Isley Family Life: April 2013

I have been sorely neglecting this blog, even though I vowed not to let it die during residency. Whoops.

I have a million things to post about, but I'll make it easy on myself and take a walk down memory lane with a photo post :-)

April 2013. It's hard now, almost, to remember much about this month besides the way it ended. But, it was a good month. For my final rotation of medical school, I was on surgery in a rural hospital and had a really sweet schedule. On the days there were no surgeries scheduled, I didn't have to come in, so I had a lot of random days off. On the days I did come in, I got to be first assist for a bunch of cool surgeries, since I was rotating with everyone who operated there - general surgery, ENT, and Orthopedic surgery - and I usually got off early. It was challenging having morning sickness in the OR, with the hot gowns and masks, blood and guts, and yucky smells. But, overall, I had fun and learned a lot. Aaron was rotating with a local ICU hospitalist, where he got to see some really interesting patients, and shared the hospitalist's sweet schedule of 7 days on, 7 days off. It was a sneak peek into what he hopes will be his schedule in the future, and we loved it.

There are so many thoughts and feelings that swirl remembering April, this last month of carrying my second child, and I'm afraid I haven't the mental or emotional fortitude to say much more right now. Although time and God have continued to work in my heart to give me peace, the loss of Francis Marie is still ever on my heart. This month, I am working in the newborn nursery, and I am filled with love for the precious little people I get to care for, brand new to God's beautiful world. Intermixed with the joy in my work is a sadness for the child I will not hold on this side of eternity. Suffice it to say, though, that I am grateful for April, for the privilege of being Francis Marie's mother, and the short time we had together on earth.

Spring is so beautiful in our area.

Julia walking backward during one of our walks.

Girls' day at the mall with Gee Terri!

My parents treated Aaron and I to tickets to a fundraiser for the local Newman Center. We had a lovely dinner out and a fun evening with my family. Many thanks to Kristin, Andy, and Ollie for giving Julia a lovely evening out, too! :-)

I was home and watched Mary-Claire for Meghan one Thursday while she worked! So nice to be on the giving end of babysitting for once in a blue moon :-)

Storytime with Aunt Meghan. I think Julia was enjoying the book more than Mary-Claire... haha!

We went to a Kids' Expo one weekend. Julia was fascinated by the insects.

Julia completed the healthy eating challenge. I guess the lady awarding certificates didn't notice that Julia spit her radish on the floor.

Julia's expression is priceless. Love it.

Fun butterfly art project!

Julia insisted on trying the Jupiter Jump. The other kids were running around like crazy, and little Julia just gently bounced up and down right by one side where she could see us.

We took Julia to the movie theater for the first time! We saw "Wreck-It Ralph" and we all enjoyed it.

Celebrating our last day of school...EVER! It was so surreal to finally be done. We decided to take another jubilant in the streets photo to celebrate.

We made it! Medical school was quite the journey, but with God's help and the love and support of our family and friends, we finally reached the end! It is so crazy, because in some ways, it doesn't feel like it has been that long since our white coat ceremony. I still can't quite believe our 20 years in school are over.