The OMs go to Philly

Isaac's tuckered out after a long day of sight-seeing--and a long night of on-demand nursing.

As many of you know, this past week, our family traveled to Philadelphia for a six-day, five-night stay. The purpose of this trip was for Anique to attend the ASCB (American Society for Cell Biologists) meeting. Our original plan had been to fly, but at the last minute we decided to drive and we were so glad that we did: Isaac is awesome in the car and we had so much stuff to bring (he comes with a lot of winter accessories). Plus, we were able to make a quick stop in Larchmont to see our friends, the Reists (Ali and Jason, sorry we didn't call you, but we figured you would still be at work).

Anique says: "While the trip was a lot of effort to prepare for, I got a lot out of meeting people in my field. And, it got me thinking about what to do after Brandeis."

While Anique spent her days listening to talks on cilia and centrosomes, Isaac and I took in the sights. From our hotel in Center City, we were super close to Independence National Historic Park, so on Saturday, I strapped on the Bjorn and we headed out into the cold to take a tour of Independence Hall. I took a couple of quick pics, but as you will see from the one shot of Isaac and me together, he was rather nonplussed by all that history. Later in the week, we returned to see the Liberty Bell and to visit the National Constitution Center; there, with Isaac asleep in his stroller, I was able to check out the Art of the American Soldier exhibit. Not sure if the website captures it, but for those in/near Philly it's really worth seeing.

On another frigid day (20 degrees), we visited the Franklin Institute, where we saw the Cleopatra exhibit -- very cool! -- and Isaac got to hang out by their giant walk-through heart, a Philly institution that's been there since 1953. Sadly, we didn't actually walk through it, though based on the cacophony of screams we could hear bouncing around its chambers, the experience must have been 25% educational, 75% fun house. (As you can see from the pics, Isaac was most impressed with the taste of his stroller's safety harness. Sometimes it's the simplest things.)

All in all, it was a fun trip. Anique's poster session went really well and even though she was working most of the day, we still had some quality family time, most of which we spent eating. We became regulars at the Reading Terminal Market and on the recommendation of our Philly friends, Morris and Rachel Levine (who we saw for dinner on Monday), we stopped for gelato at Capogira on our way out of town ... even though it was 21 degrees out, even though it was 10:30 in the morning. And let me tell you, it was worth it.

Isaac's dreidel

Like most Jewish kids, Isaac is only moderately enthusiastic about spinning the dreidel. And he hasn't even been exposed to TV or video games yet, so ...

Chappy Chanukah everyone!

Not Your Average Joe's--delicious dessert with candles just for us!

--
Brandeis University
Molecular Cell Biology (MCB) Ph.D. Candidate

Happy Thanksgiving

Continuing a tradition begun when we first moved to the area in 2006, my parents traveled up to Boston for Thanksgiving. They arrived on Wednesday along with my sister Moriah and her boyfriend, Craig, who both flew in from Tuscon. Then on Thursday morning, we all drove up to Barrington to celebrate the holiday with the Olivier clan. The meal was phenomenal and included Anique's first attempt at a tofurkey (Craig's vegan and Moriah's vegetarian, though most of the omnivores partook). Consesus: tasty but perhaps a little heavy on the tofu (6 pounds of it). More well received was Anique's vegan pumpkin bread pudding. Popular with Masons and Oliviers alike, this dish might have been sweet enough to have helped forge a more communitarian relationship between the Europeans and the Native Americans. If only we could go back in time. We capped the day with a walk along Swain's Lake and an hour of singing around the fire place.

Having my family here was great and Isaac provided plenty of entertainment and opportunities for the out-of-practice (and in Moriah's case, the uninitiated) to change his diapers, feed him cereal, make him laugh. Special shout-out to my folks who watched Isaac on Saturday night so that Anique and I could go on a special date to the Finland Steam Baths, a favorite spot of ours in Quincy (when you scan down the webpage, keep your eyes out for a picture of Danielle and Zev along with our/their friends, Christie and Charlie). We then returned to the Not Your Average Joes in Watertown for drinks, veggie spring rolls, and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Thing, a decadent concoction. Anique told our waitress that this was only our 4th date since Isaac's birth, and to our surprise, the dish arrived topped with candles and the framed with the words CONGRATS! in peanut butter sauce. And, even better, it was on the house! What a great date. We made it back just in time for Isaac's now-routine 10:30 PM wake-up. Hopefully, once those top two teeth come in, we can get back to sleeping through the night (all three of us).

Grandma T feeds Isaac

During her recent visit, Isaac's Grandma T showed off her impressive skills serving (and celebrating) squash. 

Isaac vs. Squash

As many of you know, Isaac has been a less-than-enthusiastic eater -- like a dieting actress, he prefers all of his meals to be in liquid form. However, he seems partial to squash. And when Isaac eats squash it's a full body sport.

Pepere's Turning 70!

On Saturday, we drove to Manchester-by-the-Sea to celebrate my dad's upcoming 70th birthday. We prepared (and purchased) some of my dad's favorite foods, including tourtiere, pâté, and bread pudding. And, as part of the festivities, the Olivier girls prepared a special song for the birthday boy (see below). A great time. We love you Dad/Julien/Pepere!



Come over here, Dad; this moment is for you
To celebrate your life avec un chason pour vous
‘Cause 70 years don't come everyday
So here is our chance, we won't give it away!

You might not hear the words of this song
We'll give you a handout so you can read along
Turn up your hearing aids or read our lips
Not until ninety will you need new hips!

When the snow falls,
Stack the wood high!
Grab your ice skates, Dad.
When we remember our favorite times
With you -- We don’t feel so bad.

To heck with the priesthood; “let’s do it like rabbits!”
Throw off the vestments, she'll take off her habit;
Our families say, “No!” We have no money;
But we’ve got love and a little baby!

Digging up leachfields with one pregnant Jane-y,
Car trips to Quebec, Newfoundland and Maine-y.
Weekends: drag girls to church and chop down trees.
‘Cause we’ve got love and a great family!

Going for bike rides, and walks around Swain’s Lake,
Marking up essays, “This comma’s a mis-take!”
Savory baked beans that make us fart-y
(Fart Sound) No one says, “excuse me” in this family!

When the snow falls,
Stack the wood high!
Grab your ice skates, Dad.
When we remember our favorite times
With you -- We don’t feel so bad.

Then we were older in college and travels
You hauled the boxes and fixed things with trowels
E-mails and car trips and weddings galore
Who ever thought there may even be more?

When Ryan was born, you became un vrai pepere
Tree swings, and stories and watching them play
Cole, Tavi, Owen, and Maya all came
Then Isaac and Izzi for your volleyball game

After you’re sixty, you head back to Maine
To kayak with Mom and "Doctor" your name
Up on the roof and learning Hebrew
To connect with the men your daughters ... love

When the snow falls,
Stack the wood high!
Grab your ice skates, Dad.
When we remember our favorite times
With you -- We don’t feel so bad

Now as a chaplain, you pray with the dying
Help them through their pain as they are crying.
Inmates in prison and nursing home, too
All of them there and us, we love you!

When the snow falls,
Stack the wood high!
Grab your ice skates, Dad.
When we remember our favorite times
With you -- We don’t feel so bad.