The Fiesta Trio
NaBloPoMo is over and it’s now December. WOW. I haven’t committed to posting every month, and you’re probably sick of me (hell, I’M sick of me), but I wanted to put some fun pictures up that are from tonight. We got a tree and have been decorating the house like Christmas elves, although it feels much emptier around here since my Yiayia left this afternoon. She was a blast, as usual, and we get such a kick out of having her here. On top of that, she cooks, cleans, and toting a very demanding Finley on her hip all week (Fin adores Yiayia)! We miss her already. Anyway, the Christmas prep has been SO fun and the kids are definitely in “the spirit.” Our display of this over-commercialized holiday is enough to make any real Christian wince, but we’re having fun with it anyway and trying to make it about family time, togetherness, the spirit of giving and doing for each other. Too bad every time Fin hears the name “Santa,” she screams “HE BRINGS TOYS!” Yes, it’s the spirit of receiving giving that’s really stuck with her. Anyway, here are some pictures of the “Fiesta Trio,” as Travis sometimes calls his 3 little back-up singers (if you haven’t seen Dora, the Fiesta Trio is a band of, well, 3! that pretty much follows Dora around playing annoying / distracting music):
You wouldn’t believe the dance parties we have to Mannheim Steamroller’s Christmas CD:
Not to jinx it, but last night Finley slept through the night again!! It’s not the 1st time I’ve underestimated her, but I’m just shocked it was that easy (knocking on wood)…or that a barely 20 month old kid could be reasoned with like that. She amazes me. I feel like she’s growing up in warp speed. Her grammar has even changed over the past 1.5 weeks. She now says “I want to touch that snowman,” or “I don’t want to go to bed.” Certain things still bring out the reference to herself as “my,” for example, “My not ready to leave.” I think it’s very confusing for her to say “I am,” or “I’m,” so she goes with “my.” Pretty cute.
Shane has been doing the MOST hilarious thing in the world the past few days. I tried to get him to do it on camera, but you know how he is when the camera comes out…He’ll have been putting on a show for 20 minutes, then I’ll bust the video camera out to get it on film and I’ll say “ok Shanie, do it again!” But instead of cooperating for the one thousand and one time, he looks at me like I’m smoking crack. Anyway, I WILL catch him doing it!! He imitates this character from the book Baby Christmas and does this very dramatic, theatrical sob on command. It’s hysterical.
And guess what? I got another interview today. I am SO EXCITED. This makes 4, and according to past year’s match statistics for Derm, that gives me about a 50% chance of matching. Those are obviously BS stats because it only takes 1 program to interview you if things go really well, and you could theoretically have 10 interviews but offend everyone you meet and not match. I’m just hoping this is meant to be for me. Because if it’s not, I’m seriously going to die trying to make it be;) And with a family in tow, that can be difficult. Travis and I keep saying, “holy crap, if this actually works out, this was the most brilliant plan in all the world, but if it flops, this was the dumbest thing we’ve ever done and we’re so totally effed!” In all seriousness, no matter what happens, we’re happy we did things this way. I couldn’t settle for anything less if I didn’t think I risked everything for my dream first. Still not sure I could EVER settle for anything else, but we’re out of $hit to risk if it doesn’t pan out this year.
I know I’ve talked a little about the cost of this application process, but HO-LY COW BALLS. So yeah, there was that $2500 application fee upfront. But now I have the expenses of flights to and from the interviews, which are ALL OVER THE PLACE, plus hotel costs. I fly to Wisconsin in 2 weeks to kick interviews off, then to FL for Christmas, then to Philly, where I’ll rent a car and drive 3 hours to my interview site, then back to FL to see the kids for 24 hours, then to Kansas, then to Colorado. And I only have 4 interviews, which is considered very few! I can’t think of any other job that requires you to take out a friggin loan just to apply, but all I can do is believe in the path I’m on, bend over and say “thank you sir, may I have another.” Ahh, medicine.
I still haven’t heard from 70 something places and am expecting a slew of rejections in the next 2 weeks, but there are 2 or 3 more that I’d REALLY love a shot at. If just 1 of those came through I’d be ecstatic (and shocked). I was honestly HOPING for 3 interviews when I started this process, so at this point they’re all icing on the cake, but with each additional interview I pick up, the odds of me matching somewhere go up exponentially. And honestly, I’d be thrilled to land at any of the programs that are interviewing me.
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15 comments
Good luck! Such a stressful time. I was so nervous that I actually went into labor at 24 weeks with our now-23-year-old son during an interview. I got to spend a week in the hospital being treated by the residents that were Ben’s potential peers. Needless to say we ended up elsewhere!
It’s nervewracking, but it’s exciting too! Knowing that you could be moving, to a new place! This is a kind of selfish thing for me, but it means that I get to see you guys in photos, in new places! yay! It’s so true how with blogging you learn so much more about someone, and almost live vicariously through them, so I’m totally excited for you!
Great news!!! Keep me posted on your interview trail.
Awesome news Laurie. I keep reading your tweets hoping to hear MN in the mix. I think you guys would love Milwaukee too! Tons of snow!
wonderful about the interviews.
My nephew (now 30 years old) used to refer to himself as “my” when he was Finley’s age.
I think it’s definitely your year! Sounds like you’ve had a lot of great working experience this year…hopefully making some great contacts along the way. It’s all about putting faces and names into their minds. One thing that helps a lot in the military system is that they rotate you through several hospitals/departments while in school and it’s a small community that remembers the students come selection time. Cannot imagine the stress you face applying ,interviewing, and traveling all over the country!
Thanks for your sweet comment about the sleep thing. I totally agree that co-sleeping could be bad for the marriage. We were against the thought in the beginning…but Morgan just NEEDED to verify that we weren’t going to slip away while he slept and it made a huge difference.
YEAH interviews!! Super cute pics! Finleys speach is awesome.. Malia is 2 and had started off super fast with talking when she got home and then went mute and now is finally talking again!
Oh Jen - I’m definitely NOT against co-sleeping. I’m a huge advocate. I think the only valid argument against it is the impact it can have on a marriage - that depends on the couple / spontaneity, and all that stuff I won’t mention because it’ll make my brothers blush if they still read my blog! But in all seriousness, I think as long as your marriage stays healthy, it’s an awesome thing for kid-parent bonding! Co-sleeping with a newborn presents some safety issues, but otherwise, I’m all for it, ESPECIALLY in adopted kids like Morgan who just need that extra security in the nighttime.
Hi - I realize you have others in MN, but if you get an interview and need a place to stay - mi casa and all that stuff. Good luck!
Good luck on the interviews. Just don’t start doing the “we did it!” dance at the end-they’ll think you lost your mind. And i always call the “fiesta trio” the mariachi band-and i think they’re super-cute . . .
Good luck on the interviews - the world needs more dermatologists!! You know how hard it is to get an appointment these days???
I love the Fiesta trio! My husband and I call them teh “Mariachi Bug Band”
Laur, she’s looking more and more like her momma across the eyes - just adorable. Still has Trav’s devilish grin though. Keep me posted on the interview progress. When are you leaving for FL? I need to be sure the kids’ gifts get to Denver before you leave.
I love the angel on top of the tree!!
Very cute pictures, and so great to hear about your interviews. I am sure you’ll get more! And you’ll match somewhere because you and your family so deserve to, and as soon as they have talked to you they will have to know you’ll be a great dermatologist. Especially with your new fancy handbag (will you show us a picture)? Maybe you should add one of Jacksons bows for good luck?
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