The Philadelphia Drakes

You heard right. We are moving to Philadelphia! Alex was accepted to Temple University School of Medicine, so as of the last week of July we will be known as the Philadelphia Drakes... well... for 4 years at least.

Right now we are looking at apartments in Chestnut Hill. It is outside of the city, more in the suburbs. Google maps says it will take Alex 20 minutes to get to school.

We are getting really excited about moving! Philly will be a sweet adventure! Today I did a little research about the area and here is what I found... we will be have shopping close to us, we'll be minutes away from a cute little town with cobbled streets, 30 minutes away from Costco, and get this....15 minutes away from IKEA!!!! I have a feeling Dean and I will end up there a lot when we need to get out of the house.

It will be hard leaving family in Utah and moving EVEN FURTHER from California. I was really hoping med school would help me escape the snow. But 1) it's a great school with a great hospital, and Alex will see a lot of crazy stuff being in the city (hospital has the highest number of penetrating wounds in PA... gunshots and stabbings!)... 2) I'd rather be there, close to NY and all the sights of the East Coast, than Kansas or Nebraska (no offense)... 3) If we're going to go have an adventure, now is the time to do it. So, here we go!

We will miss everyone we are leaving behind. But we'll be back, and there is an open invitation to anyone who wants to come visit the Philadelphia Drakes.

First month with Dean

-Average sleep schedule: sleep 2 hours, eat 1 hour, sleep 2 hours, etc.
-recently started having more awake-alert time where he likes to just be on his back, kick his legs, and look around.
-very strong. Holds up his head for a good minute. You have to be careful if he's laying on your lap because his kicks are so strong he could push himself off.
-very busy and wiggly
-likes baths but hates getting his hair washed and lotion put on
-constantly wants to eat
-has never really liked being swaddled unless he is super tired
-still gets hiccups a lot
-sneezes a lot, usually 3 sneezes in a row
-likes to squirt pee while getting his diaper changed
-makes eye contact and tries to talk to you
-smiles a lot right after eating when he is falling asleep
-makes squeak toy noises. Sometimes he does a couple in a row and it sounds like he's laughing, especially when he is smiling
-Generally a good, easy, happy baby. Couldn't ask for more!

First of many sleeping-with-dad pictures, I'm sure

One of my favorite parts of being a mom

Dean's first trip to California
Another "first of many"

Rasmussen baby shower

Pictures by my Aunt Sandi

Click to see more

First beach day: Table Rock in Laguna
(also where alex and I took engagement pictures
more than 2 years ago)

5 Generations

The Putmans

The Carters

If you weren't sure who he is looking like.....

Ally Mommy Baby Dean

(hiding behind his arm are my lips and chin)

Thanks baby, for a great start to mommyhood!