1st Day on the Job

The Gottschalk family has been very busy lately, especially the littlest member. Jane decided she was ready for a part-time job, and wanted to try her hand at sales. Although it wasn't officially "Take Your Daughter to Work Day", Jane accompanied me on her 1st sales call last week. Perhaps I should provide some context....

I've been back to work now for a few months and have been enjoying showing off pictures and bragging about Jane with all my friends and customers. Specifically, I had sent an email to one of my surgeons, letting him know I was back from maternity leave and interested in connecting with him to show him some new products. As I was hoping, he was eager to meet with me and wrote back with instructions to set up a lunch meeting, and also bring Jane. Huh? Surely he meant bring pictures of Jane. So, I wrote him back and wanted to clarify that I would be there, but sans my little peanut. When I asked if he really wanted me to bring Jane, his only response was "Of course!"

So I consulted a few colleagues (and of course Evan) to see what I should do, and the decision was unanimous that I should take Jane with me. This might not seem like a big deal to brave mothers out there, but I was definitely a little gun-shy for a couple of reasons: 1. the hospital is over an hour away 2. Jane has been a "spitty" baby, and like other babies, somewhat unpredictable in new surroundings and 3. how would I ever manage carrying Jane, a diaper bag, and all my gear for showing my products. Whew.

Well, always up for a challenge, I scheduled the appointment and prayed for the best. I packed my car that morning, got myself ready, got Jane ready, and headed north. Jane slept the whole way there, and thanks to some clever packing, I was able to carry everything in myself. The receptionist led me to the hospital OR break room, and I walk in to a lot of blank stares and curious glances. I'm fairly certain most of the folks in there were wondering why a 5-month old baby was visiting today. I just kinda shyly chuckled and looked around for a familar face. After about 10 minutes of waiting, and Jane waking up wondering where she was, all of the heart team (Dr. Halloran is a heart surgeon) nurses walked in and immediately came over to see the baby. Forever the charmer with her huge eyes and long eyelashes, all the nurses were so excited to see Jane. Dr. Halloran was still operating, but apparently had been talking all morning about his expected visitor! I couldn't believe it - I asked one his assistants if he was a grandpa and just enjoyed babies, and she responded "Heavens no, he just absolutely loves babies"! I really started praying at that point that Jane would behave (she started getting fussy) and that he would enjoy her company.

Well, I need not worry any longer. Dr. Halloran walked in, eyes seeking his littlest visitor and stopped dead in his tracks. This was his response (in the most dramatic way you can possibly imagine): "Wow. Wow. Let me have her". No joke! And he proceeds to take Jane out of a nurse's arms and immediately starts hugging her, playing with her, throwing her in the air, etc. He squeezed her what seemed like a million times, and said over and over how much he loved babies and begged his wife to have more kids! It was so fun and refreshing to see him in this different light, and to show Jane off to everyone! When it was time to actually talk about business, Jane newest best friend Sue, snatched her from me and walked her all around the OR while I spoke with Dr. Halloran. She came back in after about 10 minutes, with a fussy Jane, and stated "I think Jane is tired of Sue". It was perfect timing because we were finished talking and I was ready to make the trek home. All in all, the day went great, and for those that were wondering, yes, Jane did "make the sale" and is considering a career in her mother's footsteps, although she is still waiting for her commission check! :)

Here are some pictures of her first day

Jane with her #1 fan, Sue