Snowzilla

We are drinking lots of hot chocolate, enjoying cups of snow and snow sundaes, watching all the blizzard movies we can think of (Balto, Frozen, The Day After Tomorrow, Snow Buddies, Ice Age). It has been kinda fun, even if this is the snowpocalypse.

Of course for the first few days the kids loved getting to play in it.

Day 2
Snowman Building

Break Time

Day 3

Snowman Defending 

King of the Mountain

Fortunately, our little street has gotten lots of attention. So when we were ready it wasn't too rough to attempt getting out. I say that but Shea did spend a good almost 3 hrs, on day three, digging our Kia out.

Shea made a mountain for the kids with all the car freeing he did, and they loved climbing up it, shouting "KING OF THE MOUNTAIN", and sliding down.

To celebrate our freedom we successfully attempted a little soda run that night to check out the roads, which were fairly decent for the snowmageddon.

BEFORE

AFTER

(A dog came by the next morning to wreck a little havoc all over our yard, so that ended our snow play. Fortunately, I think I was more torn up about it than the kids.)

The snow accumulation here in Frederick, MD was between 36-42 inches. So we seem to have out did most of the predictions, that stated we'd get 18-30 inches.

Before long things returned to normal, we had to run errands, get ready for baby (EEK... its getting close!), take Mom to the Dr, and school starts back up for Con on Monday (that's right he has been out ALL week).

The snow is melting and soon our BLIZZARD OF '16 will be forgotten.

Full Term...

Doctor Update
At my Dr's visit this week I asked to be checked again and I was ... a whooping 0, for basically everything. Which yes, means last week my Dr was being a little extra kind giving me that 1 cm.
It was kind of rough hearing that. Especially since I've been SO uncomfortable, and she hasn't even dropped!
Good News: I did get to see my favorite Dr, Dr Renee Thomas. She is always friendly, genuine, sweet, but honest, and extremely respectful of anything I want to do. She just makes me feel good, and treats you like a friend more than a patient. We laughed together half of the appointment about this silly girl making me wait and never wanting to come. Even though I am 37 weeks, she totally understands my impatience and embraces it, instead of the usual "well you're only 37 weeks"stuff I would expect to hear.
She also requested my inducement to be scheduled, with her for my 39th week. Which just a few hours later I found out wont be till Wednesday, February 10th, at 7 AM. So yes it wasn't the Monday I hoped for but that was the earliest they could get me with Dr Thomas, so I couldn't be too disappointed.
So I left the Dr feeling so happy because I just kind of love Dr Thomas and she kind of has that effect. And then as I told Shea I got more and more depressed, I hid it well though. I just really want baby NOW! Let's face it no progress is always frustrating, even if I am okay with her waiting till that inducement to come it is at least is nice to think I am getting a bit closer each week. Because honestly I'm okay with her waiting; but at this point, being this pregnant, and this uncomfortable I'm ideally hoping she comes early and yet gives me plenty of time for those GBS antibiotics and a well medicated labor and delivery.
But I know I should be grateful; because other than the normal rundown of 9 month complaints, along with some tailbone nerve pain, I am healthy and doing well.
Although mind you the ANTICIPATION may kill me!

37 Weeks

Pregnancy Update:
Since I am now full term I am getting baby prepped to the fullest extent I can. Everyday is a new project, although I am quickly checking things off my lists and before long I may be out.
But for now all the baby prep is keeping me fairly busy, and keeping things "kind of fun".

Hospital Bag: Mommy's Coming Home Outfit, Flip flops,
Hairbrush, Travel Mirror, Make-up bag, Chapstick, Socks,
Robe, Toothbrush/paste, Lotion, Deodorant, Soap,
Lifesavors, and Journal. Electronics/Chargers. Phase 10.

Earlier this week, it hit Shea how close we were to Piper's Arrival. So he was in super "new dad" mode for awhile and started all the HOSPITAL BAG packing, which was good but a little stressful because he was breathing down my neck to get mine done too. But now that it is done, for the most part, it's nice to feel prepared and ready. Then when my late night contracting, thanks Braxton hicks, keeps me up and keeps my mind racing I can calm down a little thinking if its time I'm pretty ready.

Baby's bag is packed too.
With her coming home outfit, blanket and coat bundler.

Shea's impression is "Hey ONLY 13 days", I about shot him down with my "I'm dying" stare! Everyday is a little torturous at this point, I'll be honest. And only half of it is really the pregnancy pains the other is the whole slew of mental impatience!
So Shea promised me he'd help me cope for the next 13 DAYS, by helping me plan things to do to look forward to everyday. I'm already making a list. Wish me luck!

Blizzard of 2016

Fortunately all the hype over Winter Storm Jonas got Shea home (from his TX trip) just in time for us to get stocked up and ready, on Friday morning (the 22nd), just in case all the predictions were true.

And Friday Shea started to doubt how much this would really amount to. We went to bed with maybe 6 inches, and a break in the storm.

But Saturday we woke to this ...

With about 2 ft of snow Shea immediately got out there to ensure our glass door didn't get us stuck inside, and then he started on the first round of shoveling.

The winter reports and warnings for the day didn't give us a lot of confidence that our blizzard was stopping any time soon. 

Issued by The National Weather ServiceBaltimore/Washington, MD9:35am EST, Sat Jan 23 

... BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM EST SUNDAY... 

* HAZARD TYPES... HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW.* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS... 22 TO 30 INCHES... UP TO 36 INCHES ABOVE 1200 FEET.* TIMING... HEAVY SNOW THROUGH THIS EVENING. BLOWING SNOW INTO SUNDAY.* IMPACTS... HEAVY SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW WILL CONTINUE TO CAUSE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS AND WILL BE A THREAT TO LIFE AND PROPERTY. TRAVEL IS IMPOSSIBLE. VISIBILITY WILL BE REDUCED TO NEAR ZERO AT TIMES IN WHITEOUT CONDITIONS THROUGH TONIGHT.* WINDS... NORTH 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 50 MPH.* TEMPERATURES... IN THE LOWER 20S. WIND CHILLS SINGLE DIGITS.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT CONDITIONS... MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL... HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET STRANDED... STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE. PREPARE FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF POWER OUTAGES DURING SNOWY AND COLD CONDITIONS.

So since we decided we'd be snowed in for awhile, we decided to make the most of it. Dad promised pancakes for breakfast, and we sprinkled "sugar snow" on top and then they were all ready for a day of play.

The kids were ECSTATIC! And I don't blame them the kid in me loves it all but this giant 9 months pregnant belly can't fit into anything, so I'm kinda sad I don't get to enjoy it too. So I am living vicariously through them all, and they make it pretty easy (and so does our glass door loved having that for all of this)! And KUDOS to Shea who was an amazing snow buddy. 

Snow Fort Building

Snow Fort Defending

First One In

And Happy

Snow Fort Tunneling

About 30 mins later,
it is declared that snow is cold.

Very Cold, but Fun!

No doubts tomorrow we will be enjoying round two, especially considering the blizzard isn't over yet, 30+inches and still going. 

{this moment}

While watching my girls play.

Sydney places a blanket and lays a baby down and Bella goes and gets her another and another, as Sydney says "thank you Bella thank you Bella your welcome Bella" after each one. And then when the blanket is coveted in dolls Bella says "ready?" As she starts to fold the baby's up in it to tuck them in. But Sydney stops her and says "wait" as she proceeds to lay on top of all the babies and be tucked in as well. And then they fall into fits of laughter as they hug each other and roll around.

Until Sydney suddenly pops up and says "oh no baby!" And rushes to pick up all the babies she's been sitting on.

Then Bella starts singing to the babies "good night good night".

I love my girls.

Sometimes the best part about being a Mom is just watching them play.

Before Dad Leaves

Before Daddy left for his BIG TRIP we stocked up on groceries. And Daddy spoiled Bella by letting her get her very own cart. Which ended in quite a few accidents and a somewhat frazzled Mom.

Before Dad left for his BIG TRIP we had a family movie night. Which, SCORE, all three kids loved the movie for, even Dad got quite a kick out of it (Hotel Transylvania 2, for the win! Or as Bella likes to call it the "umpire movie")
I promised the kids a movie night, every night Dad was gone. And I delivered, although we never found another movie that held everyone's attention.

Before Dad left for his BIG TRIP he made us Cowboy Cookies to share all week he was gone.
Which was a hit!

Before Dad left for his BIG TRIP he told Connor that he was the man of the house and needed to take care of Mom and the girls while he was gone. Connor promised somewhat reluctantly.
And one day I got an email from his teacher saying ...

Hi! 

Connor was so cute today!  He told me that his dad had to leave for a couple of days and that he has to be the man of the house now.  ;o)  Made me smile! :) 

Maria Burroughs

Kindergarten Teacher

Tuscarora Elementary School

I guess Dad's words did get through.

SO thanks Dad for making the time before you left special, and making us feel loved throughout the week.

-----------------------------------------------

Shea had to go on a business trip to Fort Worth, TX. A mandatory training conference at Deloitte University. It was from the 18th to the 22nd and I was dreading it from the start, which began way back in early December when he found out there was no way around it. I was scared baby was going to come or kids were going to be bonkers or frankly that it would be hard, and lets face it being 9 months pregnant getting out of bed is hard. But in the end it all went smoothly and Shea came home a day early due to the crazy winter weather that was forecasted. We are blessed.

9 MONTHS

I MADE IT MONTH 9 IS FINALLY HERE! THE TIME HAS COME!

Baby prepping is under way. Countdowns are beginning. Arrangements and plans are being made. 

Now is the time. It gets closer and closer, everyday.

Doctor update:

Baby and I are both healthy and still doing great. I did find out I am GBS POSITIVE again. Which will likely be the case with all future pregnancies. I did insist on being checked, because I am a control freak and have to know, so I am 1 cm but that is about it. Which for me was bittersweet. I was in a lot of pain off and on this week so I figured something was happening, but notta. On the up side I would love that epidural for delivery and being induced may be my way to guarantee that. So if she waits till then (39 wks), I wont blame her.

I am getting there :)