on the move

Champ has gone to sleep, however he didn't go down without a fight. I finally got the chance to download the pictures from my camera so attached are some long overdue pictures of the little guy.

Friday night. Friday night has become a bit of a ritual here. With family so close, we have a standing Friday night visit. This invitation is casual, at best, and involves drinking beer, eating dinner and usually watching whatever Bravo reality show we are following at the time. A couple of weeks ago we were all having a relaxing end to the week and Champ as always was joining in the conversation over dinner. Note: the attire was chosen to show his support for the baseball team, who was in the regional at the time.


Following dinner we were cleaning up in the kitchen. Champ was playing on the ground under our feet. Up to this point, he could "worm" his way around on his belly, but if he got to his knees, he would just rock. That night, with an audience, he started to shuffle his knees under him. As the great parents that we are, we pulled out the camera and egged him on to keep trying the new moves. Champ did learn to crawl and he hasn't slowed down since.


Well the night was so much work, he ended it as only he knew how.


Hope everyone has enjoyed the story of how the crawling began and the photos that accompany it. We have had a relaxing weekend after working for the past 2 weeks straight (including the weekend). Now to get ready for the next one...

cooperation

"Cooperation" is a word that Champ, as a 10 month old, does not understand. I have many great new pictures that I have the greatest of intentions to post, but when the little guy decides not to go to bed, my nights quickly disappear.

He is crawling proficiently now. Last night he was even happily playing with canned goods on the floor of the kitchen, when I slipped into the den to complete a couple of things for work. A few minutes later I guess he realized I wasn't there. I heard him start to make noise. I called to him and told him to come find me. I continued to talk to him as I heard his hands slapping the ground. Soon, a little head peered around the corner. He smiled and crawled to me.

As he grows, each development brings new challenges and eases. He is mobile, so I have to watch him a bit closer, but he can now also move to what he wants. This brings a new level of communication for him. It is great getting to know him more each day.

So I do promise pictures, but Champ will have to give me some time to do it. Pray for sleep.

God has a greater plan

While the title is always true, I discovered something new this weekend. Let me start at the beginning...According to my mother, I used to sing myself to sleep as an infant. Before I could walk or talk, I would sing. Well that love and talent for singing only grew as I did. One of my favorite activities as a child was to sing "Somewhere over the Rainbow" with my mother accompanying me on the piano. I would endlessly sing the songs of "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Oliver," and such. This all culminated in High School with Choir where I advanced into the Mixed Ensemble group. Following high school, my singing was mostly contained in the car and at Church.

With the arrival of my first child, Champ has also become accustomed to my voice. In fact it was really funny one day. I put on the Dixie Chicks and was singing along. (I will in no way equate my vocal skills to those of Natalie Maines, but I can sing fairly loud.) Champ was rather intrigued as he glanced at me, then the speakers and back and forth trying to figure out how my voice came from both places. I appreciated what I took as a complement.

So, on the the volume of my voice. I have now found the importance of it. It is the only thing that is louder than a child's full out, pitching-a-fit cry. Champ had one of those moments yesterday morning. He was a grump and got a bee in his bonnet and it only escalated from there. He was inconsolable. I was admittedly at a loss as what to do. So I took a cue from my brother-in-law. I have seen him subdue and calm his son by holding him firmly and rocking him. So I grabbed Champ and sat in the rocker in his room. It took me a minute to get him in a tight hold (the little bugger is strong). I laid my head back on the chair, closed my eyes and started with Amazing Grace. I got through about a verse and a half, before he first quieted to listened. Well I sung the only 3 verses I could remember over and over. He finally calmed then crashed. Little thing just slept in my arms. By that point it was something we both needed.

I am just so grateful for my singing talent. It will never be too much, but it can relax and calm my son when he needs it the most.

a sense of normalcy

For the time being, life has quieted. Jeff and I have been enjoying a routine, for a bit, getting consistent about working out and spending time with the Champ.

Last Friday morning, Jeff and I did our first brick work out of 2008. (A brick work out is an endurance work out of more than one activity.) We went to Memorial park, cycled for 30 min then ran for an hour. The short ride was my doing as my and my bike's saddle are not yet in sync with each other. So when the pain got intense I bargained Jeff into a shorter ride and a longer run. Little did I know that the run would develop into a challenge and we finished 6 miles in just under a 9 min/mile pace. I never time myself, so I was proud that I could maintain that pace for so long. Thanks to Ana for watching Champ and allowing us some time together.

Sunday, we finished the weekend in the best way possible, in the pool. Champ happily floated in his new ring, while the rest of us enjoyed a little sun and alcohol. Champ continues to love the water.