When I Grow Up...

After being home sweet home since the end of April, I started my 4th year of medical school on Monday.  I am lucky to have had Anna Scott at such a perfect time during school.  I had 3 months off this summer and 4th year is very laid back.  I will have lots of time off, very little call, and plenty of "mommy" time.  The year consists of elective rotations, part 2 boards and residency applications/interviews.  I know it sounds busy, but it's by far the least busy of the 4 years of medical school.  I have been studying for part 2 boards since the 1st of July and will take them next Tuesday, August 2nd.  Please pray for me that day.  These tests are long, hard and painful, and they are kind of a big deal.  :)

I chose UAB radiology as my first 4 week elective.  My first few days have been so fun and interesting.  I love radiology and will be applying for residencies in this specialty, therefore I want to get as much exposure to reading films and doing procedures as I can.  I am looking forward to learning a lot this year.

I graduate from medical school in May 2012 (yes, this coming May!) and will start residency July 1, 2012.  Radiology residency is 5 years long.  I will be applying to (and hopefully interviewing at) the places I would like to do my residency and then waiting until Match Day in March to find out if we will be staying in Birmingham or moving away.  I will move on now, because the "Match Day" subject makes me very anxious.  :)

It was such a blessing to be home with Anna Scott for 2 1/2 months.  Now that school has started back, my mom and sister are able to keep her at our house when I need a babysitter.  My fourth year will consist of mostly half days and a lot of free days, so I will be home a good bit, but it is nice to know that she will be in their hands while I have to be away.  We also have Scott's mom (Mama D), Uncle Alan's mom and my friend Mary-Kathryn who can pick up a few days here and there.  I am so thankful that we have so much help this year.  Once I start residency, Anna Scott will start going to daycare at least a couple of days a week, but until then, she is going to be at home.  So, that is a little update.  :)  I am looking forward to a great 4th year of medical school. 

I titled this post "When I Grow Up" because when I was a little girl, I always wanted to be a mommy (like my mommy) and a doctor (like my daddy).  In fact, the scrapbook page below is proof that these two jobs interested me most...

...and now, within a year (from one May to the next) I will have become both.  No more pretending.  :)  I am so thankful God has led me down this path.  There is nothing else I'd rather be.  Maybe growing up isn't so bad after all!

 Speaking of growing up, here are some snapshots of Anna Scott (from the past few weeks) that have not been apart of other posts...

I wonder what she'll be when she grows up...

Say YES to the Dress!

Now that the proposal has come and gone, we are planning a wedding!  First on the list of things to do:  find the perfect dress for Allison's special day!  My mom, Anna Scott and myself have set out to help the bride-to-be with this all important decision.  

On our first day of shopping, Allison looked absolutely beautiful in all of the bridal gowns, making her decision (and ours) a very tough one.  We had the best time watching her try on gown after gown after gown...

  She was all smiles!  There is just something about slipping into a wedding gown for the very first time.  And, while she was smiling, I started to cry.  I kept thinking, "She is supposed to be the little girl who is scared to fall asleep at night without me beside her... not a young woman about to be married."  

After I had shed a few tears, we were in business.  In fact, I think we have found THE dress...  if so, it's the very first dress she tried on!  We are going to look a little further to make perfectly sure.

While on this page of the wedding planner, we shopped for bridesmaids' dresses as well.  :) 

With so many beautiful styles and colors to choose from, it was impossible to make a decision in just one day.  We have our work cut out for us!  

Anna Scott and I are delighted to share this experience with the best sister and aunt in the world.  Wish us luck!  We just know she'll say YES to the very best dress!!!  We love you Aunt Allison!  :)

Tiny Fingers, Tiny Toes

Anna Scott's newborn pictures were taken when she was 4 weeks old.  My friend Lauren Tuggle of J Lauren Photography did a wonderful job capturing all of her tiny features.  I hear so many moms say how soon they forget, so I wanted to photo every little piece of her.  When I was looking through all of the pictures for the first time, I couldn't help but think of my favorite Kevin Derryberry song, Tiny Fingers, Tiny Toes.    It is such a sweet melody with even sweeter lyrics.  Below are some of my favorites.  I have also included a picture of her birth announcement, created online at Tiny Prints.

Tiny fingers, tiny toes,

What's in store God only knows.  

Our prayer is that you'll be

healthy and love the King.

Tiny fingers, tiny toes,

Little ears and little nose,

We'll see how the story goes from here...

What's Up Doc?!?!

Anna Scott went to visit the doctor today for her 2 month appointment.  Again, her weight is UP!  Her length is UP as well.  :)  She is a growing girl...

She weighs 9 lbs. 14 oz.  This is up from 8 lbs. 2 oz. at her 1 month appointment.  She is holding steady at the 25th percentile for weight.

She is 22 & 3/4 inches long.  This puts her at the 75th percentile for height (up from the 25th percentile at 1 month)

Whew!  We are glad that part is over!  What's next?

Well, if you insist...

Anna Scott loves her doctor and is very comfortable with her.  I have examined many babies, and I must say that she behaves very well during her exam.  It's almost as if she knows she needs to be real still and quiet so that the doctor can hear her heartbeat with the stethoscope and look into her ears with the friendly otoscope.

She even opens wide so that the doctor can see to the very back of her little throat.  :)

Well, that was a piece of cake!  Now what?

Vaccinations are UP next!  Sad day.

  

She got one oral vaccination and two sticks at this appointment.

Now, that was rough!  So glad Daddy came along today.  I needed a finger to hold.

Doctor Visits

1 week

1 month

2 months

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!!!