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!! 

Our BIG One-Year-Old!!!

Happy Birthday to my big 1-year-old!!! One year ago today, this little boy made me a "mommy." What an exciting/rewarding/fun new role this has been. I still cannot believe how quickly this past year has flown by!! Speaking of flying by, we now have a mobile little boy on our hands as of a few weeks ago! And our world has been changed forever!! Andrew has been eager to "walk" with the help of an adult's fingers for weeks now but wasn't interested in crawling what-so-ever. He is now crawling all over the house while mommy and daddy are quickly baby-proofing cabinets, stairs and toilets! It is so much fun to watch him independently crawl over to the toy he is wanting or pull up on the window seal to wave to the passing cars. In addition to crawling, Daddy has also taught Andrew how to "walk" with his walking toy, steering and controlling the speed all on his own. He is everywhere with that toy!! I will be sitting at the table reading or working on the computer and see Andrew fly by me on his walking toy. Mommy or Daddy have to be close by since he still hasn't figured out how to fall gracefully. It sure is cute to watch him learn this new sense of freedom!!

In addition to his new mobility, Andrew has learned how to play peek-a-boo and give high-fives. He loves to babble all the time, but has still not said a complete word. When he wants something, he usually says "mama-mama" and he can mimic "da-da" but doesn't know exactly who "mama" and "dada" really are.  He is still working with 7 teeth and continues to eat like a champ. His favorite food these days is blueberries, but loves just about any fruit you give him. This past month he has been introduced to yogurt, cheese and turkey dogs- all of which he has loved! He would much rather eat his fruit before his vegetables so we have to start with his vegetables at every meal. Andrew continues to love Mickey Mouse Clubhouse in addition to Baby Einstein. His favorite toys include trucks, balls, his small "computer", walking toy, trains and his new cozy coupe. He continues to love his blue blanky! We have weened him off of having a paci during the day except for naps and bedtime the past few months. Our goal is to be paci free within the next month!

Recently, I have had a flood of emotions hit me watching him grow up before my eyes so quickly. I have had multiple meltdowns watching him learn to be more independent and less dependent on me. (being pregnant through all of this sure doesn't help!) However, though the tears, I are so grateful Andrew continues to hit these milestones and develop with his peers. We are so thankful for our precious 1-year-old!!

 Big Birthday Boy!

 Loving his Cozy Coupe!!

 Andrew is such a great shopping buddy!! 

 Our happy boy!

 Andrew has learned how to pull up on cabinets, while opening and closing them time and time again!

 He sure loves the pool!!

 Hey mommy!!

 First Carousel Ride at the zoo!

 First Father's Day!! We love Daddy so much!!

 This boy is so happy in his carseat!!

 A new skill of the month!

 Saying hello to the passing cars!

 Helping mommy with laundry while talking to it!

 What our life consist of now!

 Like Daddy like son!

 Peek-a-boo time!

 Andrew playing in the "Tiny Town" at the Murfreesboro Discovery Center.

 Finding a toy he can pull up on!

 Playing with one of his new trucks from his birthday!

 Ready for church!!

 Just chillin!

 Clark and Andrew supporting Nenna and Papa at the Tusculum Talent Show!

Perfect picture to end on... Better go find what he is up to now!

Happy Birthday Andrew!!!

Happy First Birthday Andrew!! We were able to celebrate Andrew's birthday today, a few days early of his actual birthday (June 28th). I had such a fun time preparing for this day! Andrew's nap time turned into my craft time for a few weeks now. I loved getting out all of my teaching supplies and making the fun decorations for the party. Pinterest quickly became my best friend!! We had a great day celebrating with a "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" theme! It was so sweet to have  many of our family and friends with us that have played a special part in Andrew's first year!

  

Front door decor!

 Look who is turning 1!!

 Entry way

 Guest sign in!

 Party favors

 The Very Hungry Caterpillar! (Thanks to Mom and Meme for your help!)

 Our little man has grown so much!

 Food Table

 Drink Station

 There's our happy birthday boy!

 Birthday fun with our family!

 Someone loved having balloons on his seat!

 Did someone say time to eat?!

 Yum yum!

 Time to open some presents!

 We weren't too thrilled with all the attention, so daddy came to help open presents!

 Back to walking time... all better now! :)

 First set of wheels form Gran and Papa!

 Hehe!! I just love this one!!

 And he's off!!

 Cake time!! (aka breaking point!)

Not too sure I'm liking everyone singing and watching me!!

 No mom! I don't like this!!

 Where are my fruits and vegetables?!

 Mom, please take me out of here!!

And we're done!

The next few pictures are a sneak peak of his one year pictures made by Aaron Sain. These were ones made just for this special day! More pictures to come!