He Did It!

Nick (brother), Peter, Patti (mom), Grandma Ford, Auntie Linda, and oh yeah, Caleb

My son needs a haircut, but his daddy is a DOCTOR!

Peter and his Mom. Congrats Patti! He would NOT be here without you!

Bruce, the PCOM photographer. No one takes pictures of the photographer. This man kicked Peter's and his friends' trash in racquetball

Moments after receiving his diploma. He's not excited or anything, right?

Pinning Ceremony for the Navy.

Lieutenant Knickerbocker

Making it official

We're so proud of him!

My grandparents, Bala and Papa came out for the festivities. We love you guys!

My sister "hooded" Peter. She is finishing her ER residency and come July 1, she's a REAL doctor :)

Her son, Dean, rockin' the boots and hat

Peter's grandmother drove all the way from Ontario to be here for this!

On Sunday, Peter officially finished his medical school education. He has many more years before his "education" is over, but this part has drawn to a close. He graduated as the 120st class of PCOM. We're so, so, so proud of him.

On Saturday, we had a little party at our place and Peter's fifth grade teacher came. She said that way back when she was writing "Knickerbocker Questions" (he used to ask questions no one could answer, so she'd write them down and come back the next day with an answer) on the board, she knew that he'd accomplish anything he wanted. It was so neat to see this teacher, who taught him 17 years ago, be there to celebrate his achievement.

Thanks to all of you, who supported us through this time. We couldn't have done it without you.

Here's to residency!

Look, I'm Still Blogging!

Caleb practiced his hiding skills

Found you!

This may be my new favorite picture. Ever.

Caleb is clearly impressed by his parents.

You know, those parents who let their kids get stuck in trees.

And let their kids play on historically important weaponry.

On Memorial Day Peter, Caleb and I headed down to Valley Forge to check out where the first American soldiers fought. Or camped.

{That sounds really good, but really, we were like, "Oh hey! A day off! Awesome! Let's have a picnic!"}

It was so hot, but we had a fabulous time anyway. Caleb was very disappointed that there were not more gun shots. Next time, kid, next time.

This Guy

This guy is pretty awesome. I mean, he puts up with me, so it's pretty much a given. Right?

I love this man oh so much. He loves that he only has three days of medical school left oh so much. He probably loves me oh so much as well, but really? The medical school ending thing is probably winning right now. He's been in San Diego for three weeks, getting our apartment ready for the chaos that will surely ensue as soon as I arrive with two children. Just in time for him to start residency.

Conrgats, Peter Ford. We're so proud of you. More than words can say.

Come home soon Mr. Knickerbocker, we's gots some partying to do!

Clara is Here!

Clara Louise Farr was born this evening at 5:58 pm. She weighs 8 pound 6 ounces and measures 20.5 inches. We are so grateful for the miracle of a healthy baby. Congrats!!




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What?

What? We're not dead? I know, crazy.

Anyway...

An essay of pictures:

In March, we celebrated Sophie's third birthday. These two are so cute together!

OK, so maybe they don't know how to take pictures. But they are great cousins!

In April, I had the brilliant idea of driving across the country with a three year old. From PA to CA. Luckily, my mother came along and kept us sane. This is how Caleb entertained himself in the car.

This is how he was entertained in CA.

Just like Lightening McQueen. Route 66.

At the end of April, I went to NYC to attend a taping of the Nate Berkus Show, where my friend Anne (Third from Left) had a make-over! It was awesome, and like all good things, is because Kay made it happen :)

The very next day (great timing, ehh?) a moving van came to our house. Some nice people put all of our belongings in boxes, placed the boxes in the van and drove it across the country. Caleb was disappointed this was not going to be his method of transportation. Maybe next time.

My sister, Shayla, and her son Dean (age 3). The next week, we headed down to the Outer Banks to have a good ol family vacation with my siblings.

Dean and Caleb (both 3). The cousins had a great time!

We didn't leave him there for long...

Charlotte remained unimpressed, as she does with most things we try to introduce her to.

The siblings. From left to right: Katie (21), Amanda (25), Tracy (28), Shayla (30), Aaron (32) Aren't we cute?

We celebrated my birthday while we were there.

My grandparents were able to come as well. Papa and I share a birthday, and he is enjoying his new iPad2. Seriously. What's better than an Apple product and a nap?

Caleb learned to swim with swimmies.

Caleb has asked to see Bala and Papa every.single.day. since we've been home. We sure love these people! Bala will kill me once she knows I put up a picture of her, so it's been nice knowing all of you.

ahhh... relaxation

Phew. Caught up. Yes.

Peter is in California moving us all into our new place and doing his last rotation of medical school!! He flies home Sunday, May 29 and is here until June 5.

Of course, the best part is June 5th is his GRADUATION!

Charlotte and I fly out via medivac sometime later that week (we don't have anything definite yet, and won't until after June 6th). Caleb and my father will fly out together around June 10.

And that's how the Knickerbocker's move to California. As difficult and disjointed as possible :)

She Says It All

I have a friend from Pittsburgh who is in law school in Utah. She blogged about how hard it is to justify being a sports fan while still holding to feminist ideals. I think she sums it up pretty well.

Residency

In December, Peter matched in San Diego for his residency in pediatrics. For the 9 months between February 2010 and October 2010, Peter was gone for 4 of them. He was in Norfolk {twice}, Bethesda, and San Diego doing "audition rotations" at the Naval hospitals. Despite the chaos in our personal lives, Peter did such a great job at these rotations.

In fact, he's going to hate me for posting this, but I have to, he just got an email from his residency mentor, a third year resident. She said, "I just wanted to let you know that you were very well liked when you rotated through here.  I got ready to put my bid in for you and give this long spill on why I thought you should come here and as soon as your name was said everyone had glowing praise for you." For a bit of context of what this month was like, Charlotte came home from the NICU and five days later, Peter left for San Diego. The same day Peter left, Charlotte was re-admitted to CHOP for the entire month. She was incredibly sick, and Peter was two thousand miles away. Not only was he on an intense rotation away from home, his own child was in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit with aspiration pneumonia and sepsis, went back on the vent, and had g-tube surgery. Not to mention how crazy I was during all of this. So for him to make such a great impression during such a hectic time, is just, wow. I'm just in awe of him.

Phew. Glad that's over.

Now we just have to figure out how to move our family 2800 miles, which would be awesome in a 'normal' family of four, but is just phenomenal when you add in a special needs child.

Caleb is pretty convinced that Grandma and Grandpa (Knickerbocker) are coming with us and I'm certain that this boy will be devastated when he realizes that both sets of grandparents won't be just a car ride away. I'm hoping that the calming ocean breeze will distract him, and that grandparents come visit often. Very often.

That goes for all of you as well. We move out June 2011. I expect y'all to make plans to visit asap.