From the iPhone: out and about and at home

Ava kisses - nice and slobbery, but the sweetest thing!
Fighting a nap - Joe took this photo. Guess he needs to be connected to the world at all times!
Musically inclined - ever since visiting with Devin and playing with his musical toys, Ava has taken an interest in toys that play music, music in restaurants and Joe's guitar.
Snacktime at the coffee shop.

Little buddies

I borrowed this photo from Cate's blog - here's Ava clapping while playing with Devin.

Picnic pictures

Taken a few weekends ago during a picnic lunch.

Happy 11 months

From the iPhone: out and about and at home

Moving forward

I am a 33 year-old white woman, wife and mother. I was born in South Africa and moved to Virginia when I was 15 years old. I was raised in a culture that many people have frowned upon and fought against for many, many years. For me, it was just how life was.

During my sophomore year in high school, I experienced a form of reverse racism. I was friendly with a young black girl until one day she stopped speaking to me. It wasn't until the end of our senior year that she opening apologized and admitted to assuming that I was racist because of where I was born.

Last night, I proudly cheered when Barack Obama became the first black president of the United States. I am now hopeful that my daughter will grow up in a country where the color of someone's skin is seen as something beautiful rather than used as a tool of discrimination.

Many may still disagree, but this country needs Barack Obama.

It's about time. It's about change. It's about acceptance. It's about moving forward. I am not so ignorant to assume that any president can or will deliver all that he or she promises. I do believe, however, that Barack Obama can move us. When I decided to support Obama in his bid to become the next president, I told my husband my reasons for doing so. I became more interested in politics this year than any year passed but it wasn't all politics that led me to my decision. Taxes are inevitable. Health care is expensive. War will happen. I don't stop to think that those issues can just be solved overnight, in the next four years or even the next 20 years. But I do believe that we have before us a man who truly believes in the power of the people - and that is a mighty force.

It's now up to all of us - those of us who voted for Obama, those who voted for John McCain. All of us. If we retreat to our corners (mourning the Republican loss or cheering the Democratic win), we'll be in the same place in four years as we were a week ago, a month ago, a year ago. Let each of us bring our strengths and let us all help Barack Obama be the best President and lead our country to greatness.

Election Day!

Updated at 11:44pm after a large celebratory brownie sundae and a glass of champagne - WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A divided household

No. Not Joe and I - between us and my dad! I sent a picture I found in the archives to the family earlier today; seems even in her young month-old-wisdom, Ava was wise beyond her years.

Then Pern fired back with his own campaign shot in defense of my Dad's "right to choose" who he votes for," whatever THAT means! Not sure where he dug it up, but the conversation that followed has been a lot more entertaining than anything we've seen from Obama and McCain for the past many months.

And the last picture - a doctored version of the coupon I designed for my moms group's SPCA fundraiser. I was trying to give it a more conservative spin since we live in a more conservative area. No, these did not go out to the public - until now!

Me: Even from an early age, I knew she was smart! I just discovered this
in iPhoto! Couldn't have found it at a more relevant time!

My mom: Your Dad will say she's upset at having to wear that shirt.

Pern: Doug, It's your vote, your choice! Do what YOU want! Don't let anyone sway your vote with cute baby pics... or candy... or 25 year old scotch.

Joe (in response to the photo): An old guy and someone who can't speak in complete sentences?

Me to Pern: I think you've been threatened with staying home from both
the polls and Disneyland if you don't vote a certain way... Stop
encouraging this behavior! [He and my sister and parents are heading to Disneyland on the 5th and she threatened to ban him from the trip if he voted a certain way.]

Pern: What behavior? The right to vote for who you want and voice your own opinion? And if I vote a certain way I don't think they are *not* going to let me into DisneyWorld. I'm not saying who I'm voting for, because I don't really know. I'm in the 9% of Undecided Virginia Voters right now. But I will be voting for someone with the letters M, O, C, A, in their name.

Pern: Doug, Joe just called you Old! Who is your favorite son-in-law now?

Joe: My logic (which may be flawed): the easiest way I know to my father-in-law happy is to keep his daughter happy, even if it involves insulting him.

The results are still not tallied but I think it's clear - Joe wins by a clear margin!

Happy Voting Day for tomorrow - have fun standing in lines!

Happy Halloween!

Since it was Ava's first Halloween, we deemed it fit for her to wear her costume on two separate occasions - the first was at our favorite coffee shop's Halloween event last Monday night and then again on Halloween. Our little Hula Monkey was out in full force - and actually decided to keep the costume intact by keeping the hat on!

On Halloween night, Ava's friend Lilah came over to trick-or-treat and then played for a while. We hope to do the same again next Halloween when hopefully both of the girls are walking!

Pumpkin Patch

Last weekend, the three of us paid $20 to get into a farm to take a hay ride and take pictures of Ava sitting next to pumpkins. Next year we'll remember to pack the stroller in the car so that we can actually bring home our 2 free (paid-for-with-admission) pumpkins and not have to carry an almost-20lb baby around!

We had fun, as did Ava, and I bought some tasty blackberry jelly and apple butter on the way out. So not a total bust!