San Diego Knickerbockers

We've been here in San Diego for about 8 months now, so it's probably time I pull myself together and start documenting it. So here it goes:

These are pictures I snapped on my phone while running. In January. Yeah, it's OK, I'd hate me, too. Seriously, people, this is where I live. Pinch me.

Looking at Coronado from San Diego Bay

Naval Training Center

 We spend a lot of our days at the Zoo. We try to bring along a friend when possible!

Caleb, Random Person wearing a lion outfit, and Johnannes. We go to the zoo so often with Johannes and his mom, Caleb thinks the kid lives there.  :)

 We spent a large portion of our weeks at therapy. On Mondays and Wednesdays, we spend from 8:30- 11:30 playing working with Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy for Charlotte. Some moments she loves, others she hates. Lately, she's been super fidgety and fussy in therapy, not wanting anyone to tell her what to do. Stubborn? I wouldn't know anything about that.

 

 

 

 

In OT, learning to play with blocks.

 Caleb had one request for his birthday: Bounce House. He's been talking about it for months. We figured we moved him across the country, then moved him again 5 months later, and we were feeling pretty guilty. So we splurged, paid a million dollars and had the best party ever. Totally awesome. We loved it.

Caleb's fourth birthday party, at Pump It Up.

 

 

 We also spend a lot of time in the car. Which is so much fun when gas costs 4.50 a gallon.

It's totally worth it though, to pay high gas prices, if it means you live in a place where people come to visit. In October, my sister, Shayla and her son, Dean came for a week. A few weeks later, Pete's sister and her husband, Soren, and their daughter Emily, came out. My parents, my little sister and her husband, and my brother and his kids came out for Thanksgiving and finally, Grandma and Grandpa Knickerbocker came over New Years Eve. It's been awesome. We've had SO much fun taking them all around and enjoying their presence. We knew it would be hard to move across the country, but we've really, really missed our family. Having them come out has made it so much better. So seriously, you, come visit, NOW.

Hanging out at the zoo, with Grandma and Grandpa Knickerbocker

The best part of San Diego is the parks. There are millions of them. Charlotte loves the swings more than anything. (I lysol them before putting her in there-- am I crazy?) She could swing all day long. And Caleb thinks they are amazing. Slides and sand? Whoa. Best.thing.ever.

 Even though Charlotte's medical needs have increased since moving here, our nursing hours are not nearly as generous as they were in PA. We're training Charlotte to take care of herself :)

Am I Wheezing?

 Intern year has been awe.some. And by awesome, I mean, rough. Rough for anyone, but add to that having a needy wife, an active 3 year old, and a medically fragile 1 year old. Pete has juggled a lot this year, and has been a rock star in our eyes. We've spent a lot of nights without him around, and on those nights, we like to pack dinner, and come out to the beach and watch the sunset. Caleb runs around in the sand, and Charlotte and I relax. It's a great way to spend the evening when you're trying to wear out your 4 year old :) When Caleb has been especially good, we splurge for a cheeseburger or an ice cream cone. It's become a fun tradition and hopefully, someday, Pete will be able to join us!

We're loving it here in San Diego, and we're so excited to be spending the next 4 years here. For those who haven't heard via Facebook, Pete will be working on a ship starting in July (he'll deploy for about 8 months total next year at this time) and will be on the ship for 2 years. At the end of that tour, he'll resume his residency, finishing his last two years in his pediatrics residency.

Phew. That's about it!