A family-- a cycling scientist, a crazy little girl, a happy toddler, and me-- navigating the exciting, sometimes difficult, but most of all wonderful adventure that is life.
Lori (Scott's sister) came up to Portland (where two of Scott's sisters and their families live) with her son Jamus so Scott and I decided we should go down to join the party. While we were there we went hiking at Multnomah Falls and another place nearby. 
Susanna now knows that animals exist. Four ducks came within two feet of Susanna at the park today and after watching them for a bit she started laughing and squealing. In the past our animal encounters have been more like our most recent trip to the zoo when an elephant was walking around right on the other side of the fence and she either didn't see it or didn't find it very enteresting (the elephant was only 10 feet away!). "Look Susanna! An Elephant!" We kept telling her while pointing it out to her. Nothing. Talk about an elephant in the room...
Susanna won't let me feed her anymore (she is, after all, almost 7 months old), but if I give her the spoon she'll feed herself a few bites. Aside from rice cereal, she currently eats avacados, bananas, and carrots. I'm planning to try spinach or peas next. Is there any chance she'll like those?
My mom (this is Amy speaking) came to visit on Saturday March 10th and stayed until the following Thursday. We had a great time.
We went shopping a couple of times while she was here. She bought Susanna the dress and shoes in the photograph below. 
I think Susanna really enjoyed her grandmother (especially when she got to stay up past her bedtime while Mom and Dad were out).
In the past few weeks Susanna has started giving us kisses. It may not be very clear from this picture, but right now that means sucking on our chins. It's very sweet.
Scott is working on a Ph.D. in Immunology at the University of Washington. This week (today, in fact) he is presenting on his research and in a couple of weeks he is doing another more important presentation. He is studying immune tolerance-- the immune system's ability to differentiate between body cells and disease cells (and to leave the former and attack the latter).
With Scott's help, I am managing the apartment complex where we live (pictured above). Sometimes it seems easy and other times not so easy. But in all, we are glad to have this opportunity to help make ends meet. Other than that and hanging out with Susanna, I do boring things like laundry, although I am also reading Les Miserables.
