it's friday!

That's really all I need to say. I'm sure everyone can relate to a long week and finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. The weather has cleared and I am planning for a long run before picking up Champ. Here's wishing everyone a wonderful weekend.

the magic button...

short story by champ:

I like buttons. I like to press buttons. Some buttons make sounds. Some buttons make lights. I found a magic button. This button makes by door come off when I press it. I like buttons.

translation by dad:

I got out of the shower this morning and before I could finish drying off anna came in saying, "we have a problem." We usually close champ's door when he goes to bed, so the noise doesn't wake him up at night. He is now sleeping in a "big boy" bed, so we hear him in the morning trying to open the door when he wakes up. Because the house is old, he usually needs a hand because the door sticks. Well this morning he discovered the lock button and couldn't resist pressing it.

After anna telling me champ had locked himself in his room, we both discovered we would make terrible thieves. Neither of us could pick the lock. Finally the engineer kicked in, and I took the door apart to get him out. He had been upset during the process but seemed fairly amused to see his door off the hinges. The eventful morning also included something he hasn't done in a while - he pee'd on my shirt after I was all dressed. Anna and I laughed a lot (which is not my usual reaction to someone peeing on me) and considered it another adventure in parenthood.



He is getting more and more adorable. We have been enjoying his personality in spite of the adventures at times.

-jeff

confirmation...he likes to eat

Champ just had his 18 month check-up (I know I'm a little late he's 19 months plus). He checked out really healthy including his lungs, which the doctor says is a really good sign. His measurement come out as such 30% height, and 50% weight. I still contend his genes are a good guess. The blond hair, blue eyes and big tummy? Neither of his parents sport anything of the sort. Well I will have the big tummy soon, but that will be for a different reason.

ten fingers and ten toes...

Well, ten more fingers and ten more toes, we are growing by that amount. The newest family member is due to arrive September 18th. Our doctor's appointment went extremely well today and we could see the arms, legs and all of the fingers and toes (and no additional appendage or lack of one at this time). The new little one has a strong heartbeat and looks really healthy. We all feel so blessed. Champ doesn't quite grasp the fact that he is going to be a big brother, but I am sure that truth will all unfold in time.

missing in action

I apologize to everyone who checks in on our blog from time to time. I have been very remiss from recent post or keeping things up to date in general. Life here is busy with work, keeping up with Champ and maintaining our sanity. We have been blessed by recent visits of all of the grandparents and we enjoyed both their stays a great deal. Thank you for making the trip. I only have a minute, but also wanted to have an updated picture of the growing man. This is from this weekend. The wind was blowing steady so his blond hair is everywhere.

when it rains...

This week it's poured. Champ has had a runny nose and visited the pediatrician on Monday. Diagnoses... sinus and ear infection, augmenten. I went to the ENT with a terrible sinus headache, but I could still breath, I too had a sinus infection, augmenten to the rescue again. Jeff is helping us both mend and things are headed that way. The weather is gorgeous so hopefully a run is in order for this evening.

geaux, (well in texas) go tigers

So we, the parents, attended our first open house, SVDP Tigers. I was really impressed but nervous at the same time. We attended the open house for the school at our church parish. The parish has 4000 registered families and a school for 500 students. This works out to 50 children K through 8th with a slightly smaller pre-K4.

The school was great. They started with a welcome from the principal followed by a video. The first segment of the video was dedicated to the spritual development of the children. Their religious education inclules a weekly school mass, amazing! (We had mass weekly but it was just a daily mass. The size of our school vs. the size of the Church prevented school masses too frequently.) This mass is said consistenly by the same priest aimed at the kids.

The video went on to list all of the school activies and extra-curricular activities for the children. Because the school is so small, there are no "cuts" on athletic teams. All of the girls can be cheerleaders and all of the boys football players, if they so wish. I admit seeing a football team fielded with just 25 boys must be histerical.

The tour then followed. We were escorted through the school by two current 8th grade girls. It was a tour nararated by two streams of conciounesses filled with "like, oh my God", "totally cool" and "it's soooo fun". It was a complete brain dump and really funny.

The school also boasts 100% acceptance into the Catholic High Schools and Public Magnent High Scools. This is good because I do hope Champ's education will not stop at the 8th grade.

At the end of the tour we spoke with the head of admissions where she said they usually had 40-50 applications for 32 pre-K spots and 50 application for kindergarten...for the remaining 18 spots. That's the scary part. Of corse sibilings get first admittance. The first child is always the hardest to get in. So I will say my prayers, sign my weekly checks to the Church and hope that Champ gets in.

Yes, I am admittedly high strung. Once Champ is in, then i relax. He is free to be who he is and do what he wants. the joys of being a parent...