Belly Update

Here's the belly at 24 weeks.



I've been feeling great for the past few weeks, almost normal with lots of energy. The only thing I fear is tomato sauce and dropping something. If something drops, I contemplate for a few seconds whether or not it really needs to be picked up.

Nico doesn't move too often, just at night or after a big meal.

Visit with Molly McButter

I'm trying to get back into rhythm again, scheduling patients, etc. Self-pity week is over and I have to start being optimisstic again or I will drive myself insane over things I cannot control.

Molly and her son Harrison was visiting in St Pete last week. Last time I saw her was a couple of years ago when she got married in Missouri. She and her hubby now live in Oregon.

Our original plan was to meet half way for a day-visit in Ft Myers. Neither one of us was keen on the idea. So we both pitched in some money and I flew to St Pete for an overnighter. It was great seeing her and her son! And her family too! I've known her mom, dad, sister and bro since I was 15.

Molly also took me baby shopping where I purchased my first outfit for Baby Nico (we're trying out the name). I fell in love with the monkey.

FL Boards - Day 2

Day 2 was patient day, and it was, without a doubt, the worst day of my dental school years.

The day started at 5 AM which was really 4 AM due to the time change. My first patient was perio. Then came restorative Class 2 and Class 3 patients. Every time you send you patient up for check-in, prep grading, restoration grading, you pace and wait to see if they pass or reject you. Meanwhile, your second or backup patient waits in the lobby for hours, some up to 6 hours, not knowing if you need them. Some just leave.

Unfortunately, I did not finish my restorative. I will be repeating that part in June. I learned a lot, like patient selection is key, make sure your lesion isn't too large, make sure the adjacent tooth has the proper contour.

Both my patients were just wonderful. Punctual, patient, considerate, nice, and healthy. I couldn't asked for better patients.

And to give me strength and encouragement, Paul was there in the lobby with food and drink, filling out forms with my patients, just there to give me and the Bambino a hug.

FL Boards - Day 1

My first day was Manikin Day. We had to arrive at school at 6:30 AM.

3 hrs Endo
4 hrs Prosth

I rocked Endo; will be lucky to pass Prosth. I should have taken a break during the second half, clear my mind, take a breather.

Tomorrow, my patient and I need to be there at 5:30 AM. And tonight, we spring forward 1 hour.

I can't believe the Boards are this weekend!

Wow, it's been extremely stressful these past couple of weeks. I passed my FL Law exam (yeah) and my FL Diagnostic exam (yeah again).

I found my patients, lost a patient, found another patient. No backup patients, so if my primary patients don't arrive or arrive late , I don't get to sit and therefore fail. So stressful how my license and ability to work depends on these 2 people.

I've also finished setting my teeth for my denture competancy and practiced another bridge this weekend. I try not to stress because it's not good for Eggplant. I look at the ultrasound, and still can't believe there's a human being growing in my belly. And he likes chocolate.