John the Tory

His new outfit from his Aunt Pam. I hear my brother thought it was too preppy - we'll have to pair it with the shades when we go out to make it a little cooler. People often ask me if he knows what the camera is for. This photo is a perfect example of how he does. He was actually upset, but flashed me this big grin when the camera appeared, only to go back to upset as soon as it was put away.

Yesterday was a stressful, but all around interesting day. We had a very bizarre political meeting, which John wasn't meant to go to. We had hired a sitter, but cancelled her at the last minute, because we weren't planning to be there long, if at all, but still wound up being the last people to leave. The meeting was pretty stressful - one of the board members is trying very hard to push us out. He wanted Mike's position as CFO, and hauled out the constitution, which stated that an out of riding member can't hold an executive office. It all blew up in his face, because by the end of the meeting, not only was Mike CFO, I was secretary. It was all done democratically - I think it speaks volumes that, knowing that there would be big problems, the board still chose an out-of-riding CFO over this guy. I don't think we will be around for long - the regional chair was there and apparently he's going to "deal with this" today. But hey, for at least one glorious day, I'm the riding's secretary.

But anyway, back to John. He was there for yet another political meeting. We really need to get him an "I'm a Tiny Tory" T-shirt. He goes to so many of these things. (Tiny Tories was a name originally considered for the Conservative Youth wing.) John was very quiet and content - the Tylenol was a factor, I'm sure. No new teeth yet - these ones are painfully slow.

Nearly every meeting we go to, someone nabs him - he often circulates the room that way, as he's passed from person to person. This was no exception. It's alright - I know where all these people live, so they can't get far. At the end our candidate's wife took him. By this time he was yawning, so she started whispering something in his ear. Within seconds, his head was slumped and his eyelids were drooping. It was amazing. Oh, how I wish I knew what she was saying, but she wouldn't tell me. She handed him back to me, and he instantly woke up and started fussing. Figures. Is there some secret meeting where this stuff is taught? Some dark little hall with secret handshakes, where wizened old grannies pass on the secrets of whispering a baby to sleep? If so, please, please tell me where! I can rock and shush him to sleep, but it takes a few minutes. He was nodding off within seconds. Just amazing.

He's actually been in a rock-me-to-sleep phase for the past few days. He won't let me just put him down and rub his back anymore - nothing but rocking while cuddling will do. (Except the whispering, of course, but I don't know how to do that.) I'm sure it's teething related. I sure can't wait for these teeth to finish moving.

The flu has returned - for me at least. Hopefuly, John will be spared this time. Teething and the flu. Wouldn't that be fun.