This is "Snoverkill"

We had 20-30" in the first round, and today we're expecting 10-20" more?!  Corinne's been telecommuting since last Friday and some schools have already announced they're closing for the rest of the week!

Here's Snowmageddon from space:

C'mon Mother Nature, let the first round melt a little bit first? The plows have no where to put the snow!

We made it through Snowmageddon!

fter about 20 inches of snow, it was time for this family to dig our way out.

The adventure began with bundling Ethan.  You can see how excited he was about wearing this many layers.  "A Christmas Story" anyone?

Ethan and Chris looked at the level of snow from inside our porch door.  

"Daddy, I'm glad both my parents aren't from Florida!  Your Pennsylvania experience is going to come in handy today!"

Ethan wasn't so sure about this whole winter thing as the snowflakes hit his face.

We wondered if it was too cold for our little tot...

...he thought about it...

... and decided "This is fun!"

This is Ethan acting as our little ruler.  He's standing in a section shoveled by his Daddy, that's the top of the snow meeting the back of his head!

There's a car under there!  The Floridian in the family never would have known to put the windshield wipers up before the storm.  

And our toasty home buried next to it.

Corinne (and Ethan strapped on) shoveled once for an obligatory photo op.

And Chris...

... plowed through the rest!

We went back inside to enjoy the rest of the weekend at home together.

It's a White Wednesday!

Pushing the stroller to the metro this morning for the great DC Baby Exchange (when I'm getting to work in DC, and Chris is leaving work in the city, and we pass off the little man over a little family breakfast) was quite an adventure!  Several inches of snow blanketed our neighborhood and no one else was crazy enough to be outside, nevermind to shovel their walk.  Do they sell strollers with mini-snow plows on the front?  This Floridian isn't used to this!

Our home looked beautiful on the outside, but it would have been nicer to have been toasty on its inside!

Here's a view of the park in our backyard after the overnight snow.  And there's more to come, so says the groundhog anyhow.

Brrrr! It's cold out!

Even at the pharmacy, to pick up his cold medicine, in the 20 degree weather, while teething... Ethan keeps on grinnin'!

First tooth!

Yesterday, Ethan's first tooth pushed through!  And to help gnaw it free, what was his first choice?

Yes, that's right.  The coffee table.  An astute observer might see the many TOYS behind him.  Toys that he scooted past as he army crawled to the furniture.

And the sweetest husband award goes to...

When I awoke to change Ethan's morning diaper... I found a surprise in his nursery.  Spot it?

Chris had surprised me with a beautiful bouquet of roses that he ("and Ethan helped") picked up for me.

Last week,  I had felt so left out.  Ethan had his big 6 month well check up with his pediatrician and being at work, I wasn't there to join him and his dad to find out how big he had grown or ask my thousands of questions on sleeping, nutrition, development, (and much more!).  I knew Chris had it more than covered, but I couldn't be part of the process and had to wait for a summary.  (It was a pretty great summary, including the doctor calling him the "Picture of health"!)

My heart melted when I saw this unexpected surprise and I thought the sentiment behind it was just a little pick-me-up.  Chris then explained at length that it was to show the appreciation for what a wonderful mother I am and how I he recognizes all I put into being the best parent I can for Ethan.

I'm so grateful for Chris and that Ethan has such a good role model.

Ethan's first time eating solid food

After getting his doctor's blessing, this little family of three excitedly prepared for the big day!  High chair assembled, books on baby foods read, plastic bowls and cups washed... it was time to give little man his first meal!

 Ethan concentrated with all his might on a toy while sitting in this new and unfamiliar chair.  Little did he realize what was in store!

Chef Chris prepared the gourmet concoction: just the right blend of whole grain organic rice cereal mixed with Mommy Milk.


Watch his first bite!


His Mommy wanted a turn.  One of my biggest wishes is for him to be a healthy eater who loves diverse and nutritious foods!  I wouldn't wish picky tastes on anyone!

He thought about it for a minute...

then loved it!

While we were at it, we gave the man his first sip of water from a big boy cup.

"Dad, you know that's not milk right?"

"Well as long as you guys say it's alright, I like it!"

Now, in the last six months, he had grown from 5lbs 12oz, 18.5 inches in height to 19lbs and 27 inches, just on milk alone.  Never a drop of formula or a taste of rice.  He's already wearing 9 month old clothes, how fast is he going to grow now?!

If you can imagine, there are even more pictures of our big adventure here.  We can't imagine anyone else is as into it as we are, but just in case!