Board, or is it Bored?

I have to take my recertification exams or "boards" by December 2009. I can go ahead and take them this year to get it over with and check that torturous test off of my to do list. Today I have reviewed some ENT, orthopaedics, and urology. I'm sure you're all jealous that you didn't spend your day doing the same. Sometimes I impressed myself with the information I remembered, other times, I realized I have a LOT of studying to do before the test day is here. So I will be experiencing pleasure and pain through this process of studying and taking boards. I do want to do well on the test, but I also need to learn and refresh myself for the benefit of my patients.

I will admit that I am a dork and I like studying. I enjoy learning and feeling like I'm actually challenging my mind. Since first becoming pregnant a few years ago I have to admit I feel I'm progressively getting dumber-for lack of a better word :). Intelligent thoughts have been edged out by Wiggles songs, pediatrician appointments, age milestones, breastfeeding basics, working to get a child on a schedule, potty training, what today's letter of the alphabet is and how I work it into the day.......How much milk did Av have today? Did I already give her a vitamin? When are swimming lessons? Basically the (what can be consuming) thoughts and questions, great and small, of parenting.

Well, break time is over, back to studying. The next section is covering erectile dysfunction, male infertility, and impotence-exciting stuff. Don't you want to come and study with me?

Rain, Rain

Last year we were in a terrible drought and this year we seem to be having thunderstorms every afternoon. The rain is very much welcomed, even though it has interfered with our pool plans on quite a few occasions. I've been very impressed with Av during the storms. I initially thought the storms might scare her, but it has been the exact opposite. She wants to sit on the front porch during the storms. We did have to go over that we watch the lightening and listen to the thunder. For a while she would, with great enthusiasm, say "I see the thunder!" Today she was actually excited that thunder woke her from her nap so we could go outside and watch the rain. Part of me is proud of her fearlessness, and the other part of me is nervous :). We did discover that she enjoyed the rain from the comfort of the covered porch. We tried to venture into the rain with her very cute rain gear, but she froze and wanted to come back to the porch.

Bro

Hey everyone-love ya'll, but I'm getting to spend this evening hanging out with my brother, so given that chance...I'm definitely choosing him over blogging. See you soon!

Toddler Wisdom

About 6 months ago J and I started trying to introduce Av to faith and God. She loves to sing the song "Jesus loves me." We pray together at meals. I think my favorite time with her is in our bedtime routine when we read from her children's Bible and pray together. This is the time of day that she is (somewhat) still and she wants to snuggle with us, cuddled up with her blanket while she holds my hand. I hold her in an almost cradled position, as if she's a baby again-sometimes she even asks me to sing rock-a-by-baby.

I know that this routine is important, teaching her the importance of regular, hopefully daily, time in prayer and God's word, but I also wonder how much of it does she grasp? How do I explain to a 2 year old that her only hope is in Christ's death and resurrection and that we are dependent on grace that we don't deserve? Recently, I have been able to see a glimpse of what she is taking from these moments.

Last week we read about Jesus washing the disciples' feet. I often wonder what Av is thinking while we're reading. Sometimes she is jumping in the bed, talking to me while I'm trying to read, flipping pages before I read anything on it, or quoting lines from "Monster at the End of This Book" instead of listening to what I'm reading.. Well, last night I discovered I'm not giving her enough credit for how much she is listening. While picking out what we were going to read, she asked "are we going to read Jesus washing feet?" My heart melted.

Another instance happened a couple weeks ago while we were praying. For our prayer routine I turn out the lights, put her in her crib, and she asks to hold my hand. I started out praying and Av finishes prayer time by saying "thank you" or "God bless" for whatever her list is that day. It could include friends, family, rain, the park, the pool, and all the other topics a 2 year old ponders. This particular night she started a usual prayer list and ended with "thank you for 'Jesus loves me.'" What else could I add to that? I had to agree with Av. Yes, Lord, thank you that you love me when I have done nothing to deserve your love and grace.

Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Computer:1, Me:0

That's tonight's final score after tonight's battle royale. I have to admit I was multitasking with at 7 windows open at one time. Starting a blog post. Reworking my resume. Setting up accounts with various companies to post my resume on their sights. Email. In the middle of all this, a little window popped up telling me there was a problem with internet explorer and it shut down without warning! Aarrghh!
At least I had finished the resume, which was my main goal tonight. Lesson learned: one project at a time is better than multitasking....a lesson, it would seem, I should have learned through past, painful experiences.
I'm off to work on my Amish friendship bread, yum! If anyone is interested, I'll try to post the recipe tomorrow (I looked at some online, but they're slightly different from the recipe I use).

Another First

Not the point of today's post, but here's Av "helping" me clean the kitchen this am.

It started out well with Av unloading the flatware from the dishwasher and into the sink. Then she impressed me by putting away the mixing bowls without even being asked to do so. I think that was the point she decided that instead of emptying the dishwasher, she should empty the cabinets.

After the kitchen incident we headed out for Av's first haircut! I'm so proud of how well she has responded to what could have been traumatic (for both of us) firsts! I was preparing for weeping and gnashing of teeth, but she was great.

I got mine cut first and she was pulling me out of the chair and telling me it was her turn by the time my cut was done. One benefit of living in a small city: getting your hair cut in a kitchen, price of both haircuts-$11, $15 with tip!

I tried to get some cute shots of the new "do" by our hydrangeas, but she was more interested in checking out the flowers than looking at the camera. Does anyone have any secrets to get kids to look at you and smile while taking pictures?

Welcome Home

Av is back home from the grandparents house today and we immediately went into our normal routine. Within 30 minutes of being home we were at MW's very fun birthday party. We came home for nap time and then had an afternoon of play-doh. I don't know if all other children are like this, but whenever Av comes home after a trip away from us, apparently feels she is required to test the boundaries. Tonight this played out by Av refusing to eat any of her dinner. The most interesting/entertaining part of her first evening home occurred when J went through the "bedtime routine" with her. It was also the most obvious reminder that, yes, we are parents of a toddler, and therefore there is no modesty or appreciation of appropriate conversation in our house.

Av (while on the potty): Papa, the poop is coming. It's coming out of my hienie.
Papa, don't touch the poop
Papa, don't eat the poop.
Papa, don't lick the poop.
Papa, don't put the poop in your hair.
If you put the poop in your hair the bugs won't come

J : OK, and we don't like bugs do we?

Welcome home Av. I'm so thankful for that little bit . Our life may be filled with dissertations on poop, but it's certainly fulfilling and entertaining.

What's Your Name?

Av is staying with my parents this week. Today I got an update from my mom on how the week is going and the funny Av stories. This one is my favorite. Av is currently into full names-her full name, my full name, J's full name-you can see where I'm going here. According to her my full name is my first name, her middle name, and our last name. Here' the conversation between Av and my mom.

Av: What's your full name?
Beba: States full name
Av: What's your full name again?
Beba: States full name
Av: What's your full name again?
Beba: Giraffe Elephant
Av: No! It's ZEBRA elephant!!!

How is she that stubborn and that confident about something that is completely wrong?

A recent, similar conversation
Me: Are you giving the ball to Allie (our dog)
Av: Yes Mommy, I'm giving it to she.
Me: Av, you should say "I'm giving it to her."
Av: No Mommy, I'm giving it to SHE!
Me: Av, you're giving it to her
Av: No Mommy, I'm giving it to SHE!

I have a side of me that is proud of her for her independence and gumption. The other part of me is quickly developing wrinkles and frown lines. It also makes me think that this is often what I sound like to God, since I tend to be a stubborn and stiff-necked individual myself. How many of my thoughts and feelings should be likened to nonsense rantings of a 2 year old? Probably a lot..sigh. I have always heard people say that by becoming a parent I would appreciate God, the Father, in a way I never had before. It just never occurred to me that in this new found realization I would be playing the role of the toddler.

Paper or Plastic?

Recently I bought reusable shopping bags st Wal-Mart, and I have to say that I LOVE them! We do recycle, but I also think it is important to reduce our amount of trash/waste/consumption. These bags are only $1 at Wal-Mart!! Similar bags can be found at Target and grocery stores. I initially bought them to be a more responsible consumer, but they have also made my own shopping experience easier for the following reasons
1. I can fit what would take 4-5 plastic bags into 1 reusable bag.
2. They have long straps so I can carry these bags on my shoulder, like a purse. This allows me to carry all the groceries into the house in one trip while leaving my hands free to open the door or carry coffee or carry Av or get the mail or wave to the neighbors or........
3. We have used them for so much more than just trips to the store. They're very convenient!
4. Did I mention they're only $1!?!

J and I both now keep bags in our vehicles, so they're readily available when needed. My dumb-blonde moments have been remembering to take them into the store. Today I finished shopping and was about to check out when I realized I had left the bags in the car. I left my cart by the checkout (after letting the cashier know what I was up to), ran out to the car, grabbed the bags, and returned to checkout. I do have one caveat. The cashiers, at least in our city, aren't fully familiar with the new bags. I don't see why it is difficult to fill these bags instead of plastic bags, but I have had more than one experience of essentially bagging the groceries on my own. Thankfully, it's not much of a price to pay. All this to say: Go get yourself some reusable bags, you won't regret it!!!

Pain at the Pump

I'm sure that you're just as tired of gas prices as I am and feel quite powerless about it. Tonight I saw Newt Gingrich discussing this site where you can sign an online petition to support further (offshore, etc) drilling. I don't know if it will spur any action in congress, but I signed it in hopes of change.

Weekend with the fam

I have so many thoughts in my head I'm having a hard time deciding what to write about tonight. For now, I'll just update on our time at home with family. We enjoyed a wonderful time at the family farm. Fishing is not one of my favorite activities, but basically everyone in J's family loves it, so we went fishing. It was a successful day. Everyone, including Av, caught fish.

Here she's checking out the worms. We came to the conclusion that she likes all the animals at the farm from a distance. She wanted to see the worms, crickets, and fish, but not touch them. We also got fresh produce from the garden. I wish I had taken pictures of it. The fresh squash and zucchini was fantastic-so much better than store bought. I can't wait for the blueberries to be ready!

We also went to the Birmingham Zoo. I expected that Av would have wanted to see the petting zoo, the carosel, the butterfly exhibit. No, she repeatedly asked to see the hippo. One of the deadliest animals in Africa, even the world, is what my 2 year old wants to see. She is so serious, intense, and inquisitive when she watches the animals-as if summing them up to form her own opinion.

Av and my dad watching the giraffe.
I hope she's having fun this week with my parents. I've been able to have freedom and knock out quite a few things on my to-do list, but I sure do miss her. I'm even writing a post that's basically about her when she's not even here! Stinker.

Still here

Hey everyone. We've been out of town for a few days visiting family. Somehow our trips always seem to start with plans of going for the weekend and instead end up as a Thurs-Tues trip-like this week! I did have internet access, but I just can't pull myself away from my great family to take time to blog.
Av is staying with my parents for the remainder of the week, so hopefully I'll have time to blog some of the posts that have been rambling around in my head for a while.
J also just informed me that we are going to the driving range tomorrow. Yikes-it has been so long since I've been golfing...should be interesting.
See you tomorrow

Thought Provoking

Confession: I watched Oprah yesterday. She had a man on the show named Randy Pausch. He is a professor at Carnegie Mellon and he has pancreatic cancer. He gave a speech of what he refers to as his "Last Lecture." His words aren't based in scripture, but speak to big dreams, hard work, honesty, and integrity. It's very inspiring and refreshing. Head's up-the video is 1 hr, 16 minutes long (I watched in increments). If you want a condensed (11 min) version go here. Hope you enjoy. FYI, it might have just been my computer, but on you tube the video kept stopping to download, so I just paused it for a while to allow it to download, and then I played it.

The Truth Shall Set You Free

Recently, J was flying out of New York. When he arrived at security there was a mom with a toddler and infant in tow. Of course, she had the obligatory gear-car seats, stroller, diaper bag, etc. J, being the polite and chivalrous southern he is, offered to help her getting all this on the conveyor belt and through security. The following interaction occurred.
Mother: "Thank you, but I have plenty of time. Why don't you just go around me since it will take a few minutes."
J proceeded to go around her when the all-knowing TSA (Transportation Security Administration) agent intervened.
TSA agent (in loud, accusatory tone): "Sir, please get back in line without cutting in."
J : "I offered to help this woman, she said I should just go around her. I'm just trying to be efficient and keep the line moving."
TSA agent (again loud, overbearing): "Sir, efficiency is not our priority here in TSA." ***
This, of course, led to smirking and laughing from the crowd of travellers.
J (with his best cheshire grin): "If you say so"
At this point, she thought through her statement and decided to let J through security.
***Have truer words ever been spoken by TSA?

To add to an already interesting day, a few minutes after the security incident Flavor Flav ran past J to get to his gate. Yes, he was wearing sunglasses, chains, and the monstrous clock as a necklace-which I imagine is quite uncomfortable to run with as it beats against your chest. His son was running with him, dressed in the same attire. Maybe I should get matching clock necklaces for Av and me.

Some days I have a twinge of jealousy about J getting to travel to metropolitan places with great food. Other days, I'll gladly stay here with my 20 minute, roundtrip commute.

Our Weekend in Pictures

Getting hydrated in preparation for the pool

OK, I'm ready to go! Can we please go to the pool now??

Now Momma, now!

J teaching Av how to do a maniacal laugh. "Mwah-ha-ha-ha!"

Side note: Can anyone tell me why I'm staying up until 1 am most nights lately? I'm driving myself crazy and yet I continue to do it!

Nonsense

IQ2dddfyuffgivgkkhsaasat\uyt bhhaaa2BBaglk;'
cvbjkll;\
\hhhhhhgfffrffffhgh45edZZZZZZVVFDCCC cxvuip[ugbnc x b b,m m ;el;3l3klk
HUYSEGUJEcrqraddddd77taNK
'FFF bvhbhhjh,jfqqqqaqqqwwwwwwwff
ujhhtdiuhibuy m

Av wrote this post. It was an excellent synopsis of the Shorter Catechism...unfortunately she can't spell. Wish you could have heard it ;)

What's an Uncrafty Mom to do?

1. Dye Easter eggs in June! Av loved coloring eggs so much at Easter this year that I decided to buy a bunch of kits. I couldn't pass them up at 35 cents a piece on the clearance aisle the week after Easter! She's very into being a helper, so she enjoys the entire process.Av's way of dying eggs is placing the eggs in one color and then sticking them in other colors. By the end of it the yellow bowl was looking more like grayish-brown. She had fun making quite a mess. You'll notice the green bowl in the first picture is almost empty after is was knocked over.Thankfully, her left sleeve was the only casualty of the night :).

2. Play-Doh, play-doh, and more play-doh. Benefit-she does know her shapes well now. She also likes to make animals.....and then dissect them. Maybe she'll be a vet one day. Here she is making a midline incision on a turtle :). I promise I didn't show her how to do this, but I have to say it made me proud of my little bit. Pretty good technique for a 2 year old. She might even be able to give a few pointers to some surgeons out there. Don't worry, only kidding.

Backfire

Av is "normally" a fantastic sleeper. No fight to get her to sleep-we go to her room, I put her in the crib, turn out the lights, and shut the door. She does sometimes happily entertain herself for a while before falling asleep by talking to her stuffed animals {or herself :)} and singing. Well, yesterday was not a "normal" day. After she had been in her crib for over 2 hours vacillating between talking and crying and only ~30 minutes of quiet I went in her room to get her. She was hysterical and I have no idea why.

She calmed down after a few minutes and I tried to put her back in crib. Right back to hysterics. I broke down and offered to lie down with her in the big bed. Again, "normally," the only time we lie down together the only sleep that happens is a game. She likes for me to pretend I'm sleeping and after a few seconds loudly exclaims "Wake up Mommy!!" That is what I was fully expecting to happen. Instead she quietly cuddled next to me in the dark. All this was dandy until the drifting off into slumber.......since I was the drifter. That little stinker waited until I was asleep and stealthily maneuvered around the bed rail and out of the bed. I woke about 20 min. later to Av and the dogs bounding into the room and Av loudly closing the door behind them. Who knows what she was doing outside her room. What she was doing inside her room is evidenced above--emptying the individual wipes containers from the box in her closet. She then opened all of them and removed the sealing sticker. I was just relieved that all she did was open them instead of pulling out all the wipes!

Moral of the story: watch out for those crafty kids out there!

For those of you that read the earlier post, Hannah Grace did very well in surgery and, hopefully, they were able to remove the majority, if not all, of the tumor. She will be in ICU for a few days and soon begin chemo.

Little Ones

If you are reading this and think about it today, please pray for a 2 year old girl named Hannah Grace. She was recently diagnosed with a brain tumor. She has already undergone multiple surgeries and her biopsy has come back that the tumor is malignant (cancer). She is in surgery today at Children's Hospital to try to remove as much as the tumor as possible and they are expecting it to last 6-8 hours. She will soon begin chemotherapy and radiation. You can read about her here. I can't even begin to imagine what she and her family are feeling and experiencing right now. Please pray for her healing, wisdom for the medical staff, and the comfort and peace only God can give. Thank you.

Psalm 77:13-14

Your ways, O God, are holy.

What god is so great as our God?

You are the God who performs miracles;

you display your power among the peoples.

My 2 Front Teeth

After this incident Av's left front tooth looked like it was slightly knocked back, so I decided it was time for Av's first dental appointment. At first I wasn't too nervous about what the visit would entail...until she woke up this morning. What a grouch! Does anyone else out there think their 2 year old already experiences PMS? Thankfully, activity and getting out of the house typically cures her funk.

I definitely recommend going to a pediatric dentist. We didn't even have to sit in the waiting room. We were taken straight back to a play area where Av quickly let go of my hand to head for the toys. Her dentist (Dr. Kristen Crowder) introduced herself to Av by coming and sitting on the floor with us and the toys. Av warmed up to her immediately. We had to move to the chair next. Av wasn't too excited about the actual exam-cried and tried to hold her mouth shut,. She perked up right after it was over and thoroughly enjoyed the stickers and new pink toothbrush! We were told she did well for her age, overall her teeth look great, but the front tooth is knocked back a bit and could become discolored. At least it isn't a permanent tooth.

For those of you with young kids wondering when you should take them to the dentist-today was just an exam, no cleaning/instrumentation. That part begins at 3. I guess if we hadn't had the coffee table incident I could have waited until she was 3 to take her. Happy teeth cleaning everyone!

Wheeler Dealer

Lately I've enjoyed reading other blogs so much that I'm forgetting to write on my own! Maybe I should ditch this whole medicine thing and find a way to blog as a job.

I was hoping to post some pictures from the beach trip tonight. I got the camera out, excited to see the pictures, only to find there are no pics from the beach. J wasn't with us at the beach the 1st part of the week. I was sick and coudn't exactly be in the water with A and also take pictures. I left the camera with J for the rest of the week, but it apparently stayed right in it's little travel bag the entire week! Pretty weak on both of our parts. I'll definitely take lots of pics on the next trip.

On another front, Av has apparently passed negotiating 101. Last night we were eating dinner at a friend's house. Av didn't eat much dinner and therefore, was told she couldn't have any peaches for dessert. Her response? "But I would like them!" Oh, so simple, my mistake :)
We went to the pool after dinner tonight (fearless-walked right into the pool while I was still setting our bag on a chair, later climbed out of the shallow end to try and jump off the wall into the deep end, and even asked to go down the slide into the pool). At 7 pm I told Av we were going home b/c the pool was closing. The brought great protest. I explained "It's getting dark and they have to close the pool." Av followed back with "No, Mommy, they need to OPEN the pool!" There are many more examples, but you get the drift. I wasn't quite prepared for this at 2, maybe 5, or even 12.

Completely unrelated-has anyone seen the new Indiana Jones movie yet? I feel like I have to go see it, but I've heard it was a major letdown.

Back from the.....

Beach! We have been at the beach this past week and unfortunately I was sick for about 1/2 the trip. I felt like my body was staging a coup. The first 1/2 (sick part) was with J's family-13 of us! I love his family and am so blessed to have such wonderful in-laws. I spent the rest of the time at the beach with my college roommates while Av and J stayed with the fam.

One of the highlights of the week was Av absolutely loving the water. She wanted to jump in the water the second we got to the beach. I am so thankful we went ahead with swim lessons before the trip. I saw such a jump in her confidence in the water. While in the ocean she hung out on her own in her round floatie-enjoying the waves, kicking, splashing, and trying to chase her cousins. In the pool she would swim to the stairs with a little push, jump off the edge of the pool-even the deep end, and even purposely go under water! I am very proud and excited for a summer in the water.

Lots of unpacking to do! Hope everyone had a great week. Glad to be back in blogworld.