Kick-ass sistron

You thought I was going to blather on about politics again, right?

Sorry to disappoint, but I simply want to give a BIG shout out to my sister, Maura.

Not only is she a NYC rock-star working at Self magazine, but she is now a BLACK BELT!

How cool is that?! Can I be cool by association? Big sister inspired little sister to go out there and be all that she can be? Okay, you're right, our parents had more to do with that than I alone.

All I want to say is - you rock! You inspire me!

Put that baby to bed, doggonit!

We watched the debate, and Sarah did surpass expectations. Of course she did, given that expectations were so low to begin with. She was very scripted, she didn't answer the questions posed, and she kept using annoying "folksy" phrases. I bet half of those phrases she doesn't even use in her daily life, but she feels the need to connect to the "average" voter. I mean, who still uses the word "doggonit"? She is almost my age, just 5 years older than me. We're in the same generation, right? I don't know anyone who says doggonit. What is that? Do I want a VP who talks like this? No, as I said before, I want someone smarter than me, not someone who dumbs down.

I'm sure many people agree that she appeared confident overall and surpassed expectations, and that's all well and good, because Biden surpassed expectations as well. He was a bit wordy at times, but he is clearly competent and knows what he is talking about. His words about being offended that it was implied that he doesn't understand talk at the kitchen table because he is a man, even though he was a single father who survived the death of his wife and child, was an incredible way to connect with voters...and she didn't even acknowledge what he said, she just went back to script.

We can all blather on about the debate...but what's really bothering me is that Sarah Palin claims that she understands America because she is a "Mom" and has sat around that kitchen table struggling with issues every American has struggled with. She appeals to Moms just because she is a Mom. But as a Mom myself, should I judge her based on whether I think she is a "good" Mom or not?

I try not to judge Moms, or Dads, based on the choices they make regarding their children. I feel like people make choices based on what they think is best for their family, and although I might not agree with those choices, or take the same path myself, I respect those choices, because I am not in their situation. They know what is best.

However, I became angry last night and found myself judging Palin based on her representation as a "Mom", and the fact that I don't think she is doing such a good job of being a Mom. Not only was her 6-month old child on stage right after the debate at 10:30pm, but the baby was also on the stage at a rally she attended after the debate, well after 11pm. Why isn't this baby in bed? I just don't understand. As a mother, how can you think having your baby there at 11pm is in the best interest of your baby? Night after night? 

You have a choice. Use your baby as a prop, overstimulated by the crowds, noise and bright lights, or allow your baby the sleep that he needs. Hmmm...is this a hard choice to make? I was thinking back to Aidan's schedule at around 6 months. He went to bed around 7pm, woke up once or twice in the middle of the night to nurse, and then slept until 5-6am. 

This shows a lack of judgment on her part. 

And, I firmly believe, that I would think the same thing if I saw a "Dad" running for VP who consistently brought his infant on stage at 11pm. Why is the media not picking up on this? They are too scared to judge her based on her personal life. Well, lack of judgment in this case could mean lack of judgment in other areas. I hate to say it, but I'm judging. 

We voted today!!

Signed, sealed and ready to be delivered by one of Richard's colleagues who is traveling to the States this weekend. She will put our absentee ballots directly into a US post box.

It does seem a bit strange to have already voted and marked the boxes, when election day is over a month away. But we had to ensure our votes get counted, as we are voting in a swing state (Virginia). The ballots arrived via email - that's a first.

I feel a state of nervous anticipation....excitement (the likes of which I've never really felt before for an election).....and fear all wrapped-up into one in my knotted stomach and mind, running into a million different tangents about all of the likely and unlikely scenarios. 

I had fear the last time around, but I am "super" scared because it seems that McCain has picked someone so unknowledgeable about foreign affairs who could actually land in the White House. I want someone smarter than me, someone I can look up to, someone who understands the intricacies of global foreign policy, not to mention the global economy, much more than just someone who can balance her work and family life (and the media says she is doing a good job at this, but is she really? with an infant with special needs? I won't even venture into that debate). And don't tell me the criticism is sexist - don't we want to properly critique each individual, whether man or woman, who could be our president??? Please don't lead us into an idiocracy!

Okay, enough ranting. 

This year's election has prompted many small changes in our immediate life:  

1) Richard has donated to the Obama campaign for the 3rd time (and he says there are still 2 more donations waiting to happen - what will prompt them?); 

2) My parents are volunteering for the Obama campaign....I don't think they have ever volunteered for a campaign in their life and I love that they are doing this in their retirement!; 

3) I decided that we had to go ahead and get cable, because I really do not want to miss any of the debates, as well as the coverage on election night. I CANNOT wait until the Palin-Biden debate this Thursday; and

4) I'm reading political blogs and OpEds like never before. We put a few new links on our blog, and here's one in particular that Richard found and likes to read on a daily basis: www.fivethirtyeight.com

This year's election will be a turning point, with the hopes that we will see change. I imagine myself dancing around the room on election night for so many reasons. I just can't wait until November 4th...it will be a night filled with hope, dread, excitement, nervous nail-biting, no sleep need-the-Nanny-to-come-the-next-day kind of night!!

How do you feel?

Descriptive titles or clever musings?

Richard has "issue" with the title of the last post "Random thoughts." He gave his "approval" of my post, but thinks the title should be clever and more representative of the post as a whole. Look, I'm not trying to win any awards here with this blog. The main goal is to keep family and friends in the loop regarding what we're up to down here. I think the phrase "random thoughts" exemplifies exactly what all these ideas swimming around in my head, in between multiple interruptions chasing a little toddler, actually are. Random. 

So I'm putting the question out to you. If you have a better title for me, send me a note in the comments section of this blog. Let me know what YOU think.

Random thoughts

I realized that it's technically "fall" or "autumn". Fall...meaning indian summer nights, colorful leaves, crisp, clean air, time to pull out the sweaters, and all that encompasses fall. I don't feel it. 

What? This isn't just my summer vacation? You mean I live here? in Guyana? in South America? Oops.

We've been here for 4 months. Seemed like a normal summer. But I just keep thinking that all I wear are tank tops and shorts or capris, and how those tank tops are gonna get kind of worn out by next "summer". 

And Aidan...is he going to freeze when we go home? Guyanese put on a jacket sometimes if it's breezy, even if it's 75 degrees. They told me to put shoes on Aidan or his feet would get cold. No, I replied, not when it's 75 degrees. He'll be just fine. But I can't help thinking that being in this warm climate for 2 years will somehow change my perspective about what exactly feels "hot" and "cold".

............

Aidan is hosting baby group this Friday. Okay, I'm doing all the work and he'll have all the fun. We go to a different Mom's house each week and I volunteered for this Friday. I'm creating some yummy treats. The 4th event at our house already! 

...........

Aidan was crawling today and I thought it looked strange. That's when I realized, or remembered, how incredibly fast things change when you have a little one. After only a week of consistent walking everywhere, crawling just didn't look right. If you can walk, why crawl? I love that he's walking. It makes things easier...he wants to walk instead of me picking him up. Of course, it also makes things more difficult, as he gets into even more trouble! 

...........

Did I tell you about the water frog on the wall that Aidan spotted first? And then the little lizard in the kitchen? I don't mind. I have yet to see a roach inside (don't worry, I'm knocking). So I'm good.

...........

When did 8 hours of sleep become what used to feel like 10? I was asleep by 9pm last night, and heard a cry a bit after 5am. I felt refreshed, anew....like I used to feel when I got 10 hours of sleep. Granted, that was usually only on weekends, but now I get 8 hours so rarely, that 8 hours of solid sleep felt so good. 

I could get 8 hours; Aidan sleeps through the night...but I'm a "night person". It's in my DNA. I have trouble confronting the fact that I actually SHOULD go to sleep around 9pm every night. Should, because I know that a little boy will wake me up anywhere between 5 and 6am the next morning. But that's "my" time. I can get things done or just have a few uninterrupted hours of freedom. Richard's good about going to bed, but I find it difficult. Especially since we just got cable...a few channels, including some movie channels. That's the culprit...I find movies that I can't remember being released, yet when I start watching, I'm hooked and can't tear myself away to go to bed at that magic hour. 

Besides cable, there's also reading. Getting into a really good book that you want to keep reading and can't possibly put down, even though you know the words will be there in print the next day, just waiting for you. I used to love when I would get so into a book that it would keep me up until 2am reading...knowing full well that I could sleep in. Maybe I'll get that again, oh, 10 years from now? Hmmm....

.........

And last, we're starting to plan some trips both in Guyana and to come home. I'm getting excited. Something to look forward to, seeing more of this country than Georgetown, seeing friends and family, going to fabulous restaurants, skiing!!!! Yeah!

BBQ Photos

Photos from our housewarming/birthday party for Richard last weekend taken by our good friend Barry:

BBQ Photos

Milestones

Walking! Yes, 15 steps and more!

Dancing...he holds on to something...coffee table, chair, daddy, mommy...and bends his knees with an up and down shake, sometimes with a head shake like a "No" (that's a Bulgarian "Yes"), depending on the guitar in the song. He also really responds to the piano in songs, and has even "danced" to a cell phone ring. What a cutie!

Lounging...see two of the photos....okay, only for a few seconds, but he kind of gets the idea.

Learning....he often understands my directions, such as "put it in the box"...except for "No" of course. He knows his body parts, including the nose (which he sometimes confuses with toes), belly-button, ears, hair, head, mouth, tongue, eyes (this one gets confused with ears), fingers....and the list goes on. He waves bye bye to his toys every night. He knows when it's time to read a book before bed. He takes people to the door when they are leaving. You say "Where's Mama" and he touches me, then "Where's Aidan" and he touches his head. Something new everyday.

Growing...I look at photos from when we arrived, just three months ago...bigger, stronger, better balance, on the move....

We're just waiting for those words. We've got "Bye", but as all Mamas do, I'm just waiting for "Ma ma".