Politics

Okay, seriously, I'm going to restrain myself from ranting about the election because
1. I'm really not that articulate about it.
2. If I'm going to alienate family members with my political views, why not do it at the appropriate time, like during the holidays?
3. My husband is probably already annoyed that I've used our baby blog to Go There to this extent.

But because I have mastered the hyperlink, and because my new goal is sticking to the facts and avoiding the red herring of freaking out about polarizing figures, I would like to endorse this site and this site as good, centrist (okay, yes, one is the New York Times. work with me here) sources of information about the two major party candidates, their views, and their respective spins/BS. I guess I just hope that people vote out of familiarity with the issues and their own views thereof, not what a dreamboat Obama is or nutjob Palin is. That's my new goal--up until recently I've been fairly lazy about really familiarizing myself with the issues. Again, I blame the baby. Such an adorable scapegoat she is.

I hope I've been diplomatic enough because I've kind of worked myself into a lather over this election. Isn't democracy fun?

I'm not sure why my hyperlinks are underlined.

Who's the fairest?

 
 
 
 

Anneke loves her exersaucer. But I started to notice that sometimes she would slump over one side of it. It looked kind of sad. Then I realized she had found the mirror! Notice the drool that accumulated during her last mirror-gazing section.

Also notice that I keep taking blurry photos of my child because that's what I learned how to do in my photography class. It was just enough information to really confuse me and yet be disdainful of "auto" mode.

Welcome Vaughn Edward

My sister had her baby! I have only seen the photos on her blog. I recommend checking it out because 1) what a beautiful baby! and 2) my sister is freaking hilarious.

I am so happy for them and can't wait to meet Anneke's new cousin. She will definitely show him the ropes come Christmas.

P.S. I finally learned how to do hyper links!

Daddy figures out how to edit video

What daddy learned over labor day weekend:

• Microsoft Movie Maker comes with XP for free and can do basic editing.
• There is no video transition more impressive than the "Star Fade" (thanks Homer Simpson).
• Babies are more resilient than you might think.
• At nearly six months old, they also know a pretty good time when they see one.
  

Rugrats a-go-go

 
 
 
 
Saturday we had a few friends over for a "pool party." The reason people are in long sleeves instead of swimsuits is because it was 65 degrees outside. Dave made pulled pork and we offered a Kansas City, Arkansas, and Gresham option for bbq sauce. Strictly speaking, pulled pork is not really Arkansas or Kansas City style--not sure about Gresham. But man was it good! This get-together was a rugrat explosion! If only we could harness cuteness as an alternative energy source we would totally have it made in this crowd.

C is for carrots!

 

 

 

What should we feed her next? The winning respondent will get...to read about it on our blog.

Babysitters!

Today Grandma came to stay with Anneke all day while I went to a workshop on School Refusal. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated it. For one, Grandma got her to take a bottle. The lactation consultant told me to trust my instincts, and one of those intincts was that Grandma could make it happen. I reveled in the intellectual stimulation and opportunity to talk with colleagues. I REALLY needed it.

But this got me reflecting on how thankful I have been for Grandma, Darlin', Aunt Brenda, Emily, Mary, Ashleigh, Dana, and Sara, who have been Anneke's babysitters thus far. (and all the friends and Aunt Stephanie who haven't had their turn yet, but who have standing offers). When I leave her I don't worry for Anneke but just about burdening them with fussiness, etc. But these highly skilled women have all found ways to calm our baby in their own ways. She has lots of fun, and I get my hair done, my nails did, and my brain activated. It takes a village to keep me presentable and sane.