Baby, It's Cold Outside

We are still in Arkansas, right?

This winter has been quite a shock to those of us not accustomed to seeing snow very often. I'm not sure I have seen this much snow in my entire life.

My conclusions:

It is very lovely.

It is very cold.

And I am ready for it to go.

The January snowfall was much loved and appreciated, in spite of the fact that we were all a little under the weather when it occurred. Though we are all healthy, the snow that fell this week was not welcomed quite as enthusiastically because we are now well acquainted with cabin fever. Three or more days stuck inside with two small children does not a happy mommy make. An ambivalent attitude toward snow is surely an official milestone of adulthood. I have felt very old this week.

But I do still get a little excited about the snow (in spite of myself) and I try to make snow days special for the girls. We bake cookies, cinnamon rolls, and muffins and of course, drink hot cocoa. We discovered snow ice cream last month, and perfected our recipe this week. We watch cartoons and movies with snowy themes, and I like to get fun, crafty indoor activities to keep Rylie busy while Sophie naps. Last month we made little snowmen with marshmallows and this week we made our Valentines. (Look for yours in the mail soon, friends and family!)

This week Greg actually stayed home with us one day (gasp!) instead of driving into work. He did have to take a vacation day to do it, but we feel it was worth it. How often do we get to tromp through the snow with our little girls? We were really happy just to be together to enjoy it. Plus, it is a lot of work bundling and layering those two little people, taking them outside to play, and then bringing them in to shed the layers and warm up the cold wet noses and little red cheeks. I was really glad he was home to help me.

It is supposed to be pretty warm next week. Sophie's birthday is on Easter this year and so I have used this time inside to browse Easter dresses online and plan her 2nd birthday party. We are so ready for Spring!

February Snow Pics

Waiting on Mommy and Daddy to take them outside.

Daddy and his snow bunnies.

The snow came to Rylie's knees.
Not bad for our neck of the woods.

We couldn't find sleds. All of Arkansas sold out, we heard. So we settled for a snowy wagon ride.
This was a workout to pull through the snow, by the way.

Our impromptu snow gear station. We do actually have a mudroom,
but we used the back door for some reason.

January Snow Pics

Sophie stomping around.

She has eaten a lot of snow in the last two months.

It had melted quite a bit in this pic, but watching them trying to walk
through the snow (and fail) has been quite entertaining.

Our house. I love this.

This was the within the first hours of the snowfall. They were thrilled.

When it is time to go inside, she will make a desperate plea to bring her snowball with her.
Every. Single. Time.

Parenting and Romance

Written for the February edition of the East End MOPS Newsletter.

Contrary to popular belief, the two are not mutually exclusive. However, rekindling your love life in the midst of toddler tantrums, poopy diapers, and sleep deprivation is a challenge, possibly one of the biggest challenges we face in this season of our lives.

WARNING: If you are one of those lovey-dovey, sickeningly sappy couples who are constantly kissing, cuddling, and praising your mate’s many achievements, this article is not for you. (By the way, you are grossing us out.)

This article is for those who were once high on the Mountain of Romance but now find themselves a little low in The Valley of Routine.

I am not about to give you instructions guaranteed to spark the flame.

Nope. Not here.

I will instead highlight a few symptoms of a marriage in need of romance.

You might need a night out with your spouse if…

· You have come to believe that your husband’s primary function in your home is Designated Trash Bag Remover and/or Chief Spider Killer.

· The last three movies you saw in the theater were Tangled, Toy Story 3, and Despicable Me.

· A wild night is now defined as one in which you are up every three hours with the latest victims of the stomach virus.

· You find yourself fantasizing about being married to (fill in the blank).

· Your idea of quality couples time is the Saturday night grocery shopping spree.

· You can’t remember the last time you held hands.

· Romantic conversation consists of discussing your toddler’s infatuation with the babysitter.

· Your panty drawer screams “GRANNY!” and you are still wearing bras of the nursing variety, despite the fact that your child weaned two years ago.

· You get a babysitter for the weekend but use the time only to catch up on housework.

· You change your snot wiped, spit-up stained, pureed carrot splattered pajama top for a fresh t-shirt and your husband is now sure he’s getting the green light tonight.

Seriously, if you are the mother of young children, chances are a few of these are going to be pretty familiar, and that’s okay. I harbor no judgment. We’ve all been there, right?

But please, schedule a date night. And do it soon.

Disclaimer: I am not now, nor have I ever been a marriage counselor. My advice should be taken with a snort and a giggle.

On Forgetting

I seem to be having a hard time getting back into the swing of things since the New Year. Not sure what is going on with me, but I hope I fix it SOON! Our routines are still upside down, my house is all a clutter, and my organization has been tried and found wanting. For example...

Things I have forgotten since December 31st, 2010:

That I have joined Weight Watchers and do not need three boxes of Girl Scout cookies.

Apparently, I must have forgotten that I am MOPS Table Leader, Publicity Manager, and a writer of MOPS newsletter, as I neglected all of my duties for the month of January or remembered them just in time. Very embarrassing and so unlike me.

My keys. And my cell. Turns out I had locked them in the car in the parking garage of Park Plaza whilst I obliviously strolled Baby Gap and Gymboree. The spare key arrived ten minutes before the mall closed, conveniently.

We forgot that we had nursery duty at church until we arrived late and wondered why there was no one in the nursery to watch our baby.

I forgot that cars require gas to get from A to B. Luckily, I was able to sputter into the gas station before I found myself stranded in West Little Rock with two kids napping in the backseat.

My billfold. Or more specifically, my money. Will be sure to check that both are in my purse before entering the McDonald's drive thru and ordering a Happy Meal. My hungry and impatient preschoolers will be especially gratified that I not repeat this mistake.

I forgot to take all of my antibiotic when I was sick.

And...I forgot to give my kids all of their antibiotic when they were sick. (Yes, yes. Am horrid, bad mother.)

A playdate. I remembered the night before our 10am playdate at Rock Creek.

In my defense, we were sick throughout January, and that really does shake things up around here. Unfortunately, we are sick again. (I am wrapped in two blankets and have a tissue charmingly stuffed in each nostril as I write this.) Every mom knows how much havoc a cold/flu virus can wreak on a family of four, especially when the invalids are snowed in. It was a slow recovery and I think it came with some setbacks. By the time the snow cleared AND the kids were well, I must have been delirious with cabin fever.

Yes, cabin fever. That was surely the root of my memory problem.

Or I am just half crazed mother of a three year old and 21 month old and delirium has come to be quite a natural characteristic for me.

Anyway, on a more serious note, ebb and flow is the rhythm of a stay at home mom's daily life. Sometimes I have it all together, and often I don't. In the three years that I have been a mother, I have found that the only thing that stays consistent is the fact that nothing stays consistent. A child that sleeps well for months will suddenly begin night waking, my picky eater becomes a voracious eater, Elmo is overthrown by Dora, tantrum patterns flare and then abate. A home full of growing children is a dynamic, ever changing home.

It's hard to keep up.

By the way, if someone can tell me what the point of this post was, I would love to know. Otherwise, I'm just gonna go ahead and blame it on my current illness.

Hoping flu season leaves you all free of cabin fever induced delirium.