Away Rotations

So this week my Toddyberger is about 1 1/2 hours south in Brandon, FL for a Peds rotation. This is actually his second week down there. Lucky for us he gets to come home on the weekends! Now, it's not like my husband is a surgical resident, so I know our schedule isn't as demanding as others. Still, to me, life in residency gets pretty dang crazy. Maybe it's the 4 kids under 7 that make me feel that way, haha ;)
Our hopes for this away rotation are that my husband can catch up on a little sleep, fit in some exercise several days a week, prepare for his next board exam which he will take next month, and hopefully have a little time to relax. Though I'm not sure that's enough time to catch up on sleep! Todd's the type of person that would really benefit from a daily nap. This morning he told me he slept 9 straight hours and was still tired. Insert eye roll here, haha. I haven't slept more than three straight hours in months! Wrong person to turn to looking for sympathy, haha. Honestly though, he has been working hard, coming home and helping with dinner and baths, and then spends many evenings finishing up patient notes/discharge summaries, etc.
The kids are usually in bed earlier while daddy's away. I think the kids just know mommy's on her own and everyone just needs to help out. Things aren't as fun without daddy, though. And reading time is pretty pathetic. Luckily my oldest son can read a short story to the others. Many times when I try, our 5 month old screams and screams. Our little Elizabeth. Evenings are extra hard with her, she's tired and is barely happy while I'm walking around holding her. So sitting in a chair to read to the kids...no way!
I'm grateful that this first year of residency, at least up until this rotation, my husband has always been home at night. Night floats don't start until 2nd year here. Most rotations are pretty local. It's nice when, even if we don't get to spend any time together, we get be next to each other at night. He's my favorite person. And I'm counting down the days until we get to have him home again...and not just so I have help with the kids!
Time for me to check out if I want to get that 2-3 hour straight sleep tonight;)