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!  : )

Run or Swim?

Since having Will, I have slowly gotten back in the routine of running again. As a motivator, I signed up for the winter series of trail races here (4 races, ranging from 3K-10K). Since Carl ran the road race series that took place prior to Christmas (more races & longer distances), and Will and I went along to cheer him, he said he would reverse roles with me while I do the winter series. What a sweet husband, huh? Anyhow, the race I just had was incredibly MUDDY. It was storming here the week prior, and along with much mud, there were huge mud puddles to trek through.  Though it was fun, it takes a bit of a toll on your legs and race time.  : ) Anyhow, evidence of the mudfest is below!

Will hanging out with Daddy during the race.

A Day at the Zoo

Today Will and I went to the zoo with a friend of mine and her little girls. It was Will's first trip to the zoo and we had a fun time. On Tuesday's it is free from 2-5, you just have to pay $5 for parking per car, so it was a good time for little cost, which is our favorite! The weather was nice-above 60 all day. Nice time, nice weather, a nice day.

Will and the girls in front of the zoo.  Funny how when I was taking pictures of just Will he didn't smile, but put two pretty girls by him and all of the sudden he lights up!  :)  He loved spending time with the girls today probably more than the zoo itself.  It's funny how even babies know other kids are like them, isn't it? (try clicking on the picture to make it bigger)

This was cool, though the picture isn't the best.  The bear was swimming in the water and was right next to the glass!  Pretty cool, especially since they aren't usually in the water and that is the only way we could see them that close.

The giraffes were so beautiful.  There were 5 of them, and they were all so majestic. 

Funny angle here, but I kind of liked it because of that...Will in front of the giraffes.  He was looking at them until I made him look my way for the picture.

Reading Time With Daddy

We try to read Will a book every night around bedtime, and usually Carl is the one to do it. Well the other night he sat Will down next to him while they were reading and it was so cute, I just had to take pictures and share. It struck me as so adorable because they are sitting the exact same way, and you can see the great difference in their size. What sweet memories.

Bad Hair Day

We discovered a funny trick over Christmas with Will--when I drape my hair over his practically bald head, he looks a bit like a little old man with a funny comb-over or bad toupee. : ) See for yourself...

Christmas and More

I am finally getting a post-Christmas post up! We are back home and back into our normal routine. It is freezing here in Memphis--one of the coldest seasons they have had in a long time, but we are braving it by staying indoors! :) Here are a few pictures from Christmas of Will. He of course didn't really notice the festivities, being only 4 months old, but had fun nonetheless. :) His Auntie is holding him in most of these pictures, as she did much of the time we were home.

Will experiencing the feel of money in his hands for the first time. : ) He held on to this gift for a while!

Helping his Auntie open his present.

The best gift of all.