Step 1

Today, Sean takes what he calls "the most important test of his life": Step 1 of the Boards. Most medical schools have students take the test after their second year to prove they've learned enough to start rotations. But Baylor starts rotations a half year earlier than the rest, so they have students take a different Basic Science test to allow them to start rotations. Then the Baylor students can take Step 1 whenever it fits best in their schedule (you know, as long as it happens by the time they apply for residencies). What's awesome about this is they've already studied hard for a similar test (the Basic Science test) AND they get all this experience from doing rotations already. Sean admitted that there's been a ton of practice questions he's only known because of the hospital experience he's had. One more reason why Baylor rocks.

He's been studying so much for the last six weeks. Other medical student wives warned me about how tough it is during the Step 1 study weeks. But for the first couple of weeks, I thought it was the best thing ever. He got to start the day whenever he wanted (i.e. no alarm), no travel time to the med center, and he could pop in and be with his family whenever he so desired. And it allowed us to take that fun Austin trip, our first immediate-family-only trip since 2009. But once we came back from Austin, he really buckled down and essentially studied all day long. So while the bonuses of him studying at home were still great, there was hardly any long quality time with him. I sure missed weekends.

But it's all coming to a head today! It's an eight-hour test, so send Sean good vibes all day long! I know he's going to do so well! I'm so proud of you, sweetheart!

And while Sean has been so amazingly diligent in his studying, Liam and Dash too have been blowing me away with their alphabet skills. Here's a video of them with their alphabet puzzle, showing off their letter knowledge and prowess (yes, it's four minutes long. Four minutes of awesome.):

(Alphabet1 from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)

I think this is over a week old, so just imagine how much more they've mastered. The only letter that really trips them up now is J, which they usually give a G sound (which, come on, that's pretty close). Every other letter they can just look at and tell me the sound without me having to say anything.

And if you want to just see a shorter video of them saying some letter sounds, I've got one right here:

(Alphabet Sounds from Katie Bradley on Vimeo.)

Their R, N, and L sounds are just the funniest things in the world!