Happy Holidays!

Fall going by fast

I don't know quite how it happened.  Winter is almost upon us already- as a testament to how time has felt this season I have only one other posting this month(!).  Apologies to our regular blog visitors.  We've spent wonderful quality time with many friends of late, including Jeremy's friends Gavin (who gave Jeremy a wonderful, two minute long hug at departure), and Spencer (who came for dinner).  Both gorgeous, smart, happy friends have two mommies like Jeremy.

 Jeremy continues to amaze- he now has over 50 signs and (hard to imagine) over 50 spoken words.  There is much overlap between the lists.  Yes, we do keep a list, although I doubt it is up to date.  It seems he has something new for us each day- Jeremy said "doggie" on our walk this morning clear as day (he usually only signs this one), and signed "apple" beautifully soon afterwards- a relatively new sign for him.  

His newest obsession is music- we have a pink plastic electric keyboard Mommy found at a neighborhood junk sale he can't get enough of, and his most frequent sign is the one for violin- usually meaning that he wants you to turn on the classical music station, KVOD.     

Final note- I am reading the book Child of Mine about raising children to be healthy eaters and it is a MUST READ.  My cousin Jessica recommended it and now I am recommending it to everyone I meet.  The essential kernel is this: delegation of responsibility.  It is the parents responsibility to provide healthy food and a nice atmosphere for meals at appropriate times.  It is the child's responsibility to eat- as much or as little as they like or not at all.  Problems happen when this breaks down- such as when the child dictates what or when to eat or the parents try to regulate intake of food.  I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

Obama Wins!

Hard to believe, eh? I was in tears watching the acceptance speech.  Dad was so anxious about Obama winning- is now anxious about him staying alive.

So glad to get Musgrave and some of the other hate-mongering Republicans out of there. I have new found respect and love for my fellow Americans.

And yet, a sad note as gays and lesbians have their rights stripped in California. Progress, not perfection. Sadly, all of the gay rights measures have gone against us in this election (Arizona, Florida, Arkansas). More sad, still, is its reflection of gay rights issues within the African American community. May we continue to progress in all communities.

By the way, this photo is my Aunt Bonnie with Obama, back when he was running for the Senate.  I'm so proud of my family- Bonnie is the President of the Dems of Evanston, IL, my father working the campaign full-time all month, my mother running outreach efforts from her house and using her weekly salons for the cause... I love you all.