Our snow bunny

When we moved to Tennessee, I expected to see more of the white stuff than we have.  They called for snow one other time and it missed us - so I was actually pretty excited when they started predicting a blizzard.  And stayed excited when our power and cable stayed on!

Elizabeth had seen snow before - we may have gotten an inch when she was about 6 months old.

See how much fun she had?  You can see where she even dropped her teether beside the Bumbo.

So you can imagine my excitement when we got four whole inches and my sweet husband volunteered to take our daughter out to play in the snow for the first time.  Somehow I got out of the duty, being 9 months pregnant and all.  And, after spending many years frozen on the softball field, I didn't mind being in charge of the camera, with the ability to run back inside the house whenever I wanted.

The bundle-up process was an adventure, since I've never thought to buy boots or mittens.  I gave a good attempt at making a couple mittens the night before, but they didn't turn out very well (or very warm-looking, for that matter).  We pulled on the tights under her jeans and put ziploc baggies over two layers of socks and mashed her little shoes on.  I found the smallest pair of mittens I could, thinking at least they would offer elastic around her wrists.  

 

Here they are!  Ready for the big snow!  See Butch on the outside waiting for them!

 

Now, the ground is really hard because we got a layer of sleet, then a layer or snow, topped with a final layer of sleet.  The best thing about our back yard with snow is that you don't have to search out the dog poop before she goes out to play!  Maybe gross, but realistic.  Anyway...they walked around for a bit and then Scott wanted to rig up some sort of sled to pull her around on.

And so he found a tarp in the shed that worked for a while...until she rolled off.  Then, he sent his loving wife in to get a clothes basket...

 

Yes, that is a bungee cord he has hooked to the holes.  Can you tell we both came from thrifty families?!  This worked for a little while until we had our first snow casualty, which resulted in a snowy/snotty nose and lots of tears and screaming (from my child...not Scott!). I missed capturing the display because I had gone inside to start some water for hot chocolate.

See?!  Nothing like chocolate to make it all better.  That's what Grandma Bettie says!  She enjoyed her first hot chocolate experience very much - as she tried to fish out the marshmallows.  Of course, I helped her finish the mug (refer to paragraph one comment about being 9 months pregnant)...

 

Once we got her face cleaned up, we realized she had a little scratch under her nose, which explained the hysterics over the tumble.  But all in all, it was a good first play in the snow.

Adventures in mommyhood?

Just some random thoughts for the day.  Scott laughs at my comments and says that I'm going to relate to that Trace Adkins' song, "You're going to miss this," pretty soon.  Me?  I'm not so sure that I will miss ALL of this!

Thought 1:  Dreams

When I was coaching, I would dream about games.  I'd dream about my pitchers and situations...  Last night, I dreamt about laundry detergents.  I've had vivid dreams about taking coupons to the store.  And I'll keep dreaming about the same thing all night since I'm in my very-pregnant-rotisserie-chicken method of sleeping (where I have to roll over every hour).  I'm not really sure what that says about my life or the things that occupy my thoughts...

My dear husband, taking a nap with Tina.  He hasn't had any interruptions to his sleep during this pregnancy.

Thought 2:  Kids and their eating habits

When Elizabeth started eating solid food, she ate everything in site.  I have never felt so good about my cooking!  

I remember her gobbling down a plate of beef stirfry one night that I was sure would be rejected.  So at what point did my child begin to form an opinion...and what makes it change DAILY?!  Take last night, for instance.  I heated some cabbage and noodles from the freezer and added kielbasa - which I thought would be mild enough to be like hot dogs for her.  She likes hot dogs...she likes noodles...I thought this would be a great dinner.  As soon as it hit the high chair, she crinkled her nose and pointed to the rolls.  She did the same thing the other night when I made spaghetti with shells (because I had them in the pantry) instead of regular noodles.  It's as if we've developed an "I don't trust it if I don't recognize it" mentality that only applies to the high chair.  Because Lord help me if something falls to the floor that she can get her grubby mitts on later...or if she can get something (anything!) out of the dogs' bowls.  I realize I am not the only mommy to have trials at the table, but it doesn't make it any less frustrating!  So I've decided to just ride the rollercoaster and see what the meal of the moment might be.  We went to Publix after we left the gym today and they had samples of clementines set out.  My daughter ate two whole pieces and kept asking for more.  So I bought a box and we'll see how this goes!

Thought 3:  Nesting

Since I am now home for most of the day, this has become my obsession...and I am slowly passing that onto my child.  With the help of my husband, I have organized the baby closet and also moved my "pantry," which was stationed in the garage, to the top of my cupboard shelves so I can see what I have and food doesn't freeze.

We clean daily - which is necessary with two dogs - but also because I can't stand to see dirt on the wood floors.  So back to this impact on my child.  The dust rags are stored at her level and several times a day, she'll get them out and begin her dusting - the couch, her books, the coffee table, the dogs (who HATE to be dusted).  When I vaccuum, she follows behind me, holding the cord.  Yesterday was bathroom cleaning day and she was kind of half paying attention to me and half playing in her room.  So I cleaned the toilets and sprayed down the shower and walked to the kitchen to grab the Clorox wipes.  I walked to the kitchen and back...I did not pass Go, did not collect $200... And on my way up the hall, I hear the tell tale "splash, splash, splash"... Then I see my child, elbow-deep in the toilet, no doubt cleaning it.  As soon as she saw me, she slammed the lid down - busted.  And we proceeded to scrub her hands in the sink.  When it came to wiping down the shower, she saw that I had the rag out and was washing everything off, so she ran to her room and grabbed a washcloth, came back in the bathroom, and wiped everything down behind me. 

I continuously ask Scott whether this is the smartest idea for me to have such an influence on our children...

Ok, 3 thoughts for the day are good enough.

Elizabeth Rose - All Around the House

I am so thankful for the now 50 degree and sunny weather!  Quite a change from what we had a couple weeks ago when my daughter and I were trapped inside the house because it was just so darn cold!  So I thought I would provide a sampling of my daughter's daily activities...

This is "lucky" the rocking horse that sings.  She can't get up in the saddle by herself yet, but she can squeeze his ear so the song plays...over and over and over and over...

Playing in the pop up tent...I'm not sure what's going on with her hair...And yes, that is a yellow highlighter in her hand.  I was paying bills and somehow, she claimed it.

Playing the piano for Mommy.  Ah, we thank the Cash family daily for this wonderful gift!

Well, we attempted coloring, but mostly, she just likes the book because it's Sesame Street.  I won't let her play with the crayons without me because I am not in the mood to paint this rental house before we move.

Reading books with her daddy!  He bought her that t-shirt, by the way.

Not in the mood to pose with Mommy...