Thanksgiving

As tomorrow is the traditional Day of Giving Thanks, I thought I'd weigh in. Of course I am thankful for the Tiny One. Being a mom is so amazing! There is no one else that I would regularly get up for at 2 in the morning. Her little body, her cry, her smile...everything! She does not have a single trait or habit that I don't like. I guess I'll enjoy it while I can! I'm also thankful for Zane, who makes being married fun, for my parents, Benn, Cheri, their kids, my in-laws and the rest of my family. How traditional, but who cares. I love my family!



As I was driving to work today, I saw a big line of people downtown around 9am. As I was going home about 1pm, the line was still there. I realized that people were leaving the line with turkeys and potatoes. There were a lot of people who evidently need help putting on Thanksgiving dinner. Not to get too maudlin, but I think I should be doing more to help people by giving meaningful service. I hope I manage to get started before this feeling goes away.

More Shots

The poor baby had her 4-month vaccines today. I'm trying really hard to keep her from getting a shotphobia. Zane has one, and so does Spencer, but Sabrina has really good genes. And a Heritage of High Intelligence. We should be good.

Lisa, one of my fabulous babysitters AND best friends, took some pictures of Sabrina with her daughter, Nora, who is 13 months. Nora, according to Lisa, alternates between jealousy of this weird little kid who takes mommy's time and bringing Sabrina toys and books. Nora can't figure out why Sabrina won't take stuff from her. Here's a picture of Nora reading a book to Sabrina. Cute!

Nasty, nasty people

The more I hear about Prop 8 in California, the more I am glad it passed. For any uninitiated among you, Prop 8 overturned a California Supreme Court ruling that said gays should be allowed to marry. The voters spoke; they passed an amendment to their constitution that defined marriage as between a man and a woman. Now, because church was in favor of it, the LA temple has been vandalized, white powder sent to the Salt Lake Temple, the temples have been picketed, vandalism has been done to church buildings, and lots of businesses and people who support Prop 8 have been harassed and picketed. By people who claim to want tolerance. The problem is, they only want to RECEIVE tolerance, they don't want to GIVE it. Well darn it, people have a right to their religious views! I formerly was glad I didn't live in California, because I wasn't sure how I would have voted. I was torn. Now I'm super, way, extremely glad it passed because these people are such intolerant jerks! I'm done now. Come back later for your regularly scheduled Sabrina news.

Twilight

It's happening. In just a few short days, I'm going to see the movie Twilight. I'm so worried it will be terrible--the previews look way too intense. A soap opera.
Bella (intensely): You are pale. You never go out in the sunlight.
Edward (intensely): Say it.
Bella (intensely): Vampire.
Edward (intensely): Are you afraid?
Bella (intensely): No.
Edward (intensely): You shouldn't have said that.
Soap opera. That's why the boys (Zane and the brothers-in-law) are not allowed to go. The sisters-in-law want to enjoy our teen romance in peace, and not get mocked if it sucks. Austin wonders if he is not allowed to go, or if he is not being forced to go. Potato/potahto.

On the same night I'm going to see Twilight, Sabrina will stay home with daddy. Why do we call it "babysitting" when a baby is taken care of by her dad? It's not babysitting when it's ME.

Sabrina (intensely)

That's how they get you

A few weeks ago, I got an offer for four sessions with a professional photographer to take pictures of Sabrina at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months for $40. At the end of that time, I'd get a 4x5 of each session to see her progress over the year. A pretty good deal, no? Then, I got the prices for their OTHER pictures. Fifty-five dollars for a 5x7! Who are they kidding? A 5x7 costs less than a dollar at Costco!

I have to say, though, that Sabrina was adorable during the session. She smiled all over the place for the first time ever while someone was taking her picture.. Even I could not get her to smile when I took her picture. Also, she can hold up her head so well! She's so strong. Check it out.



Can you guess what both Zane and Sabrina are looking at? Look closely. Notice the glazed eyes, the drool...That's right, it's TELEVISION!!!

Vote! For Pedro!

Sabrina and I went voting last Tuesday. It was, actually, really touching. It's really amazing that we're having a regime change without violence or any expectation, even from the most virulently disappointed, that the change will be other than peaceful. What an amazing country this is.


I'm really excited about Obama. I was a little uncertain about who I wanted to win, but I hope Obama does a good job, despite the crashing economy, war, general disillusionment with congress...Who would WANT to be President?

Also in this election, of course, was the famed Proposition 8 on gay marriage in California. I have to say, I am really glad that I didn't have to make a decision about how to vote in this matter. I do, however, know three things.
1) The people of California had already voted to define marriage as one man and one woman, and chose to do so again.
2) The California Supreme Court justices decided that they wanted to be the legislative branch of the government and make laws. Maybe they're sad they've never been elected.
3) The GLT alliance wants OTHER people to be tolerant. They don't want to be tolerant of people with a different point of view. I mean really, graffiti on the LA temple? Lame.

One thing I know more than anything else: I am SO GLAD THIS ELECTION SEASON IS OVER! HALLELUIA!

Baby Blessing

I have a lot to blog about, what with Sabrina's baby blessing last Sunday and the election on Tuesday, but I'll break it up into two posts. Anyway, we blessed Sabrina on Sunday, and then had everyone over to our house for soup etc. Mom was a superstar, basically making all the soup, apple crisp, salad...What would I do without her? (Actually, I know the answer. A lot.) The blessing was really nice. It was too bad that so many brothers and brothers-in-law had other commitments that day, but it was nice to see almost everyone at our house afterwards. It felt really fabulous to see everyone come support us.

One thing that was hard was that it was our first week at our new building which is so small that a bunch of the family had to sit in the foyer. That was sad. Also, it was pouring rain, which just seemed to make everything harder.

As far as the socializing went, I wish our house were built for people! Apparently, our kitchen was designed by the same guy that designed submarine galleys, so every time someone tried to get from the living room to the family room, they risked someone dumping soup down their back. To say nothing of wild nieces and nephews chasing each other at belly button level. Ah, there's nothing like family.

Sabrina was extremely well behaved, and super cute. Here are pictures if you don't believe me.

Baby Alarm

Do you know the problem with the baby alarm? You can't push snooze.