Momma Doc

. . . and my little doc. :-)
So, I've been working full-steam now as a new mom. Working over-full-time. How has it been? Well, thanks for asking.

Overall, it has been going well, and life is good. I really do enjoy my work: enjoy taking care of patients, enjoy the intellectual challenge of the medical field, and the push to always keep learning and passing that onto others--patients and other residents / medical students. I feel very blessed to have such a unique profession where I can significantly impact many people and receive personal satisfaction.

The hours. That's the kicker. I am not a big fan of working 70-80+ hours per week. I don't like having only 4 days off per month. That's really the hardest part. I guess that's a big DUH. You know, because of my hours, I had been really worried about missing out on Levi's growth and development in such a fun, exciting time where so much happens. The worry is not completely gone, but it is not as bad as I thought it'd be. I am not missing out on as much as I thought I would. Yeah, it stinks to not come home some nights until after Levi goes to bed. It's sad that I'm lucky to nurse him just once per day (dinner time) (yeah, I'm still pumping/breast feeding). And, I am sad to miss out on just hanging out with him during the day, experience life together, and enjoy his babbling, laughs, and sitting "happy dance" when he gets excited.

Despite all that I could be sad about (and am sometimes hit with), life as a Momma Doc is good. I really treasure our time together. Levi definitely recognizes me and knows me as his Mama. When I come home from work, or when Dustin brings Levi to visit me at work, he recognizes me and expresses an excitement in seeing me that he doesn't do for anyone else. It warms my heart so. I have been able to spend good, quality time when we are together. Thanks to Dustin (and Brittany!), he keeps me in the loop so that I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything, and I am able to have an active role in "directing" his care. Really, Dustin is just an incredible husband, and he is the reason I give when people ask me, "How do I do it?" I am humbled by how much he serves our family in taking care of Levi when I'm not around and keeping our household from falling apart. I praise God for him. I also praise God how he continues to grow our marriage, and how things are better now than they have ever been.

All in all, I am happy about being a working mom. I get the best of everything. Sure, I have little-to-no down-time for "myself", but it's OK. I look forward to the day when I can control my schedule and eventually work part-time (how amazing that will be!). Meanwhile, I am trying to practice "contentment in all things". As Paul continues to say in Phillipians 4, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" -- even finish medical training while being a wife and mother.

Just some fun pics of Levi sportin' his scrubs, like his Mama:


Here's me passed out, post call from one of my 30 hour shifts. Dustin came home early from work and put Levi in bed with me for his afternoon nap. We had a nice 2+ hour nap together! :-)

November pics

Just chilin':

Happy, 6 month-old Birthday, Levi! (when the below picture was taken--November 16th, 2008)Six months really is a significant milestone. It is just about this time that Levi started sitting up well, unsupported. On one hand, it is exciting to watch Levi grow, experience the world, and reach new milestones. On the other hand, it is bittersweet to know my little baby boy is no longer a little infant. It's weird to see all these other new babies being born and babies *younger* than Levi!

It was the beginning of November, just prior to 6 months, when Levi first started rolling from his back to his belly. Below are a series of fun pictures that Brittany, his sitter, took of Levi, capturing one of these first moments. I was so thankful for her sharing this with me! Below is Levi battling Ruthie for her book.

He see's what he wants . . .

Here he goes . . .

Can't quite reach the book . . .

He did it!! (Levi is saying, "Ruthie, no, it's mine!!")

A week or so later, I tried to capture my own step-by step roll at home:

Apparently, books are a great motivator!

Proud Mama with her big boy!

Dressed for the cold, and holding his favorite ball.

Our sweet friend, Mandy Marshall, made this sweet hat for Levi--an early Christmas present. It will be treasured in our family for years! It is the cutest Santa hat I have ever seen. :-)

Some more random shots as the month progressed:

He's still a skinny boy, but loves to eat!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

My mother-in-law was so sweet to come in to town for Thanksgiving and did most of the cooking for us. I had to work the majority of Thanksgiving Day (I actually got off work a lot earlier than I thought I would--like at 1:30pm), so Nana came in town and helped make the yummy, southern Thanksgiving dinner for her boy. :-)

D very happy and excited about the spread: roasted turkey, corn pudding, sweet potato casserole, stuffing (my contribution), macaroni and cheese, cranberries, green beans, and, of course, corn bread. Oh, don't forget dessert: chocolate pie, pumpkin pie, and fudge. Needless to say, we didn't have to cook for a long time after this meal. :-)

Levi's Thanksgiving Eating Experiences:

This boy cries whenever the food stops coming. Sometimes I can't shovel it in fast enough! He wants more sweet potato here . . . :-)

First vanilla wafer! It was a winner . . .

. . and bread!
Nana loving on her grandson.

Aunt Carol also came to visit the weekend after Thanksgiving.

Levi LOVES his "Johnny Jumper"--he goes crazy bouncing in these things. I tell ya, this boy has some serious leg muscles. :-)

Levi sportin' his Alabama PJs after Alabama's win over Auburn. Roll Tide!

I love this little coat for Levi and his adorable moccasins.

Sweet Fellowship

There's something to be said about good friends in which you can connect in so many different ways and areas in life. Sharing our fellowship in Christ makes the friendship that much sweeter.

Here we all are: David and Hadyn Boyte, and their boys, Xiabe and Salem, who all came to visit from Cary, NC. They are Levi's Godparents, and this visit was in celebration of his recent baptism. We are thankful for their friendship and encouragement. We only wish they lived closer!!
*Disclaimer: I stole some of these pictures from Hadyn's Facebook page--thanks, girl!*

Left to right: Salem, Levi, and Xiabe.

They were all looking at the camera on this one! Below, however, are a couple photos leading up to this moment of "perfection." I found it pretty fun. So, this is the rowdiness of boys I have to look forward to?

Salem teaching Levi a thing or two about life as an up-n-coming toddler.

What a cutie! :-)

Xiabe is such a charmer!

Thanks for the great pictures of Levi, Hadyn!

Levi and his Godfather having a bonding moment.

We also had some fun with the Wii. Here's some DDR and Rock Band action.

The boys jammin'

Levi getting some solo time in. :-)

The Boytes got Dustin and I addicted to Settler's of Catan and also introduced us to Knights and Cities. Here's a photo of a game we never finished . . . (something about little kids around?) . . . just in case we want to recreate it later . . .

Levi with his dear Godparents.

We look forward to when we can see them again!