Gender Reveal Tomorrow!!!

I have officially been in DNP school for a year! Finals ended this week, Maggie finally got a grooming, and I finally got to hang out and be social.

I had been working on my huge research paper of Health Coaching in T2DM patients. The paper was so long and so boring. I don't ever want to do research...I think Chris and I have both found this out about ourselves. But good for those who do...

Work has been good. Its been fun trying to guess the gender and getting ultra sounds at work. Tomorrow is our official anatomy scan and get to know for sure if it's a boy or a girl! Any guesses?! I am happy Chris gets to be there. Someone is covering for him, I think it is a legit reason to miss part of work...?
Being a L&D nurse and being pregnant automatically makes you a celebrity on the floor. Everyone wants to know everything. I can't complain I do get a little more special treatment than before I was pregnant I must admit.

Especially this past week. I came to what I thought was a regular day at work. I saw on our list that it said scrub. Scrub?! Scrub what?? No learning to scrub in the OR. Well okay, I thought but a voice in my head said I don't think this is a good idea....

The first case I watched and had no idea how I was going to learn how to do all of this. Immediately I had to go to the OR for a second case which sucks because your on your feet for now about 4 hours and I am 17 weeks pregnant at the time. I scrub up and am sterile by the field watching. About 30 minutes in I start to get a little light headed. I think I'm fine, I'm fine. Next thing you know I'm rocking back and forth about to pass out. "Bebe (OR Tech) I don't feel so good." Jill the nurse in the OR at the time says sit down sit down. So I sat for about 10 seconds. "I got to leave" I say. So she walks me out of the OR well more of a shuffle now because I feel like I am going to pass out. She helps me sit on the ground outside the OR. She calls for help and about 10 seconds later I get up to find a trash can where there is none to be found. Yes I spot a linen basket! Well it's something and there was no linens in it. So I found my target and start retching. I created a scene it seemed like. I looked up and there were some people gathered around. I walked to the nurses station where supposedly my face was bright green. Everyone kept asking me are you okay?? NO! I am not okay!? I didn't say that but I was like I just got to sit down. I thought they were going to send me home. NOPE! Bummer. But I didn't get a patient until later that afternoon so I can't complain too much.

Chris and I saw a movie this week, dog sat our neighbors dog, ate lunch with a friend, went to Bosnian food, played games until 1am in the morning, played tennis, worked, we lived it up!

Can't wait for tomorrow!

The King Comes to Play

Jimmy King and I had this little scheme that he would come and visit for Chris's birthday. We planned it a couple months ago and started devising a plan of how Jimmy will scare Chris. Well, Jimmy didn't get in until late Thursday night at 1:30 in the morning. So the surprise wasn't very successful but we managed to keep it on the DL. Chris had to work the next morning so of course we didn't go to bed until 3am. We slept in while Chris had to get up at 7 wah wah... 

Jimmy and I had a good day exploring St. Louis. We searched for some birthday presents and were on the hunt for chocolate mouse pie... where do you get chocolate mouse pie? Chris was very specific on his dessert of choice for his birthday. Chocolate mouse pie. After going to a few places we found a local grocery store that made pie locally. We found it!

I told Jimmy the story of how Obama loves Pi Pizza and how he flew the chef to Washington DC to make the pizza for some conference or dinner thing. So of course he was interested and had to try this Obama approved pizza. It lived up to its name and we all were in pizza heaven. Although our pizza came in a thin crust when we asked for deep corn meal crust, I didn't have a problem asking but the boys just covered their heads with their hands. Hey it's what I ordered! I don't do that ever but I really do enjoy my deep dish corn meal crust...

We went to the Marlins vs. Cardinals game and stayed for the whole 9 innings. I splurged on some tickets and we were having fun watching and watching pokemon go... 

Day 2 of Jimmy adventures we went hiking in Castlewood Park. Our friends the Pildger's were on a trip so they dropped Maggie's best friend off Stella to play for the weekend. We took them both and they were having the time of their lives. We went swimming in the little lake area and the dogs would follow. Watching Chris and Jimmy reminds me back to my days of middle school, loud, jokes, pranks, talking about girls, language, man those two.. if I didn't know them.... haha. I sure did have a good time and it was an entertaining weekend. 

After our hike we went to Pappy's BBQ. We got the ribs which of course are to die for. We had to show off our city with all our amazing food. Pappy himself talked to us 3 times. I think he liked Jimmy. We went downtown where we had passes to the top of the arch. I had never been so this was a whole new experience to me. We crammed in these 4 foot elevators where you sit down and touch knees with strangers. You can even look out the window and see how far you are from the ground as you go up 600 feet. I learned that the arch goes up to 630 feet and width is 630 feet. Kinda cool. Later Chris got to eat his chocolate mouse cake and open presents. Stella and Maggie joined in on the singing. 

We also took Jim Ed. to our favorite brunch place Rooster and Chris introduced him the Slinger. So good... Love that place. We hung around and went to Costco later to get groceries for the week. I got home and saw my mirror skewed a little. Oh no...don't tell me...the rack that was hanging my winter clothes completely ripped off the dry wall. Great well good thing Jimmy is a handy man and helped fix it... 

Have a great week, we will too.

Cameryn

maggie and stella 

That's a good view

Maggie and Stella just chillin'

free peanuts...

pokemon go

TUMS!

Summer = Travel Time

Man it has been a minute since I have written a blogpost. Seems like the days are shorter when really they are getting longer, more fun in the summer! Chris and I have been traveling like crazy! And since we have a little one on the way we have decided we need to take full advantage of it while we can! Fun trips include Chicago, Utah, Table Rock Lake, Louisiana, and Lake Powell. We were going to go to Nashville this weekend but we are a little tripped out. Maybe in the fall.

Chris has been super busy this summer. With late lectures, third years graduation and parties, new residents coming in, his interview in Utah, getting his resume and CV polished, applying to fellowships, finishing his research paper, presenting in Louisiana for his research, Chicago cataract conference, and now CHIEF! Whew that boy does not get a break! He is such a hard worker! Well one more year of residency and we are one step closer to finishing!!!

We celebrated our 5th anniversary this month! Wow can't believe it has been 5 years! Crazy... What better way to celebrate than to announce at rounds that we are pregnant! Chris gave a little shout out to me when doing his final rounds for the year.

I am staying pretty busy between work, school, travel, and being 14 weeks pregnant. No one told me that being pregnant is basically a job in itself!!! I have literally felt the week to week transitions of my body changing, feeling nauseous, tired, headaches. But that little baby is kicking away in there! I felt the baby at 10 weeks which is pretty rare! It felt like butterflies. Now that I know what it feels like I can  been able to feel more. I had my first ultrasound and they said they are going to keep the due date for January 1st, although that may be a little premature. When I was in Utah I was able to get another US and the tech said if I wanted to know what she thinks the gender is.. She said it is not for sure and possibly an 80-20 chance but let's just say there may be some bows and dolls in the future.

I will try to be better at my blogs and getting them out! Here are some pictures of our fun travels.

Have a great week!

Cameryn

Little alien babe at 11 weeks

Anniversary date! Kayaking in forest park!

City of Chicago, and the TRUMP tower. 

The DR 2016

Having already packed a little over a week before, you could say I was ready to go on vacation. All we had to do was drop Maggie off at Hailey's and we were ready to go! Maggie always loves going to Hailey's. She has two big dogs Bigsby and Worthy. Maggie bosses them around she sleeps at the head of the bed and if the dogs get closer than their feet she starts to growl. I am sure they were quite entertained with her!

We arrived to the DR around 9pm. We took a shuttle to our hotel and shared it with another couple from SLC. We were talking about how excited we were to get out of the cold and to be on the beach!

We got to the Hard Rock Hotel. How more American can you get when being in the DR? We were welcomed by rock music of course and an entourage. We checked in and walked to our room. I wasn't expecting how big our hotel room was. We had two bathrooms a kitchen living room area, king size bed, a huge hot tub in the room, and a huge balcony with tables and chairs outside. We couldn't wait to go to the beach so we walked down there at 12am and put our toes in the sand. 

Day2: I got up early to get a couple of spots on the beach and pool area. It got hot fast and we wanted to run outside. We ran around the hotel's jogging path a couple of times and then went to the "Rock Gym" they had a yoga class starting and we stayed for that as well. After feeling nice and relaxed we went to breakfast. The resort was all inclusive so pretty much a breakfast buffet everyday. It was also my favorite meal because they had an assortment of fruit, oatmeal, smoothies, pancakes, waffles, and french toast. The resort is huge and you had to wait in line for a little bit to get a spot but so worth it. We headed to the pool to relax and read. That didn't last long with the loud DJ. The "Entertainers" I am not sure who they are but they are in charge of activities for the guests pulled Chris and I to play waterpolo. I have to say I think Chris would have been an amazing water polo player. He was basically representing our team all by himself. Even with the little boys jumping on him and getting scraped up. We got some virgin margaritas, piña coladas, and a dirty monkey but without the dirty...we then played sand soccer with a few people which basically made us sore the rest of the week to barely move. 

That night we went to a restaurant called Zen which had a habachi grill, good thing we got there early because after we got there it was an hour wait. We ended the night with a nice walk on the beach and some ice-cream. 

Day 3: Waking up early again, we claimed our spot and actually had the tenacity to work out. We are training for a triathlon in May so we decided to ride bikes this time. That didn't last long and we decided to give up and go to breakfast. We made appointments for massages and pedicures, yes both of us. They have a huge casino with Madonnas limousine right when you walk in. We checked out the big rollers and I just kept thinking how do people like this? Especially playing the slot machines I just don't get it. We went to the beach this time to read a little more quiet down there. We made a big guitar out of the sand with seaweed. The beach was beautiful and I have never felt sand like the one at the DR. It was so smooth and great for packing and making sand castles, and it always stayed nice and cool. After hearing you can rent electric guitars at the Hard Rock we had to rent one. We  jammed out and I can only play one song  so our rock fun didn't last too long. 

Day 4: Slept in until 9 thank goodness. I was exhausted from the sun! We got our 80 min couples massage after breakfast. The spa was huge and had different baths and a huge pool with jet massagers and waterfalls. We relaxed until the  masseuse came and got us and I basically fell asleep for the majority of the time. I'm not just saying this but probably the best massage I have ever had. After we went to the beach I noticed the lifeguard collecting something in his ATV. Coconuts. I have always wanted to try a coconut drink. After I saw another couple getting a coconut drink I had to have one. Chris describes the taste like tepid water that's been sitting in coconut. Isn't that basically what it is? We played miniature golf and baked under the sun.. we were about to go golfing when we found out the golf course wasn't near the hotel and you had to pay a few hundred. I don't think I could last 18 holes in the sun but we did in mini golf! We got ready and went to Toro a steak restaurant by the beach. Ending our night with a nice relaxing walk and seeing the sunset.

Day 5: We woke up early and watched the pretty sunrise over the beach. I don't think there is anything more peaceful than the sounds of the ocean's waves. We enjoyed the moment and I wish it could take that memory and just put it in my pocket for when I need it most. We got a little cardio in before breakfast and then got our pedicures. The music didn't fit the scene of the spa area with the rock music in the background while sitting relaxed in the chair. I found this to be the case in a lot of situations but we did go to the Hard Rock Hotel. Later that night we went to Isla a seafood restaurant where we ordered fried octopus, lobster, and shrimp. They served it tentacles and all and of course I wasn't very hungry shortly after. We settled with cookie dough ice cream just to get the nasty taste out of mouths. 

There may have been another missing day in this great and relaxing trip that I didn't record! Here are some pics for fun!

Marriage is What Brings Us Together

Everyday is a unique day on the Labor and Delivery Floor. I never know what is going to happen, a hemorrhage, a stat c-section, preeclampsia, a patient who develops chorio., an FDIU. This day was particular unique, something I think most L&D nurses can say they probably have never done. I did 8 hours of my shift on antepartum and then headed over to my hometown in L&D. Oh what is it going to bring me this time... I got report from a fellow nurse I work with. She starts with, "So this patient was here for observation at 25 weeks because of preterm labor and she started to make change...blah blah...and then she leaves me with oh ya and she wants to get married." "Great! when is the wedding? " I say oblivious. "No I mean she wants to get married before the baby comes..." A what... So I go into her room make small talk and ask, "I hear you want to get married" "Ya, I don't want to have a baby out of wedlock." In my head I thought, well the deed is already done but this is also coming from an 18 year old. Well this is going to be fun! "Okay you let me know what I can do." Her two requests: flowers and surprise me is what she said. I told this to the nurses and they were ecstatic. 

Oh we can be her brides maids and wear the yellow isolation gowns! One nurse said. Oh I know we can get a white OR gown and she can wear it. Mind you she has an epidural... So we get her a bunch of flowers and carrot cake for two. And she did end up wearing the OR gown. Oh geez.

I called the chaplain. "So my patient wants to get married before her baby comes. The only thing is...she is at a 10 and about to have the baby. How fast can you make it over here?" Within an hour my patient made change from a 4 to a 10. So the chaplain got there in 15 minutes. We did the ceremony in probably less than 5 as the doctors were saying okay we need to make this short and sweet. My patient had to have her baby in the OR because of the heart anomalies her baby had. We didn't want to push our luck on not making it to the OR but we wanted her to have what she wanted for her wedding. I took pictures and recorded a video on her phone. It was probably one of the weirdest experiences of my life.

So the doctor, anesthesiologist, and I roll her back to the OR. Of course the nurses are lined up against the wall clapping and playing wedding music. Some even went so far to make balloons out of the gloves and box them on their hands when we rolled her down. Oh the memory will forever be ingrained in my head. 

Baby made it out safe, patient made it out safe, and we had a wedding and a baby all in one day. 

We prepared for general conference and watched the saturday and sunday sessions. Chris and I went for a run and went to brunch one day and a hike on the other while listening to the morning session of conference. I love conference so much, a spiritual high. Hope that spiritual high stays with you all and to remember Elder Holland's talk!!!

We love you and miss you all!

Cameryn 

Easter Bunny

In Sunday school class we discussed how Jesus felt all our different kinds of pain. From a divorcee and their spouse being sealed to depression and anxiety. I lean over to Jesse, does he feel what we go through PMS? Because it is hell. Is that sacrilegious maybe.. but really does he?

I have been trying to learn a new word a day and really try to understand it. I'm also reading in my book everyday which broadens my vocabulary. I really like this app called vocabulary and it goes through the origins of vocabulary words. It really helps me to learn and have it stay in my head. I feel like when I learn words they go in one ear and out the other. Today's word is vitriol so for example they use to use this word for sulfuric acid which literally can burn your skin right off. So when learning this word I relate it to this and how this word is not taken lightly and means worse than criticism.

Anyways what happened this week: I switched from night shift to day shift which literally is so nice because I don't feel exhausted all the time and I feel like I can get something done. I was welcomed with an patient on day shift who had a FDIU. Ugh, of course. And I felt so bad she lost two previous babies to SIDS. She was all drugged up on dilaudid . So trying to teach her was like try to teach someone who is sleeping. Literally you can't. But I still documented! Which is all that matters... to be a good nurse I found out you can do so much but if you don't document than it does not mean that at all it actually means the opposite, so even when the patient likes you more because your in their room who cares because you are just going to get in trouble because of your lack of documenting.
When I was taking care of her she said I smelt really good. I told her I made lotions this last week and that it has all these different ingredient to handle stress. At the end of my shift I gave her one because I just felt so bad. She didn't even deliver on my shift. I really wanted her to deliver but she didn't. Anyways, it was a really slow day too so I just had a lot on my mind.

We are getting ready to play the soccer season this next week. We had family night and went and played at SLU field. It was really fun, and I am excited to play soccer but I think I need new shoes, my shoes aren't very good.

We also went to Zootopia, Chris and I did Tuesday, it was such a cute movie, I loved it. Especially the part with the sloth and the joke. OMG I couldn't stop laughing. Sunali and I went to lunch this week at Katie's pizza it was very yummy! I had the BEST artichoke salad to die for literally. I need to remember it so I can get it again.

Saturday, we went to Trader Joes super early in the morning and then Target. I am so excited for our trip!! I can't wait to go! I got some pants a tank and a hat for Dominican. I got Chris some treats for Easter and then I had to rush over to Shalyse's baby shower. So we went and set up for it and I made chicken salad for everyone. It turned out to be really nice and there was about 15 people who showed up. After there was a bunch of people playing volleyball. I was not in a good mood hence the PMS and just wanted to go home. But it was nice to be outside. After Chris and I went on a run through Tower Grove and I got to listen to my Harry Potter Audio Book. I love it. I am trying to finish this one before the next book comes out in June!!! While I was at the baby shower Chris cleaned the apartment and got me a TV... he is so funny. I wanted a TV to mount so I can watch something as I jog. So he is setting that up right now.

Saturday night we made chicken caeser salad yum...! And Chris actually made it. I am trying to make him step it up, because I have been doing all the laundry, cleaning, and cooking for a long time. And I am truly just sick of it. SO I have just kind of stopped in a way and he is noticing and stepping up his game. good!!! So Noelle and Time and Chris and I had a bonfire and did smores outside. We chatted for a long time a couple of hours or so. I got a movie called Spotlight and then we watched part of it and then we were about to fall asleep. So I turned it off. We went to bed.

Sunday, TODAY! Easter, happy easter! I made banana pancakes and blueberry pancakes. We went to church and I was just feeling awful again the PMS, I cried and cried and just wanted to die. But I stayed the whole time and went to RS like a good girl. We are having a roast tonight so that should be tasty.

Hope this week is a good week... We will see I guess!!!

Cameryn Smith

Weekend with Grandma JoJo

I am happy to announce Jodi is officially a grandma. To her grand puppy. We will now call her Grandma JoJo.

We had a fun girls trip this weekend! Mom came to enjoy the nice weather in St. Louis. It got up to 75 degrees mid February! Unexpected nice weather. She got in Thursday night around 5pm perfect time for some St. Louis traffic. We came home to drop off all the bags and went to Baileys Range for some good Burgers. They were okay but Chris complains of the size. They are small sliders and probably not worth the money. The french fries were tasty with all their different sauces. We enjoyed great company and got to visit downtown St Louis. Sorry if this email is a little off topic and short, I am a little distracted with our new show Bates Motel-- creepy but can't stop watching, next show I want to watch is that murder one what is it called--how to get a way with murder no, making a murder! Ya that is what it is!!

We woke up to some beautiful weather and jogged through Forest Park with the Magster. She wasn't used to all that jogging, but hung in there with a few water breaks. We ran 7 miles and made it to the end sweaty and hungry for brunch. We decided to go to a different brunch restaurant than our usual Rooster and went to Half and Half instead. I have never considered eating salmon with eggs, but that was probably my favorite breakfast I have ever had. It was so tasty! Who ever comes and visits us next will have to try it. Their pancakes looked delicious but unfortunately Chris went with the wrong ones getting some dry raspberry mascarpone pancakes. After we went home dropped Chris and Maggie off. Maggie was exhausted just sleeping on the floor. Chris studied while the girls went out.

Mom was adamant about cleaning my car and getting it serviced. I guess I have been lacking on that job. So we got it detailed and does it make a difference when you do get in a clean car. You feel refreshed and new. While waiting I experienced kale chips. Whoever who has not had this before, it is an acquired taste but my mom and I do kind of share those genetic taste buds. Later we even tried to make them...didn't turn out so well.

We went to whole foods after to get some goodies for the movie, we saw Race. Fits the plot, Jesse Owens running in the 1936 olympics. I think the audience clapped 4 times, 3 times when Jesse got his medals and 1 at the end. Mom made a joke saying that she thought only Utah people clap at movies. Was she wrong! We ate too much movie butter popcorn and a lot of good laughs.

Saturday we woke up to another great day of weather. We really couldn't ask for anything better! We decided to live it up just like the rest of St. Louis and go to Castlewood Park. We took Maggie and hiked over an hour enjoying the sun & vitamin D. Of course we needed to get our big diet cokes to hydrate after too. We went to Lafayette Park and had a little picnic with all our many whole foods salads, fruits, cookies.

Later, mom and I got a few things for the house. She is the interior decorator so I trust her :) A few pillows, a rug, I still need to invest in some floor lamps but Chris always gets a surprise when she comes to town.

We went to a longed restaurant we have been wanting to try-- The Shaved Duck. St. Louis BBQ never disappoints. It was delicious and I think I will be full this whole week from it. We came home and got a Redbox and did manicures. I offered to Chris but he wasn't interested. I got a gel manicure kit last year and haven't used it too much. We gave each other manicures and watched some Bradley Cooper in Burnt.

Sunday we went to church and got to show mom the Lindell Ward. We love our ward and couldn't be happier there. After we went to Belleville, Illinois where my mom went to middle school and lived there for about 4 years. We visited her old house and school.

Brunch again! I think this is my favorite right now time to eat. For some reason I love brunch right now. We went to our all time favorite Rooster-- another one of Baileys Restaurants. It was a popular place that afternoon especially with the nice weather.

Loved having my mom visit, and although I miss family I do love being here in St. Louis experiencing all these new exciting places. It is fun to show family all the different places we love here and to continue to have so much fun!

Love,

Cameryn


Picnic in Lafayette Square