12 Types of Med Students

Summer and Freedom!

He made it!!! First year of medical school - done! Boom.

People keep asking us what are we going to do to celebrate. Celebrate?? I'm putting my man to work! :) He has a long overdue honey-to-do list. A lot of them are fun nesting things too! And he is excited to do them. (actually while i write this, he is sanding down her dresser that we are refinishing). I asked him a few questions last night - what was the hardest thing in medical school (a subject, a teacher, an obstacle, or an adjustment)? Was medical school what he expected? What would he have done differently. And although my husband isn't into self-reflection and for those of you who know him personally, know that he doesn't dwell (at all!) on the bad and just moves on. So he really didn't have too much to say. The only thing that I could get out of him was that medical school was more manageable (I would say easier but then you would get the wrong impression) than what he had expected. He thought that medical school would be set up where no one was allowed to get an A, if you are late to your test you fail your block, and you are forced to study 24/7 and still never be able to pass. Although it takes a student a few tests to figure out expectations or how to study, it is possible to get an A. If you are late to your test or have a family emergency (we have had 3 M1s lose a parent this year), they will work with you and let you retake it. You are an investment to them so they are always willing to help you do better in school. And you do get a life outside of medical school, it is just on your school's schedule not yours (basically you only get a life after Friday tests).

It's crazy to think how naive we were and where all we came from before we got here. You might remember this quick change of plans, which is actually funny because I work with the lady that called us in Boston.

What does a first year medical student do during their summer?
Most do research. For more competitive residencies, it's frowned upon if you don't. If you are wanting to do a more relaxed field, than travel and enjoy your summer off! A lot of students are having trouble finding research jobs. Let me re-phrase, they are having trouble finding PAID research jobs. Like with anything, there are budget cuts, less grants given out for research, and less a program can pay a student. In all honesty, they know that medical students will end up doing the work for free just because they need it on their CV. Some are lucky enough to find paid research - $1,000 to $2,000 for the whole 2-3 months. Also, there is the question what field do I do my research in? Are you supposed to already know what specialty you want to go into after first year? Again, for some of the competitive specialties that might be a question they bring up during your interview - Why did you spend your time doing research in this field if you were wanting to go into this field? On paper it may show indecisiveness. Some of the more competitive fields, want you to be all or nothing for their field. They don't want to hear how you flipped a coin at the last minute between two specialties. And other fields could care less. You can see how finding research or what to do with your summer has been a strain on some of the students the past few months during school. Budgeting to make that student loan last a few more months.

Diaper Bags

I am on the search for the perfect diaper bag! I have started looking online, but I refuse to buy one without playing with it first. That's where my girlfriends will come in! But why do they have to be so expensive?

Top Left: Isabel Grayson Chloe Tote
Top Right: Olivia Champagne from StorkSak
Bottom Left: Granada Tote Diaper Bag from BananaFish (available in August)

Bottom Right: Vera Bradley's Baby Bag in Watercolor

I did read a blog the other day that suggested having multiple diaper bags. Ok, twist my arm! But really, you have more than one diaper bag always packed. So if you need to run out the door you already have one ready to go. Plus you should always have one extra in the car. I made it a point that my husband will need to pick out a diaper bag too (because I know mine will be pretty girly/fashionable/purse-like and he will refuse to carry it). And he's not getting away with it that easy! :) This is what he picked out at the store:

Eddie Bauer Weekender Diaper Bag



Random people

Today was the FIRST day a random person pointed out my belly! :) We were waiting in line at the grocery store and she asked me how far along I was. Woohoo!

Here are a few recent pictures. Both were taken at 24 weeks.





Car seat covers

If someone wanted to start their own business, they should make custom baby gear accessories! They would make a lot of money off of me! I was talking to a friend the other day who was explaining to me how hot her son gets in the car seat. The car seat now stinks, and even though the fabric is removable and you are able to wash it, she said it was a pain to take it on and off, and quickly gained the stinch again. So, as we were sitting in church today the cutest little girl was sitting in a car seat that had a cover. I searched and searched and found hers online. It looked like this...

Brown with pink polka dots. She looked so cute in it with her pink dress and little bow!
Not only will this help the car seat not gain a sweaty stinch (which will leave your baby stinking too), when your baby starts eating solids it will be easier to get those crumbs out. Plus, this cover looks so much easier to remove and wash than the one it comes with. And it looks adorable!!!

Here are a few websites I found that sell custom car seat covers:
Baby Loves: Infant Car Seat Covers
Nollie Covers