Another week, more packing accomplished. We're now well over halfway through the packing, having tackled the scary dark corners of Nathan's bedroom, our shelves and desk, and portions of our room and kitchen. Our basement is full of packed boxes, our living room is being taken over, and Nathan's closet is currently occupied. I've been throwing things out and purging the unnecessary items.

It's almost sad, though, looking around at our emptying apartment and thinking of all the memories we have had here over the year. It really has been an incredibly full year. I was five months pregnant when we moved in, and Nathan will be six months old tomorrow. Chad has gone through externship in Salem, he has passed two rounds of licensing exams, and he finally graduated!!! I started the year with a good bunch of eighth-graders, one of the best we had ever had at the Browne School, and by the time I left, they were one of the most rotten bunches we had ever had with the promise of getting even worse by the end of the year. Lots and lots of raw sewage has come out of our shower, we've recently spotted a mouse, and we have more spiders inside our apartment than I have seen outside our apartment.

By this time next week, we will be on the road heading to our new home in North Carolina, leaving behind our home in Boston. While I am sooo excited for what lies ahead in Jacksonville, I'm also sad to be moving on from what I've known and mostly loved for five years. Someone asked me today when I was downtown if I was from there and asked for directions. For one of the last times, I could say that I was a local.

On a happier note, Nathan experienced the world of solid food for the first time today. We finally made it to the pediatrician's today, and Nathan is up to 18 pounds, 8 ounces and 28 1/2 inches. So, we made the big plunge. We got him a new seat and tray and all the other accoutrements for feeding. He loved it! Everyone said he would have a hard time with it, and to only give him a few teaspoons so he wouldn't get too frustrated. He went through over 1/4 cup of cereal and thought it was one of the best things ever. He tried to grab for the spoon and the bowl and tried to help me feed him. He couldn't get enough of it. I'm excited for that first diaper tomorrow. I'll post some pictures tomorrow (Chad wants to go to bed now). I hope everyone is doing well and keep us posted on your fun news and developments!