Our Next Step in the Residency Journey!

Since residency is in our blog name, I thought I would take some time to update everyone on David's new adventure.  Let's go back to the beginning...While David was in med school, he felt God guiding him to the field of ophthalmology (eye surgery). Thus, we began the application process for his next step after graduation. Ophthalmology residency requires 4 years of training- 1 year in a general medical training (internal medicine or general surgery) and 3 years in ophthalmology. We were blessed with the opportunity to complete all four years in Nashville with his first year at Baptist Hospital and the remaining 3 years at Vanderbilt. His first year took place from July 2012-June 2013 while working in internal medicine. This was a HUGE blessing to our family. Since we were welcoming our fist child into our family during this year, David's schedule at Baptist allowed him to be home with us on a more consistent basis. He did take call during this first year causing him to have a little more hectic schedule than the average job, but we were able to spend a lot of quality time together. Such a big blessing!

On July 1, 2013, David began his next step in his residency journey starting his position at Vanderbilt Eye Institute. Finally, he made it to the field he had chosen to pursue, and boy did he hit the ground running!! David joined the 4 other residents (totaling 5 residents in his class) with excitement and eagerness! His first year at Vanderbilt will be quite the year! He will be taking call every 4th or 5th night in addition to working very busy days in the different fields of ophthalmology. His first rotation has been in plastics. He has very much enjoyed the work and surgeries he has been a part of thus far. With his busy schedule, Andrew and I have tried to make our schedules as flexible as possible to ensure seeing David as much as possible! We knew going into this year we would be challenged with David's demanding schedule, but with the help of synced iPhone calendars, prayers and nightly devotions together as a family, we are devoted to spending as much time together as possible!

Is it still hard? Yes! Do we still get frustrated with an ever-changing schedule? Yes! Do I get frustrated when I am ready for  Daddy to be home at 6 like other dads and find out he will be in surgery until 8? Yes! However, I am reminded day after day of the blessings God gives us to get through this time. We are SO blessed to have Gran and Papa down the road who help in ANY way that they can, my in-laws who come in for weekends at a time helping with chores around the house and love on our little boy, friends so close by that offer smiles and help whenever needed, a loving church family and life group that checks on us and lifts our family in prayer, other residency wives who call and offer advice when I need it most and a God who is there for us and with us during this challenging time. Both David and I are so very thankful for his position at Vanderbilt! We know he will gain the experience and knowledge he will need to be one successful ophthalmologist!

 Lunch with Daddy at Vanderbilt

Baby Boy Number 2!!!

December 2, 2013 we will be welcoming another little boy in our family: Baby Thomas!! Our boys will be 17 months apart. I am so excited to think about how close they will be! And let me tell you, David Herren is crazy excited about having two boys! He nor his father had any brothers growing up. To think there will be Herren BOYS again brings him so much joy!! 

This pregnancy for me has been so different than the first! With Andrew, I stayed on a pretty average diet consisting of many fruits and vegetables with an occasional sweet tooth. However, this time around, I have craved so many "pregnancy-expected" foods such as pickles, cheese, ice-cream, candy and peanut butter!!! I'm probably going to regret all those foods when its time to work it all off again, but for now, I am LOVING them! I am also showing MUCH sooner this time around (to be expected I am told) and went to maternity clothes very quickly. I began feeling Thomas move sooner as well (probably because I knew what to expect this time). Oh I how I love that feeling!!!

The first trimester came and went so very quickly! (probably because we did not find out we were expecting until 8 weeks in!) I had some morning sickness, but nothing too strong. I was very tired by the end of the day but still felt pretty good over-all. I definitely craved the most during this phase. I also started having awful nightmares causing me not to sleep very well. This happened during my first pregnancy but not until third trimester. My doctor says this is very normal and there wasn't much for me to do... :( Thus, sleep for me was not very restful.

I welcomed second trimester happily! I regained my energy (much needed for assisting a new walker) and the nightmares came fewer and farther between (but still happening). I still crave everything I did in the first, but do not eat as much. I love pretty much anything with cheese (mac and cheese, cheeseburgers, cheese dip, etc) and eat peanut butter daily! And yes, I am still eating fruits and vegetables! :) 

I am currently 28 weeks and feeling well. Our friend Henry continues to come play with us three days a week and will continue for a few more weeks. This has really helped Andrew learn how to share his time with mommy!! I am also nesting like crazy these days! We have Thomas's crib, bedding, curtains, and dresser in his room. I am currently working on different projects for his room as well!

 Letters that I made that will go above his bed .

 Sweet daddy working on Thomas's curtains.

 Work in progress! The dresser in Thomas's room is the same dresser that was in his daddy's nursery!

Last weekend, I was able to re-organize all the boys' clothes. Seeing that my boys will be completely opposite seasons, I've had to re-think clothing options!! Thanks to consignment sales, grandparents and existing clothes, we've made a great start! We continue touching my belly referring to Thomas as much as possible hoping Andrew will catch on his brother is on the way! Yesterday was the first time he seemed to notice my growing belly. From a standing position, he looked up at my stomach with the most confused face and reached up to touch my belly.  I began to tell him about his brother growing inside mommy's belly. Such a sweet moment I will forever cherish. I cannot believe he will be a big brother in just 11 weeks!!