5.11.2012

My Birth and Family, Questions 2, 3, and 4

Continuing with questions from the This is Me Challenge...

2. What are your parent's full names, birth dates and places?

Mom: Melanie Arlene Cuthbert, nee Lassig.  She was born on November 12 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dad: Steven Russell Cuthbert.  He was born on August 4 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Birth Dad: David Allan Beers.  He was born on November 25 in Bountiful, Utah.

3. What is the date of your birth?  Where were you born?  What are some of the circumstances (when your mom went into labor, how long, her doctor, etc.) of your birth?

I was born on August 8, 1988 - 8/8/88 in LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah.  The due date was 8/7/88 and my mom went into labor that afternoon.  She came to the hospital with her parents, Klaus and Arlene Lassig, and they stayed with her throughout the whole process.  My birth father had died a few months before I was born, and because of that, the last few months of the pregnancy were hard on my mom.  I'm so glad her parents were there to support her.  She was given a Pitocin drip and then an epidural.  She slept through the night while the contractions got stronger and stronger.  Omi (my grandma) was shocked that she was sleeping through the contractions, because she could see how strong they were on the monitor.  I was born at 7:58 AM (almost 8, dang!) after she pushed only three times.  She said I was the easiest baby of hers to give birth to.  Her doctor was Dr. W.G. Pead.

4. What are your siblings names and birth dates?

Jordan Evan Cuthbert was born on January 20, 1992
Jared Thomas Cuthbert was born on October 16, 1994

5.09.2012

Busy, busy week.

On Thursday I was able to spend time with almost all the LDS med wives!  13 of them are moving away for residency, and it was sad.  I met a lot of new friends though, and I'm excited.  They hang out every Thursday night, so I'll be able to go at least once a month.  Yay for support systems - they're awesome.

Last Friday I got my hair cut.  I'm growing my hair out, but need to keep the back trimmed so I don't grow a mullet.  That would be so hot.  I've also decided to keep my bangs, because they make me look like an adult.  Everyone commented on how I looked so much older when I first got my hair cut, and I think it's partly due to the bangs!

We went to see The Avengers Friday evening.  Amazing.  Such a cool movie with billions (ok maybe a slight exaggeration) of superheroes!  Jordan even designated each nephew to be a certain superhero.  I'll post the awesome picture later :)



Saturday we had the opportunity to see the incredible Emerson String Quartet.  This group has won multiple Grammys and other awards, and is known throughout the entire world for their classical music performances.  They came to VCU and we got cheap tickets!  Sweet!  They performed pieces by Haydn, Shostakovich, and Beethoven.  I loved it so much I even bought the Beethoven piece on iTunes.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day, and I was super productive.  I finished a wreath I'd been working on, baked bread, and made a yummy dinner.  Relief Society was amazing as well.  They had a visiting teaching conference and I've made a renewed decision to improve my performance.  I've been the worst VT ever.  I've visited my sisters once this whole year!!  So - in comes my perpetual calendar.  I've assigned myself tasks to complete for VT.  Ideally, I'll set up the appointment by the 10 of each month, visit by the 20, and report by the 30.  I'm really excited.  I also found this cool website that makes free printables every month that relate to the VT message.  My determination comes from the feelings and impressions I got during the conference from the Holy Ghost.  Basically, we're here to learn and become more like our Heavenly Father.  He wouldn't give us something to do if we couldn't do it.  Also, the things that are hard for us (our weaknesses) need to become our strengths.  It doesn't matter if it's hard, we just need to push ourselves, because that's how we learn.  So wish me luck :)


Other than that, it's been work, work, work for me!

Jordan had an oral exam for FCM on Monday and did fabulously.  He has been studying for his Neurology exam this Friday.  Then we have one weekend, and he begins studying for Step One!  So wish him luck as well!  :)

An Amazing Tool

I'm sooo grateful for this new tool for information I found.  I can't believe I didn't know about it before!  It's called The Mormon Channel!  Basically, it's online radio streaming 24/7 with conference talks, primary shows, youth shows, music, news, etc.  I - LOVE - IT.  I've just been playing it on my iPhone with the app while I do the dishes, cook dinner, and fold laundry.  If you haven't checked it out, do it now!  Yay!

5.05.2012

A New Approach to Flashback Friday

Just found the best idea on Pinterest.  Sometimes I wish that I had been clever enough to come up with these ideas, however, I'm totally willing to use other peoples ideas.  I found this, and want to start using it for Flashback Fridays!  Not only will this help me to start writing my personal history, but it will help you all to get to know me better.  Yay!


So, here goes.


Question number one: What is your full name and how did you get that name?  Do you have any nicknames?


My full name is Melyn Arlene Henderson, nee Cuthbert.  Melyn was my mom's friend's name, and Arlene is my maternal grandmother's name.  I have TONS of nicknames, not all of them nice.  People obviously can't pronounce my name so I've been called: Melon, Maylynn, Merlin (??), Mulan, Mushu (from Mulan - get it?), Melon-head, Melon the Felon, Watermelon, Mel, and I'm sure there are more I can't remember.  Basically, I'll answer to anything!


These nicknames bring back the multiple memories from middle school, junior high, and high school.  I was teased so bad because of my name!  But I love my name because it's so unique.  I've never met another Melyn.  One time a boy in middle school called me Maylynn, and I got so mad at him and everyone else for calling me the wrong name, that I actually grabbed his arm.  Granted, I was only 11 at the time.  I've since grown more mature (haha) and just let people call me anything.

5.02.2012

...Bring May Flowers

Well, we haven't done much this past week to catch up on!

My work is transitioning to a hospitalist model for the doctors from having a practice come from the outside.  They had a meet and greet with the new doctors and it was so fun!  One of the doctors is even from VCU, and Jordan knows her.  I'm excited to have them in the hospital so we can deliver better care to our patients.

We walked through a house on Saturday and it was amazing.  4 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom, almost 2000 square feet.  It even had a huge yard and was being remodeled.  The only downside I could really see is something I discovered after the fact.  The area that house is in had 31 - yes, thirty-one - murders in April. Um, no, we're not moving there.  Dang - it was even in our price range!  So we're looking for houses in "the Fan" and "Church hill" areas, which are basically directly east and west of Jordan's school.  There are a ton of houses in these areas too, and I've got a lot of appointments set up to walk through properties.

I took a class for work on Monday for "Nonviolent Crisis Intervention."  Basically, it's where you learn to  help patients when they're beginning to act out and keep them safe.  You also learn how to take people down, which is super important when you're working on the acute side.  I took the class before when I was working as a psych tech on a Geriatric psych unit in Salt Lake City, but this was a good refresher.

Jordan did amazing on his written exam for FCM!  He's doing so great, and has been studying like a mad-man for the boards.  He has two more exams next week and then begins studying for real, for real.

The weather has been so bipolar lately.  It was 50 degrees a few days ago, and tomorrow it's supposed to be over 90.  I can't wait til they open the pool on Memorial Day!

5.01.2012

Families are Awesome!

Today I'm grateful for all you family members.  You guys rock!  You're sweet and supportive, and excited for us when something good happens.

I feel the need, however, to clarify something, because I don't want you to get too excited.  Jordan and I are definitely not pregnant.  I know that when you saw my Pinterest page, the main picture for the Baby board was a onesie.  However, it was just that - a picture.  That's what my Pinterest is.  It's a compilation of things and ideas that I want to do in the future.  It's my planning website.  I'm a planner, and I always have been.  So even though I've been pinning things about babies, natural childbirth, and nursery decorating ideas, I've also been pinning recipes, fashion ideas, gift ideas, house decorating ideas, gardening tips, and funny pictures I want to remember.  I like to prepare for the future! :)

So when Jordan and I do become pregnant, I know you will all continue to be sweet, supportive, and excited.  Because that's what we'll need being so far away - our awesome family members!