MIDNIGHTS

So I just got done with my first week of the 12 & half hr midnight shift - 3 nights on, one off, then 2 more on. Not counting driving (it takes me 35-50min each way depending on traffic), I really only have one & a half hours in between shifts to see my family and get ready for the next shift if I want to get a decent amount of sleep. This week was tough, but I suppose that is a good way to "adjust." I also got called in 4 hours early on my 3rd night because they were short-staffed (they must have been really hurting since they called me in and I am still technically in training for another week or so). At least I was able to get some sleep first. So I got 6 patients all by myself for 4 hours, then I dropped down to 5 for the rest of the night. That night went by pretty fast because I had a lot to do (some things still take me a bit longer than the other nurses since I am still getting used to how things are done there, etc). And as for staying awake, I am fine until 1am-4am - that is the hardest part for me. I usually get my second wind around 4 and can finish the shift fine. The people I work with are all pretty nice, so that makes it more enjoyable. But the traffic is worse for the night shift - people are trying to get to work around 8am when I am driving home (as compared to 8pm), and still getting home at 6pm when I am driving there (as compared to 6am). I am sure it will be a lot of fun driving in that during the winter storms :(

And of course I hate leaving Shade, but Michelle Dalton has been nice enough to watch him during the day so I can come home and get some sleep. At least Shade really likes it there. He always seems excited to go play at their house. But I only get to see him for about 20 minutes in the morning before Kellen drops him off, and about a 45 minutes before I go back to work when I work the next night. I see Kellen even less - usually for only 5 minutes when we switch places at night after he gets off work and I leave for work. I am really hoping to go to part-time soon. I am going through Kellen/Shade withdrawals! And last night (I didn't work), Shade said he wanted to cuddle with me all night when we were going to bed. I suppose he misses me a little bit too :) At least I am supposed to get a set shift each week when I am finally done with training (weekend cadre) which will have me scheduled 3-4 days off together in between my 3 nights/week. That should make things a lot nicer until I can get approved for part-time.

Shade Side-note: I forgot to write about something that Shade does now, thanks to Kellen... He likes to play "I got your nose...and ate it." Then he will "spit" it out and put your nose back on. It is kind of cute, but kind of gross too. And when Kellen "eats" his nose, he will yell "give me my nose back!" until Kellen puts his nose back on :) He sometimes does it with lips/ears/cheeks too.

Then last night at dinner, he put his cheeks in his hands and elbows on the table like he was kind of tired. I asked him if he was tired and he said "I am just thinking." So I asked what he was thinking about and he said "I am thinking about milk." Gotta love that kid!!!