4 Days of Pseudo-Parenthood

These past four days, I've been blessed to spend a lot of time with this little girl:

I love those wide and happy eyes  :-)

This is one of my adorable nieces.

The reason why I've been seeing so much of her is because my brother and sister-in-law just had their second child on Thursday and they've been in the hospital recovering.

During that time, I've been enjoying pseudo-parenthood.  I got her dressed in the morning, made sure she ate breakfast/lunch/dinner, coordinated with others for childcare, and got her ready for bed and laid down to sleep each day.  On Sunday, I even had her bathed and dressed for church and made sure she behaved in her nursery class.  (I also had to figure out when to go visit at the hospital so she could see her new baby sister.)

Aren't they so precious?

Through all this it has been very clear that being a parent really is a full-time job, and that's after only doing it for 4 days!

Even though it was possibly some of the most demanding days, I miss it and wouldn't change anything.  Seeing her eyes light up when she smiles, hearing her laugh her head off at the silliest things, and even calming her precious tears (and tantrums) from missing her mommy make it all worth it.

I don't exactly know why, but whenever I get to spend a significant amount of time with my nieces/nephews, I always walk away a little sad to say goodbye.  I think part of it might be because I've always wanted to be a parent and part of it could be that it's mostly just fun and games for me (since it isn't full-time and I'm allowed to spoil my nieces/nephews).

Anyway, this adventure, as one of many, in pseudo-parenthood, has been really fun and rewarding.  I can't wait until I have kids of my own that I can watch grow and learn.  ...I guess I should probably find a husband first...  Well, I guess while I'm waiting for my prince, I will just have to suffice with practicing on other peoples' children.  :-)

Dreaming of babies,

Katrina

PS, I'm totally okay with blind dates (hint hint)  :-)

A Formal Expression of Intention

(Aka, a resolution)

I don't usually make any particular New Year's Resolutions, but this year is different.  Instead of making the common resolutions--eat healthy, lose weight, go to the gym--I'm trying something a little more meaningful.  (That seems to be a major theme in my life lately, though that will have to wait for another post.)

12 Resolutions for 2012

Some of you may remember that this last year, particularly this last semester, was quite difficult for me.  There were some dark days when I was just way to stressed to think straight, and I never want to be in that position again.  That experience inspired me to make these resolutions:

1.  Don't sweat the small stuff

2.  Enjoy the journey, even if it sucks

3.  Care less

4.  Have fun, make happy memories

I realized that I was so stressed last semester because I kept focusing and worrying about the small, meaningless things and then trying to be perfect in every aspect.  Thankfully, by the end I was beginning to see the big picture and not worry as much about the little things.

As a secondary effect of the heavy course load and nearly-constant state of panic (haha), I had essentially no social life.  :-(  I mean, I spent a fair amount of time with my brother and sister-in-law, my roommate/best friend, and a couple other friends from the nursing program, but it felt like a pretty pathetic life.  I wasn't getting to know new people, I would go stir-crazy in my apartment, and I felt like I hardly ever did anything fun.  (Even though that is definitely not true.)  So, I decided I needed these resolutions:

5.  Meet new people (Be more outgoing)

6.  Get to know more people in my ward

7.  Go on more dates

8.  Love completely (Christ-like love to all people and maybe romantically, too)

Then I also made some resolutions that are just for the heck of it:

9.  Keep my apartment clean

10.  Study the Book of Mormon every day

11.  Speak my mind (Be more open and decisive)

12.  Do hard things with confidence

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Here we sit...

...back in my ghetto apartment after 2 1/2 weeks in California, my roommate passed out on the couch next to me, 2 new missionary letters sitting read on my desk, to-do list growing by the second, pondering the course of my life and this winter semester.

First of all, I had a wonderful time in California, with my family and friends, for Christmas and New Year's.  Christmas day was rather stressful for me, though I survived and thoroughly enjoyed the time away from school, the time away from cold and grey Utah, and the time I got to spend with those that I love.  As always, tears were shed as I bid my family goodbye for another 4 month stint. 

Since then, I have survived the first 2 days of classes, though I have to admit I could have done with a little more sleep...  This semester is going to be long and difficult, just like last semester, though I'm excited to get to spend time in Labor/Delivery, Mother/Baby, and Pediatrics.  I absolutely L-O-V-E-D my first clinical in Labor and Delivery, which began today.  I was having so much fun that I couldn't wipe the goofy grin off my face all day and my shift passed much too quickly.  Here's to the start of another GREAT semester!