Oba-Mania

Miriam took her first forays into the world of politics the past few weeks. Her parents have succumbed to Oba-mania and so has she. First, she did her first literature drop on a chilly Saturday afternoon. Then, just a few days later, she met Michelle Obama!

Michelle came to Cincinnati to speak at our beautiful Music Hall. We got there about an hour early and waited in a freezing wind along with a couple thousand of our neighbors. Once inside, Miriam was a hit! (Michelle's speech wasn't so bad either.) She was also pretty good bait -- no politician (or politician's wife) can resist a cute baby! Michelle sure couldn't. She made her way over to the youngest Obama supporter in the house, and Miriam got a hug and a kiss. Daddy also got to plug the Public Service Academy (we knew we had this baby for a reason!). As you can see, Mommy didn't do a great job on picture duty, partially because of the Secret Service man who was in the way.

Since then, Miriam has done it all for Obama in Ohio. She's warmed the hearts of campaign volunteers, sat on her Daddy's lap during phone banking, walked around with Mommy on canvassing tours, and smiled at hundreds of potential voters. She was a big hit at our Obama fundraising party last week, and she certainly enjoyed her visit with Mark Pett, who drove all the way up from Mississippi to spend time campaigning here in Cincinnati. While Obama lost Ohio, he won Hamilton County (our home base) with more than 60% of the vote. Little Miri is already making a difference in the world of politics!

What's new with Miri?

1. Sleeping! That's right, she's sleeping through the night. Six to eight hours (and sometimes even nine)! Here, she practices her taekwondo stances while sleeping...a true multitasker!

2. Smiling and talking and finding her hands: Miriam chirps and squawks all the time now -- she's like a one-girl zoo! When she isn't yapping, she is stuffing her face full of fingers. Check out her eating skills below...both hands!

3. Following the Presidential Campaign: What can we say? She's her parents' daughter and likes to follow the campaign in the New York Times. She even started wooing voters in her her first campaign event, a literature drop for Barack Obama, this past weekend.

4. Happy Bath Time: Ah, yes, a blackmail picture.
5. Being Usurped by Thunder: Poor Thunder gets a little jealous these days, so he does his best to be Miriam whenever he can. Here, he poses for his two and a half year picture with the Miriam pillow.

6. Tummy Time: Miriam loves to be on her tummy (thanks for the ladybug, Michelle Jo!) She doesn't like to relax there, but wants to constantly look around. When she's not on her ladybug, she practices rolling over onto her back. Once she figures out the reverse, we're in trouble...
7. Hanging with the parents: Fun times on Jefferson Ave -- we're going to miss our little place in Cincy!

Visit from the Grandparents

Miriam was lucky enough to have a wonderful visit from hergrandparents this past week. They came in for her mommy's senior sermon at HUC. While the grandparents enjoyed the sermon thoroughly, Miriam slept through the whole thing -- Mom is already able to put people to sleep even before being ordained! While Grandma Jean and Grandpa Bill had brief glimpses of fussy baby, Miriam was remarkably happy as she spent her days cooing and smiling with Grandma and Grandpa, going on a family visit to Graeter's for ice cream, and enjoying several family dinners at home.

While it is always nice to see the grandparents, this visit was especially fortuitous. Chris had some health problems this past week and after several trips to the hospital, he was diagnosed with vertigo. (His first thought? Not of Miriam or Erica, but of Nick Esasky, a first baseman for the Reds and Red Sox in the late 80s whose career ended due to vertigo. Men!) So, while Erica and Chris were at the hospital, Miriam was left in the capable hands of her grandparents who cared for her, cleaned the house, did laundry, bought groceries, cooked yummy meals and picked up prescriptions. Wow, can they move to Cincinnati?

Unfortunately, they say this is a one time offer and are not planning on leaving Coronado any time soon. So, Erica has to say goodbye to her long naps on the couch with kid & kitty. At least Chris isn't spinning around aimlessly anymore, so he's of some use again! Thanks for everything Grandma Jean and Grandpa Bill!