We’re still here…

Not that you noticed we were gone.  But, things have been a little busy lately.  Here, let me fill you in.  After a trip to DC last week and LOTS of work since, I have been swamped.  I must say that I learned SOOOO much leading the study section and writing all the documents that comes with the final review process.  If I ever end up back at the bench, I feel like I could write one helluva grant application… anyway, one more week(or two) of some major work, and then it will be time for a little break.  I have to say a big, huge THANK YOU to my sister Sara and my mother, who swooped in and managed some last minute child care given that my babysitter decided to quit the day before I left for DC.  These are the times when you are so grateful for family and friends who just step in and take over.  Thank you, thank you.

So, I cannot even begin to comprehend that July is almost OVER and the summer will be gone soon.  We have been having some fun here.  Olivia is cruising these days… full on walking with some cute little tumbles when she gets going to fast to keep her balance (toddler run) and falls over.  She LOVES her food (who can blame her).  I am telling you, this kid can put away as much food as I eat at one meal.  No joke.  And, her latest thing is pointing.  She has realized that while words are a challenge, if she points and leans in towards it and screams loud enough, eventually we will realize what she wants and get it for her.   I am not sure this a good move on our part, because now she is constantly pointing for things.  It all seems a little too demanding for me .   And Ava, little Miss Ava…is busy, busy, busy these days.  Riding her bike, eating olives and cherries, helping outside, playing, playing, playing.  Red Bull has nothing on whatever metabolic booster these preschoolers have going on.  Starting when she pops out of bed at 6:30 every morning (when does the concept of “sleeping in” hit?) until she collapses asleep somewhere before 8… the kid doesn’t stop.  Sometimes I just sit on the floor as she is bouncing and jumping and hopping and skipping (all while talking) and I wonder when she is going to unzip her face and reveal her alien self to me, because there really is no way a human being could contain all that energy.  Then, I usually go get another cup of coffee, just so I have some hope of staying in the game.