So far a great July

Summer is finally truly here and the weather is beautiful.  We started out this month by celebrating our 10th anniversary (can you believe it?).  On Saturday we slept in a little then headed out to the Farmer's Market where we bought lots of fruits and veggies.  Then we packed up some of our fresh foods, the dogs, and other goods and drove to Muskegon, a beach town about 45 minutes away.  First we took the dogs (Zoey's first time) to the dog park to play in the sand, water, and woodlands.  Then we headed to another park for a picnic before heading to the beach where the water was amazing and the waves were like the ocean.  We spent all afternoon in the sun and and water.  It was beautiful and relaxing.

Yep, i even braved a bikini with my 7 month belly. Unfortunately we forgot the sunscreen in the car and baby Elliott became a little overcooked.

On Sunday we slept in even more and lounged around the house.  For dinner we went to this really nice place called six-one-six in the J.W. Marriott.  The food was amazing, especially the goat cheese cheesecake for dessert!

Back at home we set off our own fireworks in the front yard.  Apparently everyone else had the same idea too because we could hear fireworks until about three in the morning.

Last weekend, my good friend Altaira came up from Chicago to visit.  We had a great time.  It was so nice to hang out with an old girlfriend chatting, catching a movie, shopping, and of course eating! Thanks for coming Alty!

Sunday i dropped Chris off at the airport for a couple of week of training in Arkansas so i went to my OB appt alone today.  I had an ultrasound to check baby's feet (last time she kicked so much we couldn't get a good pic).  She has grown so much.  Her feet are fine, she now has a fuzzy head of hair, and yes, we double checked and she is still a girl :)  Dr. Hicks says i am perfectly healthy.  Appointments will now be every two weeks now that we are closing in on the end.  


since chris is gone i had to take my own 29 week belly pics.  I thought i would go for a new angle.  It is getting so big i can't go anywhere without someone commenting on it.  Typically they think i should be due any day but no... two and a half months to go

Tornados and Closets

This week has yet another busy week in the Elliott house.

I had a busy day/night on call in the surgical ICU, then on Wednesday night we awoke to tornado sirens calling out.  The sky was lit by incredible lightning and the thunder was booming and continuous.  I (having to pee of course) got up and looked out the front window and could not even see across the street due to the wind and rain.  After about an hour it finally calmed down but i definitely needed a nap on Thursday. 

Friday i took SICU overnight call by myself (i usually have a second year resident on with me).  It was very busy but a good experience.  I have learned a lot on this rotation and feel confident to take charge as a second year starting Thursday!!  looking forward to much less weekday overnight call and more challenging surgeries.  Chris has also been busy.  He is now working full time for the National Guard here in Grand Rapids as the executive officer of his unit.  We continue to make it work with just one car which can be challenging but we are saving and hope to add another once baby comes.  

Last night Chris and I drove up the Dr. Schlatter's house (my program director) for a BBQ to welcome the new intern class.  He lives in a big house on the lake and it was beautiful.  Chris even walked down the hill to the lake and went kayaking down the river.  We had a very nice time and it was good to get out and see the other residents outside work. 

Today was full of work.  I have a huge list of things to do to prepare for the baby and get the house ready.  Last weekend we took the metal railing and glass doors off the upstairs bathroom bathtub and i scraped silicon and scrubbed mold and dirt until the bathtub was baby ready.  Today we moved all our clothes around to open up space in the nursery closet.  I have also been getting all the clutter out of the "dressing room" to make it a nursery.  Poor Chris has now been delegated to the guest room so i can keep all my clothes upstairs.

All the while, i continue to grow.  I get tired more easily and have started getting a ton of braxton-hicks contractions, especially when walking the dogs.  Baby girl has also began kicking harder and moving a lot more.  I think she is getting crowded in there.

25wks, 2 days

Today a chugged 16oz of super sweet lemon lime glucola as i sat in conference doing my best not to make a face in order to determine if i have pregnant diabetes (god forbid because then i really would have to stop eating candy).  Despite my recent constant uncomfortableness and inability to eat more than a granola bar before becoming full, i was told i am perfectly healthy at my OB appt.  My blood pressure and pee are perfect.  Even though i was sure my belly had grown 10 inches and my weight had skyrocketed i was told i am the perfect size and really only added 3lbs since my last appointment.  Baby girl is also doing well and proved her health by kicking Dr. Hicks' hand as she listened to the heartbeat. Three and a half months to go.