I spent a part of today reading Yuri Kochiyama's memoir, Passing it On. What an amazing woman. I've met Yuri before and am about to interview her for an article. I love that she became an activist, and more radical and outspoken, later in life. I look forward to sitting down with this amazing activist mama.

It's appropriate that I'm reading Yuri's book today, because Mother's Day here in the U.S. originated from an anti-war mom and was originally called Mother's Day for Peace, which I didn't know about until last year. It's not something you'd glean from a greeting card, a box of chocolates or bunch of flowers. But it's good to know.

Baby T is one of the Golden Pig Year babies. He's also born into a world and times that are rough. We are at war, food and oil prices are shooting up, the economy sucks, the government's cracking down on immigrants, people are losing their homes, and more.

All the big world issues loom around and ahead of us, and at the same time I'm noting the teeny details of everyday life with a toddler. Babies/tots change and grow so fast. 

Like this week, my son discovered a hand pump (for pumping milk) that has been stored away in a dresser. He thought it was fascinating and took it apart. To my amazement, he was also able to put it back together, and he had this super big smile on his face from his accomplishment. It was amazing to someone who had no hand eye coordination a year ago be able to figure out how to put something back together. (And yes, I got teary-eyed realizing how fast my baby is growing up).

And today? He made my day by just being himself. He has this toy that has a little microphone and keyboard and sings karaoke on it. He picked up the mic early this evening right before his bedtime routine, and started singing into the mic.

"Yahyah...yayayaya! uhUHuuuuuh...mama! mamama..."

It melted my heart. I love this guy!