lysol, I'm taking a break from cleaning at the moment.
I crave: Diet Coke, what else.
I cry: A lot more now and more randomly for no good reason. Here's an example....I was at Wendy's with Chris and I was ordering for him and me (while he was in the bathroom) I meant to order a number 1 and a baked potato on the side. I accidentaly ordered it wrong and in the end I didn't officially get a "meal" therefore I ended up paying like 2 cents more. When I realized this as I sat down with Chris, I burst into tears and starting crying like very very hard and sort of laughing too (at myself). And, I couldn't stop, I had to go to the bathroom. Poor Chris, he was like, it's ok honey, it's no big deal. And it wasn't a big deal. I apparently was very upset that I ordered it wrong, hahahaha, I blame it on the pregnancy, I don't normally cry, especially over NOTHING!

I search: I'm really not searching for anything, sometimes my keys.
I wonder: What it will be like when it's not just Chris and I anymore.
I regret: Anytime I make someone feel bad
I love: my husband, very much. And my family.
I worry: About losing someone close to me unexpectedly or when it seems that they are too young.
I remember: A lot about everything. Chris thinks it's crazy how much I remember about my childhood. I can remember things back to age 3 (not everything of course), but I'm sure many people can too.
I dance: At weddings and it takes a while for me to get out there, haha.
I don't: swear
I argue: I hate arguing. It's my goal to calmly "discuss" hahaha.
I write: About being pregnant so I can look back on it. And in a book I write down things I learned from reading a part of the bible, prayers, or something God's taught me so I can look back on that too.
I win: At Rummy
I lose: At Rummy :( Chris and I have a constant competition going.
I wish: That everyone all over the world could have clean water, right now! And, that I wouldn't have to work anymore!
I listen: the best I can and pray that I can do better.
I can usually be found: On my computer, at work, or on the couch! Haha.
I am scared: Of flies, very very afraid. Ugh. Nothing is more tense then being in the car with a fly, many can attest to this fear of mine. I get a tension headache and I cannot relax. Sickest lil' things ever.
I need: God and his mercy, thank goodness it's new every morning!
I am thankful for: God's son, My family, My friends, My country, My job, My.....job...., My lil' baby, My home, Food, Money, the Brave people who defend our freedom back then and now, people who are willing to studying their brains off to learn enough to save lives, like doctors for example, and much more.