More on Abby

At just over 9 months old, Abby is growing bigger and stronger (she now weighs 14 lbs.). She drinks her milk (almost exclusively--a frustrating story of its own) to build strong bones and muscles, and to get a little extra bulk she knocks out two dozen pull ups each morning.
With her now found strength she terrorizes the house. She is particularly fond of the closet, and does her best to unfold all the sweaters, disorganize the shoes, and pull down any hanging items that she can reach.
Fortunately, she is so cute that we dont mind. Her brown hair with a touch of copper is beautiful, and all the grown men in the ward fawn all over her. My biggest concern is the older toddler boy I've seen her flirting with at church--Tommy (See "Dave & Tiffany" on our blogging buddies). Dave, I've got my eye on him!

So, on to other things (for the one or two people who care)... Life is going well. Its very busy. Jen is wrapping up the semester with both schoolwork and her choirs. She's been a little ill lately but is starting to recover and in just a couple weeks she can rejoice in knowing there is very little schoolwork remaining (I think she needs one more class next semester). I just finished the defense of my prospectus, which means I advanced to candidacy and now have nothing more to do in school except write my dissertation (and teach classes). I've been doing interviews with folks and will continue to do that for the next few weeks, and then I've got to start producing. I am presenting at a prestigious conference in March and am a bit nervous that I've not yet finished the research. I am enjoying the work. In church things are going about as usual. Jen just finished up a large stake youth choir and incorporated all our musical friends into the production. We are excited for next month when we spend Christmas in Washington with all of Abby's cousins. We can't wait for her first Christmas. As usual, we'll do Thanksgiving with my family in Los Angeles, and my mom will love to show off Abby. I feel like the too many balls I've been juggling are slowly reducing in number--and that is a relief. For Jen, it appears, she's got to wait a few more weeks for that respite.