Doctors and Nurses

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...
I GOT IN TO NURSING SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At 6:04 pm this evening, my nursing school adviser called me to inform me that I had been accepted into the nursing associates degree program. She told me I was the first person they called and the very first person they had accepted and I was 1 of 2 students who the director wanted in the program 110% and who she would personally help ensure our spots were saved and all of our i's were dotted and t's were crossed. (I wish I had done better at FSU so I could have done it at Samford and not wasted my parents time and money, but then I might not have met Pat and would not have Ryder....so this is definitely the way it was supposed to happen)
I have a meeting tomorrow to fill out remaining paperwork, start financial aid process...again... (not looking forward to filling out another FASFA), start my background check, register for AHA CPR,  get paper work to fill out for my shot records, and get information on where to go to get my drug test done. WOOT! A lot of stuff!
The hard part starts in January (15). I don't have to take many classes the first semester or 2 because I already have my bachelor's degree. However, I have a baby this go around. Even though I worked full time hours during a lot of college...a baby is a completely different ballgame. Ryder is my number 1 priority and if nursing school isn't working out "for him" then I am out. I need to make sure I spend time with him and still make time to study and pass my classes. I am afraid of taking him and leaving him at a day care, even if it is just a few hours at first. But when the real heavy work starts and I have to leave him all day when I am at school, it is going to completely tear me apart. I have been praying for God's strength in this.
Pat will be leaving for a long deployment within the next year (no details...sorry...per the US Government) and I am dreading that as well. If I could make it through my pregnancy alone, I can do this alone. It's amazing how strong you can be when you don't have any other choice.
I met up with a friend today from my childhood, Kelli. Her dad is working out here and I think her husband had some meetings out here, too. She was leaving to go back home to the East Coast this evening so I met up with her this afternoon at a really good bakery that is about 20 min from us, after Ryder's 6 month dr apt. It was so good to see her (after 8 YEARS!!!) and catch up. She is absolutely beautiful, inside and out, and I am so glad I got to spend some time with her.
Ryder did have his 6 month dr appointment today and weighed 17 lbs. and is 26 in long. He is in the 25% for length and weight but is in the 90% for head circumference...my baby has a big head lol. He had 3 shots today (including a flu shot) and some oral medication. I completely forgot to give him tylenol before we left so his legs are still a little sore. His only nap was between the dr and meeting up with Kelli. Afterward, I had to run by CVS to pick up some medicine for Ryder and got this quick picture of him...

My baby bear was pooped

That is a little of what we did today...I will let you all know how tomorrow goes...thank you for following me and praying about nursing school.

He Keeps Growing and Growing

Well, today was another rough day for Ryder-screaming ALL morning. I couldn't do anything to soothe or calm him. He didn't want a paci, he didn't want a bottle, he needed sleep but just couldn't do it because he felt so bad. Finally, I just laid him down and, in about 15 minutes, he passed out. I called our doctor to make an appointment to see her for the second time. While I was showering off from a spit up attack, the doctor's office called back and set up another appointment for 6:40 pm. (I was supposed to have my meeting for nursing school tonight at 6 but now I am going Wednesday at 10am).
When baby bear woke up from his nap, I had a bottle ready for him and he was happy. I thought things were getting better and his teeth weren't bothering him so much. After his bottle, I put him in his stroller and we went for a walk. He was laughing and smiling so I walked into the NEX. All hell broke lose and he screamed at the top of his lungs. I tried rubbing his gums and that seemed to help and he quieted a little bit, so I bought some infant Orajel (AMAZING by the way) and as soon as it went on his gums, he calmed down and I was able to get him back home.
At home, while waiting to get ready for his appointment, we got to Skype my Aunt Pam and Nana. Whew-he got fussy all over again. I fed him and let them watch him lay under his "Space Mat" and listen to him coo. They wanted to see him roll over but he was too tired to since he hasn't been sleeping very well at night.
A little late on, right before we left for the doctor, we got to Skype with GranJan. Everytime I can videochat with a family member, it makes it seem like they are a little bit closer and makes me a little less lonesome and homesick for all of them.
Well, we left for the doctor (after a quick dose of infant tylenol and orajel) and Ryder cried the ENTIRE way to the doctor.

 It is only about 15 minutes away but it seemed like an hour. He was happy to be out of the car but fussed as soon as we got inside the building, all the way upstairs, and while we waited in the "sick child" waiting area. When I took off his clothes to weigh him he smiled (it was BLAZING HOT so I think it felt good to be almost naked) We weighed him and he was a little bit under where he should be at a 13lbs 14 oz. When I got his diaper back on, he was dussy again. I walked with him and bounced him and nothing would calm him down. I was afraid the other baby would get upset, too, by hearing Ryder cry.
Well--we waited in our room for about 10 minutes before the doctor came in (the whole time Ryder was fussing) and AS SOON as Dr. R walked in the room, Ryder got a HUGE smile on his face and started laughing----
WHAT JUST HAPPENED?  What is this magic she possesses to quiet the unquietable?
Well-he checked out all clear. No ear infection, no red throat, no congestion...Just two tiny "teefs" that are just now appearing and "shouldn't be bothering him very much yet". (I am still going to use the orajel because it DID work to help calm him down and I do think his gums are irritating him right now.)
So the verdict of the $50 doctors appointment? a GROWTH SPURT