New location (back in the midwest). New baby (yet to come). Newfound freedom of not juggling being a nurse and student midwife and displaced family anymore...
The past months of clinicals were incredibly hard on everybody. Money was tight, quarters were very close, and we lived in an unfamiliar area with few people we knew (though those we did really stepped up as friends and support people--thanks, Maribeth!) My schedule was crazy, and my being on call close to 24/7 for births meant Matt was a full-time-plus parent and homemaker--a role he fulfilled brilliantly, but I know not effortlessly. I can never express how much his sacrifices and commitment mean to me. Having the opportunity to spend lots of time with Eden these days is something I cherish--but it's also something that makes me marvel more every day at how he managed to take care of this whirlwhind of nonstop energy and incessant demands, within the confines of a tiny cabin, with absolutely NO assistance from anyone, PLUS cook and clean and run errands--for many months on end. He's truly superhuman, and has given up so much in order for me to become a midwife, and I owe him more than I can ever say. We all felt the strain of being pulled in multiple directions, and the only thing more complicated than our life in Pennsylvania was the fact that every few weeks, we packed up and drove down to Virginia for me to work a stretch of nursing shifts. That meant unsettling the baby's routine, two long car rides, relying on the kindness of friends for a place to stay, and 14-hour days watching a crabby baby in unfamiliar surroundings (Matt) or pregnant and constantly on my feet at the hospital (me).
It's amazing now to think that that chapter of our lives--so intense at the time--is just over. It's also amazing to think of just how many people did step up to the plate to try to make our lives easier at that point--April, Pam, Tara and Mark, just to name a few. And of course, our families have been invaluable sources of support and have gone above and beyond in assisting us in our monumental move back across the country. We're thankful to everyone for their kindness and overwhelming generosity, and we're also thankful that another chapter of our lives is beginning.
We've now moved on to a new set of challenges and joys, which everyone is embracing. We're doing our best to keep up with old friendships, and slowly but surely we're starting to forge new. Eden is thriving with her grandparents so nearby, rather than depending solely on two stressed and harried parents for interaction and play. Matt and I have enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with our siblings, to go to our first movie in over 18 months, and have more than the occasional conversation actually face to face with each other. The benefits of having family close by are even sweeter than we'd imagined, and we're also enjoying the opportunities to rediscover our favorite places in the area--and getting to know some new ones. I'm sure there will be bumps in the road along the way, but in the meantime, we're relishing some much-needed downtime together.
The past months of clinicals were incredibly hard on everybody. Money was tight, quarters were very close, and we lived in an unfamiliar area with few people we knew (though those we did really stepped up as friends and support people--thanks, Maribeth!) My schedule was crazy, and my being on call close to 24/7 for births meant Matt was a full-time-plus parent and homemaker--a role he fulfilled brilliantly, but I know not effortlessly. I can never express how much his sacrifices and commitment mean to me. Having the opportunity to spend lots of time with Eden these days is something I cherish--but it's also something that makes me marvel more every day at how he managed to take care of this whirlwhind of nonstop energy and incessant demands, within the confines of a tiny cabin, with absolutely NO assistance from anyone, PLUS cook and clean and run errands--for many months on end. He's truly superhuman, and has given up so much in order for me to become a midwife, and I owe him more than I can ever say. We all felt the strain of being pulled in multiple directions, and the only thing more complicated than our life in Pennsylvania was the fact that every few weeks, we packed up and drove down to Virginia for me to work a stretch of nursing shifts. That meant unsettling the baby's routine, two long car rides, relying on the kindness of friends for a place to stay, and 14-hour days watching a crabby baby in unfamiliar surroundings (Matt) or pregnant and constantly on my feet at the hospital (me).
It's amazing now to think that that chapter of our lives--so intense at the time--is just over. It's also amazing to think of just how many people did step up to the plate to try to make our lives easier at that point--April, Pam, Tara and Mark, just to name a few. And of course, our families have been invaluable sources of support and have gone above and beyond in assisting us in our monumental move back across the country. We're thankful to everyone for their kindness and overwhelming generosity, and we're also thankful that another chapter of our lives is beginning.
We've now moved on to a new set of challenges and joys, which everyone is embracing. We're doing our best to keep up with old friendships, and slowly but surely we're starting to forge new. Eden is thriving with her grandparents so nearby, rather than depending solely on two stressed and harried parents for interaction and play. Matt and I have enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with our siblings, to go to our first movie in over 18 months, and have more than the occasional conversation actually face to face with each other. The benefits of having family close by are even sweeter than we'd imagined, and we're also enjoying the opportunities to rediscover our favorite places in the area--and getting to know some new ones. I'm sure there will be bumps in the road along the way, but in the meantime, we're relishing some much-needed downtime together.
1 comment:
Like. :)
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