Blizard of 2010

Welcome to what is quickly becoming the snow capital of the U.S.

Snow keeps coming! Most of you have probably heard about the 2 1/2 - 3 feet of snow that hit our area this past weekend. That was on top of a few inches we got the weekend before and another inch or so early that week. I'm afraid to tell people that Kate recently prayed and asked God to please send more snow so she could make a snow man and snow angels. I think it's safe to say He heard her prayers. Now we are praying that the snow would stop! However, we are in for another storm tomorrow threatening to bring in 12 - 20 more inches of white powder.

This weekend was certainly memorable in many ways! I (Kim) had planned a scrap booking weekend with my sister-in-law Debbie and friend, Holly. We are booked at a local hotel with dozens of other ladies ready for a little getaway. Josh encouraged me to still go despite the threatening weather, and since Holly drove down all the way from New York and our weekend was already paid for (no refunds) we decided to make the best of it and get snowed in at a hotel! Why not? We left for the hotel around 1 p.m. on Friday just as the snow started to fall.

Josh and Kate were home on their own. However, around 7:15 p.m. on Friday, our house lost power. Josh, had he been a single man, home alone, would have braved the elements and stayed home with the best hopes of the electricity coming back on soon. However, being the responsible dad that he is, and hearing the concern in his wife's voice, he packed up little Kate and as many belongings as he could find in the dark and headed over to Paul and Peggy's to weather the storm. The snow was coming down at a rate of 2 inches an hour, so Josh only had a small window of time to make a decision about leaving the house. He and Kate were snowed into Peggy and Paul's until Sunday afternoon. He had hoped to head home on Saturday afternoon, but it was still snowing until about 10:00 p.m. on Saturday. And due to the state wide snow emergency, plows have not made it to most of the local neighborhoods even today. (This is one time I am grateful that we pay exorbitant amounts of money to local HOA for private snow removal!)

On Sunday, my dad and father showed up in a 4-wheel truck to the hotel to dig out Holly's car and pick up Debbie. The local highway had exit ramps closed, cars were flipped, even the main roads were in bad shape. Josh and Kate picked me up in Josh's excellent snow car - once he shoveled his way to some tire tracks and worked is way out of Paul's neighborhood.

We got home to find that my incredible dad and brother, Shaun, had shoveled a path to our door and a small spot to park Josh's car. THANK YOU SO MUCH!! As soon as we got home, Josh to the business of finishing the shoveling. It was hard to get picture with perspective, but take our word for it...there's a lot of snow here!

Josh shoveling out his parking spot in front of our house.

Josh shoveling out a path in the backyard so Shayla could do her business.

The view from our front door - the walkway to the driveway.

Our little snow angel! Thanks for praying for all this snow Kate!

Passing the Time

We stayed inside most the week in order to help solidify potty training. We did venture out to the grocery store on Thursday, but it was a quick 20 minute trip. The idea of taking a newly potty trained child out to run errands terrifies me! I guess I need to face it sooner or later.

Kate is actually doing really well. I think this picture demonstrates well that she has fully grasped the idea of going potty:

One day Kate decided to pull out her violin and play some music. We love when she spontaneously goes to the violin to play. We are still working on technique but her heart is in the right place! Josh has a great video of her "playing" her violin and singing her alphabet. Hopefully we add it on to this post soon. For now, still pictures will have to do!

It looks like we still need to work on the proper playing position. It is also time to rehair her bow...again...

A Sneak Peak at Nathan

What a special treat we all had on Monday night. We were given a 4-D sonogram and actually got to see a little bit of Nathan. We had originally gone the week before but Nathan was in a breech position and his back was toward us, so all we got to see was an ear. The sonogram place invited us back on Monday and to our delight he had turned!! Kate was very excited to see Nathan. But when she finally did, her comment was, "He looks funny, Mom!"

Here Nathan is holding the cord with both hands up by his face.

A little clearer picture of his face. He has some chubby cheeks!

This seemed to be his favorite position - hands and feet by his face all curled up!

This just gets me more excited to meet the little guy in person. Two more months to go!

Bye Bye Diaper Party

Yesterday, we started the morning off with a bouquet of balloons, a special pancake breakfast complete with a bye-bye-diaper song (and there would have been candles if Mommy had remembered to buy them at the store). Kate has been waiting for Friday all week long. On Wednesday she and I went to the grocery store and bought all her favorite drinks: lemonade, chocolate milk, grape juice and hot chocolate. Mommy had already stocked up on lots of juice boxes, fun straws, exciting new toys and crafts, baking supplies, and some special treats for just the right celebratory moment!

Why all this fuss for potty training? Well we tried potty training back in November. After 4 hours and 7 accidents - one success - I gave up. Kate wasn't ready. She didn't even notice when the pee gushed down her leg onto my carpet. So I put it on hold until after the holidays and until she had a little more time to mature. What a difference 8 weeks made!

I must admit I was a bit discouraged back in November. My sister-in-law had been facing the battle at home with Brenden. So the two us signed up for a potty-training seminar: Potty Training Made Easy in One Weekend! I liked the sound of that! The theory at the seminar was once a child is physically ready it will be easy. And boy was she right!

This weekend has been fantastic. Kate only had one accident yesterday - and she stopped herself mid-way and finished it up in the bathroom. We've had two successful poops yesterday and one today. And the best part, is that Kate is initiating all her trips to the bathroom now. She doesn't even need a timer! Tomorrow we bring out the big-girl underwear. I am so grateful that the second time around has been this easy.

I do think that we all should take a moment and genuinely thank our moms for the potty training they imparted to us. It's no easy task. Thank you, Mom! And for those of you considering having kids in the near future...just remember that potty training is eventually a part of the deal. :) Okay...I've heard it described in pretty explicit terms...but I'm grateful Kate made it pretty easy on me!

Random Pictures of Kate

Well, it's been a little while since we've posted some pictures of Kate. I've been slacking off in the camera department lately. She is changing so much these days. She's definitely not a baby anymore, but such a little girl. (Just look at that curly hair!) She'll always be my baby girl though. :)

Kate's been taking gym class once a week at Little Gym. It's been a great energy outlet for her and has really helped her develop upper body strength. Sadly this was our last class for awhile. We are taking a break until the baby arrives and I get back on my feet. :) Here are some photos of Kate showing off her skills!

Kate had a great teacher this semester! Mrs. Tarika made such a difference for Kate. We will miss her enthusiasm!

A Night in the ER

Boy, this baby is giving me a run for the money! When I was pregnant with Kate, I felt better than ever! It hasn't really been the same with baby number 2.

Last night around 9 p.m. I went to the ER on the recommendation of my OB. For most the afternoon and evening, I had been experiencing a lot of abdominal and lower back pain and pretty consistent strong contractions. At only 27 weeks it was too early for Nathan to make his appearance, so the on call doctor wanted to see me in Labor and Delivery "without wasting any time" in getting there.

My dear friend, Peggy, drove me to the hospital as Josh who was not feeling too well himself stayed home with sleeping Kate. They monitored me for hours; the baby’s heart rate was fine, but contractions were still coming. After a few tests they concluded it was not pre-term labor and it was not a UTI. Not really knowing what was causing the pain and contractions, they treated me for dehydration by giving me IV fluids. I didn’t feel dehydrated, and I am pretty good about my water intake, but maybe it was a factor.

Josh arrived around midnight to relieve Peggy who has her own 9 month old to tend to in the early morning. Kate was very excited to be awakened and transported to Papa and Gigi's in the middle of the night for a sleep over. (Thanks Mom and Dad for jumping in to help!!) Ironically, within minutes of getting to the hospital, Josh got ill and started vomiting. He got sick three times while we were there (way to steal the attention). The OB nurses wanted to send him down to the ER, but of course Josh refused.

My contractions eventually stopped but the back pain and stomach pain did not. Still I opted to be released, and we got home around 3 a.m. last night. I still don’t feel well. Josh is still in rough shape too. Kate is with my mom and dad right now, but should be home shortly. Not sure who is taking care of who at this point. Maybe Kate can make us lunch when she gets home. Oh, lunch...that would mean we would have to eat food...nevermind...don't think either of us can stomach much. We would covet prayers though.

Peggy, thanks for the Gatorade this morning!! You're the best!!

Merry Christmas