The biggest news is baby news. Alison’s sister Gwyneth gave birth to the first grandchild, Iris Jones Eckelman, on January 9th, 2009. Iris and her parents are doing great and we have made a few trips down to New Haven to see them.

Not to steal the limelight, but we are also expecting a baby! This one in June. We’re trying to get as much practice as we can with Iris, and are benefiting enormously from the experience (and hand-me-downs) from Gwyneth, and our approximately 15 cousins, friends, and colleagues who have had babies in the last 18 months. (Not kidding! We’ve apparently entered the baby stage of life.) All of these babies have given Alison ample opportunity to practice her knitting, the new craft she took up while in Nanjing.

Alison is spending this year and the next writing up her dissertation, working on other research projects, and expects to graduate in the spring of 2010. Matt is launching a new project in the spring and working on papers related to it, as well as learning to play the guitar and getting an installation piece ready for the Boston CyberArts Festival in April.

This year, 4706, is the year of the Earth Ox, when (if the astrologers are to be believed) the dependable, calm, and modest attributes of the Ox are married to the pragmatic and cautious nature of the earth element. It’s a fitting symbol for these tough economic times, and the values needed to persevere in the face of volatility. We wish you all the best, and that you may greet the challenges and joys of the coming year with an open mind and a ready heart.

Best Wishes,
- Alison and Matt
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