Did I mention...

that I am going to China in a week! Yeah, in the midst of starting a new job, learning a whole new set of skills, Chris being gone for 3 days, finding babysitters, planting a garden, and all the other every day stuff...I am going to China. I can't remember if I posted this yet or not, but my aunt won a trip to Beijing through her work. Her husband wasn't up for the long flight so I was next in line. Wheeeewwwwww! So, we leave a week from today. I will drive to Richmond on Sunday for my future sister-n-law's shower, then monday we leave for San Francisco to see my brother. We will stay 2 nights there and then leave for China. We are only staying one week, which is barely enough to get over the jet lag, but I am not complaining. It is free, and I have always wanted to see the great wall. We will actually be able to have dinner on it!! I will post pictures while I am there, so stay tuned. Mostly, I am sad about leaving India. She is going to be fine, but I am really going to miss her. Not that I won't miss everyone else, but India changes every day. I am hoping she will adjust back to nursing when I return.

these pictures were taken at a local catholic retreat center where chris goes once a month to get away from us:)

we saw dozens of deer but they were too quick to get pictures of...

In other news, I witnessed my first c-section. It was an emergency section. I was a nervous wreck. I had one great day and one not so great one last week. I hope the great days out number the other ones. I have so much to learn!! My preceptor told me that she never expects a woman who comes onto our floor to have a normal labor, because "most of the time they are not normal." I have had this in my mind all week. This myth of most women not having normal labors is the cause of the high c-section rates, the increased use of pitocin and epidurals. And leads to difficulties with recovery, breastfeeding, and mother-infant bonding. I have a long road ahead of me of biting my tongue to comments like these!! I pray that I will be able to endure it for what it is and learn as much as I can. I am so happy to have this job. I know I will have many great experiences. I am keeping a journal so that I won't forget.