History Made

"We should not be seduced by the notion that Obama's presidency signals the end of racism, the civil rights movement, the struggle for black equality or the careers of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton." -Michael Eric Dyson, LA Times, Today

I think that's true. But really! This IS history worth celebrating. Last night I said to Drew "When our parents were Leah's age segregation existed. Is it possible that in just two generations we have gone from that to this?" It truly is amazing. It is a GREAT stride.

"To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president too."

Seriously, that was a good speech. I liked that part.

(PS I loved McCain's speech too. It was classy. Perfect really.)

This is the part that happens every election. People fight and argue everyone votes and then - then we need to let it go. Someone wins and now we move forward and hope for the best!

But the best part? That would be my conversation with Leah last night.

Although all along I've been saying that you don't vote for Obama because he's African American/Black. You don't vote for McCain because his running mate is a woman. These are not reasons to vote for someone. You look up his or her politics and then you go from there. (PS And by look up politics I do not mean the insane ads on TV - oh those commercials make me so glad this is over! - and the flyers all around and the crap the arrives in the mail and the phone callls - I mean the facts. Places like ontheissues.org - the FACTS.)

Anyway, my conversation with Leah.

I don't think there's any matching the feeling I had when Leah was asking about what Drew & I were talking about when they called him as the winner. I showed her his picture & I was explaining to her how he was the next president and what the president was, etc. She was asking great questions.

The picture was of Obama & Biden.

And my sweet (almost) 3 year old pointed out that our President Elect MATCHES HER. She held her arm up to the screen. "We match. He matches me."

And I told her "This is the first time that someone who matches you has ever been President."

And she danced around saying "He wins. He wins. He wins."

Then she pointed out the Biden matched me. :giggle:

It's a historic moment. And THAT is why.

I could have had that conversation and pointed out Palin is a girl. And how that was a first.

All politics aside - it is SO cool that she noticed.

What does this mean for her self image? ANYTHING is possible. Anything.

This is America. A place where American Dreams actually do come true.

That's so cheesy to say. And yet SO true.

I'm feeling all romantic like this morning. Can you tell?

I Voted!

My experience today while I actually registered to vote was... interesting. The voting itself was fine. I used the touch screen. I was completely fasicnated that there were lines to use the paper ballots and NO lines at the touch screens. People seriously live in fear that the computers will eat their votes?? My husband chose a paper ballot so I had to sit and wait for him to finish for a little while. When we got in the car he said "The computer makes me nervous." So funny!

Maybe everyone doesn't know the computer prints a paper ballot out after you are done?

Whatever! I didn't have to wait in line & I'm fine with that.

So at the registration table... There are four of us at the table, two on each side.

1. the guy running the table - we'll call him Guy #1

2. Me

3. Drew

4. Guy #2 who is also registering to vote

5. Leah - standing next to me

Guys #2 to Guy #1: "So how has the turn out been today? Good?"

#1: It's been really great actually!

#2: I bet so - given everything happening with this election

#1: Ya, there's a lot of first this time! (Just a cheery man!)

#2: Ya, no kidding.

While saying this last line he looks at Leah significantly, then at the guy, and then back at Leah.

Guy #1's eyes got huge. It was a rude look and then Guy #2 walked off.

Aye, Aye, Aye.

At least my little girl was cheerily playing and took no notice of the racist pig (previously refer to as Guy #2). Even racist pigs have a right to vote, ya?

Babies

I want another baby. Or 2 or 5.

My forum friend Kathy tells me it comes from the one year itch. Maybe so. It seems like my baby is gone. I keep getting these emails from babycenter.com calling her a TODDLER. Who thinks I want to hear that????

Speaking of Kathy. She brought home a baby yesterday! We were talking on an IM on the 5th. Suddenly she says hold on. As it turns out the phone was ringing. I get on the IM:

Kathy: SW ON THE PHONE
Kathy: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Then I wait for nearly half an hour staring at my computer! LOL It was a call about a baby girl that had been born that morning. She was in their own state and only 2 hours away! So the next day they got to go pick her up, meet her fmom, and come home. So cool! This is her fourth adoption. I am so over the top excited for her!!!
She's a momma of 4 now!! WOOHOO!!

Anyway - my plans for the next baby...

You know we tried for years to get pregnant. The idea of trying again is... daunting to say the least.

I learned recently from another forum friend that Clomid is sometimes given to people with a history of early recurrent miscarriages. I did not know this.

If I had the money to adopt right now, I would. I would actually rather. But we don't so I'm gonna try this Clomid thing Jan/Feb time. If it works, well, holy cow. I'll give birth. If it doesn't well just keep waiting until we can afford to adopt again.

Either way we'll be adopting again because Leah needs to not be alone in being adopted or being the only brown face in our family. In her cousins she has Mexican/CC, Spanish/CC but not any AA/CC or AA. There was going to be one (Drew's brother is adopting too) but the mom decided to parent after giving birth. I do hope they adopt transracially in the end. That's the protective mommy part of me. I don't want Leah to feel out of place in the family. I read an article forever ago about a biracial woman (AA/CC) who said that the best gift her parents ever gave her was her sister - who was also adopted and AA/CC.

I love my daughter with all of my being. However, no matter how much I love her I will never understand her experience in this world as a biracial adopted woman. I can love her through anything but I can't give her the understanding she could get from another adopted biracial woman. That's all there is to it.