Snow Day

December 22, 2012
13 months and a few days

I suppose I have to keep counting in months until his 2nd birthday...it seems that every mother or father I run into know some secret that I don't.  You can't say "He's 1."  It's not the cool thing to say.  So, instead, we run around claiming how many months our child is.  You can always tell a non-parent.  They look at you all weird and are clearly processing what that many months means.  I suppose that is why we do it.  It's a "Parent-Thing".

Snow finally came to the Canyon!  And brought a whole new set of challenges with it....Do you have any idea how long it takes to get myself, the dog and the baby ready to go out when it is snowing and 10 degrees?  My goodness.  I swear we have beaten ALL of the longest records.  The inital few days were the worst.  I clearly had no idea what I was doing.  What I learned?  NEVER put Colter in his snow gear first.  He'll just start screaming.  No, instead, the dog gets his coat and collar on first.  Owen can deal.  Then I get all geared up while the boy crawls around the mudroom pulling shoes off the shelves.  Then the real fun begins. 

So deceivingly cute...

Somehow Colter always knows when it is almost his turn.  He looks at me, smiles his sly little grin and sets off for some corner of the house.  I am really glad that my legs are twice his height.  We have a few moments of "Catch Me If You Can" (all the while I am sweating away in my gazillion layers....).  I finally snatch him up.  Owen is beginning to whine by this point.  I set to layering him up:  sweater, jacket, snowsuit, booties (it is just that easy...or something like that).  Into the carrier he goes.  Then the hat and the mittens go on.  Phew.  I am bloody exhausted and dripping sweat by this point.  Poor Owen is beside himself.  Kelty backpack gets heaved onto my back.  Colter squeals with joy. This is when I realize I forgot to change the boy's diaper.  Screw it.


The very first time in snow.

The first time I put Colter in the snow, he just sat there for probably 3 minutes.  Not moving an inch.  Not that I blame him - I couldn't imagine moving around in his bulky snowsuit.  He finally dared a move...and headed straight for the door.  Smart man.

He ate his first icicle.  To watch his face was priceless.  Inquisitive, excited, confused.  But he just couldn't pass up sharing whatever Mom was eating.  I laughed when he was done being outside after 5 minutes.  It takes us longer to dress and undress than it does to be out playing.  We came inside and spent the afternoon playing with his "soft" ornaments on the Christmas Tree.  Then he pushed around his wooden walker toy.  I made chili and cornbread.  He ate it.  It was a good day. 



On another note, I am so very excited for Christmas this year.  I can't wait to see what Santa brings Colter.  If I had to bet, I'm pretty sure there is something coming to aid in snow fun...

Am I supposed to chew on sticks too?

Merry Christmas!

Pure cuteness...