Monday, September 27, 2010

Month Thirteen

Skylie,
Life with you has never been quite so busy and tiring. But you've also never been quite as much fun as you are now. You're into everything these days, and I can't always keep up!

Yesterday at church after trying--usually unsuccessfully--to keep you happy, take care of a Primary class, and tend to other responsibilities, I was beginning to feel as though the three hours at church with a restless and tired toddler was simply not worth it. (Someday when you have children and are spending all your time in the halls, you might feel the same way at times.) About that time, you pointed to a picture of Christ and squealed, "Jesus!". I suppose the hours of craziness are worth it after all. Won't you and I both be so happy once Daddy comes back!?
Your new obsession is carrying around sticks. This one's larger than most.
You love playgrounds and no longer eat everything off the ground. Hurray!
You protest to getting your bike helmet on with dramatic wails and cries, but once we're biking you're in heaven. I look back from time to time, and you're grinning, ear to ear. You love the wind in your face and checking out all the sites. I love riding to Gray's Lake and letting you play at the playground. The regular compliments about how cute you are is a definite perk, as well.At the park, again...
Playing chase, one of your favorite games, at Greenwood Pond
You love exploring the great outdoors...
And the roses behind the Art Center.
I get compliments at least once a day about how pretty your eyes are.
You visited an apple orchard for the first time and couldn't get enough of the animals.
Looking at books is still your favorite pastime, for sure. Frequently you'll bring a book over to me and grunt and motion until I read with you. You climb up on my lap and act so content flipping through pages and looking at pictures. Playing with babies, carrying around puzzle pieces, and stacking blocks is also high on your "to do" list. Often I'll find you playing in your corner of books and toys, chattering away. Saying what? I don't know, but it sure is cute.
You love your daddy. Sometimes I let you watch your dad and mine's wedding video. You squeal with delight and say, "Daddy!" over and over. Even when the T.V. is off, you'll often stand by it and ask, "Daddy? Daddy?"

  • You say, "moo", "woof", "oink", "baaa", "naaaa", "banana" (nana), "bubble", "daddy", and "baby".
  • You can sometimes point to your baby's mouth, nose, and eyes, when asked.
  • You don't cry every time I leave you with the babysitter anymore.
  • You love being around other babies but don't always play with them.
  • You still take two naps, but I'm guessing you'll go to one sometime soon.
  • You love dogs and chase after them any time you see one.
  • You are one independent little lady and want to walk, eat, climb, and do everything else all by yourself.
  • You are growing and changing so much, and I love it!
Love,
Mom

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Medical School Jargan: Exhibit A

Matt's board results are back. He passed Comlex Step 2 with flying colors! I couldn't be prouder of all his hard work.

He's a busy guy these days, and I think the upcoming months will be more hectic, with Matt flying across the country interviewing at residency programs. But bring it on! I'll gladly welcome a little crazy if it means that we're one step closer to a degree.

Matt's rotating in Lansing, Michigan right now, in addition to preparing for the Physical Diagnosis Examination test he'll be taking in Philadelphia the beginning of October.

Also on the radar is interviewing for residency.

For those of you who don't have the misfortune blissful opportunity to experience medical school, (Kidding! It really isn't bad.) here's how the process of getting accepted to a residency program works:
  1. Matt applies to a few dozen residency programs - Done
  2. Residency programs invite him to come interview or reject him - Currently ongoing
  3. Matt interviews with residency programs - October through January
  4. Matt submits his top picks for residency (his top choice would be one, his second choice would be two, and so on). - March
  5. In like manner, the residency programs submit their ranking of the students who interviewed with their program. - March
  6. A system compiles all the information the students and residency programs submit and spits out the highest matching student to program. This is called "The Match" and determines where medical students will spend their years in residency. - Mid-March
  7. Residency, a 3+ year paid internship (Matt plans on doing a three year residency followed by a two or three year fellowship), where the med student graduate learns the ropes in his chosen field of practice - Begins June or July 2011

Since applying for residency programs the beginning of September, Matt's accepted interview invitations to:

  • Iowa City, Iowa
  • Indianapolis, Indiana
  • Fort Worth, Texas
  • Syracuse, New York
  • Greenville, North Carolina
  • Charlotteville, Virginia
  • Toledo, Ohio
  • St. Louis, Missouri
  • And counting...

Every day or so it seems he gets another interview invitation. It's crazy to think that in nine months we'll be somewhere new, starting over—starting fresh.

My emotions are mixed, but for the most part I'm super excited!

Monday, September 20, 2010

A Special Birthday

"There is nothing in this world as personal, as nurturing, or as life changing as the influence of a righteous woman."
M. Russell Ballard, "Mothers and Daughters", Ensign, May 2010.
Happy birthday, Mom! Thank you for the influence you have had in my life.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

44 hours

She stopped dead in her tracks when her Daddy came through the door. Within minutes, Skylie had warmed up to Matt and didn't want him out of her sight.

Matt drove 17 hours this weekend just so he could spend 44 hours with us. Yeah, I feel pretty special.

The rain ruined most of our plans, but we did brave the weather and made a trip to the apple orchard, again.
Only five more weeks and Matt will be home to stay!

Center Grove Apple Orchard

Last Wednesday I took Skylie to the Center Grove Apple Orchard with my church's play group. Located a half hour east of Des Moines, this place is rockin'! Skylie loved the corn pool, giant jumping pillow, farm animals, and the Three Little Pigs' homes. I, on the other hand, had my eye on the raspberry picking. Mmm, yum!
Farm animals
Corn Pool
Kylee is such a good sport to put up with Skylie getting in her face all the time!


I really love being her mama.
Skylie, yet again, getting into Kylee's face. My daughter loves giving kisses. Hopefully she grows out of that before she's a teenager.
Outside the Three Little Pigs' homes
This is the house made of sticks.
The house made of straw

Some things just can't wait...

Like opening birthday presents from Grandma and Grandpa Zane, even though Mom is trying to change Skylie's diaper.
The Little Mermaid riding toy intrigued Skylie, to say the least.

A box and packing peanuts kept this little one entertained for hours.

While nothing is quite as cool as an empty box, she did like the riding toy and baby doll, too.
August 30, 2010

Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!

Paddle Boating at Gray's Lake

Saturday, August 27
Paddle Boating at Gray's Lake

How I love the parks of Des Moines. They will be one—of the many—things I miss when we move.

During Matt's one day in Iowa en route to Michigan, we attended a Primary activity, played at Gray's Lake, and celebrated Skylie's birthday with friends.
Thirteen months ago, Matt and I went paddle boating for the first time on Gray's Lake. I'm not sure which is harder, paddle-boating while eight months pregnant or when trying to keep a one-year-old inside the boat.