Because My Mother Said So

We were in West Tennessee this weekend for a visit with my family. My Mother let me know before hand that I should bring a white onesie with me, because she was going to put Stella in the "Easter dress" that she bought her and take a picture.

I am not a girly girl. I do like a high heel (or I used to before a became pregnant/mother) and a fun dress, but I have never been "fru fru". Therefore, to the disappointment of most people that I know, I do not dress Stella in such things. But, Stella does own many of these things somehow...

Well, here is a photo that we captured with our camera and I must admit that she looks pretty cute. She looks "beautiful" my Mother says.

Baby Jude

We were so glad to finally meet baby Jude. We have been waiting for him for so long! If you have not read Heather and David's story (http://heltonbaby.blogspot.com/) I will give you the short. After many miscarriages and failed rounds of In Vitro, Heather's sister-in-law, Cami volunteered to carry their baby. And here he is!

Jude really is so lucky to have parents and a family that loves him so much. He is a special litle boy. We love him already.

We have secret hopes that one day Stella and Jude will marry. Silly, I know. But aren't they so cute together!

Congratulations Heather and David! We love you.

You can wear what you want when working from home

Stella Wins!

Well, not really. But when you post your picture to the contest it lets you create a pretend magazine cover. It also automatically generates the headline at the bottom of the page based on the overall cuteness of your baby. Amazing!

Thanks to everyone who voted for helping us select the best photo to submit. 'D' was the favorite with 7 votes, 'B' received 4, and both 'A' and 'C' received 1.

Cross your fingers!

Never Say Never

Please help us help Stella win a $125,000 college scholarship. We are shamelessly entering her photo in a contest held by Parenting Magazine/Gerber/Regis and Kelly. Our trouble is deciding which photo is the best bet. The deadline is Friday, so don't forget to vote! (see poll to the right)

A
B
C
D

Sink

From Stella, 2009.02

We had to move Stella's bath ritual to the kitchen sink, and so thought it appropriate to snap a few customary baby-in-kitchen-sink photos. We're starting to see the signs of a very mobile child — pulling up, crawling (well, scooting) — and therefore we are learning that it's time to baby-proof. Tonight's bath included grabbing a knife from the dish drain, dunking herself with the faucet and almost pulling up (and out) of the sink.

But aside from the usual baby stuff, we're also seeing signs that she inherited mommy's culinary talents. Like here, where she's practicing what does, and doesn't, fit inside a measuring cup.

From Stella, 2009.02

Look at me!

From Stella, 2009.02

Stella is 7 months old today and look at her grow! Fortunately for me, I have posed her in her bed like this - not of her own learning. But soon, very soon. She has not figured out how to crawl yet. Well, her knees and feet seem to know what to do and they are waiting for her arms to catch up. But when they do - watch out kitty cats!

.....who does this baby look like??? She is too funny.

A diversion from the usual...

I have slight reservations about posting such an entry here. After all, this blog is devoted to the ever-growing butterball we call Stella.

But lately I've been reading more and more comments about how worried everyone is about Obama as President, specifically Christians. And it worries me. This quote from a Jan 20 blog posting sums it up:

"...amidst the $170 million affair, the hoopla of our first African-American President, and the controversial issues that have been pounding our living rooms for the past year during the most expensive campaign in this nation's history, it remains a very sad day. A day when all I can think about is what a bleak future we are headed into with Obama as president." (see blog)

I could say many things in response (like "bleaker than what we're already experiencing?"), but instead I'll just add a few remarks as an opposing viewpoint.

To get it in the open right away, I support and voted for Obama.

Here is a man that in his first full week as President has brought a sense of unity to this country that has been missing for a long time. He has inspired thousands, if not millions, to do something good with their lives and their time. We've already seen the direct effect of thousands of people signing up to give of their free time, primarily because an inspiring leader asked them to. It's the call of a great leader that many of us have been waiting for.

One of the recent (and continual) hot buttons: Abortion.

I understand the highly emotional divide of pro life vs. pro choice, and I understand how it leads people to vote the way they do. But Obama himself was quoted to say that despite our differences on the issue, we can all agree that unwanted pregnancy is the real culprit. If we do a better job of avoiding unwanted pregnancies, we do a better job of avoiding the choice of abortion. He was trying to reframe the issue in a way we could unite behind and make a true, positive impact.

He also said that none of us are pro-abortion, and he's right. It's a horrible decision to make and it's a horrible circumstance that leads someone to even consider the option. I personally think we have to stop equating pro-choice with pro-murder - they are not the same thing. (but that's another post...)

To say I'm an Obama supporter is also to say I am not a Bush fan, but to be clear, it had little to do with his religious beliefs or abortion stance.

It had more to do with how he failed to rescue thousands of unfortunates in New Orleans. It had more to do with how he invaded Iraq and manipulated information to support the false claim of weapons of mass destruction. It had more to do with the thousands of servicemen and women who have died supporting his false claim. It had more to do with the failure to recognize and act on a failing economy, one that is now affecting so many of us. And it had more to do with the divisions and bitterness that he ultimately encouraged between people of this great, free nation.

Many have said that they are proud of Bush for ,"...standing up for his beliefs..." Commendable for an individual, perhaps, but unacceptable when you represent a nation of millions, many who don't hold the same beliefs.

But ultimately, I have the hardest time accepting that those who believe in the loving tenants of Jesus Christ would agree that he was a stellar President. He failed so many people. He gave hope to so few. He divided so many.

I am thankful that Obama is my President. Not because he's a Democrat or black or young or pro-choice, but because he has inspired hope, unity, even LOVE, in a majority of Americans in a way that I've never seen in my lifetime. Especially from a politician.

And that's something I think Jesus would be proud of.

Air Stella

From Stella, 2009.01

Big fun at the Jordan house tonight.

After about three weeks off from the jumpy thing, Stella has proven her mastery of flight. For those who saw the earlier rounds of photos, the lack of enthusiasm was real. Much more entertaining was the flavor of the blue straps.

But now you'd think we arrived in Endor's forests based on the way she gets wound up and excited: laughter, flying, the occassional dog or cat to ram into. It's hard for us to pick ourselves off the floor from watching her.

I really gotta get one of those Flip camcorders...

C is for Cookie

This is one of those photos that Stella will hate me for later.

It certainly does her super cute face no justice, but I think it's hilarious. This is what happens when we let her loose with a teething cookie. Find a couple more pictures of what led to this here.