Estamos Cambiando...Otra Vez

I have some explaining to do. In the ever changing vida de los Stevensons, we are leaving Mexico. We have decided to take advantage of a transfer opportunity that will put us back in the United States. Zachary will be changing schools and we will be moving to Portland, Maine for a semester (and freezing our butts off) starting in January, followed by clinical rotations...locations to be determined but either Chicago, Connecticut, Balitmore, Atlanta, or any combination of the aforementioned. (The whole Maine thing is perfect timing...since it is touristy in the summer, we are getting a furnished condo on the beach all bills included with an indoor pool, spa, everything for a GREAT deal. We are really excited about living in style in the cold!!)

It will be an interesting ride and one that we are really excited about...and totally prepared for...if we can do Mexico, we can do this! Tate is totally pumped about the cold weather, the kid sweats a lot. And, the day after the decision was made, Children's Place sent me an email with 30% off cold weather stuff plus a 20% off Columbus Day code and free shipping...perfect timing right?!? So, an adorable big coat, ski pants, and snow boots are on their way to keep Tate warm when I throw him in the snow!

Sorry for the side track...Tate in snow gear gets me a little excited! Anyways, back to the new school. The program here in Mexico was a 5 year program because it had an intership in New York at the end. The new program, will have Zach finishing at the same time (starting a residency at the same time), and he will also be completing a master's in addition to his MD.

This is just another answer to a prayer in this bumpy road of med school (even bumpier road of foreign med school). We leave here with the best souvenir ever...our little hecho en Mexico, Mexican citizen. And that will always make every part of this totally worth it! So much more to come from us...now from the east coast. We really will miss a lot about Mexico and Tate is gonna miss all the Spanish (he really and truly likes Spanish better...example, he only waves when I say "Hola" not "Hi"). Another post coming soon about all the crazy, unique things we have encountered in our time here!!

Cause every post needs a picture...my little dude. Who, by the way, is walking FAST now...close to a jog, not quite a run. He is hilarious!!

We have a walker!

Last Friday was the day, we officially gained a walking baby around here! He has been taking steps between us and the couch and other things close by. Friday night, while skyping with my mom, to show off his semi-skills, he just took off! He started walking all over the downstairs of the house, not towards anything. He figured out a few days before how to stand up without pulling up on anything so I knew it was close.

Clapping for himself. He loves to clap when we say "Yay, Tate"...and he is just a proud walker!

He is a dang cute little walker, but also a very cautious one. He takes his time, not at all trying to win any races yet. And he still crawls when he wants to make good time (the kid can haul it on all fours). His new thing...he enjoys walking with his eyes closed while making a strange, choking like sound (I am trying to catch it on video). I seriously laugh at him all day long! Who knew a 13 month old could be such a comedian!

His first time publicly walking was at the shoe mall...yes...they have a mall here that is just shoe store after shoe store, they tend to get repetitive, but it is a great place nonetheless. And mommy got some great red flats there that Tate is obsessed with! Back to the public free walking...Tate is hooked. He is pretty sure it is the coolest thing ever! He refuses to let us hold his hand and enjoys making lots of noise to make sure the general public knows he is walking.

I know with each day, he will crawl less and less, and refuse more and more to be held in public. As of right now, the transition to walking hasn't been too bad. And...dadgumit, he sure is cute!

The little walker at the shoe mall!