Team Anders

Channeling my inner blowfish!! Happy Sunday everyone! Wow it's a beautiful day in New England today. Hope it's nice wherever you are reading this :) This week was a busy one for me and Jace. I had to travel again so spent Monday - Wednesday back in O'Fallon, IL with our user community at Air Mobility Command (from Scott AFB). We had to travel out there one last time to better understand their requirements for an upcoming acquisition. They tell us what they want and then it's up to us at Hanscom to put the specifics onto paper and ask industry to bid for the work. So we had a day and a half of excruciatingly detailed discussions and then I headed home to see my homies! Many people have asked me how I'm dealing with being back to work and the travel. I've got to say that I'm really enjoying being back and being able to fully participate in all the job requires...even though it does take me away from my family from time to time. I have found the transition...

The choices Last week I asked you to help pick the layout for Easton's pictures above his changing table. Thanks for everyone who gave their inputs...especially Chapin's note that the one in the bottom right hand corner reminded him of Dame Edna so he just couldn't support that one. She's beautiful but I did see his point. And the winner is: A little spray paint and BAM all done - only 3 months late Not bad in the world of DoD acquisitions... Well it's a lazy Sunday around here after a flurry of activity yesterday. We knocked out all our errands since Jace is golfing today...gotta get some practices in before the 10-year anniversary father/son grudge match!!  This year is the 10th anniversary and the guys are headed to Myrtle Beach. I'll have a full post on that one when they return. Work's been crazy and the pace continues to be "full steam ahead". I'm packing my bags for another trip this week...back to O'Fallon, IL. Daddy Da...

3 Months - 16 Jul 11 Sayonara, " 4th Trimester ", Smalls is three months old!! We have so many dang nicknames for this kid that I'm pretty sure his first "Hello..." name tag's gonna look something like this: Ok, moment of truth...let's see how big our little homie has gotten: Alright, well, doesn't seem that he's gotten  that  much bigger but the changes in his motor skills development have been a little more noticeable. He's now able to grip and hold on to toys (right now his Air Force bear and Goldy the Gopher are in a heated battle for his affections) and he's also starting to put almost everything he can find into his mouth...to include his entire hand! One of these days he's going to finally figure out that he cannot milk his fingers... Smalls is rolling over almost every time he's on his tummy and is cooing and squeaking all the time. He's still spitting up quite a bit though so that stinks (literally). Felt ...

After mommy's 1st day back...suppose I should make an attempt to do my hair next week...meh, we'll see... Back to the working world this week...ugh, reality check in full force! After 11 weeks of maternity leave it was time to throw on the old uni and head back to the office. I hadn't planned on starting until Monday the 11th but I've got to attend some meetings on the road this coming week so I needed to get caught up in Office Space. All I've got to say is thank goodness we started Easton at daycare earlier in June or I'm pretty sure I would have been an emotional wreck. My job responsibilities have grown since I left and as it turned out by Friday I was pretty happy to be back. Definite negative is the drastically reduced time I get with little homie. Since he goes to bed so early I only get to play with him for about 1.5-2 hrs before bedtime...boo. So cute in his swaddle! E's sleeping thru the night still - 7:30 PM to 5:00 AM!!! Yeay, sleep :) ...

The letters were a gift from Jeff and were hand-painted in Argentina! He gives the most unique gifts :) Easton is sound asleep, Jace is following his son's example and I'm just reflecting on a great family visit from my family...and the fact that our little homie is now 11 weeks old!! I told you all about our trip to Maine but want to wrap up the rest of the week since we had so much fun :) Tuesday night we celebrated Jeff's impending exit from his 20's at one of my favorite restaurants, Beacon Grille , and on Wednesday Mom, Dad, Jeff and I headed into Boston and took a historic sightseeing cruise of Boston's inner and outer harbors . That night we all said our goodbyes to Jeff and he headed back to Denver for his summer break from teaching in the Dominican Republic  (don't worry, he has one more year there and is ALWAYS ready to welcome guests!). Thursday was a low-key day for Mom, Dad, E and me as we spoiled Easton and Rae with a walk at Long Pond. I w...