Swag Bucks

I recently learned of this search engine called "Swag Bucks", where you search and earn "swag buck" periodically.  With these bucks you can "buy" an actual gift card or other "prize".  The gift cards range from Amazon to restaraunts.  You just download their toolbar and use it as your main search engine.  The whole thing is pretty neat, I thought, and so I wanted to share it with you all.  A free way to earn some money in gift card form.  It really is what it says it is without a catch.  If I have your email address, I sent you a message about it, and would appreciate if you want to, sign up from there (I earn bucks if you use me to sign up).  If I didn't have your address, and you do want to get the toolbar and such, go to the bottom of my blog and click "sign up" on the Swag Bucks widget, or click on the little banner on the right side of my blog OR if you want to just check it out, check the search at the bottom.   Just wanted to share a good thing!  : )

Thinking of You, Dear Friends

I was just struck tonight by how grateful I am for you, all my friends out there in blogdom.  I started this blog after we left Washington state in order to keep in touch with my friends out there, and also far away family.  Well, this blog has done the job, as well as the blog of others, and facebook!  I am so thankful to be able to keep in touch with my sweet friends this way, who I love now just as much as I did when I was with them in person.  I was thinking about how someday we hope to be back in Washington, as we loved it there so much (but we always try to be willing for whatever the Lord has planned for us).  Anyhow, it has been about two years since I started this blog and left Washington, and now we are preparing to move again.  So, I wanted to thank you, my dear friends for continuing to post on my blog and for keeping up on your own.  I am so grateful for both, as I love you and desire to continue to "keep up" with you  no matter the distance between us.  Praise God for sweet, godly friends.  Oh yes, and as a sidenote---we always welcome visitors, so never hesitate to ask (though we know the distance and cost is not always feasible).  ; ) 

Chompers and More

My sweet baby has teeth already!!  He actually cut his first teeth at around 4 1/2 months, pretty early, I hear.  Anyhow, he couldn't just do one at a time, that little overachiever, but did 2 at once!  ; )  I have been meaning to post a picture of the cute little chompers, but haven't gotten around to it, and it's not the easiest thing to do.  So here is a pic of our little guy's first teeth and a few more pictures just for good measure.  : )  Will is nearly 6 months now, and my how time has flown!  He is such a precious gift and brings us immeasurable joy daily.

 This is a poor picture, I realize, but it is actually the best one I could get of Will's teeth.  He doesn't sit still too long, especially when there is a camera to grab in front of him.

Look at what a skinny minny he is!  ;)  This is one of Will's favorite things to do as of late, along with grabbing anything else he sees and putting it in his mouth.  His hands are a danger now--he keeps me on my toes, while he sucks on his own!

Playing in his "gym", grabbing as high as he can reach, as he likes to do.

A straight face you don't see too often.

We are going to...

BOSTON!!!  Yea!!  We have been awaiting an answer as to where we are headed next and last week we finally got it.  We were either going to Monterey, CA to the naval college or to Boston, MA to Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT).  We were hoping and praying for Boston, as MIT is an amazing school and a dream for an engineer like my husband.  Also, we both were excited about the prospect of all that Boston has to offer, historically and otherwise.  Technically, MIT is in Cambridge, which neighbors Boston.  Anyhow, we are SUPER excited and will be moving there in about 2 months in order for Carl to start his Masters program for the Navy.  Another great thing is that we will be there for around 3 years, which may be the longest we ever stay anywhere!  We wonder if our baby boy, who will learn to talk there, will pick up their accent...So Praise the Lord for allowing us to go there and allowing Carl to get into MIT.  What a privilege.  Speaking of praises and prayers--if you remember, please pray for us to find a good church there soon after arriving.  Thanks!

How many ways can you carry a baby?

I have discovered that there are MANY ways to carry my baby!  I enjoy having him close to me and having my hands free and have discovered he likes that well too.  It is especially handy when going into the stores, which I will have to do with him now, as he is outgrowing his carrier carseat.  I really like sling-type carriers, because they distribute Will's weight well across my back and shoulders.  I thought it was interesting to see all the ways I can carry him, as you will see below!  : )

Of course, the first way I every carried Will!  I would say this may be the easiest in some ways, and the hardest in others.  ; )

Poor Will fell asleep on the walk this day, then his mean Mommy made him stand in the sun for the picture.  This is of course the classic front carrier.  This particular one is a Snugli. 

This is my Peanutshell sling, and as a little plug--these things are GREAT!  I loved it when he was little and it converts well when he is bigger too.  They can be pricey, but if you order online through the "grab bag" or get it on sale, you can get them at a pretty decent price.  This particular one was a grab bag purchase.  I have a second one also.  This is called the "kangaroo carry", and there are many other ways to carry a baby in this.  If you want more info--just check out the website: http://www.thepeanutshell.com/.

Here's my version of the Moby wrap.  It's basically a big long piece of fabric that you can wrap around you.  It also provides different ways to carry your baby.  Will's feet can also hang out in this position, which I do more often now that he is bigger (and did after this picture was taken).  To make your own, you can purchase a piece of fabric that is somewhat stretchy, but holds it's shape still, without becoming stretched.  Anyhow, if anyone would like anymore details about it, just let me know in a comment. 

Ah, and here we have my FAVORITE carrying way, though not the easiest at all times---in my arms!  : )