Memories of Cold Weather Days

After watching Elijah playing in the snow this week, I got a little nostalgic about his past two winters - his cute hats and snowsuits from days gone by. I decided to take a trip down memory lane via pictures. Care to join me?

Elijah at three months old, during his first snowfall ever.

I'm including the smiley photo because he's just so cute. Both photos were taken on the same day - December 1, 2007. I love the smiley boy picture and yet it fills me with sadness to see the deep ridges in his head from his hurt brain. Joy and sadness are so interlocked that sometimes they are carried in the same envelope. But, I digress...back to our regularly scheduled programing.

Elijah wearing Uncle Dan's hat - 4 months old

Wearing his cute penguin snowsuit - 4 months old

Adorable sweater and hat combo - 5 Months old

Elijah's first snowman - 7 months old

(he wasn't that impressed)

Just when we thought winter was over...a spring snowstorm - 7 months old

"Watching" the deer in the backyard - 7 months old

In his winter gear - 15 months old

On the go during his second round of HBOT - 19 months old

I can't help but wonder...where did that little baby go? Ahhh, nostalgia.

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Snow Day

When I was a kid, winter was my favorite season. I loved to make snowmen, walk in the woods after a fresh snowfall, build forts and have snowball fights. As the years passed, however, winter became less enjoyable to me. (I think my enjoyment of the season is directly correlated to how much I needed to drive on snow covered roads).

We got our first real snowfall of the season yesterday and today. Thankfully, all of our appointments came to us instead of the other way around. (So today, I'm liking winter).

Even though we had the day at home, I wasn't sure if I wanted to take Elijah outside. Our thermometer said it was 8 degrees and it was windy. It didn't look fun to me. (What happened to that little girl who loved the winter?)

Just before dark, Andy said he was going to take Elijah out to play in the snow. Andy had "commuted" to the basement for work this morning to avoid a long drive to work, so all he had to do to get home was walk upstairs. I quickly got Elijah bundled up and followed my two men outside with the camera. I wanted to capture Elijah's first time playing in the snow. Even though this is Elijah's third winter, it's the first winter he's been mobile and it feels significant.

I've been excited to see how Elijah would react to snow this year. True to his outdoorsmen nature, snow (or cold) doesn't bother Elijah a bit. In fact, the little man loves the snow.

Andy even had Elijah sledding down our little hill (which honestly amazed me that he was able to stay on the sled and maintain a sitting position. Pretty impressive, if you ask me).

At one point, though, Elijah did fall off of the sled and face planted in the snow. We thought for sure he'd be done with playing outside. He didn't even care much about having the snow in his face. He didn't even cry. He just looked a little annoyed.

Soon, it was time to go inside. And Elijah was not happy. Once inside, a major temper tantrum ensued. In Elijah's opinion it wasn't enough time outside. But, Andy and I were cold. And, I'm still a bit of a paranoid parent. Remember - this is a kid who had temperature regulation issues for quite some time after his birth. I don't think about it much, but the paranoia about him getting too cold lies deep in my soul. Besides, did I mention Andy and I were cold? Elijah must've been too. Especially after his face planting episode.

Eventually, Elijah calmed down and was okay with the fact that it was time to be inside. Which left a couple of things on my to-do list:

1- Buy snow pants for Andy and me.
2-Find that little girl who loves the winter. I know she's in there somewhere and I have a feeling we're going to be outside a lot this winter. Might as well decide to love it, right?

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