Belated Thanksgiving

Although I was on call Thanksgiving Day (but luckily did not get called in), I was still able to celebrate with mom, Kristen, and John the next day. Unfortunately, Ari was scheduled for a week of overnights and then was off to Cincinnati for three interviews in three days. Because we decided to go so late, we decided it would be best to drive so I picked Kristen up on Friday morning and we were off. The trip was long but at least the weather was okay. We were starving but we waited until Springfield to eat so that we could have the best sandwiches in the world at Head West. I must have eaten there at least once a week while I was in med school. After her tummy was full, Kristen fell asleep until we go to mom's house. Mom was cooking like a fiend when we got there and the house smelled wonderful. We cracked open some wine and enjoyed each other's company then stuffed ourselves with all of the Thanksgiving staples: turkey and gravy, mash potatoes, stuffing, cranberries and green bean casserole mmm... we rolled ourselves in front of the TV to watch some football and then headed to bed.

Saturday, we slept until 9am... what a treat! We went off to the gym to work off a fraction of the meal the night before and then it was time for Kristen and I to get ready for Hollie's baby shower. Hollie is our cousin Martin's wife on our dad's side. She is expecting a baby boy whom they plan to name Braden in January. At the shower they had the most adorable center pieces which all had clues to a nursery rhyme that you had to guess. We also had to guess different baby foods in jars and finish lines of nursery rhymes. Kristen and I totally lost these games. Not being mommies ourselves was a huge disadvantage. It was wonderful to see our family; Aunt Camille is simply glowing at the prospect of being a grandma and Aunt Kathy was in great spirits. Baby Braden totally made out at this shower and it was fun to see all of the baby things. After the shower, we headed to Aunt Camille's to visit with the rest of the Pope/Caupp clan before going back to mom's. As usual, mom made a fabulous dinner and we had to be rolled to bed.

Sunday morning we slept in! Kristen and I left at noon so we would get back at a decent hour... which happened to be 9pm for me. The freezing rain started somewhere around Bloomington and it was stop and go around Chicago. What a mess! I was so thankful when I finally made it to our house. Despite the long trip, I am so glad I got to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Mommy Time

Two weeks ago... where does the time go?... My mom came up to visit for the weekend. Ari was diligently studying for his board exams so it was perfect timing; plus, sometimes you just need a hug from your mom! She flew in on Friday and she, Ari, and I went to eat at the Pasta Tree. We discovered a new wine and had wonderful meals, they practically had to roll us out of there. Then we headed for the casino. Potawatomi has not been good to me in the past but I was up for a challenge. I started off on the craps table, mom wandered toward the slots, and Ari watched me for a while and then decided to try his hand at roulette. My winnings were slow and steady but mom found me quickly when she was down to her last few dollars. She was so bummed! She decided, she would risk the last of it and won $250!! Both Ari and I walked away winners too! Take that Potawatomi!! Saturday, we headed up to Cedarburg for some pottery painting (I am addicted). I think mom was more stressed than enjoying it... she is such a perfectionist! We painted little holiday plates. Then we shopped down the main street. We both found fun holiday items. Finally, it was time to head back to Milwaukee. For dinner we decided to try McCormick and Schmidt's Fish Market. We had the best meal. The crab cakes were sensational and our steak was cooked perfectly. When we got home Ari was done studying for the day so we played a few rounds of dominoes. Sunday we slept in and went to the gym. Before long it was time for mom to go. I am so glad she came!

Halloween...finally

After years of avoiding dressing up (I don't think I have celebrated Halloween since my third year of medical school) Ari finally got to get into the Halloween spirit this year. There was some debate but we finally decided on King Arthur and the Black Knight from Monty Python. We should have taken better pictures so you could see that one of my arms was detachable! Just a flesh wound!! Ari even had fake coconuts to hit together like they do in the movie.

So after a short call day, I left the hospital at 9pm to meet Ari at Aaron and Ann's house. Everyone was dressed up and having a great time. Aaron provided entertainment by dancing like Napoleon Dynamite. Then in true Wisconsin drinking game fashion, the old stump came out. The Stump Game is this silly drinking game where you have to pound nails into a stump with a hammer. I have never played and it certainly seems dangerous to mix alcohol with hammers, but it always is fun to watch others. At about 11, I couldn't keep my eyes open so we headed home.

Ward Senior

Believe it or not, for the past month I have been the Green Team wards senior. For those of you who do not know the ins and outs of Children's Hospital, that essentially means that I supervise 4 interns and 4 medical students while they care for patients on the 7th floor... the baby floor. I just cannot believe that I am the senior because it seems like just yesterday that I was the intern! Time flies when you never sleep! I had a great group of residents and students so on the last day we played "Stump the Attending." I basically made the game like Stump the Schwab on ESPN and the residents and medical students tried to be the last one standing so they could face the attendings in the final round. One of the medical students, Mike, faced off with the attendings and just came a little short! I had made a crown for the victor, however, and he wore it proudly during our rounds. The categories of questions ranged from developmental milestones to rashes to rheumatologic and infectious diseases. I was so impressed by how much everyone learned this month!