Camper

Maggie Gyllenhaal Sums Up What is to Become a Mother

I love this quote from Maggie Gyllenhaal about the wonders and life-changing aspects of becoming a mother!

"I think having a child changes everything and has deepened everything in my life. I never knew that I could be so tired. I never knew that I could work so hard. I never knew that I could love so much or be so patient or be so excited by the tiniest, tiniest little thing. Everything about it has surprised me."

I agree 1000% - there's nothing better!  And how cute is this little family!?

By the by - Adam and I are both totally stoked for the upcoming Batman release!

Obama Releases Second Ad Buy

Barack Obama has released his second general election ad spot. I will admit that a few of Obama's moves in recent days have not settled well with me - backing away on FISA and handguns being two biggies.  But seeing this ad helps restore some of my warm fuzzies.  I like that the message is about him, about his values and accomplishments and does not cross any lines in the direction of negativity.  Its good to see that this aspect of his new politics is alive and well.

Sleeping on the Job - It's a Good Thing

Is two days before my annual review a bad time to send this Newsweek article to my boss? It appears that taking short naps - 20 minutes is the recommended length - increases productivity while reducing some health risks.  Hmmmmm . . . Sounds good to me especially today - the combination of a teething baby and stress over the future of a beloved pet have left me sleepless the last two nights. 

I wonder if anyone would notice if I crawled under my desk . . . zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Little Miss Hollywood

Check it out . . . Our little star!  She already looks annoyed by the paparazzi!

Sliced Bread: Daily Digit

Since part of my job entails policy analysis and awareness on the state level, Governing magazine's website is a frequent stop on my web-browsing tour.  They have a fun feature called "Daily Digit" wherein they share a number and it's significance.  If you've ever read Harper's then it's much like their fun monthly index.

All of the numbers are guaranteed to make you go Hmmmmm - many will totally blow your socks off.  Here are just a few to get you hooked like I am:

• 13 million: Estimated number of sandbags distributed in flood ravaged Illinois, Iowa and Missouri
• More than 2700: Number of marriages performed in California on the first day of legalized same sex marriages (typical weekly state average: 2460)
• 1.7 billion pounds: Estimated amount of non-biodegradable cigarette butts that end up in the world's lakes and oceans each year
• $4.5 million: Total of unpaid sewer/water bills owed by the NYC Economic Development Corporation - 22 years worth.
• 25 million: Approximate number of medically under-insured adults in the US in 2007 - a 60% increase from 2003. 
• 33: Number of Texans who have served a total of 427 years in prison and were eventually cleared by DNA testing.

New Poll Still Shows Double-Digit Obama Lead

My wish has been granted . . . A new LA Times/Bloomberg poll shows Obama with a twelve point lead over John McCain nationally.  This follows just a day or so behind the Newsweek poll that had Obama up 15 points. Great news!!!

See Adam, I know what I'm talking about - sometimes.  Campaign finance is a non-issue.  Democrats will vote Democratic.  John McCain is old.  Nobody cares if Obama's advisors are tied to ethanol since most Americans - especially in the middle section of the country - support ethanol. It's all good (right now).

American TV Goes Japenese . . .

To paraphrase Barack Obama: "It's silly season on television."  It's the summer TV season . . .reality show after reality show after reality is on while we all wish longingly for the days when Izzy and George tried to go out (As If!) and when Sawyer was calling Freckles out for liking the Doc.  Well, this summer season might get a lot more bearable tonight when ABC introduces two new shows - "Wipeout" and "I Survived a Japanese Game Show".  Both shows take on the crazy world of Japanese gaming with it's impossible obstacle courses and laugh out loud moments when people crash during stunts.

If you haven't yet watched on of these Japanese creations - where have you been?  Adam and I first discovered the joy of TV on the other side of the world with MXC.  Contestants try to jump ravines, climb hills while avoiding boulders and a miriad of other stunts that lead to hilarious crash after hilarious dunk.  Here is a highlight reel to get you warmed up:

It will be interesting to see if ABC can deliver such side-splitting entertainment.  If the preview from "Wipeout" is any indication they may well have succeeded.

Grey's What?

Fifteen is Obama's New Lucky Number

Newsweek has released its latest poll numbers and they give Barack Obama a 15-point lead over John McCain among registered voters nationally.  This should make all the folks like Adam out there who have been nervous because Obama didn't jump ahead of McCain immediately feel a little better.  It seems perhaps it just took a bit for the animosity of the Democratic race (not to mention the viewer exhaustion at hearing nothing but Obama, Clinton, Clinton Obama 24-7) to wear off.  Here's hoping other polls continue to show a double-digit lead of some size and that this isn't an out lier.  Given the mood of the country, Bush's disapproval ratings, etc. such a strong tendency toward Obama and change makes much more sense than the dead-heat we were seeing in previous polls.

I would also like to see these double-digit numbers continue because it will bare out what I've been telling Adam all weekend: the average voter doesn't care about public financing.  While on some levels it is disappointing to see Obama go back on his word about public financing, only those of us geekish enough to follow all the blogs and spend our Friday nights watching Keith Olbermann, really care about public financing of presidential campaigns.  And even among that crowd at a time when gas costs an arm and a leg, food prices are headed in the same direction, we are mired in a war without a clear end and so many other issues are pressing down on us, the manner in which campaigns are financed doesn't even make the top 10 reasons for voting. I think Obama recognized this fact.  That is why he did what he did. He is shrewd, he is smart and he knows that Democrats are at a HUGE disadvantage under the current public system. That's why I can't get too fired up about this "flip-flop" - in some ways its nice to see the Democrat fighting for once.

So here's to the beautiful number 15 - may it stick around or even grow between now and November.

Obama's First General Election Ad Buy is Telling

Barack Obama has made his first major general election ad buy and it is telling of what we have grown to anticipate from his campaign and of what we can expect in his run against John McCain.  The most striking thing about this ad to me is that it doesn't back away from John McCain's patriotism.  He is clearly not going to concede that point to John McCain as this message tells his American story - one very different from McCain's - but one very like millions of others.  His message says I am patriotic and love my country for the core values we all share as Americans.  It says that I can love my country for reasons we all hold dear and that I don't have to rattle sabres and shoot guns to do so.  Yet it says all of this without demeaning John McCain or his service to the country.

I watch this ad and I am once again amazed by the brilliance of the Obama team. They get it and they get Americans.  And they do it without being negative and nasty and attacking anyone else.  Perhaps it is this fact that most illustrates how much they get Americans because we are all sick and tired of the negativity.

The second striking thing about this ad buy is where it will run: Alaska, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico,  North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Virginia.  Yes the typical battleground states are on that list - Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania.  But there are a dozen red states on that list.  Proof positive that Obama is not conceding anything. He really is running a national campaign and is truly trying to change the electoral map. That is change this country needs.

And despite all the skeptics . . . it's change that might just happen.  The most recent Georgia poll has McCain at 44 percent with Obama just one point back at 43 percent. The spread was a full 10 points one month ago.

Redneck Follow-up

A quick follow-up to my last post.  The following is a conversation relayed to me by Nathaniel's grandma (Campbell's Aunt Gina) who owns a local deli.

Customer: "I saw that little grandson of yours at the Diaper Derby."

Gina: "Yeah. If he hadn't stopped to flirt he would have won."

Customer: "My friend entered her little girl in the 7-12 months contest.  We painted her little fingernails and toes and she had on the cutest little sandals and a pretty dress with a matching bow and little bracelets and earrings.  And can you believe she didn't even win anything?"

Gina: (fighting back a sly smile) "Really."

Customer: "We were so mad because one of the little girls that won didn't even have on shoes and her dress was dirty!"

Yup! That's my grimy, barefoot little beauty!

You Might be a Redneck if . . .

  . . . you enter your baby in the county fair baby contest.  And that is exactly what Adam did last night! Much to my dismay - we were there to cheer for Nathaniel as he competed in the Diaper Derby and Daddy's pride got the best of him as he looked around at the other baby contest entrants and the next thing I know Campbell is entry #10 in the 6-12 month age group! (Thanks, too, to Aunt Gina for pushing Adam - not that he needed much convincing!)

I wasn't sure about the whole baby contest thing for several reasons not the least of which being a very real fear that I might get up there and not be able to contain myself is she didn't win. So, since it was his bright idea Daddy took her up on stage and the two hams in the family had their 15 seconds of fame. As it was she finished second out of 18 - not bad.  (There is no way the baby that won is cuter than my kid but, WHATEVER!) Not too shabby really when you consider that all the other babies were decked out in frilly dresses and bows and those goofy headband things.  I think Campbell was the only one without her ears pierced (my biggest baby pet peeve, by the way!)  She was there straight from daycare with lunch still on her shirt and in her hair.

 

It was her beautiful personality that put her over the top and out shone all those tiny little fake diamond earrings.  She got up there and waved and smiled and all the judges went "Aw" at the same time.  Atta girl!  This will be her one and only beauty pageant appearance because I am determined that she will not skate by on her good looks and I will not teach her that being pretty or "hot" is all there is to being a girl. So, if she had to be in the contest I'm glad it was her adorable, magnetic spirit that won over the judges. Incidentally, speaking of personality - Nathaniel also finished second in his contest.  He would have won the Diaper Derby but for his pause at the beginning to stop and smile and flirt with the judges before crawling.

After their unofficial awards photo shoot we took the winners on a victory lap around the carousel.  Campbell loved it! Nathaniel wasn't so sure but seemed to enjoy it, too. 

Campbell even did the daredevil one-handed move - maybe she has some of my reckless streak in her after all.  It's hard to tell - I think Daddy's cautious side and Mama's devil may care attitude battle it out inside her a lot.  Her tentative crawling is a score for Daddy's caution.  The back flips and hanging upside down tricks and love of speed are scores for Mama.  If I can get her walking and show her she can make herself go fast I may make a hurdler out of her yet . . .

Dear Campbell: 12 Months

It still hasn't sunk in all the way.  Yesterday you turned one! I just can't believe it's possible.  My pregnancy was easy and I loved being pregnant but it was a slow nine months because we were so excited to meet you. I remember setting our alarm for 4:00 a.m. to get up and take a shower before reporting to the hospital at 5 to be induced.  I was so excited I woke up before the alarm even went off. Then we waited 12 hours through basically no change in your position until the doctor decided you weren't going to fit out the conventional way. Finally, at 5:18 p.m. we had our perfect little baby girl.  And the long wait was over.  Now in a flash it has been a year and I can't believe that 12 months can go by so fast.

 

Everyone warned me that time would fly and I've tried hard to savor every moment - a goal that you make easy because you approach everything with such happiness and energy that it's hard not to be amazed daily by how miraculous your little life is.  It has been the best year of my life without a doubt. You have changed who I am.  I have come from someone who wasn't sure I wanted kids when I was in college to a mother who is completely obsessed with her baby. I have changed from the friend who playfully teased other mothers for crying when their baby walked or crawled or turned one to the emotional mess crying into your bath water yesterday amazed at how blessed I am. I may not always recognize the sniveling person in the mirror but I wouldn't trade this version of me for the old one if I were offered all the money in the world.

The weekend was a big one - not only was it your birthday but it was Brass Band Festival time. Last year at Brass Band I was literally due to have you at any minute and my weekend was filled with concerned looks and inquiring minds wanting to know if I was feeling any contractions.  It was much more fun spending the weekend showing you off this year!  And show you off we did - starting with the red wagon contest on Saturday morning.  You were the cutest Statue of Liberty that has ever been and Nathaniel was Uncle Sam.  I am still in complete shock that you didn't win an award - my indignation remains so high that I have not ruled out writing a scathing letter to the editor protesting the idiocy of the contest judges. (And your Aunt Shana thinks it would be a good idea for me to enter you into this week's fair baby contest.  Perhaps it would be if I held a life long desire to end up on the Jerry Springer show wrestling some other mother because her baby isn't really cuter or prettier than you.)

Yesterday was the big birthday party.  There was a definite theme to your presents - water. You have bath and pool toys to keep you happy this whole second year of your life. You loved your first cupcake. And had fun playing with all of your little friends. I think the biggest hit though was the balloon bouquet. You were so excited by the balloons that the Kroger florist gave you two free ones! And Daddy loved the Father's Day balloon you got him - even if he isn't allowed to actually have it.  We'll worry about teaching you gift giving etiquette another time.

After all the festivities were over and you had squealed and splashed away in your second bath of the day with your new sea turtles and pelican pitcher, it was all too fitting that Daddy and I found ourselves watching Tiger's miraculous comeback on the 18th hole of the US Open.  Last year this time we watched literally EVERY drive, chip, wedge and putt of the Open while we were in the hospital. There was just one big difference last night. Instead of wrapped up snuggly sleeping on my lap, you were all cuddled up in your frog jammers in your bed like the big girl you are all too quickly becoming.

 

What a ride you have taken us on this year Sweet Girl.  My weekend was full of a constant mental slide show of the first smiles and giggles, of the sweet eyes looking up at me for the first time, of the funny faces, of the dancing girl with her musical toys, of the crazy curly hair and so many more amazing memories. I look forward to adding a zillion more images to that memory reel. I know that in the blink of an eye I'll be back here writing about your second year.

Happy Birthday, my darling girl, I hope you've enjoyed the first year of our adventure together as much as I have.  And though you won't remember the firsts that have marked these precious 12 months, I will never forget them. Everything about your life thus far is a cherished memory. You have made me happier than I would have ever thought possible. One of my favorite times of every day are the few quiet minutes I steal just me and you when I am putting you to bed. The adorable way you roll onto your side and tuck those little hands under your chin and cross your legs one over the other. It requires sheer force of will to make myself leave your bedside every night the sense of peace and happiness that floods over me watching you sleep is so intense. You have exceeded every expectation and I pray every day that I can be a mother worthy of your beauty, sweetness and perfection. May you always know how much I love you and that no matter what nothing will change the fact that you are more than I ever dared hope for.

All of my love -
Mama

Creeping and Crawling - The Video

Campbell is definitely getting the hang of crawling.  Her speed has increased since this video . . . though the long gearing-up process is still in full effect.  Notice how she has to test the waters a few times before she actually moves anywhere.  But at least she seems to be having fun during the prep work. (An apology for the poor quality . . . alas videography in a dark dining room is not the best and the dogs don't help.)

baby steps from Adam Johnson on Vimeo.

Creeping and Crawling

It was a big weekend at our house . . . Campbell started to crawl.  Well, at this stage creep might be the more accurate term.  At first it started out as this adorable frog-legged little scooch and push method that involved her little bottom sticking up in the air.  But she is actually going through a true crawling motion now - though it is happening at a very deliberate pace. Which might not be all bad as Adam and I are perhaps being eased into the new mobile baby stage a little more than some parents.

Campbell has not quit figured out the potential freedom and big wide world crawling might offer her.  Right now she still views it as purely utilitarian.  "Hmmm, I really want that ball but it's over there . . . I can't stretch that far. . . I guess I'll crawl."  She's so funny because she has to gear up which often involves a couple of false starts as she gets into position then sits back up and gets into position and sits back up . . .  Then she will slowly crawl forward a couple of "steps" and then lay down and stretch. If she still can't reach her target then she'll - seemingly reluctantly - get back into crawling position and move a few more "steps" until she can finally stretch with her Go-Go-Gadget arms and reel in what she's after. 

I figure we are but days away from her figuring out that this crawling thing isn't so bad because it means that the other side of the room isn't so far way after all and all those books on the shelf aren't really out of reach.  I'm guessing she will come home from the sitter one day this week, we'll set her on the floor and find the days of chasing her around have arrived. But that's okay.  I'm glad she's finally mobile. I was beginning to fear her one year check-up and having to defend my perfect baby to the doctor whose eyebrow raised at the "No she doesn't move" revelation. 

I am doubly glad that she crawled for the first time in front of me - at home.  One of my biggest fears about being a working mother is that I will miss too much - especially too many firsts.  So far I've been lucky and so far as I know all of her firsts have happened at home.  Here's to hoping it stays that way!

Hillary Clinton did NOT win the popular vote!

The Obama campaign is clearly comprised of bigger people than me. They are content to let the Clinton hatchet men run around and say that she won the popular vote while the media idiots like Joe Scarborough are buying the line and repeating it.  Just one problem - Hillary Clinton did NOT win the popular vote. She only got "more votes than any other Democratic candidate for president in history" if you don't count the guy who won - Barack Obama!

Obama is clearly okay taking his victory to the bank and is content knowing that for all their blustering the Clinton's will step into a voting booth in November to see his name not hers on the ballot.  But I just have to do my part to set the record straight because Obama's is a truly historic victory and I think it is a shame that Hillary Clinton has been able to do so much already to mar this epic point in our nation's story. She shouldn't be allowed to claim that there is an asterisk by Obama's name  -  there isn't.

The only way Clinton bests Obama in popular vote is with Michigan counted and its really not fair to count Michigan since he wasn't even on the ballot.  So, the final, legitimate popular vote totals are as follows and the result is that Barack Obama rightly became the first black major party candidate for president by winning EVERY metric.

Obama: 18,107,710 (48.1%)
Clinton: 18,046,007 (47.9%)

Source: RealClearPolitics