Are you there blog? It's me, Guido.

Things have been very busy this summer. And by summer, I mean anti-summer, because Portland brought it on far too late into July to make our tomatoes ripen in a timely matter. I was hoping it would make up for its tardiness by giving us some lovely indian summer, but no luck.

On Wednesday, August 25, 2010 Zio defended his dissertation. As these things usually are when they end well, it was incredibly anti-climactic. He did a fantastic job, though, and I am very proud of him. He officially became a Post-Doc September 1st.

One. Last. Experiment. Before I can resubmit my paper. Everything else is done. Literally; the manuscript and figures are done save this one superficial but required experiment. It is not going rapidly enough and has been making me feel frustrated and discouraged.

This past year has left us thoroughly spent. We are finally planning a family road trip for October, and I cannot wait. There will be colors. And Canada. And quaint cabins. And Niagara Falls.



Andryushka update:

Her language skills exploded while she was in Boston this past July. She's able to have actual conversations with us, and has no qualms about voicing her opinion loudly and frequently. She can recite all of, and identify at least half of, the letters in the alphabet, and enjoys pointing them out when she sees signs in public. Andrea is still not as physical as a lot of kids her age, but has a fair amount of confidence climbing thanks to Deda's tutelage. She is also using the potty at home to make all her pee-pee thanks to a sticker chart, demonstrating that she can be properly motivated and that she really digs stickers. She is cheerful, and plays well with others, but is also strongly defiant at times and very impatient. Sometimes this leads to some impressive meltdowns. She loves dancing, singing, food, books, playing pretend, cars, animals, dirt, nature, numbers, shapes, and talking. Pretty much her parent's kid.