A whole year later...

I stink at blogging. Is anyone surprised? In my last post, a year ago, I was very clear to say that I was not pregnant. Now, I very clearly am:

We're over the moon to be having a little girl in September (or any day now if she knows what's good for her :P)

I hate being pregnant, but I feel very blessed to have the opportunity. I was super sick the first few months and lost a LOT of weight, but my doctor says I'm doing much better and I look forward to meeting the little girl.

In other news, Garrett is now a 3rd year Medical Student, which means he's started his rotations. He's loving being in the clinic and not studying all the time. He took his boards in June and did great, so we're really proud of him and all his hard work. Medical School is not for the faint of heart, but he is doing great.

Life is pretty much the same for me, barring the parasite (the baby). I'm a nursery leader in my church congregation which is pretty much insane. We have eleven three-and-unders some days and I have officially decided that I will not have eleven kids at once.

Eli is growing so fast! He's still our little guy who happens to be the same size as a lot of kids a year younger than him, but he is OBSESSED with baseball. He hits pitched balls all day, rarely goes anywhere without his mitt and hat and can identify Miller Park (the Brewers' Stadium) by just the top of the rafters. Garrett is quite proud of our little lefty.

Well, hopefully I'll be getting on here soon with an update about little miss. In the mean time... here's to waiting!

iPhone Family Photo — and an update

Last Sunday we all happened to match. Now, if you know me, you know this is rare. I hate matching. However, it turned into something good this time — an iPhone family picture :D

Things are going really well around the McCoy house.

Garrett is studying hard and realizing how awesome it is to have Kendell, Phil, Justin and Jordan go through medical school before him. Their advice has been so helpful and has really spurred us into action. Garrett is already preparing for boards, studying for his 2nd year classes, continuing his research, serving in the Elders Quorum and being an amazing father and husband. I don't know how he does it all — but he does fall asleep on the couch a lot ;)

I'm doing really well. The past few weeks I've actually felt normal. I don't get stuck in bed anymore, I can leave the house and, best of all, I'm actually doing chores around the house. This in no way means my house is immaculate, but I've cooked dinner every day this week and Garrett has yet to run out of underwear. That's pretty good in my book.

And little Eli. I love that kid so much (another thing that's really made me feel normal). He has started to color and doesn't actually eat that many crayons, which is nice. He also says Mom, Dad and Jesus and has specific noises for Yes, Hello and Car (Vroooooooom). He's so mellow and happy — and crazy! He never stops moving unless he's asleep. I've even taken to letting him have a toy car at dinner so he doesn't throw his food. Oh, the things I swore I'd never do... :D

That's really all I can think of from the McCoy family. Life is normal, crazy and wonderful. I'm a lucky, lucky girl.

I'm starting to like this spring break thing...

So, MCW actually has a spring break. I'm loving it. Garrett still studies a bit each day, but it's so nice to have him home with Eli and me.

Garrett finished up his second set of tests for this semester and has two more to go. I know he's looking forward to being done, but he is doing such a good job. During his finals week he would leave around 9:00 a.m. and not come back until 3:30... a.m. Yeah, not until the next morning. I don't know how he kept it up, but he is sure enjoying sleeping ALL THE TIME now. :P

This is what happens when Dad watches baby.

Dad's little sports fanatic.

I've been keeping busy. I'm not going to go into details, but I was recently checked in to the hospital because my depression got out of hand. After getting out, I had to attend an Intensive Outpatient Program, which meant I had to go to the hospital three times per week for three hours for group therapy sessions. I am so grateful for the amazing ward we have. I had no shortage of visitors when I was at the hospital, people sent meals for me to put in the freezer the next time I felt overwhelmed and everyone volunteered to watch Eli for me when I had to go, or even just offered me a place to hang out when I needed to. I am so blessed to be here in Wisconsin at this time.

I've also been working on being crafty. I've been making dolls for a while now, but I experimented with a monster for my friend who is having a little boy. It is definitely not perfect, but I think it is adorable.

As for Eli, he's keeping us on our toes. He's a crawling machine and can walk around anywhere as long as he has a hand on something. He has even started to stand — but only if he doesn't realize he isn't leaning against something. I've tricked him into standing for a good 10 seconds, and he only fell because he realized I was no longer behind him :)

Eli has been making lots of friends. He still needs to work
on charming the girls, though —not hitting them.

Eli and his "Big Sister" Abigail.

He has also been very busy saving the world.

He's watching out for crime.
(You know, because he's Batman)

And, finally, our favorite third wheel.

We're officially cheese heads

Wow. The last time I blogged our little alien was a marshmallow. I really need to get better about this whole thing. Oh well.

Well, we've officially moved to Wisconsin. I LOVE it here. Seriously. I kind of want to live here the rest of my life. (Don't worry Mom and Dad, Winter hasn't happened yet. I'll probably be singing a different tune in a month.)

I could try and catch you up on everything that has happened, but I won't because then this blog post will never be finished. So, Cliff Notes version: Garrett's parents took us to Nauvoo and Chicago when we moved out here. It was a blast and super cool to see. Here's some pictures.

We've made some awesome friends and done some amazing things while we've been here.

My mom came out to visit.

 Garrett received his White Coat and started medical school.

And our little alien just keeps getting cuter and cuter.

                      

He did it!!!!!!!!!

We could be living here for the next million years!

Pardon my excessive use of exclamation points in the title, I couldn't resist. Garrett and I have super good news. Ready?

Okay.

Garrett got into not one, but TWO schools today!

The first call of the day was from A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. He was excited about this one — it meant that no matter what, he was going to medical school somewhere. It is comforting to know you don't have to wait another year.

But then came the big call — the one Garrett and I have been anxiously awaiting since he interviewed there. He got accepted into the Medical College of Wisconsin!

Now, it's not that we've pictured ourselves living in Wisconsin or anything, but when Garrett went to the interview he said he loved everything about the school. Getting that call was a serious answer to prayers.

Our minds aren't completely made up as of now, we still hope to get into more schools, but it would have to be a pretty impressive school to deter Garrett from Wisconsin.

Can I just say how proud I am of that guy! He's worked so hard and it has truly paid off. Tell him congrats if you see him ever.

The tally we've been waiting for:

Primaries: 32
Secondaries: 29 received, 20 sent
Interviews: 6
Acceptances: 2

Isn't he handsome :D

Finding a football team

Well, I'm a little behind in updating Garrett's journey to medical school — I think it's because I'm really anxious to hear if we get in anywhere come Monday. It's been a long wait (I know, you probably feel like it's come up so quickly), but I'm ready for the news — good or bad.

Well, for good news right now, Garrett got an interview invite to Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine. That's right — Garrett got an interview somewhere with a football team!

Though I hope that won't be the reason he chooses to go to the school, I know it definitely won't hurt them.

As I've said a million times before, I'm really proud of Garrett and how well he's done. I'm just grateful that all his hard work is starting to pay off. Come Monday, it might really pay off!

The man of the hour is currently in Washington at an interview, so he's been busy. If we hear good news come Monday we'll be able to be a bit pickier when it comes to buying tickets, hotel rooms and rental cars for interviews.

Cross your fingers for us!

Primaries: 32
Secondaries: 29 received, 20 sent
Interviews: 6
Acceptances: 2 days to go!

He's done it again!

I can't believe how many responses Garrett is getting back from medical schools! Like I've said a million times, I am so proud of him and how hard he has worked. For his last two interviews he's been told he's in the first interviewing group — that seems pretty awesome to me!

Here's to hoping that next month he gets in to some of them. :D

Well, this time he's heard back from the Medical College of Wisconsin. For all you who know your medical school stuff, this one is an MD. Garrett is the first McCoy boy to be invited to interview at an MD school — so we might be a little excited.

Honestly, when it comes to choosing between DO and MD, we don't mind either. They both have their merits and they both offer a fine education for a wonderful career. But we're still excited.

So, Garrett will head to Wisconsin for his interview on September 28. I'm excited to see how he does.

As for the count:

Primaries: 32
Secondaries: 29 received, 20 sent
Interviews: 5
Acceptances: Please come soon Oct. 15th (with good news!)

And in they come rolling

Garrett is doing super amazing when it comes to medical school interviews! He now has four, and I'm a super, super proud wife.

So, as far as you know, Garrett has already interviewed at North Texas and has an interview scheduled with Kirksville.

But now...

Garrett has been invited to interview with BOTH A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona and Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine.

So let me break it down for you.

A.T. Still University, School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona

This school is by the place Garrett's brother, Justin, went to school. It would be nice to attend there because we'd be by family, which is always a plus. We think we have a semi-good chance here, because Kirksville (the other A.T. Still campus) also wanted us. Here's to hoping!

Garrett will interview there on the 19th of October.

Now the next one.

Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine

This school is the same school Garrett's other brother, Jordan, attends right now. A major selling point for this school is the fact that  Garrett and I are both pretty familiar with it. We have both already toured it — which is something we haven't done anywhere else — and, because Jordan goes there we know that they treat their students really well.

Another thing we like about it is that it is three hours away from Garrett's family (well, it's about one minute away from his brother and sister-in-law, but I mean the rest of his family). I know Garrett really wants to go back to Spokane for at least a little bit, so it would be nice to spend a few years there.

Garrett will interview there on the 12th of October.

Now for the count:

Primaries: 32
Secondaries: 29 received (I think), 20 sent (I think this number has settled)
Interviews: 4
Acceptances: 0... but we're anxiously awaiting Oct. 15th

The Journey Continues

Garrett got another medical school interview!

The Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine is "pleased to invite (Garrett) to our campus for an interview." He'll go on October 19th.

I'm so proud of him. He's worked very hard on the applications, and all his hard work seems to be paying off. It's kind of weird, but this whole medical school thing is starting to seem kind of real — I wonder where in the world we'll be living in just under a year.

For those keeping count, the current tally is:

Primaries: 32
Secondaries: 26 received, 20 sent
Interviews: 2
Acceptances: 0... the soonest we'll hear is Oct. 15th

TCOM: And the Medical Journey Begins

Today during work Garrett got some amazing news: He's been extended an interview offer from the University of North Texas School of Osteopathic Medicine.

When he called me I almost didn't believe him. We finished applying there last week and they've already gotten back to us. As far as I know, that's unheard of. He will interview with them on August 3rd.

I am so proud of him. He has worked so hard and done so much to prepare for this moment. I know people are going to fall in love with him during the interview — he so personable and friendly. I hope this is an omen of many more to come, but at least we heard from Texas! Ending up there would be so good for us.

For those who want to follow him, here are the stats:

Primaries: 32
Secondaries: 19 received, 13 sent
Interviews: 1
Acceptances: 0... so far ;)