Major update--Spring 2010

So we haven't posted for a very, very long time. Since last September actually. We have been regularly updating our pictures of Evi on flickr though (see the flickr badges at the side and bottom of our blog?). So we aren't entirely leaving you out in the cold here, people. But I thought it might be nice to write an update about life here in the Pacific Northwest, especially for you New Yorkers and other out-of-staters that miss us so terribly. A lot has happened. I'll try to keep it brief. I'll try.

Evi is having an explosion of language. It seems like she is saying 3-4 new words a day. She knows almost all of her letters, colors, and numbers. She counts like this "1....2.....3.....9..10" We're still working on 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. She says "ABCDs" like one word. She's also growing like a weed and definitely looks like a little girl now and not a baby anymore. She's still signs when she talks, which is really cute. And also helpful--juice, shoes, and chase all sound like "shooose." We're also starting to potty train Evi. So far, so good. It is really nice not having to change poopy diapers anymore. She is doing a pretty good job of telling us when she needs to go. She has a funny habit of looking into the training toilet after she goes #2 and saying "biggie!" It's hilarious. She also read the word "diaper" off the side of a plain brown package that she had never seen before. She didn't know what was inside and hadn't seen us take anything out. Yikes! We have been showing her DVDs called "Your Baby can Read" but we didn't know they would work so quickly. We'll let you know when she starts reading Dostoevsky.

Katie is still really liking her job, and has occasionally even worked at the clinic location right by our house (3 minute drive). You may recall that it was at this location that we were told she would eventually be working regularly, but that has not come to pass--other locations (15-20 minute drive away) have been her regular posts. Still, after NYC commutes on the subway or bus, a 15 minute drive with no traffic seems super easy and often enjoyable.

Dan has gone back to NYC for a couple of gigs, and also started making contacts out here, playing several concerts here and one, this past weekend, out at the coast at Newport, OR. A beach-side homestay and free food were part of the package. Fun times! He also recently won a fugue contest at Mannes college. A fugue is a type of composition where a melody, stated by itself at first, is repeated with variations in three or four different voices. There are certain rules one must follow. Every spring Mannes posts a fugue subject on its website and contestants have 2 weeks to write an entire fugue. This was Dan's first attempt and he is very happy to have won, especially since there was a pretty nice cash prize attached (too bad winners can't compete in succeeding years). We included the audio clip below so interested people can listen to it.



We also got a CAT, kitten really. His name is Ringo...we had a Facebook contest to name him, but Dan ended up getting the winning entry (the contest was totally rigged, but some front runners were OJ, Rufus, and Fang). Ringo has orange and white rings on his tail, and his name also pays homage to the Beatles drummer. Evi and he are learning how to live with each other; they are both very fond of one another but occasionally have bouts of sibling rivalry and try to maim/kill each other. Time outs for all!

It's also getting very nice out here in the Northwest. Spring is Dan's favorite season and he's going to try to grow chives, basil, and tomatoes (and some flowers--we'll keep our fingers crossed). Evi helped him plant stuff last weekend. Ringo watched with keen interest.

Come visit us! We have a guest room. With a queen bed and your own bathroom! That is all for now.