The Deckard's Life

First Year Pictures...

2011-06-17T14:50:00.002-04:00

Pool time!

2011-06-17T12:15:00.000-04:00

Happy Easter!

2011-04-25T08:56:00.004-04:00

Oh, happy day.

Whit's first Easter egg hunt.

From Kiki's visit...

2011-04-20T20:53:00.002-04:00

Whit the rock star

2011-04-02T17:40:00.001-04:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Go Cats!!

2011-03-29T16:37:00.000-04:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Sitting in the fire truck.

2011-03-02T14:09:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Meeting my very first fireman!

2011-03-02T14:08:00.000-05:00

Arlington County Fire Department is so great! There is a station right by us. While we were at the playground a fire truck pulled up and Whit took off after it. He was standing along the fence staring in awe as the firemen were unloading.

And after they saw him staring at them one of them came over and offered for Whit to sit in the truck.

It was pretty cute. Every little boy's dream.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

We are ready for summer!

2011-03-01T17:17:00.000-05:00

Indoor pool parties until then.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Whit Vacuuming

2011-02-07T17:02:00.000-05:00

Whit w/ Daddy @ Grocery Store

2011-02-06T13:44:00.002-05:00

Ugh oh...

2011-02-05T09:51:00.000-05:00

I could have been in a resolve carpet cleaner commercial this morning. I guess I left my coffee mug too close to the edge in our newly carpeted bedroom. It was too funny to not pause for a quick photo opp before I scurried to clean it up. You live and learn!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Filling in for mommy

2011-01-29T13:41:00.001-05:00

He ate my grocery list!

2011-01-17T22:28:00.000-05:00

I got the hint that he was ready to go home.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

How Big is Whitman?

2011-01-16T11:47:00.001-05:00

Whit using Nana's Walker

2011-01-07T22:31:00.001-05:00

In sunny Sarasota!

2010-12-22T22:20:00.003-05:00

Let the birthday celebrations continue...Whit wasn't such a fan of the messy cake! My baby likes to be clean.

Snow day for the birthday boy...

2010-12-16T22:16:00.000-05:00

Birthday morning with breakfast in crib...

2010-12-16T22:12:00.000-05:00

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

2010-12-16T20:02:00.000-05:00

First Pizza for First Birthday...

2010-12-16T19:31:00.001-05:00

From Josh...

2010-12-16T08:39:00.000-05:00

What God Has Taught Me Through My Son

My boy turns 1 year old tomorrow and I am sitting here thinking about many of the things that God has taught me through this little guy.

First off, I think back to the year or so that we wanted to start trying for children but couldn’t due to a minor surgery Ali needed to have, insurance complications, and other factors. We just prayed. We finally thought we were able to start trying only to find out that we weren’t going to have maternity coverage for 10+ months. Ali spent well over 100 hours on the phone with insurance companies and brokers to find out if there was anything else we could do. We kept hearing the same answer, “wait 10 months.” We kept praying and asked our friends to do the same. One morning Ali was out of the house and I was in the kitchen when she called me in tears. She said that the insurance company just called her out of the blue to say that they were going to waive the waiting period for maternity coverage. Insurance companies don’t just do that. God heard our cries and answered our prayers. We began doubting God’s love & power, but He remained faithful.

Then there were the months that we tried to get pregnant, but couldn’t. While it was less than a year, it seemed like an eternity. With each passing month we became more and more tempted. Ali genuinely rejoiced with her friends as they got pregnant during that period of time, but it was still a struggle to see God as a loving Father who knew what we were going through. Then April 11, 2009 rolled around and I woke up to the news that my bride was pregnant. God was faithful once again.

From the day she was pregnant until the day she gave birth I was tempted by the fact that I thought something bad may happen during the pregnancy and our little boy wouldn’t make it to term, if at all. I was consistently helped by my friends and wife who reminded me that God loves my boy far more than I ever will (and I love him a lot). Sure enough, on December 15, 2009 we drove to the hospital where my wife would give birth the following morning. I once again saw the foolishness of doubting God; He was kind and gracious in giving us a very healthy son (although He would have been just as kind and gracious had our son not been healthy).

After he was born I was once again confronted by fear that something might happen to him, but thus far God has been merciful and we have a healthy 1 year old.

While my son can’t say anything other than “dadadadadada” he has taught me a lot about my Heavenly Father. He has taught me that what is impossible with man is possible with God. He has taught me that when I’m unfaithful (fear, doubt, unbelief) God always remains faithful. There is no guarantee that my son won’t be diagnosed with a serious illness, but even if that were to happen I can trust that God would use it for our good and His glory & that he would give us grace to walk through that horrific trial.

Most of all my son has taught me how much God really loves sinners like me. I’ll never forget reading the Jesus Storybook bible to my son in the hospital when He was one day old and coming to the part where Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac (foreshadowing of calvary). In that moment, I saw the gospel like I had never seen it before. God opened my eyes to see how much it cost Him to give up His one and only son. It cost Him what He loved the most.

I love you son and someday I hope to teach you as much about Jesus as you have taught me.

Very First Breakfast-in-Bed!

2010-12-16T08:25:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Snow suit

2010-12-14T23:30:00.000-05:00

Modeling my new snow suit at gap.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Game time!

2010-12-14T23:15:00.000-05:00

UK basketball season. Thanks for my gear Uncle Chad!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Christmas Cookie Monster

2010-12-14T23:13:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Opening Ceremonies

2010-12-01T13:27:00.000-05:00

For Whit's birthday month of celebrations!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Little business to attend to!

2010-11-26T17:02:00.000-05:00

Deckard Family Sunday Stroll

2010-11-12T15:38:00.002-05:00

Our talented friends Andrew & Carissa Gallo were kind enough to do a photo/video shoot for us a few weeks ago. We are so grateful for the gifts that God has given them, and how they use their gifts to bless others!

The Deckards from ForYouLoveMe on Vimeo.

About to get flu shot.

2010-11-10T12:55:00.001-05:00

Poor little guy doesn't know what is about to happen.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Pumpkin picking at Homestead Farm

2010-11-02T21:13:00.001-04:00

Whit's first marathon

2010-11-01T11:16:00.000-04:00

Backstreet Boy

2010-10-26T22:49:00.000-04:00

>
>
>

Coming home!!

2010-10-06T18:53:00.001-04:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Golden Gate baby...

2010-09-29T19:10:00.001-04:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

We made it!

2010-09-29T13:04:00.000-04:00

View from our room.

Whit slept the first and last hour of the flight and was up in between. Could have been worse, so we are grateful.

Off to do some sightseeing today!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Heading out west!

2010-09-28T15:35:00.000-04:00

We are at the airport now waiting for our plane to come in. No nap, so we are hoping Whit falls asleep on the plane. Six hour flight with a crawling wiggly 9 month old! Let's hope he sleeps!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

9 Months...

2010-09-27T15:50:00.004-04:00

Brooks Kraft, a friend of Josh's, came and shot some pictures of our family. Whit was a great sport!

And we are mobile!

2010-09-27T15:30:00.001-04:00

My church...

2010-09-26T21:56:00.000-04:00

Man, I LOVE it!!

Closing ceremonies...

2010-08-31T13:11:00.000-04:00

As they say, all good things must come to an end. And my birthday month was definitely a good thing. While the month long celebration will cease, the countdown to August 2011 will begin! Bittersweet.

Happy Birthday to me. :)

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Out to lunch @ Tackle Box in Georgetown.

2010-08-31T13:06:00.000-04:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

New ways of playing with my jumperoo...

2010-08-29T23:36:00.001-04:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

My new piano...

2010-08-27T10:20:00.001-04:00

Dining out with Big Daddy!

2010-08-22T22:22:00.001-04:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

#2 coming too!!

2010-08-13T15:06:00.003-04:00

TOOTH that is! :)

First tooth coming in...

2010-07-26T15:27:00.002-04:00

This one's for my cuz!

2010-07-22T16:27:00.003-04:00

Maxwell Christian Majorsky

Born July 20th, 2010 at 12:28 pm

7 Pounds 7 Ounces

21 1/2 inches

Congratulations Aunt Whitney and Uncle Brian!!

Cincinnati Trip (Part 4)

2010-07-04T21:56:00.000-04:00

More Cinci pictures...

At Coney Island.

Brooke.

With Kiki.

My dad set up the trains in the backyard - Whit loved them!

Getting a taste of what it would be like with sisters.

Sophie.

Morning with Brooke.

Swimming with cousins (Brooke and Sophie).

Making pizzas with Papa.

Brooke.

Hailey.

Getting pool bag packed up.

Hailey and Brooke.

Cincinnati Trip (Part 3)

2010-07-04T21:16:00.001-04:00

Out at the Deckards' pond...

Cincinnati Trip (Part 2)

2010-07-03T21:06:00.000-04:00

Grandma Ginnie passed away peacefully on Friday, July 2nd. We are so grateful for the two weeks we had in Cincinnati with her.

http://dunes.cincinnati.com/classifieds/obits/obitDisplay.aspx?d=7/4/2010&st=1&id=988149

Cincinnati Trip (Part 1)

2010-06-25T10:22:00.004-04:00

We made it to Cincinnati on Monday night! We were able to walk in and surprise my sister and her family. They thought we were coming in the following week. All were very surprised.

Unfortunately, Josh's Grandma Ginnie had a stroke Sunday and was at the hospital. So, as soon as we drove in we dropped Whit off at my parents house and went straight to the hospital to visit her. Josh was able to read to her and pray with her. She is a remarkable woman. She has since moved back to where she was living with around the clock care, but there is still bleeding in her brain and at age 98 surgery or medical treatment are not really options. It is truly a blessing that this trip was planned so we were able to spend time with her in her final days. We love her and are so grateful for the role she has played in our family.

What happens when you turn your back...

2010-06-21T23:14:00.000-04:00

Happy First Father's Day Daddy!!!

2010-06-20T22:34:00.000-04:00

Love, Whitman

6 months old...

2010-06-16T20:42:00.000-04:00

and we're done!

Nemacolin Trip

2010-06-16T09:26:00.006-04:00

For our 5 year anniversary, we went to the spot of our engagement weekend: Nemacolin Resort (www.nemacolin.com) in Pennsylvania. It is the most perfect vacation spot for families. They have everything from a shooting range, zip lines, pools, off roading courses, putt putt, spa, dog spa, kids gymnasium, kid camps, and so much more. We just love this place.

We brought Whit with us...but also brought Essee and Big Daddy to babysit! It was perfect. Josh and I were able to spend time together (and time at the spa) but didn't have to leave Whit. It was a great trip and I was spoiled rotten there. We got warm cookies with milk delivered to our room each night before going to bed. Man, I miss that!

5 Years...

2010-06-16T00:36:00.005-04:00

It is hard to believe that 5 years ago (May 28, 2005) I married the love of my life. Wow, how time flies when you are having fun. But also slows down at times for the chance to breathe it all in. This is one of those times. Maybe because it is 1 am and things are quiet around here (except for the faint snores I hear next to me). I love this blog because it allows me the opportunity to reflect on pictures taken, life's big and small moments, and all of the memories made.

5 years of marriage. Wow. I am married to not just anyone; but to the most incredibly humble, generous and loving person in the world. Someone who I know would lay down his life for me. Someone who makes life so fun and who carries my burdens joyfully. Someone who leads me so lovingly, patiently and faithfully. I am so grateful for the man God has given me. And I pray that God would hold our marriage closely in His hands. What a gift. What a husband.

I love you Josh. Forever.

Loving Daddy

2010-06-08T11:15:00.003-04:00

The kiddos...

2010-06-08T11:05:00.003-04:00

Remember this picture...

Well, here they are!

Dylan, Alivia (Ali) and Whit

Dallas portion of our trip...

2010-05-31T11:43:00.000-04:00

Got a bit sidetracked. These are some pictures from our time in Dallas (immediately after Los Angeles). We went there for David Sherzer's wedding (good friend of Josh's). It was at the Dallas Arboretum and was absolutely perfect, beautiful, and God honoring. We were also able to see some friends while we were there. Too many to list, but below are some pics. We had such a great time and we were so happy to be able to see David and Amanda get married.

Our friend Cary and her mom were sweet enough to watch Whit for us while we went to the wedding. She is due in August with #2, and was still willing to watch our little chubs. So kind of her. I have video of Whitman and Avery playing (well, I call it playing...they were mainly just staring at each other). I will try and put that up at some point too.

And then on Sunday night we were able to have dinner with the May family (Mica, Jonathan and baby Jackson "Jax"). He is just about as cute as they get. Whitman loved having pizza with him. And Mica is ridiculously talented and makes these great little notebooks. They are called "May Books". She even has a pregnancy notebook. http://www.maybooks.com/

And, one of the most special moments of the weekend (and highlight of our lives) was when Whitman had the opportunity to meet President Bush. He couldn't have been more gracious and sweet to our little boy. Condoleeza Rice also happened to be there, which was an added bonus. Something we will remember forever.

at wedding - Jared, Josh and Blake

meeting Peter (Pete-ski)

at wedding

Getting ready to meet President Bush - of course, we had to get him a blue blazer with gold buttons!

Whit and Jackson

ahh, i just adore this little boy - how cute!!

this picture makes me laugh!

California

2010-05-20T15:24:00.004-04:00

We went out to Los Angeles for Whit to meet Aunt Whitney and Uncle Brian (and also for Whitney's baby shower). The whole family was there for the weekend and it was SO much fun. We went to some really great restaurants, as well as American Idol. We went on a Tuesday (performance night) and it was very cool. Below are some pics (unfortunately you can't take your camera to American Idol, so no pics from that).

meeting Aunt Whitney and Isabella

loving my Mimi (Aunt Lisa - Leslee's sister and Josh's aunt)

with Uncle Frank

with Jessica, Josh's cousin (can't WAIT for her to come visit us in June)!

the girls at the baby shower

with Big Daddy

with Aunt Whitney

the Family

and a highlight of the trip, I got to see Lindsey (a great friend from home)!

LaRosa's

2010-05-12T15:13:00.004-04:00

Of course we had to go to LaRosa's while we were in Cincinnati for Whit to make his own pizza.

making his very first pizza

don't mind the drool!

Papa and Kiki

happy day for daddy!

Cincinnati trip...

2010-05-12T14:31:00.005-04:00

These are a bit overdue...but it has been back to back trips for us. And traveling with a baby is a bit exhausting (but lots of fun)! We went to Cincinnati for a week in April and Whit was able to meet his Uncle Bear (my brother) and Dixie (his dog) for the first time. Aunt Meghan (Dixie's mom and my brother's wife) was out of town, but we will get to see her in July. Uncle Bear will no doubt be teaching Whit all of the things Mommy will be trying to teach him not to do. Whit was also able to meet Grandma Ginnie. Very exciting trip. Below are some of the highlights.

meeting Uncle Bear

watching the Masters with Papa

Papa teaching me about golf

Me and my Kiki

Chubs

Giving some kisses!

Dixie trying to give some kisses

Getting to meet Grandma Ginnie

The Deckards

Me and my Essee!

Me and my Big Daddy

Meeting Chad

And our trip to LaRosa's will be in the next post...Whit's first pizza experience deserves its own posting!

In memory of...

2010-04-05T12:26:00.002-04:00

...My dear friend Sarah Beth Napier (April 23, 1979 - March 29, 2010) who fully submitted to the Lord’s will her entire life - even when breast cancer and brain tumors were among the many trials that would be handed to her. She was (and still is) such an inspiration. She suffered so faithfully. And now, she experiences no more tears or pain. She is safely and comfortably with her Creator. While she was only 30 years old, she lived a life that glorified Christ far more than most people do who live to be 100.

She reminds me once again why it is I believe what I do. As mentioned at her service by one of the pastors, the death rate among humans in 100%. We will all die. Some, earlier than others. And an unbridled faith in Jesus Christ is what determines our path for eternity. Death is something people don’t enjoy talking about, but when looking at it through the eyes of a genuine Christian, it should be something celebrated. Our hope should be built on nothing less than Jesus Christ. Her best friend Julie Hutchison spoke and gave her matron-of-honor speech that she had been waiting to give when Sarah got married. While she never married here on earth, Julie reminded us all that she is now with a groom who far exceeds any man we could have ever hoped she would find. The bible refers to Christ’s relationship with the church of that of a groom. And we can be certain that Sarah had the wedding of her dreams.

Sarah, you will be forever missed here on earth. But, we rejoice in the fact that you are suffering no more. You were and continue to be an unbelievable witness to the gospel and for that, we are forever grateful. May you enjoy eternity with your one, true groom – Jesus.

You can read about her life on her blog: loveyourguts.com.

This picture was taken last August at my birthday party - she had driven with her brother all the way from West Virginia to come to it.

Naples

2010-03-29T14:34:00.014-04:00

Here are some pictures from our Naples part of the trip. We had so much fun with my parents (Papa and Kiki) and Whitman was able to meet both Nana Pancero and Nana Tullis. We tried to take Whit to the beach, but it was just so cold...and really, what does a baby do at the beach? Poor guy just didn't get it. By Christmas time when we come down I am sure he will love playing in the sand, but this trip it was mainly about mommy wanting to get a cute picture of him at the beach. Sorry buddy, you were a trooper!

Josh and I had a lot of time during our Florida trip to go out on dates and hang out together. While we missed our little side kick, it was a treat having some good old fashion dates!

meeting Nana P.

and Nana T. (is it just me, or does he look huge next to Nana?)

Family Shot - Take 1

Family Shot - Take 2

learning how to golf from Papa

Fun times in Florida!

Visiting Essee and Bid Daddy in Florida - PART 1

2010-03-21T15:57:00.009-04:00

Here are some of our favorite pictures from our Sarasota portion of the Florida trip. We had a great time. I don't think I changed more than 4 diapers the entire trip with all the help from the grandmas! Whit loved the pool and loved going on walks. After the winter we had, he was ready for some outdoor time (or at least mommy sure was). It was so nice being able to walk outside without being all bundled up. And one of the first nights we were in Sarasota we tried to see what would happen if we didn't wake him up for his 10 pm bottle, and sure enough...he just slept right through the night and woke up around 8:30 am. So, now we go from 8-8. I love our good little sleeper! Naples pictures will be up next.

First time swimming

Swimming with Essee

This picture pretty much sums up the trip! Lots of nap times - for baby and mommy!

Meeting the Bargers...can't wait for Ella to be born soon!

First time out to dinner...slept through most of it.

I love bath time!

Essee reading to me.

Snuggling with Big Daddy.

Beach bum...

2010-03-19T16:02:00.003-04:00

We just got back from our 2.5 weeks in Florida and it was so nice. Here is one of my favorite pictures from the trip. I will post some more this week.

Welcome to the world Whit!

2010-02-15T21:02:00.003-05:00

http://gallery.mac.com/alideckard#100138

Surviving the storm!! And it is still coming down...

2010-02-06T10:59:00.002-05:00

11-7...

2010-01-27T20:22:00.000-05:00

I love my little sleeper! Thanks to my friend Vanessa who shared with me how she gets her babies to sleep through the night at 5 weeks of age, Whitman has gone 7 nights now from 11 pm to 7 am! I have even had to wake him up at 7:15 a few times. Life is so different with a few extra hours of sleep.

KiKi's Visit

2010-01-27T17:22:00.000-05:00

My mom came in town from Monday-Wednesday this week to help out. We had lots of fun, but as always the trip was too short (for me)! Josh and I were able to go on a date which was a great. Here are some pictures from her quick trip!

So sad to see his KiKi go!

Thanks for all the help Mom!

Whit learning to smile!

2010-01-22T12:14:00.002-05:00

And loving bath time!

2010-01-18T21:33:00.001-05:00

One Month Old!!

2010-01-16T20:20:00.000-05:00

Loving my daddy!

2010-01-15T21:32:00.000-05:00

3 weeks into parenting...

2010-01-06T14:33:00.002-05:00

and loving every minute! Today is a big day though. It is our first day without help! I just took my mom to the airport and was secretly praying that her flight would be cancelled or that she accidentally booked her ticket wrong and they wouldn't let her get on the plane. But, she boarded and should be halfway home by now. Sad.

I don't know what I would have done without her help and the help of my most favorite mother-in-law. Kiki and Essee...THANK YOU, THANK YOU!! Thank you for allowing me the freedom to enjoy my first few weeks of motherhood without worrying about the dishes, laundry, meals, errands, etc. And thank you for doing the middle of the night feedings (even after flying across the globe for 24 hours and being exhausted yourself) so that I could get some sleep. And thank you for dealing with me as I learn the art of nursing - even through the most awkward of moments. We are forever and uniquely bonded because of that! And thank you for braving the cold in our house when our heater broke. And thank you for going to 3 different stores trying to find salt before the big snow storm. And most importantly, thank you for loving my son. There is no love like that of family, and I am forever grateful for the support and care you gave Josh, Whit and me during these past few weeks. Words will never do our gratitude justice.

So...now it is just the three of us. Prayers would be appreciated! Loving parenthood and adoring my precious son!

Whit is waking up from his nap now, so I will need to learn how to write faster!!

More pictures to come...

Whit's first walk...

2009-12-30T21:15:00.000-05:00

Merry FIRST Christmas Little Whit!

2009-12-25T11:57:00.002-05:00

We love you buddy!

Rest

2009-12-23T14:54:00.000-05:00

1 week old

2009-12-23T14:29:00.000-05:00

Nap

2009-12-22T12:57:00.001-05:00

3 Days Old

2009-12-19T16:57:00.001-05:00

Awake!

2009-12-19T16:54:00.001-05:00

Big Daddy & Essee

2009-12-19T15:48:00.001-05:00

Whit's first snow storm

2009-12-19T08:25:00.000-05:00

Heading Home

2009-12-19T07:44:00.001-05:00

Mom & Whit

2009-12-18T21:23:00.001-05:00

JSD & WSD

2009-12-18T21:16:00.001-05:00

WSD sleeping on dad's lap (video)

2009-12-18T09:22:00.000-05:00

WSD sleeping on dad's lap

2009-12-18T09:17:00.000-05:00

POLITICO: Introducing Whitman Spencer Deckard

2009-12-17T20:45:00.001-05:00


Mike Allen's PLAYBOOK
The left at war: Olbermann, Dean attack Senate health bill -- Marcus, Pfeiffer, Podesta defend –- Palin's Hawaiian visor -- Introducing Whitman Spencer Deckard MIKE ALLEN on December 17, 2009 @ 8:10 AM
———BREAKING — "China Tells U.S.: No Deal," by POLITICO's Glenn Thrush: "COPENHAGEN — China's climate negotiators have told Western counterparts they can't agree to an 'operational agreement' on climate change that President Obama had hoped to bring home from Copenhagen and will push for a short, noncommittal collective statement at the end of the talks. … Lead U.S. negotiator Todd Stern told POLITICO late Wednesday that his staff had not engaged in one-on-one 'bilats' with China for a whole day — and hadn't even addressed a major issue, a proposed 'border tax' on countries that flouted international accords." — President Obama leaves for Copenhagen at 6:50 p.m. ET. Secretary Clinton arrived today — AFP: "The United States would contribute towards a fund worth 100 billion dollars a year by 2020 to help poor countries cope with climate change, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said. … She said the contribution would be 'in the context of a strong accord in which all major economies stand behind meaningful [greenhouse-gas] mitigation actions and provide full transparency as to their implementation.'" EXCLUSIVE — SPEAKER PELOSI, heading to Copenhagen today, e-mailed this PowerPoint to members of the House Democratic Caucus so they can use it back home, after she won rave reviews for her presentation from it yesterday (some polling removed from this version). MICHAEL GRUNWALD's magisterial cover story on Time's 2009 Person of the Year: Fed chairman Ben Bernanke, "the most powerful nerd on the planet. … He didn't just reshape U.S. monetary policy; he led an effort to save the world economy." DNC, around 9 p.m., passes 1 million Organizing for America calls to senators since August to "Ring In Health Reform." SENATE REPUBLICANS are holding their second radio row of the week in the Capitol this morning "to conduct interviews on national and regional shows throughout the country to discuss the perils of the Democrats' health care bill." Good Thursday morning. N.Y. Post wood: "TOP DOG! Tiger named athlete of the decade (and he golfed, too)." SIREN — "Vote by Christmas in Peril," by POLITICO's Carrie Budoff Brown: "Harry Reid's plan to pass the Senate health care reform bill by Christmas looked increasingly in doubt Wednesday, as Republicans launched an offensive to stall the legislation and Democrats had yet to strike a 60-vote compromise. Senators privately considered one scenario Wednesday that would have them casting a final vote at 7 p.m. Christmas Eve. Surprising Democrats, Republicans brought the debate to a standstill and forced the Senate clerk to read a 767-page amendment on creating a government-financed health care system. Democrats pulled the measure as the reading entered its third hour, but the move was the start of the GOP's attempts to use every procedural tool necessary to delay the bill. Away from the floor, Reid continued wrangling with the Congressional Budget Office over a cost estimate, which Democrats had initially hoped to receive by Monday. Without the analysis, Reid has been unable to lock down votes for the bill. And Democrats on both ends of the political spectrum remained uncommitted, saying they had problems that needed to be addressed." POLITICO print edition — P. 1 image THE MOOD MUSIC — "Democrats' Blues Grow Deeper in New [WSJ/NBC] Poll," by WSJ's Peter Wallsten: "[F]or the first time, less than half of Americans approved of the job President Barack Obama was doing, marking a steeper first-year fall for this president than his recent predecessors. … Now, for the first time, more people said they would prefer Congress did nothing on health care than who wanted to see the overhaul enacted. 'For Democrats, the red flags are flying at full mast,' said Democratic pollster Peter Hart, who conducted the survey with Republican pollster Bill McInturff." Full results RUTH MARCUS ASKS: "Has Howard Dean Lost His Mind?" And in a withering pair of blog posts, the White House and John Podesta go after the governor for his late hits on health reform. In private, the West Wing is livid at Dean. On the record, officials are merely baffled and frustrated. Typical of the headlines he has produced over the past two days is ABC's "Howard Dean: Health Care Bill 'Bigger Bailout for the Insurance Industry Than AIG': Top Democrat Urges Lawmakers to Kill the Bill and Start Over." White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer doesn't name Dean but links to the ABC story in a blog post headlined "A Dream for Insurance Companies? Must Be News to Them": "Recently, a somewhat perplexing new line of argument has emerged about health insurance reform, with some folks [so good!] suggesting the Senate bill is a 'dream' for insurance companies. If that's the case, though, it must be news to them. The insurance industry has been leveraging its considerable resources in a ferocious effort to defeat this bill, … [which includes] many provisions to end insurer abuses, lower premiums, and hold insurance companies accountable. … [W]hile none of us are shedding any tears for the insurance industry, the primary goal of health insurance reform isn't to punish insurers — it's to give every American the ability to find affordable coverage while controlling the unsustainable cost growth in our current health care system that is crushing families and businesses." PODESTA NAMES DEAN in "The Progressive Case for Passing the Senate Health Bill," a post on the Think Progress blog, a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund: "Since Joe Lieberman demanded stripping the public option and Medicare buy-in provisions from the merged Senate bill, some strong progressives like Howard Dean have argued that without a public option or a Medicare buy-in provision, the bill is a giveaway to private insurers and should be killed. … [A]s a senior White House staffer with a ringside seat for the slow death of comprehensive care in 1994, I am keenly aware of the real alternative to the bills now before us: millions more Americans without health care and billions more for health care spending as the same challenges President Clinton tried to resolve continue to metastasize unchecked. So while I have great respect for Governor Dean, … I come down on the side of the Senate passing the bill." GOV. DEAN, in a WashPost op-ed, "Health-Care Bill Wouldn't Bring Real Reform": "Any measure that expands private insurers' monopoly over health care and transfers millions of taxpayer dollars to private corporations is not real health-care reform. … I have worked for health-care reform all my political life. … I reluctantly conclude that, as it stands, this bill would do more harm than good to the future of America." "HOLLOW SHELL OF A BILL" — KEITH OLBERMANN: "Ruined Senate bill unsupportable," a "Countdown" Special Comment, addressed to Obama: "This is not health, this is not care, this is certainly not reform. … Some speaking for you, Sir, have called the public option a fetish. They may be right. But to stay with this uncomfortable language, this bill is less fetish, more bondage. Nothing short of your re-election and the re-election of dozens of Democrats in the house and senate, hinges in large part on this bill. Make it palatable or make it go away or make yourself ready — not merely for a horrifying campaign in 2012 — but for the distinct possibility also of a primary challenge. … No single payer? No sale. No public option? No sale. No Medicare buy-in? No sale. I am one of the self-insured, albeit by choice. And I hereby pledge that I will not buy this perversion of health care reform. Pass this at your peril, Senators, and sign it at yours, Mr. President. I will not buy this insurance. Brand me a lawbreaker if you choose. Fine me if you will. Jail me if you must." Video, Text A message from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The CFPA will make a bad economy even worse, cutting access to credit for millions of small businesses and making it harder for struggling companies to weather the financial storm. To learn more, visit www.stopthecfpa.com WHAT THE WEST WING IS READING — AP's Liz Sidoti, on an Associated Press-Gfk poll: "In some good news for Obama, more people said the country is heading in the right direction, 46 percent compared with just 38 percent last month. And the increase is evident among Republicans, Democrats and independents. Nonetheless, half the country still says the nation is on the wrong track, and 42 percent don't approve of how Obama is governing." BIRTHDAYS: Rebecca Collegio (hat tip: hubby Jonathan) … MoveOn.org's Eli Pariser (h/t Patrick Gavin). JOSHUA SPENCER DECKARD e-mails: "Whitman Spencer Deckard was born at 4:07 [Wednesday] morning, weighing 8 lbs. 9 oz. He is 21.5 inches. Ali is doing extremely well, as is Whitman. We are grateful for those of you who have been praying for Ali and baby. Psalm 139:13-16: 'For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.'" STATE VISIT: Tommy Anderson, in from SLC. COOL CLICK, from Michael Falcone — "'He Wolf' Hearts 'She Wolf' Shakira": CNN's Wolf Blitzer interviews Shakira on "The Situation Room" about the title of her new album. TODAY'S AGENDA — The White House: "Vice President Biden will kick off over $2 billion in Recovery Act grants and loans that will be made on a rolling basis over the next 75 days to bring broadband to communities that currently have little or no access to the technology. At an event at Impulse Manufacturing in Dawsonville, Georgia, he will announce an initial $182 million investment in eighteen broadband projects benefiting seventeen states which has already been matched by over $46 million in private capital. The awards are not only expected to provide initial job opportunities in infrastructure and manufacturing, but help bridge the digital divide and boost economic development for communities held back by limited or no access to the technology." EXCLUSIVE — SARAH PALIN, from her unannounced vacation in Hawaii (no tweets!), DENIES TMZ SLAM in statement to Playbook — Declaring that she "was honored and proud to run with him," the former Alaska governor pushed back hard last night against a report that she had disrespected Sen. McCain by blacking out his name on a sun visor she wore on the beach. In "Sarah Palin's McCain Cover Up," TMZ accused Palin of "a frontal attack on Sen. John McCain": "Sarah chose to wear a visor from her campaign — a visor that was emblazoned with the former presidential candidate's name ... that is, until Palin redacted McCain's name with a black marker." Palin tells us she was just trying to "be incognito" and shield her children and husband, Todd, from paparazzi: "I am so sorry if people took this silly incident the wrong way. I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud to run with him. And Todd and I were with him in D.C. just a week ago. So much for trying to be incognito." TALE OF THE TAPE — The Palins were taking a break from a three-and-a-half-week book tour for "Going Rogue." Palin has signed more than 59,000 books — an average of 1,750 per stop — and has traveled more than 19,000 miles by plane and bus. She has spent 115 hours — or 4.8 days — signing books in 33 cities in 25 states. Her stops have included five military bases. ADMINISTRATION REBUTS YESTERDAY'S WASHPOST LEAD STORY AS "NONSENSICAL" ("Tax Deal Is Worth Billions to Citigroup," by Binyamin Appelbaum http://bit.ly/7WtTdr). The bottom line of Treasury's response is that you don't take a law intended for Carl Icahn and apply it to Uncle Sam. "Official response to the Washington Post / From Herb Allison, Assistant Secretary for Financial Stability, U.S. Department of Treasury: Your story on the impact of the government's upcoming sale of its Citi shares mischaracterizes the tax law and its application in this case. The fundamental purpose of the law in question was to prevent a private company or investor from evading taxes by buying a company with significant tax losses and then using those losses to lower its own tax rate. … [I]t's nonsensical to argue that a law designed to prevent tax evasion should be applied to the government's purchase of shares in Citi, or to the future sale of those shares." SPEAKER PELOSI, LOVING THE HUFFPOST BANNER: "PELOSI GETS THE JOB DONE: Fights Off Deficit Hawks to Pass $154 Billion Jobs Bill — House Also Extends Unemployment Benefits ... Raises Debt Ceiling, Funds Pentagon." — "Pelosi in 'campaign mode,'" by POLITICO's David Rogers: "Speaker Nancy Pelosi predicted Wednesday that job creation and deficit reduction will be the central Democratic themes for the coming year — and that public support for health care reform will rebound once a bill has been sent to President Barack Obama. … Pelosi made her comments at a year-end roundtable with reporters where she described herself as back in full 'campaign mode' and confident House Democrats will retain 'a strong majority' after the 2010 elections. 'He didn't give me 72 hours notice,' she joked of Rep. Brian Baird's surprise decision to not seek re-election in his swing district in Washington state. But Pelosi said her rule of politics was 'don't assume anything' and she wasn't panicked by the recent spate of retirements in her ranks." — BUT: "Pelosi Says Rallying Votes for Troop Surge in Afghanistan Will Be Obama's Job," by WashPost's Paul Kane: "President Obama will have to argue his own case to House Democrats as he seeks support for a planned surge of 30,000 troops into Afghanistan, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Wednesday, adding that she is finished asking her colleagues to back wars that they do not support. 'The president's going to have to make his case,' Pelosi told reporters at a year-end briefing on the legislative session. While the next round of war-funding legislation is not likely to be considered until spring, Pelosi said there will be a test vote in January on support for the troop buildup. Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) has said he will offer a privileged resolution next month calling for an immediate withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan. The vote is likely to fail because of broad Republican support for the war, but it could reveal the depth of the schism between Obama and his fellow Democrats on the new troop plan. … Pelosi, who has warned of 'serious unrest' among House Democrats about Afghanistan, said Wednesday that she intends to live up to that vow on the upcoming supplemental bill, which will require $30 billion to $40 billion for the additional 30,000 troops." ALSO DRIVING THE CONVERSATION: SCENE SETTER — "Obama Will Be in Climate Spotlight in Copenhagen," by LAT's Jim Tankersley: "President Obama leaves for stalemated climate talks in Copenhagen today facing global expectations that he can salvage an agreement on greenhouse gases as well as heavy domestic pressure not to sign a deal that could kill American jobs. Obama will join more than 110 world leaders, who, barring a major breakthrough, will convene Friday with many of their core issues apparently unresolved and persistent rifts between wealthy nations and the developing world. … Failure would undercut hopes for a complete and binding global climate treaty next year; imperil climate legislation in Congress, a top priority for the Democrats; and handicap Obama's efforts to reshape the world's view of the United States. … But perhaps more than any of his fellow heads of government, Obama's efforts will be complicated by the competing demands of a world that expects him to deliver on pledges to lead the way to climate action and a nation increasingly anxious about its fragile economy." NYT LEAD STORY — "U.N. Officials Say Aide Had a Plan: Replace Karzai," by James Glanz and Richard A. Oppel Jr.: "As widespread fraud in the Afghanistan presidential election was becoming clear three months ago, the No. 2 United Nations official in the country, the American Peter W. Galbraith, proposed enlisting the White House in a plan to replace the Afghan president, Hamid Karzai, according to two senior United Nations officials. Mr. Karzai, the officials said, became incensed when he learned of the plan and was told it had been put forth by Mr. Galbraith, who had been installed in his position with the strong backing of Richard C. Holbrooke, the top American envoy to Afghanistan. Mr. Holbrooke had himself clashed with the Afghan president over the election. Mr. Galbraith abruptly left the country in early September and was fired weeks later. Mr. Galbraith has said that he believes that he was forced out because he was feuding with his boss, the Norwegian Kai Eide, the top United Nations official in Kabul, over how to respond to what he termed wholesale fraud in the Afghan presidential election. He accused Mr. Eide of concealing the degree of fraud benefiting Mr. Karzai. Mr. Galbraith said in an interview that he discussed but never actively promoted the idea of persuading Mr. Karzai to leave office." WASH POST lead story — "Federal Reserve Edges Away From Crisis Measures," by Neil Irwin: "The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it will shut down some of the emergency triage measures it put in place at the height of the financial crisis but will leave interest rates near zero out of continuing concern about the weak U.S. economy. The decision reflects steady improvement in the functioning of financial markets. In recent months, the Fed's emergency programs to support money-market mutual funds, short-term corporate lending, investment banks and overseas banks had gotten little use, and major banks have begun to repay their government bailout money. … Still, the central bank's plans to terminate its unconventional lending programs on Feb. 1 will present a new test for the financial industry. There have been waves of worry in global markets in recent weeks, particularly in Europe and the Middle East, and losses on commercial real estate could endanger many smaller U.S. banks in the coming year." SANFORD SPARED — "House Panel Kills Sanford Impeachment Plan," by The State's John O'Connor: "Gov. Mark Sanford will not be removed from office, as a [State] House committee decided Wednesday to reprimand — and not impeach — the governor. The House Judiciary Committee, in an 18-6 vote against the impeachment resolution, determined Sanford had not met the 'serious crimes' or 'serious misconduct' standard required by the state Constitution to remove him from office. Though the bill could be revived by the full House, lawmakers said it was unlikely and the bill's sponsor said he would not try. Instead lawmakers approved, after some spirited debate, a formal rebuke of Sanford — known as censure. Sanford, the censure resolution says, abused his power during a 2008 trade trip to Argentina where he engaged in an extramarital affair, was derelict in his duties in secretly leaving the state for five days in June to meet his lover and misled the public among other allegations. … The censure must still be approved by the full House and the Senate. … Lawmakers debated the bill for more than three hours, wrapping up more than six months of questions about Sanford's use of public resources. The State Ethics Commission has charged Sanford with 37 counts of buying pricier business-class airfares in violation of state law, using the state airplane for personal use and misusing campaign funds." 2010 — "Pollster: 2010 Could Be Year of 'the Angry White Male' Heading Into Elections," by The Hill's Sean J. Miller: "2010 could be the year of the 'angry white male' as Americans are anxious about the state of the economy, according Republican pollster Ed Goeas. Citing results from a new bipartisan survey released on Wednesday that found more men than women are struggling to find work, Goeas said, 'There is the potential for this being a 1994 year of the angry white male.' … Of the 1,000 likely voters surveyed Dec. 6-9 in The George Washington University Battleground Poll conducted by the Tarrance Group and Lake Research Partners, 20 percent described themselves as 'angry' about 'the way things are going in the country today.' While only 5 percent of Democrats feel that way, 26 percent of Independents and 33 percent of Republicans described themselves as angry. Moreover, 35 percent of respondents said the country is in recession and 56 percent said it is on the wrong track." 2012 — "Pawlenty: U.S. Is Not a Beggar," by Concord Monitor's Shira Schoenberg: "Republican Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty last night delivered a stinging critique of Democratic policies as he urged Republicans to band together and grow the party. At a $50-a-ticket fundraiser for the State Senate Republicans at the Grappone Center in Concord, Pawlenty spoke to about 150 Republican activists. The Republicans also held a $500 a person reception with Pawlenty, who is said to be considering a 2012 presidential run. 'The federal government is running a Ponzi scheme on the Potomac,' Pawlenty said. 'It needs to end.' Pawlenty, 49, set up a Political Action Committee called Freedom First, which he is using to help Republican 2010 candidates in October. According to the PAC spokesman Alex Conant, Pawlenty has traveled to six states in the past eight weeks. … Pawlenty talked about the importance of individual freedom and responsibility instead of government intervention. 'As we stand here tonight as conservative Republicans, we watch efforts by the other side of the aisle to take away one more bit of freedom, one more bit of entrepreneurial spirit, one more encroachment on the marketplace,' he said." TEXAS — "Labor Leader Seriously Weighs Run for Lieutenant Governor," by Austin American-Statesman Capitol Bureau Chief Jason Embry: "Linda Chavez-Thompson, a former executive vice president of the AFL-CIO, is leaning toward running for [Texas] lieutenant governor as a Democrat, according to multiple sources familiar with her plans. The San Antonio resident, born and raised in the Lubbock area, is now executive vice president emerita of the labor organization and is also a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee. She was also a super-delegate during the 2008 presidential primary. … Among Democrats who know about her plans, there is already considerable excitement about a Chavez-Thompson bid. The thinking goes that her personal story — she quit school in the ninth grade so she could start working and earn money for her family — creates a contrast with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, the wealthy Republican incumbent. … And as someone who has risen to the top of the national labor movement and the top of the national Democratic Party, Chavez-Thompson has a myriad of contacts within the party from whom she can raise money." BUSINESS BURST — "Bank of America Names Moynihan as Next Chief, Replacing Lewis," by Bloomberg's David Mildenberg: "Bank of America Corp., the biggest U.S. lender, promoted Brian T. Moynihan to chief executive officer, opting for an insider to repair the company after the tumultuous takeover of Merrill Lynch & Co. prodded Kenneth D. Lewis into early retirement. Moynihan, the 50-year-old head of the consumer banking unit, takes over at year's end, the Charlotte, North Carolina- based bank said yesterday in a statement. Lewis, 62, said in September he'd step down Dec. 31. … Bank of America's new boss must stanch defaults on consumer loans tied to the recession, which led to two losses in the past four quarters. He must also integrate Merrill Lynch and smooth relations with regulators after they clashed with Lewis over the purchase. The bank paid back $45 billion to the U.S. Troubled Asset Relief Program on Dec. 9." A message from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The CFPA will make a bad economy even worse, cutting access to credit for millions of small businesses and making it harder for struggling companies to weather the financial storm. To learn more, visit www.stopthecfpa.com
http://www.politico.com/playbook/1209/playbook897.html
TM & THE POLITICO & POLITICO.COM a division of Allbritton Communications Company

Minutes after birth

2009-12-17T14:23:00.000-05:00

My two favorite people!

2009-12-17T09:00:00.000-05:00

Short Whitman Video

2009-12-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

Whitman Spencer Deckard

2009-12-16T04:32:00.000-05:00

Ready to go

2009-12-16T02:44:00.001-05:00

Ali is doing a great job. The hospital is super busy tonight and they decided to let ali rest for the next hour. She will start pushing before 4am and baby should be here before 6am, Lord willing. Thank you for praying.

Rev 4:11

"Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things and by your will they existed and were created."

-JSD

Tough work!

2009-12-16T02:08:00.000-05:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

9+ centimeters dilated!!

2009-12-16T01:12:00.000-05:00

This is Ali writing now...thanks to the epidural! Dr just broke water. Will begin pushing in less than 30 minutes. Everything is just happening so fast! I didn't even get a chance to watch movies or play games. Can't wait to meet Baby D!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

9+ cm

2009-12-16T00:46:00.000-05:00

Sent from my iPhone

8cm

2009-12-16T00:44:00.001-05:00

Nurse expects baby before 7am. Ali is awesome!

Sent from my iPhone