Annie had just put Ellie down for a nap when her phone rang. It was a BC number she didn't recognize.
"Dr Grace Altman," Annie answered, she always answered unknown numbers professionally.
"Annie," Grandma said, "that is not how you answer the phone."
"Sorry Grandma," Annie replied, "I don't have your number stored in my phone and always answer unknown calls that way for work reasons. How are you?"
"I'm good," Grandmas said, "how's that beautiful baby girl?"
"Ellie is good," Annie said, "hard to believe she's already 11 months. She just went down for her nap and I'm off today."
"It's Monday I was hoping to catch you at work," Grandma said.
"I work Tuesday to Saturday," Annie replied, "and Josh works Wednesday to Sunday. So we get Monday home together and Ellie only has daycare Wednesday to Saturday so four days instead of five. She's happier at home with us."
"Most children are," Grandma said, "what are you doing while she naps?"
"Making pasta sauce for tonight and I'll freeze ⅔ of it for quick meals later," Annie replied, "I have some laundry to do and hopefully sorting out my closet."
"How long will she nap," Grandma asked.
"This is her big one," Annie answered, "about two to two and a half hours. I usually get some stuff done now. It's my house work block."
"How's she sleeping," Grandma asked.
"Through the night most nights, she's growing right now so she was up last night," Annie said, "we have a good routine. She babbles a lot and has a few words."
"Is she walking," Grandma asked.
"She's so close," Annie replied, "she holds our hands and walks orholds onto things. Any day now. She's a good baby."
"How's she eating," Grandma asked.
"She loves real food," Annie said, "she has Josh's appetite but she's still nursing a few times a day. We're not ready to give that up."
"You'll know when she's ready," Grandma replied, "I'd love to see Ellie again."
"You and Grandpa can come down," Annie said.
"It's hard to leave the farm," Grandma said, "and grandpa needs surgery and shouldn't cross the border."
"What type of surgery," Annie asked.
"I don't understand it," Grandma admitted.
"What organ," Annie asked.
"Heart," Grandma replied.
"Now you're talking about what I know," Annie replied, "what's wrong?"
"The doctor is young not much older than you and wants to do something called an Altman procedure," Grandma said.
"That's mama and my work," Annie said, "did he tell you the risks?"
"Risks," Grandma asked.
"Have the doctor call me," Annie replied, "grandma it involves removing grandpa's heart from his chest and totally rebuilding it. There's more conseravtive options. That's a minimum 12 hours under anesthesia. Grandpa is 90."
"Would you do it," Grandma asked.
"As a last resort," Annie said, "grandma this isn't an easy surgery. Not for the team of surgeons, it takes minimum 3 of us to do one. But at grandpa's age I have questions. I don't know his case, I can't tell you what to do. My specialty is peds cardio most of my patients are under 12. I haven't worked with seniors in almost two years. I can ask mama, they can send his chart down to us for mama or I to review."
"What are you saying," Grandma asked.
"If this was Josh I would be asking for a second opinion," Annie said, "this is new, it's cutting edge and flashy and untested in a patient's grandpa's age. I did one this week on a four year old with a birth defect that was untreated for way too long and it took myself, mama and another cardio surgeon plus our head of peds 13 hours."
"Will you come up and talk to our doctor," Grandma asked.
"I can't come up, I'm out of vacation time for a while," Annie said, "give them my number and have him call me. I am happy to talk to the surgeon."
"Why can't you come up," Grandma asked.
"I've had a lot of time off this year," Annie said, "I took almost 4 months with Ellie, then two weeks around my birthday because I needed time with my daughter, we had three weeks a couple months ago because Josh's dad was in a major accident and I have ten days booked in July. Grandma, I'll lose my job if I take much more time."
"Just come up Annie," Grandma begged.
"I really can't," Annie said, "I'm in danger of failing my fellowship. My attending is furious with me."
"You work for your birth mother," Grandma said.
"My attending is Dr. Christina Yang," Annie replied, "and Dr. Margaret Pierce."
"Get another job," Grandma said, "if they put those demands on your time and won't let you be there for your family."
"They have given me more time then they should have for Ellie and for Josh's dad," Annie said, "I've had nearly six months worth of time off since Ellie was born."
"You're entitled to a year," Grandma said.
"Not here, it's only three months," Annie said, "I really want to help you and grandpa. I will do everything I can from here. Please give the surgeon this number. I am happy to talk to him. I can connect him with mama or one of our other cardio attendings as a consult. I can answer questions as your granddaughter but I can't legally be his doctor."
"Why not," Grandma asked.
"It's not ethical," Annie replied, "we can't treat family because there's too much emotion involved."
"You don't visit enough," Grandma complained, "come up and do the surgery. You use Altman they would never know."
"We were there a few weeks ago," Annie said, "we brought Ellie and had breakfast with you. My medical license isn't valid in Canada. If you're trying to get me to move back that's not going to happen. I know you don't understand it but I've built a life here that I'm happy with."
"We don't understand why you had to leave," Grandma said.
"I'll talk about it when I'm ready," Annie replied.
"When will that be," Grandma asked.
"When I decide," Annie answered, "I'm not putting a timeline on it."
"Before grandpa's surgery can you come," Grandma asked.
"I can't commit," Annie answered, "I will do what I can but I can't promise. Even today I'm on call for peds cardio. I'm never really fully off. It's like the farm, you always have to be available. I can't leave my patients anymore than grandpa and Uncle Ross can leave the herd. Grandma maybe grandpa would be better with a less invasive surgery and to slow down. He doesn't need to be out with the cows everyday like he is. He's 90 he can slow down."
"The doctor has said the same thing," Grandma said.
"I know it's all he knows but he can relax in front of the TV," Annie said.
"He's slowing down," Grandma replied, "he doesn't feed or milk anymore but he has to check the herd twice a day."
"We're doing a party for Ellie's birthday on May 25 if he's up to it we want you to come down," Annie said.
"Your mother," Grandma asked.
"Until Leslie can see her role in what has happened and the games she's played with me, Chris and Dan she's not in my life or Ellies," Annie replied.
"I don't understand," Grandma said.
"I don't expect you to and it's not a phone conversation," Annie said, "its something I don't really talk about."
"What about your dad," Grandma asked.
"He's here most weekends," Annie replied, "Ellie loves her grandude, Chris is down here now so it's great. But I should get my house work done before I go meet mama, auntie meg, nana and Jenna for a girls night."
"What are you doing," Grandma asked.
"Mama has a plan," Annie replied, "we're having dinner at home first and I'll get Ellie almost ready for bed then Josh just has to read her story and tuck her in."
"She doesn't go with you," Grandma asked.
"No," Annie said, "she's happy with Josh, he loves the time with her."
"I will let you go then," Grandma said, "have a good night."
"I will thanks for calling," Annie replied, "let me know what's going on with grandpa's surgery."
"I will bean love you," Grandma said.
"Love you too," Annie replied before hanging up. She finished switching the laundry over and folded all of the baby clothes she had just washed. Ellie wasn't growing quite as fast now so she was getting more wear out of her clothes. She threw a load of towels in the dryer and added the sheets from their bed to the washer. Annie didn't understand why so many of their work friends got others to do their housework and laundry. She didn't mind doing the day to day house work, she was getting used to doing it with her music on low so Ellie could nap. There was a bit of pride in doing it herself and making her home cozy for her family. It was where their friends ended up at the end of the week to talk and play games. The highrise condos done by interior designers and looking like they were straight out of a catalogue were abandoned for the little cottage with its hardwood floors and comfortable spots to sit. Where their friends knew there would always be a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Annie didn't mind having people over, she preferred being home and liked to host and make others comfortable. Plus it was easier to keep Ellie on her routine if they were home .
Teddy was finishing organizing her living room for that evening. It was one of those days she was frustrated with the way toys migrated from the playroom in the basement to her living room. She loved order and the chaos of cars, barbies, lego and polly pockets was driving her nuts.
"Annie was never this messy," Teddy grumbled.
"She was 19," Owen said.
"Does every toy need to be in here," Teddy asked, "that's why we have a playroom."
"My mom can't say no," Owen said.
"I know and I appreciate everything she does," Teddy said, "it's just one of those days I don't feel like a mess."
"I don't like it anymore than you do," Owen said, "where are the kids?"
"Tidying the playroom," Teddy answered, still putting toys in the basket she was holding.
"I'll take that down," Owen replied.
"Wait till we have all of it," Teddy said.
"Baby proof in here," Owen asked.
"No Ellie and Catrina are staying home," Teddy replied.
"What's your plan," Owen asked.
"A glass of wine and chat," Teddy said, "just immediate family tonight. Jenna is in surgey late."
"I'm on bed time then hanging out in our room," Owen said.
"You're welcome to join us," Teddy said, "its your mom, sister and our oldest."
"Why is Annie back on the Tuesday to Saturday schedule," Owen asked.
"It gives her Monday home with Josh," Teddy replied, "a day for the three of them to be home together and a normal family."
"I want him doing more of the industrial accidents," Owen said, "so can we put them both Tuesday to Saturday give them Sunday and Monday together."
"I think they like having a day each home with Ellie," Teddy replied, "she takes Ellie to church Sunday morning then they go for a long walk and do the grocery shopping for the week. Annie gets most of her house work done on sundays. Josh takes Ellie to a swimming lesson on Tuesday's."
"I think you, Meghan and Annie are the only surgeons who do all their own house work and laundry," Owen said.
"Not all the laundry," Teddy said, "our work clothes get dry cleaned. I've always done laundry and house work. I dont like strangers doing it."
"It would take some stress off you if you would let some one come in even once a week or every other week to do the deep cleaning," Owen said, "I had some one once a week that did floors, bathrooms, t"deep cleaned the kitchen."
"It's our space," Teddy said, "maybe Allison and Leo can do more chores. Teach them simple things like dishes and the dish washer."
"We can get them to do more," Owen agreed, "we always had chores."
"I don't want them growing up spoiled," Teddy said.
"I agree," Owen said, "our kids seem normal."
"They don't know fully what we do," Teddy said.
"They don't get everything they want when they ask," Owen said, "they wait for things. We don't give them everything Leo is saving up for that game he wants."
"I hate the screens," Teddy said, "their 5 and 6 they don't need them. I know all their friends have them and play with their parents but I'm not doing that."
"Toys, art supplies, the backyard," Owen said, "what would you think about an above ground pool?"
"I like the idea of a pool," Teddy agreed, "but are they a bit young? Allison is only 5."
"The one I'm looking at we can lift the ladder out so the kids can't climb in with out an adult to lift it in and out," Owen said.
"I'd rather the pool then the trampoline," Teddy agreed, "but they need to earn it."
"They do," Owen agreed.
"How will they earn it," Teddy wondered.
"Chore chart," Owen asked, "mom made Meghan and I earn the dog that way."
"Gets chores done and they earn something they want," Teddy said, "I can do that. But are we too strict?"
"What do you mean," Owen asked.
"All their friends parents are so much more relaxed about things," Teddy said, "calling adults by just their first name, no chores, not helping clean up. Are we old fashioned?"
"We're older," Owen agreed, "but think of all those young guys we trained that had no respect and no boundaries. They need to know we're in charge."
"A mom at Leo's school told me I was too hard on him for reminding Leo to say goodbye and thank you to his teacher at the end of the day," Teddy said, "that my kid was the only one to use sir and mam."
"Teddy we expect manners," Owen said, "that's being polite."
"I told her about our years with med com," Teddy replied.
"Our kids go to every birthday party and every event," Owen said, "parents like them and Ali and Leo are always invited to more events then they can go to."
"It's good," Teddy said, "the other moms just question my parenting."
"Because our kids respect us," Owen said, "we spend time with them."
"It's all about the instagram posts with these people Owen," Teddy said, "how cute things will look online. But their kids run wild. They talked back to the teacher, refused to clean up, I was helping in the classroom last week and several refused to work. They actually said no when the teacher asked them to write their name and practice letter formation."
"We don't use our social media often," Owen agreed, "and kids should respect the teacher. It's their job to go to school and do their school work."
"A christmas photo and a new one on each kid's birthday," Teddy said, "I will still do my one day a month in the classroom like every other mom."
"We have a first birthday in a month," Owen said.
"Annie has it planned," Teddy smiled, "she's so good at the mom thing and happy doing it."
"Both ours in school and Ellie is one," Owen shook his head, "next we're going to be talking about college."
"This summer what do we want to do," Teddy asked.
"Still busy season for me," Owen said, "let's do the pool, we have the BC trip and some cabin time."
"Get some quotes for the pool," Teddy said.
"I'll look into it tonight," Owen agreed, "it's the labour, the pool itself is only a few grand."
"Lets look into it," Teddy said, "get a few quotes. I want to look into the safety stuff. I worry about drowning."
"That's why we teach the rules and the above ground stands about four and a half feet high," Owen said, "if we get the removable ladder they won't get into it without us and you can get a locking cover for the ladder."
"How big is this thing," Teddy questioned.
"I was thinking 21 or 24 foot diameter," Owen said, "big enough to have fun but not taking up the whole yard. Teddy if we put it over on the sunny side by the patio theres room. We can solar heat it."
"How long have you been researching," Teddy asked.
"A few weeks," Owen replied, "I want to do that and expand the swingset this summer. Add some monkey bars and something else to climb on. We'll still have room to play soccer."
"Can we look at the safety of the pool," Teddy said, "and look at the budget?"
"Teddy we have the money," Owen said, "don't worry about that. We can have nice things. We don't buy the latest gadgets and toys for the kids. Our vacations are to the cabin or camping."
"New York, Disneyland," Teddy said.
"Twice in the five years we've been married," Owen said, "with the kids. We're doing a good job keeping them grounded."
"I'd like to travel a bit more," Teddy said, "I loved what Annie and I did in Europe. It was the only time she would let me spoil her. I would book things then tell her where we were going. We should travel a bit with Ali and Leo when they're a bit bigger."
"Give them a couple years then let's take them to Germany," Owen said, "show them your favourite spots."
"Not Germany," Teddy argued, "London, Edinburgh, Dublin. I've always wanted to see ireland."
"France," Owen said.
"Nice would be okay not Paris again, they're too young for Paris, maybe in their teens they'll understand it," Teddy said, "but to understand it all and the museums they need to be older. I'm not doing the Louvre again ."
"Teddy we can do things closer to home," Owen said, "Mexico next winter?"
"Not pulling them out of school," Teddy said, "it's not good for them educationally."
"A week," Owen said, "its kindergarten and first grade they'll be fine. Maybe the end of January?"
"March," Teddy said, "your birthday."
"Sounds good," Owen said.
"I'm going to take this basket down to the kids," Teddy said, "they can sort it out."
After dinner Annie tidied the kitchen and gave Ellie her bath.
"Mommy is going to go see grandma for a bit Ellie bug," Annie said.
"Mama," Ellie said.
"Yes sweetie," Annie answered.
"Uck," Ellie said.
"Do you want your ducky," Annie offered.
"Yes," Ellie lisped.
Annie handed the duck to the baby.
"It's time to wash your hair," Annie said, "I'm going to pour the water on your head."
Annie narrated what she was doing as she washed Ellie. She sometimes felt silly but she knew that the more she spoke to the baby the more words she would have. Annie narrated most activities she did with Ellie, dressing and changing her, preparing meals, getting ready to leave, all their daily routines. On their walks Annie pointed out what they were seeing with Ellie in the carrier. Ellie now preferred to be facing away from Annie in the carrier to see what was going on in the world. They still used the carrier more than the stroller, Ellie liked to be close to her parents.
Just after 7:30 Annie walked into Teddy and Owen's house.
"You look like your thinking about something," Owen said.
"I talked to grandma today," Annie said, "grandpa needs surgery but I don't like the course of treatment."
"What are they recommending," Teddy asked.
"An Altman procedure," Annie said, "he's not a candidate. He's 90. I wouldn't do it and not just because I'm peds."
"Leslie's dad," Teddy clarified.
"Yes," Annie replied, "too old and too frail. Mama he wouldn't make it off the table."
"Did your grandma say why," Teddy asked.
"Congestive heart failure," Annie said, "I knew that just after Christmas but this isn't the way to do it. There's safer options."
"An altman isn't even for that," Teddy said, "what did you say?"
"That I couldn't legally go do it and that I don't recommend it," Annie said, "she's going to ask their surgeon to call me."
"Good," Teddy said, "how was the rest of the conversation?"
"She asked about Ellie," Annie said, "tried to tell me how to raise my daughter and organize my life."
"She's set in her ways," Teddy remarked.
"Very," Annie agreed.
Meghan came in looking exhausted.
"What going on," Teddy asked.
"Kids," Meghan groaned.
"Which one," Annie asked, taking the glass of wine Teddy passed her.
"Both," Meghan replied.
"What's going on with Catrina," Annie asked.
"Crawling, rolling, teething," Meghan said.
"The growth spurt and not sleeping again," Annie asked, "middle of the night feedings?"
"Yes," Meghan replied.
"I think Ellie is growing again she's not sleeping and super clingy," Annie said.
"I miss sleep," Meghan said.
"We have good and bad days," Annie said, "days she's home and with us she sleeps then when she's been at daycare all day she gets really clingy at night and won't go to bed."
"We're seeing the same thing with Catrina," Meghan said.
"I may go back to taking Ellie when I have down time," Annie said, "I was doing more of that when she was nursing more."
"Will you keep going with that," Teddy asked.
"I'm okay with letting her take the lead with it," Annie replied, "I like the time with her just her and I. It's good for her, I'm used to it. But there are days I would like to have control of my own body again. Not to have Ellie trying to pull my shirt up or down randomly. It's really only before and after she sleeps now. I don't like that Ellie and Catrina will be in separate groups at day care."
"Once Ellie walks she goes to the toddler group," Teddy said.
"Theres a group for 12-18 months," Annie said, "then 18-30 months before they can go to the preschool group."
"They do it on development two," Teddy said, "walking, feeding them selves, potty training."
"We should start thinking of that I guess," Annie said.
"Take your time, closer to two," Teddy replied.
"But no more diapers," Annie said, "that's what I'm tired of."
"We're getting sick of diapers," Meghan agreed.
"Don't miss those days," Teddy said flopping onto the couch.
"We only have to do it once," Meghan said.
"Maybe one more," Annie said, "see how things play out."
"You're young," Teddy said.
"What's going on with Faroke," Annie asked.
"He wants to go camping with friends," Meghan said.
"He's 16," Teddy replied.
"And Kira," Meghan replied, "no adults."
"No," Teddy said, "are they ready for that? Have they considered the consequences?"
"Nate and I have talked to him," Meghan said, "I'm just not ready for this."
"That one was 20 the first time she told me about a sleepover," Teddy pointed.
"First sleepover I was 20," Annie said, "but my friends all considered me a late bloomer."
"I was 19 or 20," Meghan said.
"About that," Teddy agreed.
"I can't believe Steph settled down, has a baby and gets married this summer," Annie said, "she was the queen of having guys sleep over. A new one every month."
"OB Steph," Meghan asked.
"Yes," Annie said, "you knew she was my roommate for four years."
"I knew some of it but all four," Meghan asked.
"Steph and I worked," Annie said, "Josh was around a lot. He never liked his roommates."
"They weren't you," Meghan said.
"I'm a relationship girl," Annie said, "he crashed on our couch a lot but never in my room. He didn't date in school either."
"Still going to say that," Teddy teased.
"Ask Steph," Annie laughed.
"This camping trip, how old were you when you went with friends," Meghan asked.
"With friends' families I was 14," Annie replied, "just us 18 or 19."
"There was one when you were 19," Teddy said, "the girls in your dorm. You ditched me to go."
"I would say no," Teddy said.
"What if you did a cabin trip for all of them when schools out," Annie suggested.
"Still get to go away but Nate and I are there," Meghan said, "that might work."
"Dan and Leslie did it for Chris and I the summer we graduated," Annie replied, "we could each bring 4 friends to the Whistler cabin."
"Co ed," Meghan asked.
"Yes," Annie replied, "girls in the loft and boys in the basement."
They spent the night chatting about work and kids. They began to plan Evelyn's 75th birthday party for the end of July.