My Fair Laney: 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...