11 months old today!

Hi sweetheart,

You're eleven months old today! It's been an exciting month. In the last few days, you experienced your first Thanksgiving, and took your first few steps!

Thanksgiving was fun. Aunt Heather and her girlfriend Amy came down from New Jersey, and Grandma came for a little while. You had your favorite food -- cereal -- and some fresh green beans. Grandma says she'll never be able to eat green beans again without thinking of you waving them enthusiastically in your cute little fist. A couple days later you had your first french fries. It was love at first bite.

You also took your first few steps by yourself a few days ago. Congratulations! You're a very coordinated baby.

You have two teeth, your bottom front ones. But your top two front teeth look like they're just aching to burst through (and I do mean "aching"; teething is hard work!).

Your vocabulary is expanding, too. You can say "up" and "down," and you know all the names of the Teletubbies. You can't always tell us what you want, but you're a great pointer. Your favorite things to point at right now are Daddy's and Mommy's noses. We sometimes say "beep" when you do it, and you laugh and laugh.

Your favorite game is to jump up and down on Daddy's lap, and he throws you in the air and catches you. You think I don't do it right, and that's true; Daddy's much stronger and can throw you higher.


(Heather and Thea napping)

We love you!
Mommy and Daddy

November photos of Thea

Election results

Dear Thea,

Well, it's been almost a week since the presidential election. I just wanted to let you know that your dad and I are terribly disappointed in the results. We want the world to be the best possible place for you to grow up in, and hope that everything will work out okay, at least by the time you're able to read this.

But this illustrates an important point that I hope you'll always keep in mind: It's important to vote, to make your voice heard, even if your candidate doesn't win. Every time you vote, you make politicians accountable to you.

Much love,
Mom