The Bailly's 2012: To Do List

1. Expand our family- We found out June 11th, our 7th wedding anniversary, that I was pregnant.  Best anniversary present ever!  Our little man will be joining us February 9th, 2013.  Although, I'm okay if he comes a week early.

2. Run a race together- In May, we ran the Cape Cod Ragnar Relay and our team placed 13th overall and 1st in our division.  Such an awesome race.  

3. Explore New England-Took in the Boston sites, watched the Red Sox and Celtics play, wake surfed at Lake Winnipesaukee, NH, visited Newport, RI, and visited Gina’s sister in New York City. 

4. Enjoy hosting family and friends-Thanks to all those who were in the Boston area for vacation, work conferences, the Boston Marathon, Ragnar Relay ringers, or those just passing through (Keith, Beth and Randall Bailly, Alex Quistberg, Jimmy Beck, Nicole and Justin Nelson, Jen Huang, Jennie Champion, Angela Zimmerman, Jeff Ambos, Erica and Steve Middleton, Sam Skidmore, Amy McCammond and Larry Tryon).  There are still a few we are waiting for…. you know who you are. 

5. Take vacation-Traveled back to Loma Linda, California to see old friends and attend Vince Cacho’s wedding and then spent time in Arizona with the Bailly Family including a mini-reunion at Bison Ranch.  

6. Watch the Boston Marathon…front row-We live literally a block from the course and enjoyed front row seats. 

7. Take boards-Gina passed her nursing boards, David took his Cardiology boards and is awaiting the results… 

8. Get jobs-Gina is working at a pediatric rehabilitation hospital in the pulmonary unit and David is interviewing for Pediatric Cardiac ICU jobs in Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. 

9. Perform a wedding -Mike Hainstock and David trained together for 4 years in both Oregon and Boston. In July, David preformed Mike’s wedding to Lisa Tortorice on the Hainstock family farm in Iowa.  It was a first for all three of them! 

10. Never give up- serving, recognizing our blessings, running, working hard and spending time with friends and family. 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!    Love, The Bailly’s 

34 weeks

Merry Christmas!

Our first Christmas miracle was being able to switch my shift the Saturday before Christmas so that David and I could both be home Christmas morning.  Even though we both worked the afternoon/night of Christmas, we had the morning to enjoy.  David worked Christmas Eve so when he came home Christmas morning, we were able to eat breakfast, read Luke II, open presents and even play a couple rounds of one of our new games: Guillotine, before David headed to bed to catch a little sleep for his shift later that night. It was a wonderful Christmas morning and I enjoyed spending it with just the two of us. It even snowed just a little bit, enough to make me excited.

My favorite presents were two books that my parents put together containing pictures of my grandparents and their families growing up.  I will treasure them forever and can't wait to show them to my own children since my grandparents are no longer alive.    

Before opening gifts, in front of our very own Charlie Brown Christmas tree.  It was perfect for our little apartment.

Don't worry, he doesn't really get this excited about chocolates.

Outside our apartment as the snow was starting to fall.

MSICU Holiday Party

We went to our first work "Holiday" party.  I can't really call it a Christmas party because there was no indication of Christmas at all besides maybe the Christmas wrapped candies.  The MSICU rented out Lucca's in Back Bay for the evening.  There was food and dancing.  I have not danced in a long time and dancing as a pregnant lady is a whole new adventure.  I realized, I can't get down low like I used to.  A song came on that had us twist down low to the ground.  Imagine everyone down low to the ground and me twisting about 1 foot above everyone else.  Talk about embarrassing.  At least it's obvious that I'm pregnant!

David's co-fellows: Ryan, Dan, Enid, Peggy, Lisa and a Charge Nurse

David's co-fellows: Ryan, Enid, Peggy and Lisa

Then the following weekend we had another Christmas party at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum for the Anesthesia Department. During the party we found out some sad news about a patient of David's, so we stopped by the hospital and ran into Peggy. We love her! She is one of David's co-fellows.

Remember

Artist: David Bowman

After the tragedy in Connecticut on Friday, I saw this picture on another person's blog and it reminded me of the warm reunion that each of those children and adults faced as they were reunited with our Savior. Each of those children have been granted exaltation.  I also can't help but feel that the actual gunman may have received a loving embrace from our Savior who understands more than we do what actually occurred that day and what struggles this young man faced.  My heart goes out to all those that are trying to cope and find some peace at a time when there is such great loss and confusion.  I'm sure most questions may never be answered, especially not in this lifetime, but if we allow this experience to remind us of our Savior and the power of His atonement to heal.  If we will remember, we can have the strength we need to move forward, not afraid, but trusting that our Father in Heaven is in control and will not leave us alone, He will come to us.

Week 32

Week 31

On my way to work at 31 weeks.  Looks like it's time to buy new scrubs.  I'm busting out!

Week 30- Only 10 weeks to go!

I am definitely getting pregnant and am starting to bust out of my work scrubs :).  But, I am getting more and more excited to meet our little guy.  This past week at work I had the opportunity to care for a nine month old patient.  I often take care of babies, but being pregnant has made caring for babies a whole new experience.  When I hold them, feed them, etc, all I can think about is when I get to hold my own little one.  This particular patient has a mom, but her parenting skills are minimal at best.  I have tried to give her the benefit of the doubt over the past several months that he's been at the hospital, but her desire to "love" her baby hasn't seemed to improve much.  It always shocks me when she passes up the opportunity to hold him or or feed him, which happens multiple times of day.  So, when she went home for the weekend, I made sure to snuggle that little man every chance I got.  I hope when he eventually goes home, that he is loved and well taken care of. I am grateful for the many parents who I see at the hospital and outside of the hospital that sacrifice so much for their children, that would do whatever they can for them.  Working at the hospital in pediatrics has definitely opened my eyes to the different parenting styles or lack of parenting.  And, sometimes it just comes down to teaching a young parent how to care for their infant and be comfortable with a baby that is more complex than they had originally imagined.  It also might just be helping a new mom know that lack of sleep is part of the transition to motherhood, but that her baby still needs her when she is tired. 

29 Weeks

28 Weeks

I skipped week 27, but here's week 28.  Only 12 more weeks to go and into my third trimester!

First Letter to Dad

David took his pediatric cardiology boards last week, so as a good luck token, Porter and I both wrote him little notes and Porter gave him a packet of smarties.  Hopefully our little notes helped him pass.  We'll find out in about 3 months, probably right around when Porter is born. 

Note says: Good luck Dad!  You will do grate.  Luv Porter.  P.S.  Smarties will help you remember.

Boston Bucket List

When David and I moved to Boston, we created a bucket list of things to do while we lived here.  We have slowly been checking off items and this past weekend we were able to knock a few more things off our list. 

Friday we went with friends to Harvard's Museum of Natural History.  It was actually better than I had anticipated and now I want to go back for a more in depth look.

I love Alpacas and David, so it was only fitting to get a picture of them together.

On Saturday we headed out with these same friends and their kids to John Adams' National Historic Park to explore his birthplace, his home(s) and his grave.  After the tour I was impressed by the character of this man.  He did not strive for political office, he felt it was more a duty and responsibility and would have much rather spent time on his farm with his family.  Yet, he sacrificed much for our nation so we could enjoy our freedoms and liberties today.

Birth home of John Adams, Quincy, MA.

John Adams' Home: "Peace Field"

John Adams' Home Library at "Peace Field".  David was drooling over this room.  Someday hopefully David can have an awesome library of his own too.  Maybe not a completely separate building, but at least a room in the house.

Our cute friends the Anderson Family. 

 

Have a blessed day!

Who would ever think that someone would take this phrase to be offensive. David found this article in Dear Abby where a reader did. Shocking, but true. It appears some people are just looking for ways to be offended.

Hunting and Testing

This coming week David takes his Pediatric Cardiology Boards.  He has been studying his brains out and in just a few days it will all  be over.  Wednesday, November 7th is the big day.  I can't wait for him to have a chance to relax a bit until next time....when he does it all over again with Critical Care Boards. 

Amidst all his studying, he has also been getting his cover letter and CV ready for the job hunt.  And, has even applied for a few jobs.  As of now he has applied in Chicago, Salt Lake, Philadelphia, Toronto, Denver, and has put his feelers out here in Boston as well.  Chicago, Salt Lake, and Philadelphia have offered him interviews, Toronto is petitioning the Ministry for a position and will keep in touch with him, Denver is currently not hiring but something could change early next year and Boston is definitely interested in him.  It's really exciting to think of our options and to be at this stage of his training to see the end so near.  He has worked so incredibly hard over these past several years, 11+ to be exact, and has developed himself into such a talented and devoted physician that whatever hospital hires him will be so lucky to have him.  I am extremely proud of him and his accomplishments and often wonder how I got so lucky to marry such special, unique individual. 

As soon as we know where we'll be going, we'll let everyone know.

Flash Back Vacation

Wow.  Time flies.

The second week of October we flew to California to attend the wedding of Vince Cacho and Kristin Vaughn.  Vince was like our adopted family member during residency.  We had him over all the time for dinner and sometimes he even just crashed on our couch.  When we moved to Portland, he visited us and during one visit brought along his girlfriend Kristin.  Who knew that a couple years later we would get to attend their wedding.  The wedding was a blast, and we got to see so many friends from our Loma Linda days.  During our trip, we also got to just visit old friends from the area that we have not seen in years.  It was great to see everyone, but I'll admit it, I do not miss that part of California.  Unfortunately I didn't take one other single picture from our trip.  Can you believe it?  I'm so sad that we didn't get pictures with all our friends, but for my own memory these are the friends we visited:
Stephan and Amanda Goldsmith
Gayle Land
Jackie and Brandon Hill
Rachel and Justin Tucker
Jeff and Shana Ambos
Chad and Amy Vercio
Merrick Lopez

The Happy Couple: Kristin and Vince Cacho

Amy and Chad Vercio w/ us during the reception.

After a couple of days in California, we flew to Arizona to see the Bailly family.  David has been back a few times to visit without me, but I think it's been a few years since I have been back.  It was great to get to see everyone.  While we were there David and I planned a family reunion at Bison Ranch.  We invited all that could come to take the trip up there.  We just hung out, fished, ate and enjoyed each other.  I was so grateful that the kids had fall break that week so many of the family was able to come. 
After a few days at Bison Ranch we headed back to Mesa.  My mother in law and sisters in law threw me a family baby shower and it was so fun.  I literally felt like a queen for the evening.  Kandy let me borrow her tiara and a pin that said, "Queen Mother".  Many of the aunts/uncles and grandparents stopped in for the shower and it was so special to get to see them all.  Now with all this baby stuff in the house, it's making things a lot more real.  I love seeing the little outfits hanging in the closet.  I can't wait until our little man is here to actually wear those outfits.

All the Bailly Boys: Clint, Randall, Matt and David

Matt, Clint, me and Randall

Matt, Randall, Keith and David

Kandy handing over her tiara and "Queen Mother" pin for me to wear during the baby shower.

Me, David, Grandpa Tryon, Beth and Madeline

The Bailly Family at Bison Ranch (minus several people)

25 and 26 weeks

25 Weeks

26 Weeks

24 weeks

23 Weeks

22 weeks

Will I get twice this big?

21 weeks and a surprise...

For hitting 20 weeks pregnant, David and I celebrated with Indian food at a restaurant around the corner we have been eyeing. It was fabulous!

Also, David found out that he was nominated and then selected from among fellows in all departments at the Children's Hospital as a Farley Fellowship Award Recipient. There were only a few fellows selected for their academic and clinical excellence. It is a huge honor and he was extremely surprised. When he came home from work with a bag from Tiffany's, I thought for sure he had gotten me some fancy jewelry. Unfortunately there was no jewelry for me, but I was thrilled to hear of his award. He is such a hardworker and an incredible physician, so I am not surprised one bit that he received it.

21 weeks pregnant.

The days of pigging out are gone...at least after today.

Wow. This pregnancy thing is putting a kink in my pigging out days.  I used to think I was uncomfortable before when I'd eat too much, but this past week uncomfortable has been taken to a whole new level. It's probably a good thing that baby boy is taking up so much space.  Hopefully it will help me cut down on my sweets intake :).

20 weeks.