It's almost the end of the semester but it's bittersweet at Pitt. We've been receiving bomb threats in most buildings (including dorms in the middle of the night) for several months. It's chaotic and nerve-racking. I had 3 (out of 20) students show up to class yesterday because many are afraid to come to campus. Many have moved home and we as TAs and profs are redoing lesson plans and exams so that they can be taken at home if need be. I'm an anxious person (surprise!) and so am myself feeling on edge coming to school every day. Let's hope the people responsible will be caught soon!
Other news! I dragged the whole fam to Philly for a conference at UPenn a couple of weeks ago. It was a fun trip. We got to stay with my lurrrrvely roommate from McGill and her hubby and new baby (well new to me--she's 7 months old). The trip there went well (thanks to Yo Gabba Gabba on the ipad).
Highlights included: kissing and squeezing baby Lena, catching up in front of the fireplace with champagne, sneaking into the "Please touch" museum for children" and getting out of there quickly (oh the chaos of 100s of children in a confined space on a rainy day!), being fed and spoiled.
Lowlights: Antonia being in a tantrum phase (she's a creature of routine and habit) and needing to be the center of attention day and night...
The drive home was a test of nerves. Basically, it is clear to both of us that Antonia will very likely be an opera singer. She's got some pipes!
Baby updates: Antonia now mimics everything we do: wants to brush her teeth at the sink, running the toothbrush under the water, putting on toothpaste etc. She asks for tissues to blow her nose, tells the dog what to do in a very bossy manner "Stop it!" (Dobai!) New hands signs include asking for more and shouting MOH! at the same time, "help me" when very frustrated.
Favorite things: Doing whatever she's not allowed to do.
Here are a few pictures from the past couple months.
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| While I'm working on my prospectus, Antonia gets some studying in too. P.S. Prospectus is done and sent to committee members! Defense April 24th! |
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| Family friends Leslie ("Essie") and Dave came to visit for the weekend! |
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| Boxes are for sitting in! |
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| This is just maybe my favorite picture ever. |
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| Antonia will only eat what I am eating. Carrots and hummus it is! |
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| Videos really make babies brain dead. Which can be used to parents' advantage. Not to be overused! |
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| Stinker |
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| After my all-day conference I had asked Guillaume to bring me pants and shoes to change into. He forgot the pants. Antonia being a barnacle once again. |
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| Good looking family! |
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| Fake kid shopping |
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| OMG the cow moos! |
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| Champers by the fire. |
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| Piggies |
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| Dishwasher spelunking |
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| Cat tipi spelunking |
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| This is sort of a weird picture of her, but you kind of see her non-eye color that still hasn't quite decided what it wants to be. |
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| Piccolo Forno with Morfar and force feeding lasagna! |
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| Easter baskets spoils |
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| Easter birds. |
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| Don't worry, I ate the chocolate eggs. phew! |
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| A 5:30 wake-up warranted some brain cell killing Yo Gabba Gabba time. |
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| While I'm slaving away at my prospectus, Figo and Antonia are goofing like goofballs under the table. |
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| Spring! |
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| Tintin |
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| Marinara sauce addict! |
Wish us luck these last couple of weeks. I'm having my entire French class over on Tuesday to boost morale and catch up before the final. Guillaume was *so* excited to hear that!
I'll end with the little video of Antonia blowing her nose.
