MATCH DAY!

Match Day

Where are we going to be for the next 6 to 7 years...

John is holding the letter that will ultimately tell us where we will be for the next 6 to 7 years(whoa that is a long time)...

okay I'll get to the point...

If you cannot read the small print on the letter scroll down further...

We are heading to:

Indianapolis, Indiana

Univerity of Indiana for Neurosurgery for six years!

We are so excited and are looking forward to this new adventure.

Here are the LDS classmates of John!  They are a great bunch of guys and have really been a great support to eachother and great friends!  

(Jason, Mike, Ben, Aaron, John)

Here are the wives!  They are all awesome women and have been such great examples to me and great friends!  I'm going to miss them so much!

(Andrea, Mary Ann, Marie, Heather, Chelise)

I love this picture of all of us!  We all came out here to Iowa with only one brand new baby and now there are nine kids between all of us!  So much has happened since we all came out to medical school!  This will be a time in our lives we will never forget!

(Robbins, Edwards, Bullards, Pattersons, Obriens)

Photo's of Baby Nate

Nate was about 2 1/2 or 3 weeks old when these pictures were taken.  The photos were taken by my really good friend Rachel Eng.  She does such an amazing job!  I posted so many because they are all so good.  I'm so glad I have these pictures to remember how tiny he was when he was first born and to see that he still makes the same cute expressions!  I just wish he could stay this cute, cuddly, tiny baby forever!   Although, I can't wait to get a good nights sleep soon (hopefully soon)!

3-9-09

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!