Comings and Goings

Well, the beginning of the school year has come and gone. We are actually midway through the semester and I couldn't be happier to be on the downhill slope. So far things are going well. I have been working hard and so far it has been paying off with good grades. But, the semester has been a difficult one. I am finding it difficult to balance between all my responsibilities with family, school, work, and church. I'm sure I'll get the hang of it, but it does make me nervous for next year when I will be participating in a full-time practicum (like an internship) and full-time school for my program requirements. But, since I can't do anything about that right now, I'll just focus on the classes I am in right now.

As for Malone, he is doing really well right now in his work and school. He just received word that a manuscript he submitted to the Journal of Biological Chemistry was accepted! This is a huge step toward his ability to complete his PhD. He has worked so hard for this and we are so proud of him.

Our baby K seems to be developing by a mile every day, both physically and intellectually. The other day she climbed out of her crib, so we are saying goodbye to the crib and hello to her "big girl" bed. We are nervous that she won't transition very well but are trying to stay optimistic and make it a good thing for her. She has also developed some new dance moves which, in my opinion, are adorable. She used to just bounce up and down, but now she stomps her feet, twirls, and swings her arms back and forth. It is so cute! She has also learned some new words including the words "chips" (which she pronounces as bips), some names of family members, and the words "whoa" "binky" "baby" and "yes". She will also point at things she likes and say, "that's cool!" We are especially glad that she is doing better at telling the difference between the words "no" and "yes" as she is starting to understand questions that we ask her and answer appropriately. Another cute skill she has developed is blowing kisses, and when you give her a hug she will now pat your back. Some of her favorite pasttimes are stacking (and then knocking down) blocks and playing with her Magnadoodle.

Well, I guess that's about it for now. Hope all is well with you readers out there! And Happy Halloween in a week! We just got our costumes and are looking forward to taking Kyrsta to a couple neighbors' and family members' houses for "trick or treating". Malone is going to be a scarecrow, I am going to be a wicked witch, and Kyrsta is going to be Dorothy.