Emily’s Musings

Apparently, I have been a little unclear about my whereabouts. I have received several emails from readers, all asking the same questions. I hope this question and answer session clears up a few things.

Are you and David back in the states?

YES. We are currently staying with David’s parents in American Fork, Utah. We live right by the American Fork Temple, where David and I got married almost 11 years ago. We love to see it every day.

Is David done with school?

NO. David has completed the basic science portion of medical school, and in August he will start the second phase of medical school, CLINICAL ROTATIONS. He has two years of clinical rotations before he starts residency.

What kind of doctor does David want to be?

NOT SURE YET. All students are advised to not pick a specialty until they have completed all the core clinical rotations. He is positive he does not want to be an OBGYN (too much estrogen, and you know, other stuff) or a surgeon.

How long are you in Utah?

Long enough to finish baking this kid, and get a good “family fix” in before we move across country. We will be here until August. David starts his Family Practice Rotation in mid-August.

Why did you pick Utah?

We are both originally from Utah. We moved away in 2002 (just after the 2002 Winter Olympics) and have only been back for short stints of time to visit our families. Plus, we couldn’t beat the price of food ($0) rent ($0) or company for the four months we have free to live anywhere in the world while David studies for the USMLE Step One. He takes that exam at the end of June.

Why were you in Texas?

Why wouldn’t we want to spend time in Texas? Fort Worth, Texas was our home before we moved to Saba. Our entire life is safely locked away in a storage unit there. We not only needed a “Texas fix,” but we needed to get our car out of storage, and we wanted to spend some quality time with our good friends, Daniel and Lydia before moving back to Utah.

When is your baby due?

Secretly . . . ANY DAY! Okay, so I will be 37 weeks on Friday, and really, WHY DOES HE NEED TO BAKE ANY LONGER? I had an ultrasound last week, and this kid (at 36 weeks at the time) was weighing in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces. PEOPLE, THAT IS A FULL SIZE BABY. And get this, the nurse confirmed that I was ALL BABY. SO TAKE THAT DUTCH DOCTOR!

I have a scheduled a c-section for July 7th. However, that date might be moved up depending on this kid’s size in two weeks.

How Have you liked being back in Utah?

Besides my skin itching and flaking ALL THE TIME, it has been nice. I now bathe in body scrubs, and I apply lotion to EVERY INCH OF MY IRRITATED, ITCHING SKIN. My little family and I have been fighting dry sinuses since we came. Hannah has had a runny nose since we arrived. Frankly, I’m a little tired of dried, crusty, blood in my nose. I can’t believe I grew up in this climate. I simply require more than 30% humidity to live comfortably.

Where are you moving to in August?

We are moving to Houma, Louisiana. Don’t know where it is? Yeah, I’m not sure I do either. It is a small town of about 40,000 people, south of New Orleans, and the slogan of the town is “More Alligators Than People.” Ask me how excited I am now. David will be working at a hospital there.

What are you naming your baby?

The name will be announced when he arrives. It is killing our parents, who are trying desperately to guess the name. We didn’t know we would frustrate so many people by keeping his name a surprise. I mean, you gotta keep something a surprise, right? Don’t worry, his first and middle name have been picked, and we have for sure decided on the last name of LESHER.

What are you doing with all your time?

Do you mean besides sleeping as much as a new born baby? In my awake time, I AM VERY TIRED. I have had a few pregnancy ailments, (heartburn all day long, racing heart for hours) and a few other complications, which keep my body busy. EVEN WHEN I’M TOTALLY RELAXED. It’s big work to house a bowling ball in your belly, and keep up with your toddler, and visit family, and prepare for a baby, and shop, and read, and play with your dogs. WHEW.

What are you craving?

Fortunately, I am NOT CRAVING FLINTSTONE POPSICLES. I had entirely too many of those with Hannah and I blame those popsicles for ALL THE UNNECESSARY WEIGHT GAIN. I can’t seem to get enough water, and I really want to chew or suck on ice. ALL THE TIME. I am totally fine with that because I haven’t had swollen feet at all during this pregnancy. My feet were so swollen with Hannah, I ACTUALLY HAVE STRETCH MARKS ON THE TOP OF MY FEET. I remember calling my sister Jenn, and telling her that I didn’t have any stretch marks on my belly, but I had them on the top of my feet! The lines have faded, and now, the miserable swollen feet days are a VERY DISTANT MEMORY. Thank goodness.

Have you found an OB?

YES. David and I decided on which hospital we wanted to use, and then found an OB. He is very nice and he didn’t tell me I was fat.