Movin on Up!

Hi all- BIG news!!! Emily and I have a house! Friday morning I signed the lease on our two-bedroom dream home on William Street in Champaign. Here it is:
So cute! And all updated on the inside, and lovely, and we are moving in this summer! Can't wait!!!
Work is...the same. Been working about the normal amount, nothing too crazy happening (that is, except for a patient that I had who was crazy-borderline personality disorder, and another who, because of a stroke three years ago was a little slow and deaf, requiring me to repeat everything eighteen times and shout). Thursday was a slow day until the last hour when a patient MASSIVELY hemorrhaged, an antepartum thought her water broke, and a night nurse didn't show up. Then we had a staff meeting, and it was 9:30 before I got home. That was a LONG day.
Friday I drove to Chicago and spent a delightful weekend in the city with Bethany and my friends. It was nice to get away for a bit, and also quite possibly the last opportunity in a long time. I found out last week that I am officially going to the night shift as of May 23rd. Not cool.
While in the city Bethany and I went to see this movie. It was a fabulous display of the amazing world we live in, and you should all go see it!
Also just finished this book, which was really great, but the "clock" is ticking a bit loud in my ear/uterus at the moment!
And lastly, a sneak peak at the inside of the house:
Look at all that cabinet space! And a DISHWASHER!!! YAY!!!

Bringin in the Chips...(or something more clever)

Well, for the last pay period (which I got paid for yesterday) I worked something crazy like 90 hours ( I normally work 72 per two weeks)!!! It included two on call days where I actually got called in, three weekend days, and being team leader for part of one of those days. This all added up to LOTS of mulah! $$$$ people!!! I'm trying to remember that I'm still paying off student loans. I was super super tired and cranky after all this work and desperately needed my two days off at the beginning of this week. Then I worked yesterday, worked on-call today until I begged them to let me leave at 4:30 after I discharged 3 of my four patients. And then I work tomorrow, but then I have the weekend to not be at work! Basically I've been in the nursery 2 out of the 3 days a week that I work, and I really love that. I will admit that 3/3 days or even 2 in a row can be a little much. I do prefer it over the postpartum ladies, only because I can be more in control in the nursery. (Not much a newborn can do to de-rail my well-planned out day). I had an antepartum today, and I like them a lot too--their days are very scheduled. Ok, fine, I'm a control-freak, type A...Good thing I'm a nurse!

And my new obsession: looks like a chip, crunches like a chip, secretly HEALTHY! (Delicious!!!)

Back with the Babies

Seattle was...FABULOUS. I think I am still processing, because I don't really know where to begin. On my flight out I ws seated by my soulmate, love-of-my-life, future husband, Ryan. It was refreshing (and exciting) to know that you can still have connections with random strangers, and it made my four hour flight go much quicker than it would have otherwise. We didn't exchange info, but that's ok, because since it's fate, we'll meet again! Wendy picked me up and we went out for dinner with her hubbie Anil. Saturday, we went to the Chateau Ste. Michelle winery and did some tasting. That night after dinner, we sat on a pier and enjoyed the beautiful water and weather. Sunday we got up early and went down to the market for breakfast and shopping, got some tattoos, and ate some delicious dinner. Monday, we took a random trip to Canada! We went to the Capilano Suspension Bridge north of Vancouver, in the rain, but it was a pretty good time! And then we went to some good outlet malls on the way home. Tuesday we got up early to drive me back to the airport, and I'm getting emotional just thinking about it now. I just had such a wonderful time, and I really think a move to Seattle is in my future!
Since being back, it's been a lot of baby time. I was in the nursery all 3 days last week! I guess that's a good thing, I think I'm in my zone there. Friday, I had three nursing students to help me. When they were getting ready to leave, one pulled me aside and said "I just wanted to tell you that we have to do these clinical journals, and I write about you in mine all the time. You are just such a joy to work with, and you teach us things, and you actually treat us like human beings, and I just really appreciate that" Then another one piped up and said "Yeah, I write about you too, and how working with you has been my best clinical experience to date!" It was just a really nice compliment.
I was lucky to get Easter Sunday off, so I got to spend some time in the beautiful weather with the fam.
This week we have had a really low census, and only 3-4 patients a piece. Monday we had only 6 patients and 2 nurses! It's so exciting when you can really get to know your patients! I was Team Leader again on Monday afternoon, but it was a piece of cake since we only had a few patients. I'm on call all day tomorrow, part of Friday, and work all weekend, so it's a lot of work (and $) for the next few days!