How to say “I Love you”

I’ve learned something in the last two years that has been the most valuable lesson I have ever learned. I learned how to say “I love you”. I mentioned before about Hubby and I reading some books on relationships and trying to find ways to better our marriage and our friendship, but the most important thing has been communication.

Saying “I love you” isnt just about words, its about everything. Ive learned that you need to choose love for every moment in your day in order to truly say “I love you”. In everything I do, I try to make sure that I am thinking about how it will affect my spouse and I try to really think hard before I allow myself to get drawn into drama.

I think that saying “I love you” is specific to each person, everyone has their own way of being told and interpreting it. While choosing love isnt always the easiest thing, it is definitly the most rewarding!

How do you say “I love you”?

On the good ship Lollypop

The majority of my early childhood memories start when I am about 4 or 5 years old and I am sick with the Chicken pox. This is a huge memory because I was allowed to stay in my parents bedroom, eat popsickles in bed, and watch an endless amount of Shirley Temple videos (and I think they were all Betas).

Still to this day I can close my eyes and picture that cute little girl with ringlets tapping away and singing. I can still remember the joy I felt at watching those old black and white movies.

My Shirley Temple memories dont stop there. If I fast forward about 6 years I can remember getting to visit my grandpa in California one summer and him renting the new “in color” versions for me to watch. Then if I go even further forward into my history I can remember being 15 and having a sleepover with some girlfriends and spending the entire weekend watching the “new digitally remastered” versions.

A couple weeks ago while on a trip to California we visited Grauman’s Chinese theater and were able to see a ton of the stars hand and foot prints. I was thrilled to see Shirley Temples prints there and had to take the opportunity to pose with them.

What movie brings back childhood memories for you?

My husband is a baby magnet

I have heard of men who are total baby magnets, but never have I witnessed such evidence in person. There is just something about him that babies love, I cant put my finger on what it is exactly but they are drawn to him. Here I am trying to get a little bit of a baby fix and my adorable little Nephew is reaching out for my hubby.

It was beautiful.

Above picture shows the happy baby J playing actively with my Hubby, Tia M watches over the two and is laughing at the game they are playing.

8 months is really the perfect age. The kiddos are playful and somewhat mobile but still allow you to hold them. They are easily pleased and easily entertained. We all laughed at the table as little J was kept happy for about an hour playing with a paper plate and using it as a steering wheel.

So much fun!

Normal pediatrics versus ADD/ADHD

During peds clinical we touched on the health issues in kiddos, I was a little disapointed that we did not get a chance to cover the mental issues as well. I feel that this would have been an important concept to atleast touch on because of the alarming rates of diagnosis of ADD/ADHD.

In defense of my educator we did cover Autism briefly but stayed away from the ADD/ADHD/ODD disorders.

I was recently asked if I thought one of my nephews was Autistic, or if he has ADD. I was a little shocked that anyone would even think to diagnose a two year old with ADD, so I took some time to think about it. On the Autism front, I am pretty confident that my nephew isnt autistic, he is a very active child and is excitable but doesnt carry any of the characteristics of an “Autistic” personality. He is still preverbale at age two, but he makes attempts to speak and does talk in his own language, that being said he does interact with everyone. He doesnt have any of the rocking or repetative motions that are also characteristic of autism.

Now I realize that it is still posible, and with the spectrum of Autism being so vast that he might actually have a form of Autism. I guess that I am just one of those types of people who doesnt like to even think of jumping to a diagnosis, he is still so young and is meeting his developmental milestones appropriately so there doesnt seem to be any impending rush to get a diagnosis.

It just seems that everyone wants an answer for an unruly and active child, people cant just blame the terrible twos or horrible threes anymore.

With all that being said, he is a beautiful and entertaining little man. His laughter is so infectious and we had a blast chasing him around the house and playing “peek-a-boo”.

Days away from the posting of grades

And I thought I should post about the most valuable thing that I learned this term. I learned that Children are extremely resilient. I also learned that a healthy child can bottom out in seconds, and a sick child will still smile at you even if they are incredibly ill.

Women in Labor can be the nicest people in the world, and the smallest gestures go a huge distance with this population.

I learned that all new fathers need praise, and reassurance that their babies wont get hurt from just being held.

I was told by my clinical instructor that she thinks I am a perfect fit for L&D. She said that I just have the personality for it. I was amazed. I love L&D.

What a great term, I almost wish it wasnt over. Almost.

Oh and the picture of the crabs…well it was just a picture from last summer that I found randomly!

Wordless Wednesday

We found the Pupusa truck!!

Lunch time!!

Harley Bug….

Me and my Baby girl in 2007

Harley is my sweet girl. She is incredibly shy but will give the softest and most gentle kisses of any dog you will ever meet. She is so cute at the Dog park and likes to follow me around like a little duckling.

The other day she was snuggling with me in bed and “forcing” me to pet her, when she suddenly jumped up and ran towards the kitchen. I followed her, of course. Then I see what the sudden need for a stroll was….a small piece of chicken had hit the ground! Talk about having some ears!

When you wish upon a star….

While roadtripping I saw the most amazing shooting star. Actually its my first one that I can remeber seeing.

Of course I made a wish, maybe two!

But it made me think, what wpuld you wish for?

I cant tell you my wish because I really want it to come true!

And the trip begins!!

Leaving home! Gas tank full, car packed, full bellies, and so excited!!

Winter in Western Washington

Space Needle Christmas tree

There are so many beautiful things about Washington state, I find myself wavering back and forth between this complete and total love for it and being discontent with the horrible weather.

The other day was the exception to the latter. It was the most perfect Fall/Winter day that I have ever seen. The sky was lit up with the most vibrant pinks and purples, and the Space Needle was decorated and looking particularly radiant.

Airbrushed by God

I dont think there is any way to look at a sky this gorgeous and not feel the presence of a higher power. It was perfect.

Hubby and I went searching for a good Donut place, and if you live in Washington then you know that we have almost no Donut shops! Unless you like CRAPPY CREMES! After some research, we found this highly rated Donut place on Queen Anne Hill called Top Pot.

Handmade donuts....YUM!!

Not only did they have 5 star donuts and a great atmosphere, but they also made some delicious coffee!!

It was heart shaped until I moved it.

It was a wonderful day in Washington and not a drop of rain! We finished the night off with a light dusting of snow!

I love WINTER!

Zoo fun

The friendly Squirrel

I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas....

Cute little hefalump!

Monkey see...Monkey do!

Three Amigos!

Even the Blue Herron thought it was a good day to visit the Zoo

Cute couple snuggling....cuz it was FREAKING cold!

A perfect day at the Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle WA

What better way to celebrate the holiday then by going to the zoo!

Off to the zoo we go!!

I wanna see the monkeys!! Pictures to follow!

Bitchy

Last day of peds clinicals

And I rocked my peds rotation!

Im so relieved that it is over. But yesterday we did a teaching plan for the kindergarten class on handwashing and it was so much fun that it makes me think I will miss this clinical more than any of the others.

Next quarter I am back in Med Surg and I am kinda excited. Mostly I am just shocked that I only have one more clinical in Winter and the Mentorship!

So excited!! Cant believe how close I am to the finish line!

And then after that its time to move. Another big adventure!

What is a blossom ass?

Family Photo

Thanksgiving was wonderful, as I have mentioned. The greatest part was getting to spend some quality time with the family. We took over 500 pictures and were able to get some fun group pics thanks to a new tripod. Im looking for some good editing software, if anyone has some suggestions.

But here is a perfect picture of my wonderful Husband, the Abuelitos, and me!

Usually holidays at home are pretty tame, I was so excited that we had family coming in and out all day long and well into the evening. The laughter and chatter filled every room of the house and was fantastic.

Bucket list

One of the blogs I read mentioned this recently. I had never really thought of composing a bucket until now.

So here goes:

1) go to Paris

2) have children

3) get my BSN

4) Deliver a baby

5) visit Nepal

6) learn to speak Spanish

7) find my faith
walk the breast cancer 3 day

9) buy a home

10) donate hair to locks of love

11) teach a womans health seminar in El Salvador

12) volunteer for Drs without borders

Im sure that there are tons more that I can add. What are your “bucket list” items?

Christmas is in the air

I love when I can drive in the car and stations are playing Christmas music. There is just something soothing about it.

Jingle bells, santa baby, o holy night…. They all bring smiles to my face.

My final exam is over. Life is good! Only two clinicals left and then I have finished fall quarter!! Yipppeee!!

Finals day

Today at 0900 I take my 4th term finals. Its crazy to think about where I was this time last year.

I remember panicing about learning to do assessments and thinking that it was impossible to learn everything, and now I can do an assessment pretty thoroughly without needing assistance. I even have some days where I feel like I can do this, not like last year where I was totally stressing that this was an impossible journey.

This quarter has taught me more about patience than I would have imagined. The goal is in sight, only two terms left and Im done.

12 days until the cruise.

Funny….

Tia: Tomorrow is black friday

Abuelita: What Black guy is coming on Friday?

Tia: NO! (Snicker, hehehehe) BLACK FRIDAY, the shopping day.

Abuelita: Oh….

(We all couldnt stop laughing!)

Black Friday

For the first time since I can remember, I did not go shopping for black friday. I am an avid sale shopper, and this is like my holiday! However this year I decided to stay in and visit with some of my inlaws. What a wonderful day it turned out to be!

I am proud to announce that I got my Christmas cards out on time! They were addressed, stamped and mailed on the day after Thanksgiving! Whew, what a load that was! We sent over a hundred Christmas cards to places all over the world!

Today we are heading over to a cousins house for lunch and then back to visit with the Abuelitos.

My finals are next week, so I figure I will begin stressing in approx 3 seconds.

Were there any amazing deals/steals out there? What did I miss?

Happiness

5pm…..

We’ve all napped and are now about to eat dinner with the Madrinas. Seriously wish I could remember how long it takes to digest food, guess I didnt pay enough attention in nutrition!

Dinner with the neices, nephews, cousins and madrinas! Yummy and so much fun!

In other news, Ive managed to dodge the baby question the entire day! Not one person has asked us about when we are going to have kids! Not one!! What a great day!

Now to celebrate….Margaritas!!

Yum