as i promised

So Champ is getting big. Yesterday we met with his teacher for school. I feel very blessed. Champ was extremely comfortable in her arms and the room seemed so organized and in control. That really amazed me considering there are 16 infants under the age of 9 months. He will start attending school after the first of the year. I will take pictures of his first day.

I also mentioned that Jeff and I went to San Fran. Jeff's best man Brian finally married his long time girlfriend Sarah. The wedding was small as many had to travel cross country to attend. That made it very intimate. The were married outdoors on a jetty into the Bay on the northern side of San Francisco. The backdrop to the wedding was the Golden Gate bridge. The wedding was breath taking. Our entire trip we had amazing weather, clear blue skies with chilly temperatures. We visited with friends, toured the MOMA of SF and ate dim sum in China Town. It was a great trip. All of this was possible thanks to MawMaw and PawPaw who took great care of Champ. They all seemed to enjoy the weekend as much as Jeff and I.

I have been enjoying my last few quiet days at home with Champ. I can't believe how quickly the time has flown by. We have both enjoyed our time home together. During this time, I think Champ has taught me more that I have taught him. It will always be a time I will remember and cherish.

Here are a few recent pictures for everyone:

Good morning mom...this is how my days start.



As Santa is on his way I wanted to show everyone that it is the simplest things in life that keep me entertained, an energy bar wrapper and my toes.

please stay tuned

Jeff and I truely appologize for our deficiency in updating the blog. As with everyone else the holidays are keeping us running. We travled to LA for Thanksgiving and plan to return for Christmas. In between we took a get-away without Champ to San Francisco. I will further elaborate on all of these stories and post some more recent pictures. Please bear with me.

Also going on arround here is I found out my next job assignment (it took a special waiver to get) and we introduced Champ to his school.

Things here will only get more crazy after the new year with me returning to work. As I stated earlier I will be posting pictures soon, stay tuned.

grandma's are great

This weekend my mother came for a visit. She is getting to see the changes in Champ as he grows. One of the reasons I think gradmothers are terrific is that they lend an extra set of hands. This morning she provided me with the privilige to go for a run. I think this is the first solo run I have had since Champ has arrived. Until now either Jeff, Champ or both have accompanied me. Well I took the freedom and pressed my endurance to the limit. I finished my run fairly quickly and it felt fantastic.

On a separate note, I don't know what all the hoopla is about the woman winning the NY marathon 9 months after giving birth. I ran and did hours on the stairmaster through my pregnancy. It is very do-able. I was also quite surprised how quickly I returned to my pre-pregnancy fitness. I am very proud to be a woman that is pushing stereotypes and accomplishing things people don't think are possible.

Anna

the magic always works

The other morning, I had Champ next to me on the couch. Since it was a little chilly, I used an available blanket to warm him. Well, the nearest blanket happened to be our LSU throw. When I covered him he was playing, but as I looked back a few moments later he was out. Champ helped to prove a very important point, that no one can resist the combination of the couch and the LSU blanket. I myself have succumb to a number of naps with this lethal combination and it appears that I have passed those genes onto my son.


Below in a post for Champ's nanny. She was so kind to send him a teether for Halloween. As all can see below, he is already enjoying it.

boo, i mean kick-off or happy halloween

Champ wanted to wish all our family and friends a Happy Halloweeeeeeeeeeen! Because of his early infatuation with LSU football, he has been begging us to be a football for Halloween. As luck would have it his torso is almost exactly the same size as a regulation football. So for all you engineers reading, yes he is to scale! It has been a quiet trick or treating night in our neighborhood. We had one trick or treater so far (our next door neighbor), but she was a cute little devil.

The boys were playing on the sofa this evening but now Champ has crashed after his long day. He was so excited about Halloween that he didn't want to take a nap so he inevitably peeked a bit early. I guess he will learn.

-jeff & anna

still enjoying the weather

Champ enjoyed two runs today! Anna took him out this morning, and I watched him this evening while Anna took care of some things. The weather is still awesome, so Champ and I decided to go for a run. I felt good today and kept a much faster pace than planned. I could see in Champ's eyes after the run that he was a bit surprised by his old man too.

Our route around Rice offers lots of rabbits on the trail to chase (especially this time of year). It has been exceptionally good weather for outdoor activities. After our run, Champ proceeded to his usual knawing of the hand while considering washing it down with some gatorade.

Anna and I are catching ourselves falling into the stereotype of new parents lately. Mainly by talking about Champ a lot! It has been hard to resist because he is at such a cute time now. He is getting more and more interactive and showing off lots of personality. Oh well, I think it's been good that he is shaking up our routine a bit.
-jeff

amazing weather...here at last

Fall has finally arrived in Houston and the weather is no longer in the 90's. We are enjoying highs in the 70's with blue bird skies. This post will be a bit miscellaneous since I want to discuss many things that have been going on since I last logged in. Having a little one I have found it difficult to post as he demands a great deal of attention and I am using some of his precious nap time to do necessary things like shower.

Earlier this week, just following the passing of our first real cold front Champ and I took the opportunity to enjoy the weather. We went for a run, the first cold run of the year. I found something new in myself as we prepared for the run...I am an overprotective mom. Not knowing how chilly he might be in the stroller, I bundled him well. The weather was fantastic and we both enjoyed ourselves.



Last weekend we again made the journey to LA to visit the grandparents and see LSU play Auburn. Yes, the game did make it worth the trip. For any who might have missed it, Death Valley erupted when Byrd caught a pass from Flynn in the endzone to win with 1, yes 1 second remaining on the clock. We had a great time at the game and my father and brother hosted a wonderful tailgate. All this was possible due to my mother, who helped prepare the tailgate and gave up her ticket to the game to babysit. Thank you very much. So Champ, Honey, and Mimi rooted the Tigers on from the home front. I also understand that Mimi started tutoring the latest generation in Spanish. I hope that Champ picks it up for in Texas it will be quite useful.

The next topic added to the pleasure of the weekend as well. Champ has begun sleeping more consistently through the night. Following our early morning return from the football game he gave us 5 hours of sleep much to our surprise. At home the trend is continuing as this morning the little bum didn't wake up until 8 o'clock. I have to admit, I kept checking to make sure he was breathing. I think my body is a bit shocked with the new sleep.

On our way to Baton Rouge, we also made a stop in Lafayette. Champ never left his MawMaw's attention. She is spoiling him already. Upon our arrival she gave him a personalized Halloween trick-or-treat bag fashioned after ol' Mike the Tiger himself. He will not quite be able to carry it this year, but I am certain it will get well worn with the years to come. I don't have to write all this out, as you can see by the attached pictures from Lafayette, this child is certainly loved.