Update

Updating this blog has been the last thing on my 'to do' list since school began but I better play catch up before the entire winter passes me by.


We've made some big changes in the childcare department.  Because my hours are early and sometimes long and because Jason will be traveling a bit over the next few months, we decided that the best option for this year was to have my mom move to NJ while I finish school to help take care of Olivia and Clark while I'm in clinical/work/school.  I'm gone at least 3 days/week and if I'm working that particular week, then I'm gone 4 days/week.  My mom has settled into her role nicely and the kids have adjusted easily.  They have spent these cold winter days doing crafts, making play dough, cooking, etc.  We also splurged and bought a moon bounce that fits nicely in our guest room so that when the kids need to burn some energy, they can just bounce their hearts out.  Jason and my mom have been so incredibly supportive while I finish this demanding last year and I cannot thank them enough.

I started the semester by taking an interprofessional class on the topic of pain.  The class met for a total of 5, 8-9 hr days.  The class consisted of nursing, dental and medical students.  I learned a lot and it was fun to get to know the other students- also knocking out an entire elective in 5 days was an extra bonus.  Almost simultaneously, I began my first clinical rotation in Delaware at a Neuro ICU.  I absolutely love it.  The patients are sick, sick, sick and super interesting.  It's a Level I trauma center that serves a huge geographical area so basically, anything that is semi-complex goes to that hospital.  My NP preceptor is a wealth of knowledge and of course so are the neuro-critical care attending physicians.  They are all great teachers and I've learned so much in the 3 weeks that I've been there.  Because this rotation is an hour away-- I wake up at 4am to get there by 5:45.  I usually leave the hospital around 5-5:30.  The day just flies by and I don't even feel tired until I get home and unwind a bit.

Because Clark and Olivia spend several days/week at home, the days that I am home we run errands, go to the museum, aquarium, library or park.  I've noticed that these two are growing closer as a result of being together all of the time.  Olivia is assuming the role of big sister pretty naturally and is protective and motherly to her little brother.  I enjoy watching their relationship develop.

Isabella is doing well in school and in piano.  She decided to sign up to play the piano for her school's variety show in March.  She's heading to California on Saturday with Jason to spend some much needed time with Grandma and Grandpa, aunts, uncles and cousins- she can hardly wait.

I feel that if we (I) can make it through until the end of April that we're almost home free when it comes to this NP program.  Starting in May I will only have one clinical rotation left which ends at the beginning of August.  Then, I will spend most of September studying for my board exam and job hunting.  I'm excited and am looking forward to what the rest of the year holds.  I couldn't do this without an incredibly loving and supportive family.