Doctors, Callings, Blessings

Brad is doing an inpatient rotation in Pediatrics at Seattle Children's Hospital. It is one of the best pediatric hospital's in the U.S., so this has been a good opportunity for him. Brad is working with the Cardiology team. He has been put in charge of the care for a few patients, reporting to the residents and attending doctors above him. He's learning a lot and he's been pretty busy. Okay, really busy (14-16 hour work days).

He came home the other night ashen-faced and visibly shaken. They had almost lost one of his patients. A two day old "Invitro" baby born to a couple who have been trying to have a baby for ten years. After talking with Brad that night, and over the past couple of weeks, I have realized something.

I have realized that I really have no idea of the pressures Brad (and other doctors) are under every day. I don't think most people do. The decisions he makes really are life or death decisions. Especially in this hospital. That's a lot of pressure and a lot of stress. It must be kind of lonely too. It's a profession like no other.

I received a new calling in my ward last week to be the Compassionate Service Leader. The calling in our ward is kind of unique because our ward takes care of all the LDS families that are patients in Seattle Children's Hospital. I've spent some time this week at the hospital. It's an amazing place. The staff there is amazing. So are the patients and their families.

My Relief Society President told me that she hopes (among other things) that through this calling I will gain a better understanding and appreciation for what my husband does every day so that I can be a good support to him throughout his career. I hope so too.

And I hope that, in some small way, I can help those families bear their burdens a little easier. When you become aware of people whose needs are so much greater than your own, it makes you very grateful for what you have. Last year I would have been complaining about rarely seeing my husband and handling two adorably active little girls alone. Right now I feel like I have too many blessings to count.

Lainy is growing up. Isn't she beautiful?

Leah discovering rocks on our walk.

Look at all those pagers!

Sunshine

In case you were wondering, this is what we do when the sun comes out in Seattle:

We soak up the sun!

I figure that my girls are probably Vitamin D deficient, and that maximum exposure is the way to go when we see some sunshine. It's fun.

I suggest that you soak up the sun when you see her too. There's just nothing quite like closing your eyes and feeling warm sunlight on your face. It does the body (and soul) good.

Happy soaking!

Leah Turns One!

Leah's birthday was last Sunday. Can you believe it? I can't.

We debated about throwing her a big party to celebrate, but when she woke up the day before her birthday with a cough and runny nose, we decided we would spare her the pressure of hosting her first birthday party and just have a quiet night at home. It was the right choice.

Leah woke up on her birthday morning to a birthday sign made by Lainy and me, and to a bunch of balloons provided by Brad.

We had a fun birthday breakfast before going to Church, then had a nice evening at home.
Leah was darling all day. She's always darling. Even when she's not feeling well. She had fun opening presents. She was quite the pro for a one-year-old. I guess having Christmas two weeks before her birthday gave her good practice!

 

 She wasn't very excited about eating her cake. She just smashed it with her hands. (I blame it on her illness and not my cooking skills. It was a pina colada cake with mango sorbet. Yum.) The rest of us enjoyed eating it!

We had a fun day celebrating our baby girl. I think she had a fun day too. Oh how we love her!

(I don't know why this picture is sideways... sorry)

Happy Birthday Leah!

To Leah on her birthday...

Dear Leah,

Today is your birthday. You are one year old! I can't believe it.

The day you were born was so special. For a few hours the gray, dreary rain in Seattle turned to beautiful sunshine. It streamed through the windows of our hospital room and fell onto your tiny face as you were born. I think it came just for you.

You were crying when Dr. Lorentz handed you to me, but you stopped as soon as you were in my arms. You just opened your eyes and looked at me for the longest time. And I cried because you were beautiful and perfect.

You brought a powerful spirit with you for such a tiny baby. Powerful in a calm and peaceful way. I don't know how to explain it. But from the moment you were born, it overwhelmed me and filled me with love for you and for Lainy and for Daddy. You still have that spirit about you.

You came at a hard time for our family. Daddy was so, so busy and Mommy sometimes had a hard time by herself with two little girls. But you were the perfect baby. You were so patient with me. Sometimes I would look at you and wonder what you were thinking. You always looked so wise. Like you knew something I didn't know. I wondered what you would tell me if you could talk.

People told me you were the most beautiful baby they had ever seen. (They said that about your sister too.) And I had to agree.

Over the past year, you have grown and learned so much. You have taught Mommy so much. I am blessed to have you, my little brown eyed girl.

I love you! I hope you have a happy birthday!
Love, Mommy

Happy Holidays

We had so much fun over the Holidays this year. It was nice to be with family. I think we saw every one of our family members except my brother who is on a mission. That is what the Holidays are for, right? Spending time with family!

We kicked off our Holiday season by celebrating my sister’s wedding a week before Christmas. Besides poor Lainy having the flu, it was a fun day. Hayley (my sister) and Justin are such a great match and we had a blast celebrating with them. Their reception was pretty spectacular. I wish you could have all seen it. Wow. It was a party! Maybe the best part was all the wedding guests lining up outside with huge sparklers to send the newlyweds off on their honeymoon. It was fun!

 We spent Christmas Eve with Brad’s family. It was the first time in a long time that everyone has been there. It was busy and crowded and crazy and wonderful. The Hansen’s have a tradition of hiding presents and sending people on treasure hunts Christmas morning. It was funny to watch everyone Christmas Eve thinking of clues and planning surprises.

Lainy as Mary for the program

Leah as a baby lamb in the stable

Christmas morning was wonderful and magical. Lainy had asked Santa for a Dr. Kit, but he also surprised her with “a real Jessie doll” (from Toy Story). Leah found her cute little baby and hugged her all morning. We were all spoiled rotten!

We were able to talk with my brother, Jeff, on Christmas day. He’s in Paraguay on his mission. It took all morning to get through to him, but we eventually did. He sounds so good. I love that kid!

The rest of our break was spent with family and friends. We kept ourselves busy and had a lot of fun!

Nazareth Night: Kayt as Mary, Lainy as an angel, Ella as the donkey

Dallin, Sarah Jane, and Lainy sledding

Leah being pulled on the sled

Brad, Leah, Lainy sledding

My Dad giving Leah her new favorite food - yogurt

Some of the Hansens the night before we left

Leah's first taste of birthday cake

We spent New Years Eve driving to Seattle. It was a long drive (15 hours) but the girls did great and luck proved to be on our side with weather and road conditions. We pulled into our parking lot in Seattle just as the fireworks were being shot off the Space Needle at midnight. Coming home was a fun way to ring in the New Year!

So we’re back in Seattle and happy to be here! We hope you had a happy holiday season as well!