Big Shoes to Fill

Me, Tyler, and Henry got family pictures taken last Friday. I can't wait to see the results because Henry was the cutest, most "smiley" baby! After the photoshoot, we headed to the Eagle Football game. I dressed Henry in an adorable football outfit and had to try out some matching shoes (yes, this is the 2nd time he's worn shoes... EVER.) I had him "stand up" next to Tyler and we compared their feet. Too cute

White Coats

There's a tradition in nursing school where you get presented your white coats. The ceremony for Lakeview College of Nursing was held two weeks ago. (A little behind on blogging but this was important so I couldn't skip posting this!) I was looking forward to the ceremony because 1. I'm a big dork and 2. I feel like its another step further towards completing my nursing degree. Of course, this exciting day was tampered when my babysitter called and said she couldn't watch Henry that day.... as I'm walking out the door to take him to daycare. I was frazzled and had no idea where to take him so I just packed him up and took him with me to school. My friends and the faculty were thrilled to meet/hold Mr. Henry thank goodness. I had finally gotten in contact with Tyler's mom and she was coming to get Henry but she didn't get there before the ceremony started. So here I am.... in my uniform with all of my fellow nurses and all faculty (including the dean) and I have Henry with me. I was just praying he didn't puke on me or even worse.... the faculty members that decided to hold him! The Dean spoke at the beginning of the ceremony and Henry thought that would be a perfect opportunity for him to fill his pants. LOL. Oh yes, he was grunting and making a bit of a scene while the DEAN was speaking. And, he has a tendency to suck on his fingers and lately he's been forming a habit of accidentally choking himself. So here's Henry, grunting and gagging. Thank goodness Tyler's mom sent me a text saying she was in the parking lot. The ceremony turned out okay, and me and my girlfriends had to get a picture to look back and laugh at when we graduate. From left to right: Holli, Kelsey, Jenna, and me. (I look huge because I didn't have my coat buttoned. Note to self, no need to look pregnant again.... button the coat!)

Oh Henry....

He looks like such a chunk, but he's actually still very tiny

His dad gave him his bath for once so I could do dishes.... So Tyler gave him a mohawk! We gave Henry a mohawk when he was 3 days old and his hair was so much shorter! I'm not kidding you, this kid's hair is so thick and LONG!!!

Awww... my little sweet pea. Cuddling with his blankie Gma Amy got him

First time in the BUMBO! I'd been wanting one of these for months! All I found when I was preggo was pink and green ones but then we got a gift from Tyler's Aunt and Uncle and it was a BLUE bumbo... Love it.

"My Personal Nursing Diagnosis"

So.... In case any of you were wondering, I started nursing school at Lakeview College of Nursing a few weeks ago. I've been wanting to post sooooo many life happening moments to my blog since I started the program but that has been IMPOSSIBLE! Looking back at this summer, I wish I would've posted more things because I actually had time, but now I have no time. I wish I was exagerrating but I'm not.... so got some conclusions/jokes/thoughts/memorable moments/stuff, etc..... I would like to share from the last few weeks.



First off: I've met 3 AMAZING girls in my nursing program. Obviously I've met almost everyone (50 people) in the program... I see them all everyday.... but these three girls and I instantly hit it off.

My 3 Bffs are Kelsey, Holli, and Jenna. All very very individual.... such interesting ppl. I luv them. I get multiple texts from them. Daily. Poor Tyler, he just doesn't understand why my phone keeps getting messages from these girls..... (my phone has a cool function where it states the name OUT LOUD when they call or text. Best thing ever, you might want to get it on your phone if you can.)

Found out in the 2nd week that Jenna has a boyfriend.... that's a Miami Dolphin :) just got recruited as a corner and he played for U of I when they were pretty awesome. She's so modest about it though, and its adorable. But I still thought it was funny when Tyler/my family turns on Sunday Football and they're all asking about Jenna's boyfriend.... and she's like yeah he played, but they lost. She doesn't highlight the fact that he plays, but he actually does play rather than stand on the sideline.... and when she talks about him its soooo sweet

ok, next bestie. She's from F-ing town. Apparently we know the same people, but never knew each other and now we're great friends. Then, I learned from my Aunt that Holli worked for the family that lived in the "mansion" in Effingham. Any of you that are from around this area know what I'm talking about. She was their nanny.

Then, there's Kelsey. She's a few years younger and she's from my hometown. I've NEVER talked to her before seeing her at orientation. I'm shocked. She's the most down-to-earth, sweetest girl I've ever met and I'm so glad we've become friends through this nursing thing.

Ok, so now to the good part, not that my friends aren't interesting enough! This is what I've learned about nursing/myself in the last few weeks:


*I have the attention span of a Child! All of our classes are at least 3 hours long. After about 1 hour I'm all fidgety and I just CANNOT focus anymore. I tend to doodle a lot. Or daydream.... lately its been about weddings and I have no idea why. Maybe because there's lots to think about with that.... and I tend to follow "New Beginnings" blog. And she had the most beautiful wedding and I've shown Tyler lots of pictures & explained that I want my ideal wedding like that. He doesn't get it but at least he knows I have expectations for someday :)

*I'm the nerd of the class. Yep, who wants to be that kid. You know, "THAT" kid.... loser/teacher's pet that raises their hand all the time.... that's me. I can't help it. I've had experience so I know the answers, but I also just wish the lecture would go quicker so we could get out sooner.....

*If I apply myself, I do well. I had a rough couple of years at U of I, but I've learned so much with how to take test and how to write papers. I'm still so glad to have that degree from U of I. this nursing stuff is TOUGH. I have no time at all, but at least it seems do'able as long as I read the material for class.

* I've lost my hearing. Okay, I've joked about it for years, but I really can't hear. Even when I take blood pressures... its a struggle bc I simply CAN'T HEAR! I blame the headphones I used with my portable cd player in junior high... on the volleyball/cheerleader bus.

*I'm an ORANGE! We are taking this stupid weekend class for Lakeview and we have to attend 3 weekend classes this semester... the first weekend (6 days in a row for the first week of class.. plus only Sunday off, then 4 more lovely days of quizzes and tests), but we also have the weekend class this weekend.... and Halloween weekend. (don't even get me started with that! It's Henry's first Halloween & I can't do Friday or Saturday dressing up.... grrrr..) Back to topic. ORANGE. We took a personality test and had to pair up in groups. I scored very close in all catergories, but I had the most points in orange which is the Spontaneous person... very competitive, makes rash decisions. Our teacher decided to tell us that Oranges were BAD! um.... not too happy about that. Not at all. I used to be the "Blue" category, but I've become more Orange with life's experiences.

*I love being in Nursing School when I can actually breathe and realize, "I'm in nursing school. This has been my ultimate goal." seriously, I've waited to be in this program for so long, I'm just very very fortunate to be in it. And to be doing well in my grades. We have a test of quiz every time we go to class and its rough.

Swinging in the Jumper

In the last couple of weeks Henry has been acting more like a toddler than a baby so me and Tyler have been eager to try out some of his toys and gadgets. Obviously, this contraption is way too BIG for him to use appropriately, but we tried it out anyway. I love it because the Johnny Jump Up looks like a big pair of underwear! His tiny head peaking out of the top of the "underpants" made us laugh so hard.

He didn't quite get the "jumping" concept.... it was more like a swinging device.

"Hey guys, what's so funny?"

Eagle Football

I took Henry to his very first football game last Friday. We saw so many babies that looked identical to Henry in their cute Eagle onesies. We saw Quincy & Beckett and all of the boys looked adorable in orange and blue. Too bad we lost to Robinson, but at least we had a good time.

My sister, Ellie, is a freshman in highschool. She's the baby of our family so its been a huge adjustment for all of us to think of her as growing up. She'd only been in school a week and she found a boyfriend! He's a sophomore and he plays football. Ellie went to his game last Monday and her, mom, and Kevin all packed up to go to his game tonight. I helped her to get all dolled up for the game... did her hair and makeup and I even painted a Newton Eagles ribbon for her hair. (Very adorable.) Kevin joked that she acted like she was going to prom. (He said its ok for her to date this guy up until he gets his license in May. haha) And the biggest kicker: he's 6 feet tall so he towers over little 5'2 Ellie. I'm sure I'll be getting pictures of these two lovebirds soon!