Draft from the Past: Announcement and an Update

I wrote the following post the DAY my water broke and the day before Felix arrived, but I never did hit post. I guess, better late than never!


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April 27, 2011


ANNOUNCEMENT:

Well, after three years in the "real world" Phillip is headed back to academia in the fall! He will start the MHSA (Master of Health Services Administration) program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI. We're going to be Wolverines!

This was a really though decision for Phillip and I. He was accepted into 11 different programs (Purdue, Columbia, UC Berkley, UCLA, University of Washington, Boston University, University of Minnesota, UNC, Johns Hopkins, Harvard and University of Michigan) and we narrowed it down to Harvard and Michigan. From there the hard part started. Each program/school/city had its plusses and minuses for us, but it ultimately came down to what program would be a better fit for Phillip and what he wants to do with his career. Of course I was secretly angling for Harvard. The thought of moving with a brand new baby to a new place where I don't know anyone did not appeal to me, and much to Phillip's chagrin I shed many a tear about it. So initially, a week before we had to declare, we decided to see how we would feel about Harvard. We prayed, talked, debated, prayed some more. I felt great but I could tell Phillip didn't feel confident about that decision. So about three days before the deadline I suggested we pray and think about Michigan and see if that felt any better. I swear, within in hour (maybe minutes) of that conversation I could physically see the difference in Phillip. That was my answer. I knew Phillip would do great at either school, but if he felt better about Michigan, then Ann Arbor here we come! After that I think I only cried about it twice...when I told my sister Erin and when I told my boss we were moving in August. But other than those two occasions it's continued to feel like the right decision for our family. So Michigan here we come!

I'm so proud of Phil. He's worked so hard these past three years working and taking the GRE and it's paid off! He's going to the #1 ranked school for his discipline!

UPDATE:

Well today I am 35 weeks and 2 days. Just a little under 5 weeks until this baby's due date and he may get here sooner than that! About 3 weeks ago my dr. put me on partial bed rest. My blood pressure was steadily rising and she thinks that eventually I will develop preeclampsia. The only thing you really can do to keep it at bay is bed rest to try and keep the blood pressure down. So I've been working from home, resting with my feet up and only going into the office once or twice a week for a few hours if I need to. On top of that I don't leave the house and can't be on my feet for too long. I only leave the house for dr. appointments and to go into the office. Luckily my Mom is here this week watching Erin's kids, so she's offered to help clean our place a bit! THANKS MOM! I spent yesterday evening in Labor & Delivery being monitored because I've had a prolonged and painful headache that won't go away. Everything's fine and normal, so we're thinking it may be seasonal allergies.

Phil is still traveling to Chicago weekly for work. He's been working really hard for this client and I think making some real progress with their project. He will take a few weeks off when the baby boy comes and then he will be done at the end of July! We will both be very grateful when this weekly traveling is done. It's been a great job for Phil and has given him great experience for his future career, but the traveling is hard!

So that in a nut shell is what's happening with our growing family. We're preparing for our baby boy to get here and preparing to move to Michigan!