The Update

A long promised update on our little lives.
Let’s start with the littlest one: Ella Bella.

Ella has been growing in leaps and bounds since Christmas and I am not just talking about her tummy. She is getting to be such a big girl and I am so excited about her development as of late (I feel like that is a phrase most mom’s don’t use). We were slightly concerned that Ella’s lack of words were due to a hearing problem since the tests she had last year were inconclusive. We went for a hearing test on Wednesday however, and, as far as they can tell she can hear within normal levels at all frequencies. Chances are that the lag in speech was because of her recent major physical development (walking, running, jumping, etc.) Since introducing new speech games Ella has shown a huge improvement in her speech. She makes a good effort to not only to use her signs but also make the animal noises (even if they don’t really sound quite right). I have also been noting words that Ella can say and the list is surprisingly large. While some may only be recognizable to mommy, she is clearly making an effort to say them and if you know what you are listening for, they are evident.  Not only that, but she is now making an effort to copy words, something I could never get her to do before. For example, tonight I told Ella to put her pyjama pants on and asked her say “pants” to which she replied, “pnts”. She seems to, in most cases just cut out the vowels so that the consonants run together or in other cases, she drops the ending. (Put) Back= Bah.

Jakob:
Lent term is drawing to a close and these past couple of weeks have been action packed. Last week, I went with Jakob’s class to the Cambridge University Botanical Gardens to look for signs of spring and today he went to the Central Library: a place we frequent anyway. He is still loving school and getting very good at reading, is completely enthralled with the planets and solar system and can count so well it amazes me- he will look at a piece of paper and without counting out loud will announce quickly and confidently that there are 7 stars. We are longing for the day when we can go to the park after school as we did almost everyday in the Fall but until then, we have, at least once a week been going with friends for hot chocolate and then to the Library.

Ben: Lent term is also over for Ben. The work doesn’t stop however, and he will need to study hard over the break in hopes to do the bulk of work on his Thesis and prepare for his recital. Insert guilt-promoting reminder that Ben needs to do an update soon for all of his fans.


And me?
Well, you get to hear about most of my adventures as they come because I can’t wait to post about them.
I turned 30, just in case you missed it. Since turning 30 I have been hit on and ID’d so I can happily move onto 31. My mom came to celebrate with me and while she was here I tagged along on a food shoot with Cristian Barnett. I have taken two french lessons to brush up for Paris in April which has been completely invigorating and other than that, I have just been watching and waiting for Spring to come and {the rest of my life to take shape}. I put squigglies around that because in truth, it is a completely loaded statement that I seem to let roll off the tongue like drool over Beatty’s chocolate cake but in actuality, I obsess over daily…also much like the cake. Lots of “if’s” right now. We have delicately placed our eggs in many baskets and are waiting not-so-patiently for one of them to hatch into opportunity. And while some may thrive on the anticipation it is difficult for a planner like myself to arrange schooling for Jakob and programs for Ella when I don’t know what Country I will be in. It has also cast a shadow on life here in Cambridge, which I have been enjoying so thoroughly and I would like to think that once we have a plan, I will be able to more freely relish our time here and Ben will be able to concentrate more on his studies than looking for a job.

Yesterday was gorgeous! I really do love Cambridge. Every morning as I cycle to Jakob’s school I keep thinking that I need to do a post about all the reasons why-from the thousands of cyclists heading off to school and work, the way that when it is sunny the whole city emerges and settles themselves on Parker’s Piece, the way that just at the gate to Jakob’s school, I can hear at least 4 different languages on any given morning and the way that Spring is blooming one day at a time and I wish I could bottle up the anticipation of seeing what each little bud produces….the list goes on.

Have a great weekend everyone.