As of Late

Way back when (mid-August), Team Adams went to Canada to see family, as well as the following:

Niagara was amazing.  We made this trip as one grand finale to Summer 2012 before Steve started working and before I went back to school.  Speaking of Steve's job, we were 15 minutes into this trip when he got the call informing him of his job offer.

Perfect timing in so many ways.  So yes, Steve is employed full-time at the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities.  His department oversees the county agencies that carry out the services, but what it all boils down to is this: Steve found a job in his field and is getting that elusive "experience" that every job requires, yet rarely gives.

Before he started his job, he went to Sweden.

Yes, I repeat, he went to Sweden.

Steve's cousin, Filippa, got married to Niklas on 18 August 2012 in Sweden and Steve was thrilled to be a part of the festivities.  Here he is with Bodil (Filippa's mother), and below you can see the lovely couple at their big celebration.

Summer abruptly came to an end when Steve went to work and I went to school, but we did enjoy Labor Day weekend in the company of my sister.  This was Bug's first time meeting one of my siblings and here they are conversing deeply on the complexities of life according to a five-month old.  My sister takes her role of aunt very seriously, and Bug is so much the better for it - the Brown sisters would be proud.

My parents sent a care package from their latest trip and I must say, Hawaii suits Ainsley.  By next summer this little mermaid will be ready for the beach.  Thanks, Mumsy!

I have resigned myself to the fact that my daughter looks nothing like me (except for her nose...we think), and consequently, I've resigned myself to the fact that her personality may also very well turn out to be just like Steve's.  The following picture offers a case in point:

 Our aspiring bookworm.

She is a lover of the written word.  Forget rice cereal, peas, and squash, this kid prefers paper.  I'm actually really happy that Bug is so much like her Dad.  There are lots of reasons why I fell in love with him, and it's fun to see those same reasons pop up in miniature.

5 months quickly turned into 6 months, and here we are celebrating half a year with our adorable daughter who has changed us for the better.

As for me, life is crazy as a PhD student.  There are good days and bad, lots of laughs and lots of stress, but we're all alive and well.  Team Adams is definitely a team.  Time passes more quickly these days, but I happen upon so many moments where time seems to stand still and I can reflect on how meaningful all the crazy, funny, stressful, and uncertain moments are since they've gotten me to where I am, in the company of my dearest companion and our sweet baby.  Those moments are priceless.

And that's life, as of late.