Angel~

I received one of the best compliments from a patients son today at work. I had an elderly male who was found down at home after he had taken a spill down a small flight of stairs. He had multiple facial fractures & was having an open reduction & internal fixation (in layman's terms repair the fractures). Upon introducing myself to the patient first (as the son was speaking with the surgeon) I told him who I was & that I was going to be his operating room nurse. I asked him his name & date of birth (a legality that we have to abide by to ensure that we have the correct patient) & he answered me correctly. His son looked at me in disbelief & stated that his father has been very confused since his fall & was not aware of his name or DOB. I told the elderly patient that it looked as though he's had a very rough couple of days as he had horrible bruises, lacerations & bandages covering his entire body. He replied with, "This is all part of getting old." I then replied with, "So you're telling me that this is what I have to look forward to?" He laughed, grabbed my hand & squeezed it with strength. I then explained my role in his surgery & told the son that I would notify him once the surgeon had started the procedure. I shook both the patient & his sons hands & told them that it was nice meeting them. As I was walking away I heard the son tell his father, "You have an angel of a nurse watching over you in surgery dad." Hearing those words warmed my heart & put a huge smile on my face. I interact with so many people throughout the week & there are many times that I truly don't feel that I touch peoples lives as I did when I was a floor nurse. These simple words meant more to me than anything I've heard in a long time & it's these simple words that make being a nurse so rewarding!

PBS' 'Level One Trauma' Takes Inside Look at UAMC's Trauma Center | University of Arizona Health Network

I'm anxiously awaiting tonight's viewing of Level One Trauma on PBS! Here's yet another reason why I love being a trauma RN at the University of Arizona Medical Center.





PBS' 'Level One Trauma' Takes Inside Look at UAMC's Trauma Center | University of Arizona Health Network

Charm Bracelet~

I received a new charm today from Sammy (Michael's tummy mommy). We had a visit planned @ 1 today however I was called into work for a vascular surgery. Adam & Michael were able to go ahead & had a great visit. Adam said it was adorable to see Michael playing with his 3 brothers. Here is an updated picture of my charm bracelet, I'm loving Brighton's charms! I'll be working on a second charm bracelet here shortly! Here's the front & the back. Looking at the first photo~ the heart is Michael's birthstone, (the next 4 were given to me from Adam for Christmas) the duck represents the baths that A & I give Mikey, the coffee represents my love for coffee (& need for it since becoming a mom), the palm tree is for two reasons. 1) When I visited Adam for the first time in Tucson I fell in love with the palm trees, & 2) to represent our weddingmoon in The Bahamas. The heart with the little boy (obviously) represents Mikey. The baby carriage was given to me by Sammy, the ring represents A & I being engaged, the love represents A & I falling in love. The rose represents A & my last date in Oregon which was at the Rose Gardens, & the maple leaf represents Oregon. Wow that was a lot!

Baby Hummers~

While doing yard work near Michael's nursery window I came across a little humming bird nest with 2 eggs! We have a birds eye view (LOL, pun intended) from Michael's window.

Mama bird checking on her nest~

Our Attempt for Michael's 7 Month Photos~

I know I'm weeks overdue for taking M's 7 month photos however here's our (failed) attempt. I decided to take them around Michael's bedtime (last night) & knew better, however I just wanted to get it done!

Escaping baby!

Mr. Attitude!

God only knows what he was doing in this photo!

Michael's sexy pose~

New Piece of Furniture~

While at work I received a text from Adam saying that he had purchased a new piece of furniture. I automatically thought to myself, "Great, what ugly thing did he purchase now?" Then I saw the photo and laughed out loud! On another note, Michael is now pulling himself up to stand & is so proud of himself! To top that off he has two bottom teeth that have finally made an appearance! Our little man is growing so quickly, where have the past seven months gone?

Best Day of My Life - American Authors (Diamond Children's/Steele Center...

I am so proud to say that I work at University of Arizona Medical Center where research is forever changing! This video was made at our hospital & is inspiring!

A Few Cute Photos To Share~

I had such a wonderful weekend although I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to spare time to work on my quilt! Saturday Adam had to work, Michael & I went to the fire station to see daddy & the guys. Afterwards we went to Starbucks (for a much needed caffeine fix) & then traveled to grandma & grandpas house. Michael had lots of fun with his grandpa! We both took a little cat nap & then came home late. Sunday Adam, Michael & I went to my best friends new condo as she was cleaning & setting belongings up for her move this upcoming weekend. We then went to Target where Michael sat in the shopping cart for the first time! I was so tickled pink although Adam didn't seem to care as much. I purchased a seat protector for Michael & I was bummed to see that it doesn't fit Targets shopping cart! We purchased a new vacuum (how domesticated am I that I was excited about our purchase). Now to get back into the grind of a new week.

Chillin' with grandpa, waiting for grandma to come home.

Walking with grandpa~

OMG, I'm so in love with this little man! First time in a shopping cart!

I'm disappointed this turned out so blurry!

Will You Be My Valentine?

Michael has an adorable little friend two houses down by the name of Sofina. She & Michael share something very special, being adopted. Sofina was adopted via foster to adopt at a young 6 months of age. They both share a love of all things Elmo & their adoptions were finalized on the same day at the same courthouse! 

Sofina has a glow in her eyes & her smile when she lays eyes on Michael. Valentine's day is tomorrow & Mikey has gotten Sofina a box of sweeheart candies & glittery heart stickers. We're going to place them on her door step late tonight so she'll find them in the morning (rather I'll place them tonight). 

                                                    Happy Valentine's Day to you!

The Park~

Michael was in the worst mood for our entire Sunday. Our sweet little man simply couldn't be pleased with anything which led us to feeling helpless. We gave him extra hugs & kisses & a little Tylenol with a dash of Ibuprofen (at different times). We decided to get out of the house for a walk to the nearby elementary school to play on the playground.

Michael's first time down a slide~

This was the biggest smile we could get out of him all day!

Thank God he decided to take a little nap!

PDX Snow~

Snow has come down in a beautiful white blanket over our home base in Portland, Oregon. Adam & I are both so envious & find ourselves dearly missing home right now. It wasn't often when Portland would receive snow, but when it does it's beautiful! I've collected a couple of photos from friends & family.

I love the tree lined streets with the beautiful lamp posts~

My dear friend Chucks house in Oregon City, OR

My aunt & uncles house in Aurora, OR

Our Cul-De-Saq~

I had originally thought that 2013 was an unlucky year due to the number in nature however I'm beginning to change my thoughts!

Late in January one of our neighbors (directly next door) had an unexpected death, this set of neighbors has always been very quiet & standoffish so I have yet to piece the mystery together (which died). I was awoken to fire & medic sirens blaring down our street bright & early this am & almost had a heart attack when they parked in front of our dear neighbors house (Lee & Shirley). They are in their mid  80's & we have adopted each other as family! I don't want this to come across as wrong, though I was happy to see that it wasn't for Lee & Shirley although it was for Frank (2 houses down). He has a huge cardiac history with multiple heart attacks known. My heart sunk when I realized who it was for as Frank takes care of his elderly wife Joanne (who is legally blind). While I know that this is all part of the aging process, it continues to weigh heavily on my heart. So please, say prayers for our cantankerous Frank.

Nasty Virus Hit Our Casa~

It all started Sunday night with a virus in our home, it hit all three of us & it hit us hard! Adam had body aches, chills, hot flashes & fevers around 102. I had uncontrollable nausea & Michael had diarrhea & projectile vomiting.

I set up a bed of couch cushions (on the floor) next to Michael's crib & stayed on "mommy" watch. I'm happy to report that we're all on the mend & feeling much better!

Michael & I napping on the living room floor~

My little humble bed next to Michael's crib. If you look closely you can see Otto's eyes (glowing) on our bed in the master bedroom.

IVF Labs!!!

I'm (SUPER) happy to report that my baseline labs for our IVF cycle came back normal!

Since we've had such difficulties conceiving I suppose that I went into a mind frame thinking that my labs would more than likely come back with issues.

Will keep you posted!