Two weeks later

Just pretend like we're all in a cuckoo clock, and it's ten, so the doors are opening and we're coming out. This is not actually a balcony. It's just a railing with some bars you can stand on, sort of scary. Unfortunately, Jackie was asleep that day. We had such a fun time at Wim's house! He planned out all our meals so we didn't have to go out, and had stuff for us to do while we were there, and beds for everyone. Good job. At my house, there's only one mattress. I don't even have air mattresses. I do have a decent couch, though.

I had two births today. Both of them did great, although the epidurals were less than satisfactory and we had to keep calling the anesthesiologist to come back. If you make the decision to have an epidural, you shouldn't be crying. Your pain should be minimal. That's how I feel about it, anyway. Linda and one of her roommates came over for dinner tonight, I made pesto, and she told me about school. And I opened some birthday presents. Did you ever know that? My birthday is Saturday. I'm going to be 25.
Here's another picture of all of us. I know what you're thinking: where's Steph? Well, guys, that's what I was thinking too. I didn't realize I was all twisted.

This weekend I'm leaving again, for Dawn's wedding in Charleston. Who wants to come with? There's going to be dancing! Do you know, I don't think I've danced at a wedding since the Wykoffs. Not that long ago actually...two years.

For my birthday Linda gave me a big framed picture of some houses on the water in Charleston. It looks good in my living room. She also gave me a fancy vase, and some matching plates and mugs. I don't really have many dishes, so that's helpful. Now when you come over I can feed you. Listen, that is all for now, I have to get up early so I can round on those patients who delivered today before work. Send me a text message on my birthday if you remember- I like those.

remembering this makes me laugh out loud

On Wednesday I was doing a 6 week postpartum visit when I noticed a rather large mole on my patient. I forgot the word for freckle, or mole, so I asked her about the lentil on her neck instead. I don't know why that word was in my head, but I like it. Lenteja!

A record today, guys! 3 births! I've been up since 3:45.

Laura Star stopped by tonight, that nice girl.

This weekend I'm going to Nashvegas, so I'll have some good pictures next time I post. Of those St. Louis types.

More photos

London Bridge

This is who I spent my last day off with. Nicky and James. I'm glad they're finally back from Washington.

Well so far today I've had 3 births. The doctor doesn't even put his gloves on anymore, he just stands there and watches me. I smell like latex. I did two repairs. The second one made me all sweaty and frustrated, and the patient asked me if it was my first time.

I joined Netflix again, because I was starting to go to the claustro-in-the-Kroger Blockbuster, and it's like $4.75 per movie there. Not that I'm becoming a slug that sits on the couch and watches movies every day. I'm still reading a lot and going to the wrong classes at the gym. They have these new things called BOSU balls there, that are like exercise balls chopped in half. You are supposed to step up on them and try to balance, etc. At one point we lined them all up and jumped from one to another while the instructor cheered, and that is when I felt ridiculous. This one instructor who I keep getting, the one who thinks 16 reps is an acceptable number of times to repeat an action, she always uses the same music. Her tape includes that song about "working at the car wash" and "Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy." Fabulous.

The people who live across the street from me are cleaning out their car every other day now, like with a vacuum cleaner. I wonder what they spill in there.















I also hung out with these girls last week on my day off. We went to Olive Garden, because I like that place. The waiter had struggles with everything...bringing water (Laura's a camel), getting enough silverware, bringing the right food. These old roommate types are all going to be in a triathlon on Sunday! They didn't try very hard to talk me into participating, don't worry.

I still like my cats, even though they knock over my plants.
Today I tried to get my patient up out of bed so she could go to the bathroom and the nurse said that was not allowed, because she was on pitocin. I don't think that actually makes any sense. She was only like 6 cm, it's not like the baby was going to come out right then. Anyways the nurse said I would have to write an order if I wanted her out of bed. I didn't feel like making a big deal out of it today, but I will someday, that is so ridiculous.

Later I tried to feed one of my patients and that was vetoed as well, this time by the doctor. The reasoning behind that is, they might end up with an emergency cesarean and be under general anesthesia, and vomit up their stomach contents, then inhale them into their lungs. Then you could get a weird pneumonia and die.

Right. So next time you're hungry in labor, send your husband out for something and don't ask permission. I've said that stuff here before. I think 3 months into a job on temporary hospital privileges is probably too early to start throwing my weight around.

Well, Linda's coming back for more college in a few weeks! That's exciting, another person to hang out with. I don't feel very interesting lately. At night I dream about work, about being in situations where I neglect my responsibilities...like, my pager goes off, and I never hear it, or I've got a patient in labor, and I forget about her. Have I told you about the scrubs I wear? They have snaps. It's easy to get out of practice with snaps as an adult, so it's a good thing.

I got better books from the library this time, guys. I got a John Grisham, Amy Tan, Agatha Christie, and P.G. Wodehouse, who is my favorite.

Anyways, if you were to come visit me, I would make macaroni and cheese and we could sit here with my aggressive un-neutered cats and talk about all the people who are stuck in the airport in London.