Notes From the Palace✨

Literally only by God's grace, I made it through my first semester of Nursing School - an accelerated program, taking finals and completing my last round of clinical for the semester at eight months pregnant.

I'm going to be honest, I wanted to quit around midterms. I had one class that was really kicking my ass. And the Professor wasn't the warmest either. Imagine you don't do well on an exam (not an "F", but a low "C"), and when you go to the Professor's office hours, you get no help at all. I went to go over questions so I could better understand the rationale and what wasn't clicking. She even made a comment like "I just don't know what you're not getting" - like girl, what is the point of having office hours if you can't use it to help your students!

I had planned on dropping the course all together - six whole credits chilllllllle. If I had dropped the class, I would have had to drop the clinical rotation associated with it, and would have had to repeat the course in the summer. And if I had to repeat the course, I would have to take it by itself. The school's curriculum won't allow you to move forward to the next semester if you don't pass a class with at least a C+, pushing my graduation date about three months - which wouldn't have been terrible. I was just so over it and I was tired of seeing that Professor and I was willing to drop the class. But I talked to my Husband and he was just like "You're smart. Why not try to push through and if you don't make it and you have to retake it, you'll only have one class to worry about during the summer and you can slow down. But if you pass, you prove to yourself that you could do what you already said you were going to do." I love that man I tell you.

And when I tell you I busted my ass, sleepless nights, study sessions, studying with groups, even neglecting my other classes to an extent and guess what - the BLOOD still works! I made it and cried. Almost a week later and I'm still in disbelief. Your girly pop made it through her first semester - like I said I would.

The only down side is I have that same professor for med-surg. I will say, because I'm obviously showing now, I did ask her if once the baby comes, can I just follow along online and come in for clinical and exams. Surprisingly she said yes. So those first six weeks, I know two weeks of clinical will be excused, but those four additional weeks after, I will be home except for one clinical day per week for six hours which honestly, I think is doable. I know y'all think I'm crazy but this is the only way I know how to do things. Before school, leisure life was fun and relaxing. But every so often, I do have craving for a healthy level of adversity lol. Did I mention I'm still planning the wedding. Girllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!

I don't remember if I had mentioned that we did our baby moon in Paris. Did I?

Before we partied in PARI we went down south to Clerac and Bordeaux to check out the venues and we chose my favorite one - obviously.

Literally my dream. But remember when I said this semester kicked my ass. After I secured the venue, I was so preoccupied with school and nesting, I put wedding planning on the back burner.

I took my last two finals on Monday and have spent most of the week sleeping. I don't know what lit the fire under my ass, but your girl completed the wedding website to include information for traveling, airports, hotels, car rentals and how to do it. I finalized the guest list, requested the remaining addresses I needed and even ordered the sample RSVPs/Save the Dates along with the Invitations as well. I changed the fashion house I want to get my dress from. I'm planning to make my Husband go start his fittings for his desired tuxe, along with finding the mini one for our son.

Although it's been a crazy season, I'd say I got a lot done and I'm pretty proud of myself. I'm going to try to be more active on here but Sissy Poohs, nursing school is no joke, and baby boy is already proving to be the life of the party. I will keep you all updated on life postpartum, fitness and weight loss (I gotta be hot for this wedding and for my Husband - I said what I said), school and of course planning the wedding of my dreams.

As always,

With love,

Hey Sissy Pooh!

Like I’m a fun girly pop but I’m really boring. Like I just want to be in my Husband’s skin, take care of our baby, be a great nurse and be on holiday a few times a year with some shopping.

Why are you mad sis, go get a pedicure - please. And put some lipgloss on, your lips look chap.

Also that lightening crotch takes me out every time - please tell me that’s a sign that labor is near!!!!!!

Hi girlie pop! How long have you been together? And is that something you mentioned in the beginning? How did you show up when you were initially dating? I believe men do things based off of how the woman they’re pursuing carries themselves. For example, when my Husband and I first started dating, there was an evening where he asked me what do I look for in a man. I told him the most important things first; same faith, a leader, someone who is trustworthy and strong, and I’m also a girl who likes nice things. I love random flowers and nice shoes (like the ones I wear when we go out lol). And every time we were together or he asked me to suggest a spot, it was always somewhere really nice. Three years later and I feel like the bar has exceeded my expectations- but that’s because I let him know from the beginning what my standards were - and it was evident in how I presented myself. If you’ve never had the conversation and you love this man, I’d say talk to him first. But don’t demand it - let him know you’ve been feeling a little neglected and not appreciated. And when he asks why, don’t be aggressive about wanting material things, just convey to him that you would feel more special or appreciated through different acts like random flowers, or gifts because when he saw it, it reminded him of you. Keep it romantic and soft.

What did you do this morning?? I’m trying to stay - not busy - but engaged. The naps were great and waking up later is nice, but I need to get back to having my tasks and handling things. I woke up, made my bed and read my Bible along with a Dr. Seuss book for Baby Boy to listen to and follow along. I already feel a little better and energized. The rest was nice but I need to do things lol.

I try to still do so much (yes, I know I don't have to), but I really get tired. I made breakfast this morning, talked with my sister a little bit and went straight to sleep. I've been taking naps every day. Lord, I cannot wait to give birth so I can go back to my morning Coffee - I need it!

But I used this evening to go through all of my syllabi and wrote in all of my assignment due dates and exams. I made sure to make sure I would stay ahead of due dates to give me extra time if I need it but to keep me ahead after I give birth, so I am not too overwhelmed once Baby Boy comes home. I am also happy that I started nesting so early; all of his clothes, bibs, and swaddles are washed, bottles, breast pump parts and pacifiers are all washed and sterilized, baby-rocker chair set-up with batteries, crib and changing table built, the car seat is installed and the stroller in the car.

I even got back to writing down all of my tasks. Sometimes seeing everything written down overwhelms people, but being able to cross things out from the early morning until the end of the night mentally makes me feel better. Matter of fact, I just remembered to add making my bed, reading my Bible along with a book to Baby Boy in utero because I will forget. Pregnancy fog and baby brain are seriously hitting me now.

Don't forget I'm still planning the wedding, though it is lowkey coming along.

The planner is full and now I am tired. Good night, Sissy Poohs.