Welcome to the Great White North

8 inches in 2 days. That's completely normal here. (When I asked Jon to verify that last statement he just looked at me like I was nuts. "Yeah, that's normal... a foot overnight is normal!" I'm not Canadian, okay?! I'm still learning all this stuff!)

My love takes such good care of his girls. And the neighbors. And the people across town. He really enjoys helping others... and snow blowing. And for both I'm quite thankful!





* I know it doesn't look like much snow in the pics... this was just one of the three snow blowing sessions for the weekend! *

When All Else Fails... Try...

Number 3 on the list - a pedicure... check (had one last week anyhow)

Number 4 on the list - going to the chiropractor... check

Number 5 on the list - bouncing on a birthing ball... check (have been for the last few weeks)

Number 6 on the list - brisk walking... check

Number 7 on the list - eating Mexican food... check (had taco salad for supper)

Yet to try - a massage, squats

Any other hints... besides Castor oil... and I'll try em. Maybe!

(Oh and sorry Ame - I would LOVE to try the Olive Garden suggestion, but that's the downside of living far away from a big city. The closest Olive Garden is an hour and a half away! Mmmmmm, but just the thought of salad and bread sticks almost makes it worth the drive!!!)

When All Else Fails... Try Bowling

Since snowmobiling didn't do the trick...

Number 2 on the list - bowling.

So, I've never been a great bowler... by any stretch of the imagination. And sure... I can use the pregnancy card as an excuse THIS time around, but that will only last for another few days! It's time to face the truth... if I would have had bowling in high school than I would pretty much be a professional by now! Seriously! Jer, Joe, and Jon all had a bowling stint in high school - and well, you should see their game!

Alia LOVED all the balls of course...





and when she actually got to roll one down the lane - she was a goner! She'll be following in her Daddy's footsteps in no time!


It was quite a site seeing a 9 month pregnant lady TRY to bowl!


Jon, plotting his next move


I told you Jon's quite the pro... look at that form... that poise. He even has the whole "back foot thing" down!


NOT ME! Notice the very much LACK of form. It's more of a lob than a skilled throw!




Due to my double digit game, lack of form and throwing ability, frequent gutter balls, and NO skill... I think the baby chose to stay put out of utter embarrassment! Next time I'll try a sport I have a little more confidence in! For now Alia and I can practice together... she might be able to teach me a thing or two!

When All Else Fails... Try the Snowmobile

I was due yesterday. And today... there's still no baby! So we've started working down the list of tricks recommended to us.

Number 1 on the list - drive down a bumpy road.
I figured the snowmobile would be about the same equivalent, so off I went!



Jon graciously made a trail for me to follow behind the trees, but since I've gotten wimpy in my old age, I figured I would just stick to the main roads in town! Surprisingly, that proved to be a little "too boring" for my tastes and I went for something more challenging! But... my darling husband forgot to tell me there were jumps to be conquered! I soon figured that out and since I landed the biggest one okay, I went back for more! Around and around I went... going faster with each lap... and still... no contractions. The only thing this got me was a new love for riding snowmobiles!

These Boots Are Made For Walking

Did I just see what I think I saw?


Yup.


Whatcha doin?
I dunno...


Nope... haven't seen your boots, Mom!

They aren't professional...

... but at least we've taken some preggo pics! Since yesterday was my due date, I figured what better day to take them! We moved some furniture around in the living room and Jon started snapping away.







Alia wasn't a fan of picture taking from shot #1... so needless to say it was hard to get even ONE with her in it!

Family Fun Day

Praise the Lord... I'm glad to report that we are all on the mend! Coughs are subsiding, noses don't have to be wiped every 6.5 minutes, and we are all getting our energy back!!

Since these are some of our last days with just Alia... I wanted to savor them. Not lie on the couch, barely able to make lunch - and only dream of playing with her! So I am thankful that God has given us a few extra days to enjoy our little one!

On Friday I decided to ignore the few house things that needed to be done and just make it an "Ali Day"! We read lots of books (and read and read!), played in her kitchen, learned more about our letters (via one of her new Christmas presents!), made a HUGE batch of cinnamon rolls, and painted her nails (one of her favorite things in life right now)! Jon even came home early to join in the "Ali celebrations!" He brought her some balloons, took her for a walk around town, pushed her in her swing downstairs until she was light headed, and let her "help" him feed our neighbor "meows", as Alia likes to call them (he's on cat duty for a week while they are soaking up the sun in far away lands!)! Then we made pizza for supper and went out for ice cream in the evening!


I must say, Alia is quite the little cook already! Whenever she sees me pull out my Kitchen Aid, she's right there in the action... "dough, dough, dough"! And it doesn't matter what we're making that day - she'll dip her finger in somewhere along the way (usually while my back is turned!)- and let out an exaggerated "MMMMmmmm!" So when I suggested trying a new recipe for Cinnamon Rolls, she was pretty on board!

Helping Mom read the recipe


Not wanting any crumbs to hit the floor


Helping "knead" the dough



Taking a little banana break


Now we're nearing the good part!





SUCCESS!! I wish I would have gotten a video of Alia eating her cinnamon roll (okay, okay... who am I kidding... she's her mama's girl... there was no stopping at just one!)... it was like a natural instinct to say "MMMMmmm, MMMMmmm, MMMMmmmm" through the whole experience! I didn't even have to ask her if it was good!


As I mentioned... painting Alia's toes is one of her joys in life right now! It doesn't matter if there's barely any polish left on them, she'll still show them off to anyone who will stand still! When she was in the hospital (and becoming more herself) she was showing them off to EVERY nurse who walked in the room... not kidding! We tried a new color combo this time... pink with sparkly overcoat! Although they aren't perfect - Alia is pleased as all get out!



Yes... you noticed correctly, we're using Alia's potty as a table!


Blowing on her toes to help them dry... but not before we get a few fingerprints in there for good measure! :)


The finished product


Mommy's pedicured, massively puffy toes and Alia's cute little pink ones!