Just Like a Blind Date

I went on my first prenatal visit today to meet one of the mothers that I am a prospective birth companion for. It was just like a blind date . . . fortunately she is quite pregnant so when I was looking for them in the coffee shop she stuck out like a sore thumb.

Overall I think the meeting went well. Generally for birth companions there are supposed to be two of us that attend the birth but it looks like she would prefer just one. We will see how it goes!

Delicious Recipe

I have been a cooking maniac today. First, I made and froze homemade chili (YUM) and then for dinner I made this spicy pasta sauce from a recipe my mom sent. The sauce was delicious so I thought I would share!

Bon Appetit!

Spicy Tomato Sauce

3 T. olive oil
1 small onion, minced
2 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup pitted Kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
2 T. drained capers, rinsed
salt to taste
generous pinch of red pepper flakes
28 ounce can Italian plum tomatoes, crushed

In a large skillet heat the oil over a medium high flame. When almost smoking, add the onion and garlic and sauté for 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add the olives, capers, salt, and red pepper flakes. Saute for one minute. Add the tomatoes and simmer until reduced slightly, about 20 minutes. Check seasonings and adjust if necessary.

(This is delicious with penne or rigatoni)

Ideas Welcome . . .

I have fewer classes this semester and more time on my hands which means more free time for me. So I am sitting in my apartment trying my darndest not to study too much today but I am running out of things to do. I had dinner, my apartment is clean, I have no laundry, I have caught up with friends via e-mail, I have stalked my share of people on both myspace and facebook and that is about all I can think of.

Your ideas are welcome for how I can fill my time.

Fall?

I heard that fall technically started but I am still not sure I believe it. It has been increasingly cooler here in Baltimore but the sun is still shining and it still gets into the 70's. I hope the leaves start to turn colors soon, I am ready!

I just finished week 4 of classes and can't believe I am more than halfway done with my OB class. I just had my midterm and in just 3 short weeks I will be done and on to psych! I finished my birth companion class and have a couple of mothers signed up to work with which is really exciting. I get to switch from postpartum to labor and Delivery on Friday. Hopefully I will have an exciting story and get to see my first birth!

I also got the chance to go see Tara and Lisa in DC last weekend. It was a bunch of fun and really great to see some old friends.

Cross your fingers for a good story on Friday!

Yikes!!

I have been assigned a mother for my birth companions course. She is due on September 26th . . . kind of scary but exciting at the same time!!!

Fall Semester is Underway

I just completed week two of my fall semester so I thought I better update on what has been going on in Baltimore. I have fewer classes this semester so a bit more non-class time on my hands, however, now my free time has been taken up with memorizing various drugs, studying pathophysiology and things about childbearing.

My classes this semester are a bit harder than last but very interesting. It is really fun to see all the information come together. I love my clinical rotation so far this semester. I am working in the postpartum department and working with new mom's. I have learned how to do a full postpartum assessment, given my first medications and even my first shot! This clinical is a lot more hands on which I really enjoy! I am starting to feel like a real nurse!

I have two more weeks of postpartum and then I will do labor and deliver for a few weeks before switching clinicals and moving on to psych. I am really looking forward to seeing some babies being born! The rotation this time is just SO happy, I leave every day feeling energized since there are so many happy people around.

I have started my doula training and I have a long seminar this weekend. I should be working with my first mom in the next couple of weeks. If you are interested in reading more about Doulas you can visit http://www.dona.org/. I am just so impressed with everything I have learned about being a Doula and what a fantastic thing it is to do.

Anyway, that is about it from me! The weather here is not so good which will make it easier to stay in and study. I have my first exam of the semester next week so its time to crack down and study.

More to come later . . .