Mini family update

William is really starting to "get" things. Some of my favorite things recently are:

• He tries to put his foot into shoes that are laying around when we are walking with him around the house. (In other words, he gets that shoes are for feet, even though he currently does not wear shoes.)
• He loves pens and tries to "write" on paper whenever possible.
• He continuously tried to put the phone to his ear yesterday.
• We had to lower his crib to the lowest level because he likes to stand in his crib, and he is SO tall!
• His first tooth is FINALLY popping through!!!

Lily getting ready to start Pre-K at her zoned school. I'm really excited about it. Lily just takes it all in stride. I think we have been doing so many different camps, classes, and activities this summer that she just sees it as the next thing. Her teacher came over for a home visit last week that was really nice. The teacher read a book to her about starting school, talked about all the activities they have in school, and made a project with Lily - a picture frame that will hold a picture of our family for the classroom. I was also able to ask her some questions about the program. Overall, I thought it was a very thoughtful way to introduce little ones to their new school and to their teacher. There is also an Open House at the school on Friday, and then she starts on Tuesday! She will only go three days per week in the afternoon, but I feel like this is a big step because it is at her zoned school. Therefore, this is the same school that she will (theoretically) attend for the next 6 years (Pre-K through 5th).

That brings us to the last family update. Carl is currently applying for fellowships for the 2012-13 school year. There are only 2 medical centers in St. Louis that have the fellowship Carl wants (Hematopathology). Therefore, we will apply to medical centers in other cities as well. We are currently looking at 10 different programs in 9 different cities: Bethesda, MD, Memphis, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Seattle, Portland, Ann Arbor, MI, and St. Louis. There are a number of factors that will play into our final decision, but we will hopefully know by Feb, 2011 where we will be. If we end up going to a different city, we will likely rent out our house for the year and then return after the fellowship to look for a permanent job. Carl and I are both up for the adventure. Our only concern was how Lily would handle this, as she would be going into first grade at that time. When I explained the situation to her, in true Lily style, she said that she would prefer to move for the year. It must be in the genes!