Sweet relief! For a little while.....

I was beginning to think that we would be in a perpetual state of freezing temperatures for the rest of our time here in Boston. Thankfully, this week we were given a two day reprieve from the cold and boy was it nice. For two days the sun shone brightly with highs in the mid 50s and almost reaching 60. It was great and we certainly took advantage of the opportunity to get out and do some walking!

Here you can see the Commons with the snow finally beginning to melt (don't worry, we're scheduled to get another 6 inches next week!)

 The warmer weather didn't stop folks from ice skating

 Jen got a great shot of the Capitol

 One of the great, narrow streets of Beacon Hill....

 Kenzie upgraded to a 'big girl stroller' for light traveling. She loves getting to see everything around her and smiling at everyone that passes on the sidewalk. By the way, Daddy picked out that coat!

Here are a few pics from this week of Kenzie doing what she is known best for: SMILING!

In a Valentine's outfit from Honey-

 Relaxing in her travel crib-

 Having a great time in the mall in Braintree, MA

For the last several weeks I have been working with a group of neurologists and geriatricians who are considered some of the leading experts in dementia. Part of this included an opportunity to examine the brains of individuals enrolled in studies designed to better understand dementia. In medicine we are frequently so overwhelmed by the day to day 'business' of things that we forget what an amazing, miraculous thing the human body is. I was reminded of that this week while working with the human brain. What an amazing organ and grouping of cells that allows us to see, hear, and touch our world. Most amazing is our ability to make memories and remember faces and names of people we have known and love. As a geriatrician I see the tragedy of dementia and the burden it puts on patients and their families. I will always try to remember the gift of experiencing the world as made possible by the brain-don't take it for granted!

A few fun facts about the human brain:

Weighs about 3 lbs

Has about 100,000 miles of blood vessels 

Has about 100,000,000,000 (100 billion) neurons (that's still less than the federal deficit)

This week's featured flashback will take us back to May of 2003. Jennifer was visiting Water Valley to meet my parents for the first time. 

I will wrap this blog up with another great picture of Kenzie-we all know that's why you are reading this in the first place! (I don't blame you)

Ashley