Uncle Nate and Uncle Gary Come to Iowa to Meet Baby Nate

Uncle Nate meets Baby Nate for the first time!

Josh with Uncle Gary

Josh had so much fun with his uncles!  We were so happy to have them come out for Nate's blessing!

Neurosurgery residency match ranking

We have decided on the following rank list: 

#1 Indiana 

#2 Duke

#3 Michigan

#4 Utah

#5 Cleveland Clinic

#6 Mayo Clinic

#7 Iowa

#8 Florida

#9 Peoria

#10 Colorado

#11 Wisconsin

#12 Wash-U

The ranking decision was not easy--all of the programs I interviewed at were very good.  Indiana is at the top because I really liked the faculty and residents there, they operate early and often, they are merging with a very successful private practice group that will dramatically increase their surgical numbers, and it is a 6 year program (versus 7).  The chairman of the department has repeatedly said, "the residents are the crown jewel of the program." In other words, the residents are valued and treated very well.  As far as the family goes, the program seems to be very family friendly.  They work more reasonable hours than some of the other programs.  Many of their residents have children.  Indianapolis seems to be a good place to live--friendly people, affordable, lots to do--and, as a bonus, our good friends, the Heiners, live there.  I feel like each member of our family will be very happy.  

There were times when I planned on ranking Duke, Michigan, Cleveland Clinic, Mayo Clinic, Utah, and Iowa #1.  They all have significant strengths.  In the end, however, I feel like we will be happiest in Indiana.

HELP!!!!

Does anyone have any good advice for handling a two and a half year old with a new baby?  Even just moral support would be nice!  Josh has suddenly turned into a whole new person (very demanding, bossy, and yells at me and hits me all the time).  I am pretty sure it is normal for his age and having to share me with a new baby.  Josh's nursery teachers say that he is one of the best kids, so either he acts completely different for me or they are just being nice.  On the flip side of things, luckily, Nate is an angel baby (I feel very lucky and blessed) or else I'd be in the nut house ;) jk.  I really feel bad for him since I don't spend hardly any time with him, except to feed him.  I'd love to hear any thoughts or suggestions.  Thanks! 

Photo's of Nate & Family

Josh playing alphabet and numbers game on his computer with dad.

Josh always falls asleep wrapped with blankets around his body and his head.  I went to go check on him and he was covered in blankets that you couldn't even see him.  After taking off a blanket this is what I found and I find this most nights.  

Josh really wanted Nate to sleep with him, so we put Nate in the crib with Josh to see what Josh would do.  He loved it and was so excited and tucked him in his bed with his favorite blanket(Josh calls it his "rainbow blanket").  He was so sad when we took Nate out of the crib that he cried.  They can share a bunk bed in a couple of years.

More Christmas Day Photos

Here are some more photos of Christmas Day of Nate and our Family.  I've been meaning to post them for quite sometime, but it is soooo busy with a new baby and now having two kids.  It is so fun and I'm starting to get in the swing of things.   

This week Nate started really smiling!

I look at this picture and think, I am really outnumbered now!!! 3 boys!!!