Photo by Julie Keefe

Terri Preeg Riggsby, a Director of the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District, carried Caleb on her back when she canvassed with me earlier this year. I met Terri when she joined the Tryon Creek Watershed Council while I was chairing it, and she's taken the group to greater heights as my successor in that role.

Photo by Misty Dawn Keeney, aka Seamus Keeney's mom

Misty and Seamus were two of dozens of attendees at Amianne Delong's house party in Cathedral Park last month. Misty told me she'd been urged to vote for me by another friend, too. I love how connected people can be in Portland.

Why am I posting these photographs? Because these babies are cute! And I likely would not have had the chance to visit with them, if not for the campaign. I've met many, many other delightful Portlanders over the past 13 months, too. People who made me feel warm and valued (like babies do). People who've helped with tasks great and small (unlike babies). People who've shared information and opinions with me, broadening my horizons and knowledge base. People who've suspended disbelief, willing to give yet another candidate a chance to be different, to follow through on promises, to listen and respond and come back with solutions after the election.

You don't have to be little and cute, to be a wonderful part of Portland's family. Having raised my three, I am glad to be able to post photographs of me with other mothers' babies. I'm ready to devote my time and energy to helping all Portlanders, from the youngest to the oldest, and everyone in between.