End of the Semester!

What a great feeling it is to complete another semester of doctoral studies!! That makes 1 1/2 years into the program and another semester closer to finishing coursework (hopefully by end of next summer).

I just submitted the final paper for my Literature Review course, the first of a two-course sequence taken during the final year of classes that is meant to help launch students into the dissertation. I'll take the next course in the sequence in the spring semester.

I enjoyed the Lit Review class very much - it pushed me to think carefully about what I want to focus on for the dissertation and to find and read hundreds of pages per week on my topic. We're told that it is important to pick a topic that is interesting to us, since we'll be spending hours and hours (and hours) reading, thinking, and writing about it in the next few years. I am focusing on the internationalization of higher education, specifically on international partnerships between universities in the US and overseas. If all goes as planned, I hope to begin research next fall.

Gemma served as my quality control supervisor, as you can see. The final paper for the course consisted of a review of the key constructs related to my topic: mine concluded at 60 pages, inclusive of references (122 of them). Yikes, I hope my professor doesn't fall asleep reading it.

New Activities for Gemma

She is still working on 100% neck/head control but this week she has been able to sit in the Bumbo!! Of course the location of choice is the kitchen counter where she can watch food preparations. (did you know the Bumbo was invented & made in South Africa?)

And here she is in the jolly jumper - yes, that is in the furnace closet in the kitchen. When you have a small house you do what you can...

Now - 3 months old!

This week Gemma celebrated her 3 month birthday by having 3 "firsts":

1. Bouncing & swaying in the jolly jumper
2. Going to the YMCA swimming pool and learning to splash
   
3. "Playing" in the snow

Unfortunately we don't have photos of the first two but we did capture a few of the first snow of the year - we got 4-6 inches this week. See below. She also did GREAT in the jolly jumper and at the pool. She didn't fuss or cry at all but on both occasions seemed to slowly ease herself into the newness; at first she was quiet and still, but after a few minutes was kicking and cooing and very happy.

Here's the red-cheeked little girl doing one of her favorite things, sitting on the couch (in clothing of multiple patterns).

In honor of the snow - well, not really, more like in honor of the weekend and a chance to have a leisurely breakfast together - Jim made cinnamon rolls for breakfast. YUM. It was a new recipe (using the shortcut of hot roll mix, shhh don't tell) and he baked them in the cast iron pan.

Afterwards we explored a bit outside and ate some snowflakes.

Thanksgiving week/weekend

We enjoyed a relaxing Thanksgiving week, since Jim had three days off work & class, and we decided to stay home for the holiday. One afternoon we even had a family date at Starbuck's! (because it was buy one get one free on drinks) It was a first for us to get out of the house. While we sipped our lattes (though Jul had to have hers re-made twice to get it right), Gemma enjoyed staring at the lady studying at the next table and listening to the jazz music playing on the speakers.

On Tuesday we had dessert night with the Brashers - pumpkin cheesecake, choc chip pecan bars and coffee. Little Elijah is almost 2 months old (5 weeks younger than Gemma). In a few months they may actually start to take notice of each other.

Gemma tried out Thomas's armchair (he's age 2) and decided she'd like to have one of her own. Doesn't she look right at home? ...hence, the drool.

Our Thanksgiving Day was quiet, just the three of us at home. Jim and I stayed busy in the kitchen, having fun cooking together (and washing up, but that doesn't fall in the fun category) while Gemma took a long afternoon nap. Here's Jim with his orange-pumpkin cloverleaf rolls.

And me with the turkey, resting before carving. Don't worry, the two of us will have no trouble consuming all 11 lbs of that.

On Saturday Debbie (a co-student with Jim) and Rick came for dinner - and were good enough to hold and play with Gemma a bit, even though she spit up on her overalls.

Fun with Daddy

How can I resist having some fun with my little Gemma?