A Way Too Long Post
Thank you to all of you who reached out with supportive words for me. Right now I need that kind of support. It doesn’t help me to hear “suck it up, that’s just the way it is. Lots of us do it, you can to.” That’s the ass backwards logic that has made medicine the cold environment that it is, and I’m sick of hearing it.
I was so lucky to have had an upper level resident for the past month that would have never said that to me. Instead she’d just sit with me after we signed out and hug me while I cried, she’d ask about my kids when she could sense I needed to talk about them, and she’d avoid it when she knew I couldn’t handle talking about them. She taught me at every opportunity, shared my workload when I was overwhelmed (which she did NOT have to do, being as she was my upper level), impressed me with her humanism, and made me laugh when I just really needed it. She’s probably the reason I got through last month. So intern year isn’t all bad I guess; I have come across a few amazing people, like many of you, who have lovingly nudged me on while also letting me know you’d still support me if I decided to go a different way. That’s the kind of encouragement I have needed in my life lately, so thank you. To our parents and my grandparents, I really am doing ok, I promise.
Today was awesome. We made it feel like a full weekend, even if it was just a day. First, I have to introduce you to a new member of the Good household…I got a cryptic text while I was on-call Saturday and had hoped the snake Travis mentioned would be dead or something before I got home. Instead, I found it in a little reptile aquarium ON MY KITCHEN TABLE.
It’s only a matter of time before a mischievous someone “accidentally” lets him out of the cage and he slithers under a couch or appliance.
So yeah, we have a snake. His name is Slinky, and he’s a gross little thing Travis and the kids caught on a hike last weekend. That’s just what happens when I’m gone for 30 straight hours and daddy’s left in charge;) There’s also a praying mantis, 2 frogs, and a tube full of crickets – all caught by my kids on their hike. Saturday was a rough day for the animal kingdom.
We did all kinds of stuff today, including getting a preview of the Botanical Gardens’ new kid’s section, which is going to be amazing when it fully opens next week. We had a really fun scavenger hunt there.
[Note: in the picture below, you can see Fin’s new sense of fashion – she insists on mix and matching her shoes]
We also walked to a pocket of nearby restaurants to enjoy my fav food – sushi. Also, my best friend delivered a baby today in a VERY high risk delivery. Dominique and her baby girl are both doing great, after a very stressful pregnancy. Thank God. So today was a wonderful day for many reasons. Speaking of pregnancy and babies, little Good #4 is doing well. I started feeling movement early this time, but the first real kick you could feel from the outside of my belly happened 2 weeks ago. We had an ultrasound last week and we brought all the kids (and Jen, our incredible nanny who has become a crucial member of the family). The kids LOVED being involved and seeing the baby on the big screen during the ultrasound.
The ultrasound ended up showing a marginal cord insertion, meaning we’ll have to have another ultrasound and see a perinatologist next month to monitor the baby’s growth (since the cord doesn’t insert in the center of the placenta, there’s a concern that the baby might not get as much blood flow / nutrients, which could cause growth restriction). I’m not too worried about it at this point, but my experience with perinatologists makes me roll my eyes at the thought of having to see one. Always ironic when the fields that could really use people with good bedside manner tend to draw the ice cubes, but whatever.
Anyway, here are some pictures from dinner tonight. We walked a few miles, ate a great dinner, let the kids play in some water, and headed home watching the sunset over the Rocky Mountains. In the interest of transparency and honesty, this is the secret to getting our kids to sit still at a restaurant so Travis and I can pretend like we’re on a date, even if there are 3 very nosey chaperones present;)
Every now and then, Shane would pick his head up and say something funny like “cuse me, I farted.” Cracks me up.
Here’s a beautiful thing: 3 toddlers all finally wearing underwear! No more diapers (for a few months!).
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18 comments
You always know how to make to most of your time off - I don’t know how you don’t just collapse on the sofa (like me!)
Love that you guys got a snake - I had one and it was the best pet I ever had, very low maintenance and fun! Glad you are feeling happier!
well, I for one, know that there is no way I could do what you are doing, you have my total support, whatever direction you guys take(although I can’t help but hope that direction eventually brings you closer to me!)
I wish I could be of more actual support, but I love you guys and pray, and think about you guys a lot.
I am so glad you had a good day off, I know you really needed it, and I am so relieved about Dom and her baby…
You are too cute with your little belly.
I am so glad that Jen has become a part of your family, that is just awesome!!!
It looks like a wonderful day. Glad you have such a valuable mentor. And I just love Fin’s taste in footwear!
Love little Fin’s sense of fashion and her humours, yep, that what happened, when Daddy is in charge, he became one of the kids, your belly is holding Fin perfectly. This coming baby will have all the siblings ’s attention, and entertained.
Sorry I missed commenting on the last post - i read it yesterday and intended to comment later when I had more time (you know how it goes - and yes, i realize i only have one and am not in medicine). I digress. I think of you and your family often and say a prayer everytime. You are really amazing and such an inspiration to everyone! And if you decided that medicine was not the way you wanted to go, you would still be the same person. Hang in there sweetie, God has blessed you with a strength that most can’t compare to. You are an awesome mom, husband and friend. You can do this!! And if you ever need anything - I’m here.
Your last post just about made me cry, so I was glad to read this one.
You are SUPERWOMAN! Seriously, I really admire your dedication, to both medicine and your family. I hope your residency flies by, but if it doesn’t, I hope it at least gets better. What they do to residents is almost criminal, or it should be. Hang in there! We’re all rooting for you!
You look so adorable pregnant!! Im sorry this is such a rough road.. I couldnt do it but I think you are amazing!!
I am envious all three are in undies now! My son is about your daughter’s age and has NO interest in potty-training. I hope things get better for you. I too have three kids, a job, and graduate school, but reading your posts makes me realize that it isn’t that bad compared to your daily routine! I CANNOT imagine going through your residency while pregnant! Best of luck to you!
Laurie, you are AMAZING and have the cutest baby belly ever!!! I hope residency flies and baby Good keeps you company while you’re away from the rest of your family. Hang in there!
I agree with Erin–you are amazing! Hang in there and enjoy every minute of family time you get, you deserve it. Good luck with the juggle–being a working mom is hard enough, tossing in residency, a snake, some frogs, and various insects sounds brutal. And hooray for 3 kiddos in underwear!!
we miss you guys!!!! seriously!!!! hope all is well. the baby belly is amazingly adorable. glad to hear everything went will with your friend’s crazy delivery. we could sure use some hugs from jack/shane/fin. tell the kiddos “hi” from juneau and no-fa.
cutest baby bump ever! just darling. gaawwd, i’m so jealous - you weigh less than me and i’m not pregnant.
loved the pics - those kids crack me up. miss fin is a trip! love the developing fashion sense. glad you had a “real” weekend and you are feeling better. sending you lots of good thoughts. i know cash would be better, but, hey times are tight!
First of all, you look adorable and have the cutest baby belly. Second, you are superwoman. I honestly don’t know how you do it. I know it helps having a great partner and you and Trav are definitely that. You totally R-O-C-K! Glad you guys had a great family day!
Good to see you smiling! I hope you get to have lots more of those days.
Yes, always a great day to see all your kids in undies. I think we have finally achieved that at our house, too. Oh the money we can save!
I have to ask what kind of snake you have? I love snakes and would love to have one, but I know my parents would never visit if we did!
I just want to say that you are one a
amazing woman. Everytime my two little ones drive me crazy, I thought of u and how you do the things that you do. I try very hard to be energize for my kids. You motivate me yo be a better mother. Thank you.
Just catching up with you. Sorry to hear things have been tough. It won’t last forever…even though it probably feels that way.
OMG, you look wonderful! And your family looks sooooo happy. Especially the three little ones. Good luck with everything. Can’t wait to read more.
Hey Laurie–I totally suck but have had some stuff going on lately–anyway, first of all huge congrats on your match, even bigger congrats on the new baby! I can’t imagine how tough it is for you right now but you are a remarkable woman and mom…it sounds like you and Travis have a pretty amazing future once you get through this hard stretch! Thinking of you and sending lots of good thoughts your way…
p.s. I hope you don’t have to see one–but my MFM with Lukas was TOTALLY HOT (great bedside manor too–) so they aren’t all bad!
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