VOTE!!!

Vote!!! Vote!!! Vote!!!

My usual absentee ballot voting status somehow got changed when I finally updated my address on voter registration this year, so for the first time ever I'll go to the polls and vote. I'm very excited to get my "I voted" sticker... they really need to include those with the absentee ballots.

Of course I would love everyone to vote the way my conscience votes (I live in Seattle- it's pretty obvious how I lean) but regardless of your stance JUST VOTE!!!!!!!!!!

Tomorrow will be historic- we'll either have an African-American President elect or a female Vice-President elect. Wow.

Second star to the right

Calling all Lost Boys and anyone else who never wants to grow up!

Isa B is ready with her pixie dust to help you fly to Neverland.

Low moments in motherhood

Some days you know you're just not being a good mom.

You know, those days when your child has shoved yet another toy or book under the sofa and is screaming because she can't reach it. And you bend down to retrieve it only to bash your knee on the coffee table. And it's all you can do to not shout obscenities so instead you toss the book across the room.

Or when your child is cranky and decides that it's really fun to pinch you- hard. When you pull her hand away, she simply swoops in with her second hand. So you hold both her little hands and try to tell her calmly that "no, we don't pinch Mommy". She responds by screaming. And it's all you can do to not shout obscenities so instead you plunk her down on the floor, probably not as gently and lovingly as you might usually do it.

Or when your child is overly exhausted because she refused to take a second (sorely needed) nap. And it's bedtime. And she's screaming. She doesn't want to be down and play. She doesn't want to be in your lap. She doesn't want to be in her room at all. And it's all you can do to not shout obscenities so you simply force your crying child to stay in your arms until she finally cries herself to sleep.

You know... those days....

*sigh*

The Call

One year ago today I was sitting in my office when the phone rang. It was my agency's coordinator and she asked if I was sitting down. The next thing she said was "I know who your daughter is."

I can still hear exactly how her voice sounded saying those words. One sentence changed my entire life.

Only one year ago and at the same time, WHAT a year it has been!

The funniest word in the English language...

... apparently is "yuck". Or at least Isa B thinks so.

Almost walking

Here's the proof that Isa B is tttttthhhhhiiiiiissssss close to walking.

Today we went to the Little Gym with a friend across the street and then out to Bellevue Square just to be out and about. Our first stop was Pottery Barn Kids. They had a little shopping cart that was just Isa's size. Up until today she hasn't figured out "push toys." She pushed them but then wouldn't move her feet to keep up. Didn't work so well, as you can imagine.

Well, today she just took off with the shopping cart. I think she walked around the entire store....

This was the scene about 1 minute after we left the mall. :)

A few new pics

Reading all about being a Cougar (you can never start too early)

Meeting our new friend Gracie at the airport. Welcome home!!!

Her new backyard swing. Super fun.

Playing in a bouncy-house. Also super fun.