So I started working at Montreal Children’s Hospital. I haven’t been “Dr. Ruths” for over a year. My mentors in rheumatology have been patient. Needless to say, the effort of trying to make a good impression this first week at work has been exhausting (and, I don’t think, entirely successful).

I kept asking question after question. What does that mean? How do I check for that again? What’s this medicine? How do I order an X-ray? Is this the right form? Excusez-moi, qu’est-ce vous avez dit?

Luckily, my mom and sister strategically came to visit for the week, which was especially fortunate, because Drex became sick on Monday. Luckily, we had four extra adult hands around the house. Very crucial during this transition.

Going to sleep every night, I can honestly say that I was totally spent. Every muscle, every neuron, every emotional fiber. It felt so good to lie down and be snuggled up next to Sonya, feeling my other baby daughter tumbling around inside the womb. Strange and beautiful.

Sonya passed a few restless nights this week. Daycare. Runny nose. She’s wanted to hold me close. We lie side by side, sharing the same pillow. She finds a notch just below my neck to cram her head and wraps one of her skinny arms around me. I can smell her. Aveeno lotion and baby breath. I find just as much comfort from her presence as she does from mine.

I’m so lucky to be her mommy. I think about her all day, and I feel so very happy to come home to our little family. Looking forward to a weekend together!