UCI Medical Center

There is a H-O-T radiologist who works down in the basement of this beautiful hospital. 

I hear he's a tall drink of water, nice to everyone, really funny, super smart, but somehow cool at the same time...His wife must feel really lucky.

love, kerry

Home Sweet Dreams

We had some pretty fabulous playdates last week in Reno,  and oddly EACH included exciting news from friends of either 1) a new house being built, 2) remodeled, or 3) just recently moved-in.


The real-estate market must be making a come back! Awesome!

They were all equally amazing homes/plans too! I'm so happy for these friends and their families. Life is exciting. But, it also got me thinking....This doctor stuff is hard. 

I get it, one day it will all be worth it. And, I couldn't be happier with our HB beach condo, a couple blocks from the beach and Main St., modern appliances, big rooms, a backyard, neighboring park and resort pool...We're very lucky, but it made me miss our house. And, I don't mean "OUR" old house necessarily, just the idea of "OUR" home. A stable, comfortable home to live, improve, enjoy...settle into to.

We can't do much about our living situation now considering that in 3-4 years, we'll be moving again. So, I'm not going to dwell on this unstable feeling, but rather focus on the positive.

We have so much ahead to look forward to, and....more time for planning!

I love an organized, thoughtful, strategic plan.
What can I say?

I'll just enjoy this living-in-vacation mode for the next few years, while I can, and when I miss the "OUR" house stability, I'll remind myself that it's coming....And, there's limited time to really figure out what we want out of "OUR" next home...Better get to work!

Some immediate ideas come to mind.

I want a KILLER backyard. I want to entertain, and be the cool house for Audrey and all her friends. One of these would work, I guess... 

I would also like an older house, in an established neighborhood. So, I can't really expect many bedrooms like a newer home would have, and in fact like the idea of our kids sharing a room. Custom bunk-beds like one of these would be BEAUTIFUL:

Beautiful for older kids!

Everything about a kitchen intimidates me. Seriously. So, I don't even know where to start...
This is beautiful, minus gaudy chandler. 

A SWEET master suite is mandatory. I think it's about time for me and John to get our own closets too, and a relaxing bathroom would be so amazing... You know how much I enjoy the spa!

Love this style, but again- what's with the chandeliers???

I know I'll have other requirements, and requests like:
A big pantry.
A bacement/game room/craft station would be fun.
A his/her home office is a no-brainer.
Then there's the garage, storage, curb appeal, and more....

OH, and of course I dream of a Donner or Tahoe lake house too!!!

We'll see, but good thing I've got some time to plan! 


love, kerry



These photos and some other inspirations can be found (with links to original source) on my Pinterest board, "Decorating My Future House".

Accomplishments

  

John, you're working your a%$ off. 

It's not going unnoticed. 

Not by me, and not by your colleagues.

So proud of you...everyday.

love, kerry

PS- $2, really?

New Friends!

"Who are these people," Audrey asked.

"These are new friends," said the Mama. "You'll like them...Just be yourself."

May I introduce you to the Radiologists of UCI...

{and me and Audrey}

Here are 5 of the 6 residents in John's "class" and our new friends these next four years.

So far, everyone seems really down to earth.

Really nice, and actually normal (despite the stereotype of radiologists...sorry John).

We're excited to have some friends in OC now, and looking forward to the next four years!

I also had a dinner on Tuesday with a girl my age, Jami, who I am semi-connected to through work.

We are both 27.

Both work in marketing...and, in the pet industry.

We know a lot of the same industry people, which is crazy.

We both played volleyball.

Seemed to have similar sense of humor too...

I think we have a lot in common.

And, she was really sweet to take me out for happy hour, and teach me about living in southern California (she's from here, the "inland empire", to be exact. I have a lot of new lingo to learn).

I would like to think that I'd be as nice to someone who moved to Reno.

I know I'd want to be. Does that count?

love, kerry

My Big, Little Baby

John and I knew that our kids would be above average (in multiple ways, of course). But, just like us, we assume that all of our kids will become the tallest in their class one day. Audrey had her 9-month well baby check with the pediatrician today, and like all of our doctor visits to date, the main discussion was about Audrey's size. Yes, she's off the charts- 100th percentile plus in both height and weight (just like Mommy and Daddy were), but today was just hysterical to me.

Dr. P:

Ok John and Kerry, let me just show you this growth chart...

See this line, well it represents Audrey's growth...

And, this line down here is the average growth rate and size of other 9 month olds...

(Ok, we figured. Audrey's big for her age)

Now, let's look a little further down the line...

See the average height/weight represented here? It matches the line where we find Audrey's size currently.

(Ok, I see that. What does that mean?)

Well, what I'm trying to tell you is that Audrey's currently the same size as the average 18-month-old baby.

(WOW!!!! I can't believe she's THAT big!!!!!)

And, I think now would be a good time to discuss some strange looks you might be getting at the playground....

(huh?)

It's not uncommon for kids like Audrey, who are just soooo much bigger for their age, to get funny looks from other parents...They may be wondering, why doesn't she talk yet? Or, is she slow?

(Geez.)

You'll find yourself wanting to yell, "She's only 9-months-old!"

Just know that Audrey is perfect. She's growing perfectly, she's developing perfectly. And, you have nothing to worry about. It's too be expected with parents like you!

(hahaha)

I love our pediatrician, and I'm really going to miss her after we move, but this conversation just cracked me up!!!

(BUT)

I will say- if she's right, I feel sorry for those parents at the playground who give me or my big, little baby any funny looks. =)

love, kerry

John, You Win Everything...

To the 2011 "Outstanding Preliminary Resident",

I am so proud of you! You work so hard, and deserve to be recognized.

Oh, if they only knew...

Also, I love you.

kerry