Let it Snow!

The view from our back deck

This is the view down our street from our front step.

Lucy, Eli, and Thom enjoying the snow.

Look at all the snow in our front yard!

Sledding. . . without a sled. . . Eli's way

As you can see, we had our first "real" snow of the season this week. There's been no school this week, and many businesses were closed Wednesday. We had some snow come on Monday, then more on Tuesday, followed by ice Tuesday night into Wednesday, followed by more snow. I think we have about 8 inches total apparently. All the trees are covered in ice, and then some of the bigger branches have snow on top of that - so it really is beautiful to look at. The dog is a little nervous to walk around the yard; with a half inch of ice in between layers of snow, you kind of crunch and fall through the top layer of snow into the first layer.

Eli and I haven't been anywhere since Monday. Thom has been taking my car (with 4 wheel drive) into work, and I really haven't wanted to venture out in this mess anyhow. Besides, Wednesday our city was at a Level 3 Snow Emergency, which means we couldn't go anywhere even if we wanted to. But we've been playing outside, and going back and forth to the neighbor's house. They came over here Wednesday to make lunch, as we lost power for a while and we have a gas stove. Plus, our gas fireplace happened to be on when the power went out, so we had that going for us, too.

But tonight I get to leave the house for a group workout at the gym. I've started another 12 week fitness program, and am looking forward to tonight's workout - for many reasons (but mainly because I get to leave the house!)

The temperature is supposed to go above freezing on Sunday (a real heat wave!) so we'll see how long all the snow lasts. . .

Have a Big Day!

This is one of the things my Dad would shout to people on parade routes when he was campaigning for office - "Have a big day!" We really give him a hard time about it, I mean, isn't "happy 4th of July" good enough? But today really is a big day. I plan on staying home all day and watching ABC (I like Diane and Charlie) and all the inauguration excitement. I talked briefly about going with my brother, Josh, and his wife, Jenny, as my uncle has a house right on the hill, but none of us ended up going. Watching it from the warmth of my own home will do today. I like to say that I can always see him inaugurated again in 4 years! Anyhow, "have a big day" everyone, and enjoy watching!

Why?

Why is that little ones are able to climb up on the couch before they can safely be on the couch alone? Why?
I feel like there is a period every day where I am bound to the couch so Eli can endlessly climb up, stretch as far as possible over the back of the couch, try to reach the lamp, fall/slide off the couch, and then back up again. And sometimes we skip the middle events, and it's just up and down continuously.
You would think this would make him tired enough to stay asleep while I lay him down for a nap, right? Well, you're crazy! Because apparently it doesn't make him tired enough to stay asleep for the transfer to bed! Again, why??

Christmas Photos

Here are some photos from Christmas. I noticed when going through them that all the Christmas pictures have Eli in them, and there aren't really any of Thom or I. I guess that's what happens when you have a kid. Or maybe have a kid that's involved in Christmas - since I didn't really notice this last year as much, but 3 month olds don't really care too much about their presents and such.
Anyhow, these are some of Eli's favorite things he got from Santa and relatives. He spent most of Christmas Day going in and out of the wagon my parents got him. He even quickly realized there was a cup holder for his sippy cup. The wagon continues to be a hit, as it lives in our family room for a little longer.

Icy

Well, yesterday we were all surprised by some late afternoon ice. It was just raining, but I guess the ground was cold enough that the streets were soon covered in ice. It took me an hour and 20 minutes to get somewhere that should have taken about 10-15 minutes. Thom left work around 5 or so, and got stuck on the bridge from Indiana to Kentucky. Apparently, they closed the bridge due to ice, but didn't tell anyone! So he sat on the bridge entrance ramp for a couple hours, until he could get turned around. Once he got turned around, he headed towards Ohio, and came across that way into KY and home. 5 hours later, he was home. Thank goodness this happened yesterday, and not today on Christmas Eve! Here's to safer weather for everyone today and on Christmas.

Sorry

Hi again, everyone. Sorry it's been so long since I've posted anything. I have been really busy, plus Eli hasn't been napping very well, which adds up to not much getting done. But I promise to do better. What have you been doing, you ask? Well, mostly I've been really busy at the gym. I started at nutrition and fitness challenge at the end of September. I work out twice a week with the trainer and I usually go 4 other times and do cardio on my own. It's taken a lot of my time, but been totally worth it. I really needed to do it for myself: it gives me time to myself, and Eli time to play with other kids and get used to being in the nursery, plus I really needed to get in shape! But we had our final body comp and fitness test last week. I lost several inches all over, 20 pounds, and 7% body fat (which I was most happy about, since that means I converted a lot into muscle)! And I actually ran the entire mile of our fitness test (and I hate treadmills). So I was very proud of myself. I am going to do the program again when it starts mid-January, and until then I have hired a trainer and am still doing cardio on my own.
But we've also been busy with the normal holiday chaos. We put up our tree in the living room, instead of the family room this year to keep a certain little someone (Eli) out of it. It's worked out great, since I don't have to worry about him pulling off all the ornaments or unwrapping all of the presents.
Like I said, I promise to post more often again. I am done Christmas shopping and wrapping, so I really do have more time! Hope to hear from you all soon!

"What does Grandma's kitty say?"

"Sssss," apparently! This is Eli's latest trick. He spent some time last night at my parents house, and got to know their cat a little better. Their cat is very lovey and affectionate and wants to be petted - for about 10 seconds. Then she starts hissing (I'm pretty sure she must be bi-polar). So, I guess Eli was petting the cat, all was well, and then she started hissing at him. And he hissed right back. So now he knows that Grandma's kitty says "hiss" or "ssss" to him.