Biggest Snowstorm Since 2005

The Perfect Storm of 2013

We have all seen the movie 'The Perfect Storm,' which takes place in the Boston suburb fishing town, Gloucester.  In the movie, two storm systems merge forming a super storm, sealing the fisherman's fate.  As luck would have it, a similar scenario existed this weekend. A arctic system merged with a wet system, and parked right over New England.  We thought the snow storm was going to be bad, but not this bad. It snowed from 10:30am on Friday until 4:30pm on Saturday.  More than 250,000 MA resident were without power.  Boston public transportation was shutdown at 3:30pm, and a statewide driving ban was in effect.  You could receive a $500 ticket if caught driving.  We received somewhere around 24 inches of snow.  The snow drifts were up to 6-7 feet up over the tops of fences.  Andrew spent 4 hours outside shoveling out the driveways and other cars around the condo. Once the snow plows started clearing the roads, they packed the snow into huge mounds, burying parked cars on the side of the road. Doing the simplest tasks outside became incredibly difficult.  Andrew had to wear snow shoes just to take Bailey to the bathroom.

The winds died down and the snow subsided enough for Avery and I to venture outside.  We strapped on our brand new snowshoes and put Avery in a baby backpack, then zipped her inside Andrew's North Face jacket.  We were the first to make tracks in 5ft. snow drifts on the walking path just outside our condo.

We knew we were running out of diapers last weekend, so we bought 480 diapers online on Monday from Amazon with 3-5 days delivery.  Unfortunately, the diapers weren't put on the FedEx truck until....Friday morning...in CA.  Andrew was so worried we were going to run out of diapers, he hiked 3 miles in the 35 mph wind, 20 deg blizzard to the nearest opens Walgreens to stock up.

This snow storm was inevitably topped off by the temperature dropping in the condo just before dinner time on Saturday.  Andrew made the trip to the basement to find that the furnace wasn't working. After calling the plumber for the condo at 6:30pm, he wasn't going to be available until the morning.  Luckily it only got down to 50 degrees considering it was 12 degrees outside. Avery seemed perfectly content with doubling up on fleece onzies, as she tends to sleep better when she's toasty warm. The plumber arrived at 9:30am, and the house was back at temperature by noon.

Picture Perfect

Week 2 Milestones

Week 2 has been super successful. Avery has learned to enjoy tummy time now that she can push herself from tummy to side. She has surpassed her birth weight, now weighing in at 7lbs and 1/2 an ounce. She has also worked her way up to occasionally sleeping 5 hour straight through the night. 

First Photo Shoot

At only 10 days old, Avery had her first photo shoot.  It was only scheduled to last 30 minutes but once everything was said and done, we left the studio 2 1/2 hours later. Luckily we came away with a few good pics.

Adjusting To Our New Life

Avery Elizabeth is 1 Week Old

Our little Angel is 1 week old. At her first doctor's appointment she weighted 6lbs and 3oz. She also measured at 19.25 inches (0.25 inches longer than at birth, but I think the nurse may have stretched her so much she grew).  Because she's not back up to her birth weight we will have another visit in a week. She loves to eat and sleep and is only awake for cuddle/play time for about 2 hours total a day.  We started out on a 2 hour sleep/eat schedule and have now made our way up to 4 hours. This has been great for Andrew's and my beauty sleep. Her newborn clothes are still fitting a little big but I'm sure she will grow into them soon!

Practice Makes Perfect
We all know that the more you practice the better you'll get at what ever the task may be. Well Andrew has gotten a head start training for our Half Marathon this summer. He's been practicing running with the BOB stroller. Considering Avery is too small for the BOB, the stroller seat is empty. Although he's received a few questionable looks around the neighborhood and funny comments ("Looks like you forgot somebody."), he's determined to push the baby in the stroller for our first family marathon! Keep up the good work Love!

Baby Wilson Has Arrived!

Baby Avery Elizabeth Wilson Was Born
Wow, I can't believe she's finally here! We were thinking she would be at least a week late, considering both Andrew and I were both 2. At only 3 days past my due date, I was shocked to go into labor.  I was so surprised that when my contractions started at 2:30am I didn't wake up Andrew for a few hours.

Last Pregnancy Picture: 40 Weeks & 3 Days

Taken just before we left the house for the hospital.

Andrew just 3 hours before we delivered. 

He's much more relaxed here as I've just received an epidural.

The whole labor and delivery process felt as though it happened really fast. We checked into Beverly Hospital at 7:15am and Avery was delivered at 2:00pm. Just in time to watch NFC and AFC Championship games. The entire experience was unpredictable, scary and joyful. We feel so blessed to have a beautiful baby who is a healthy and perfect Smolik/Wilson Combination!

First time to hold Avery. 

6lbs, 6oz and 19in long

Andrew's First time holding Avery. 

 Love that blond hair! 

 Headed Home. Thanks Kelly and Mark for the adorable outfit.

40 Weeks and Still Pregnant

Preparing For Our Next Stage of Life
You'd think we were getting ready a natural disaster!

• The cars have been inspected, repaired and winterized. 
• The house is so clean that even the storage closets are organized.
• The freezer and pantry are stocked up with at least a month of food.
• And I end each work day with a "pass down" meeting with my team covering what's been accomplished and what will need to be taken care of next. 

40 Week Dr. Appointment
Andrew and I got up bright and early to a snowy Wednesday for our 40 week doctor's appointment, only to find out that baby Wilson is quite comfy where she's at. My doctor sent us on our way with a few reccomendations that could speed things along:

1) Try the pumpkin ravioli at a Beverly Italian restaurant called "Chianti"
2) Visit a local Spa in Beverly that offers a labor inducing massage that focuses on specific pressure points

Our next appointment will be Monday morning where we will have a sonogram and possibly schedule a time to be induced.  

40 Week Checkup Apt at Beverly Hospital

40 Week wall picture to come soon :)

Eye Opening Experience
Sunday we had a few friends over (with their little ones) to watch the Patriots game. After spending a few minutes with a 6 month old and 15 month old, Andrew and I quickly realized our lives were in for a HUGE change. First of all, our house is definitely not "baby proofed" with 3 sets of open staircases and china and crystal out on display. We also realized quiet dinners, or even possibly dinner together may be on hold for a while. Who knew parents take turns chasing around their kids while the other one eats. Or that babies can cry on queue as soon as you start a conversation, or sit down for a meal. After our company left we sat on the couch in silence for a few minutes then Andrew asked "Are you ready for this?" We both laughed and said no!

Only 1 Week to Go... we hope :)

39 Week Development
Baby Wilson is now the size of a watermelon!
I remember reading that one day she would get this big, but honestly I didn't think it was really possible. Well it is! Here I am waddling around with a very active watermelon in my belly. Believe it or not, her brain is still developing. And her skin finally has a thick layer of fat around the blood vessels. I've also read her fingernails may be very long so she may be due for her first mani!

Week 39: January 11, 2013

Health & Wellness Update
I feel extremely fortunate to have had a safe, positive and for the most part easy pregnancy, but I can honestly say, I'm over it! This last month has become so uncomfortable. The other day I was telling my mom that I'm sure every pregnant woman feels this this way, but there's just no more room in my body for this baby. Not only does she take up my entire torso from the bottom of my ribs to the top of my hips, but this baby is getting heavy! Andrew literally has to roll me off the couch or bed so I can stand up. My latest pains include swollen feet, stomach cramps, achy hips and head aches.

My last doctor's appointment was Monday and she predicted baby Wilson weighs between 6 & 7lbs.  Although she's dropped and in the right position, I'm not having any signs that she's coming out soon. She must have heard how cold it is here in Boston!  My next appointment is 1/16 so I'm hoping we make a little more progress by then.

Christmas Tree Burn
A few days after New Years, Andrew and I heard of a tradition here in Salem where the city will have a huge bonfire by the beach and burn all the Christmas trees. Since I'm married to a pyromaniac, this was something we couldn't miss. There was a DJ there playing all sorts of "fire" themed songs and a booth passing out hot chocolate so it turned out to be a fun community event.

 

 

Surprise Shower
Yesterday my office surprised me with a baby shower. It was so cute. They put pink and white streamers everywhere and had mini cupcakes with pink lemonade. It was the perfect way to end a busy work day!

What I'm looking forward to...
This Friday we meet with a pediatrician that came highly recommended by my neighbors. We're very lucky to live on a street with lots of young families. I'm sure they will become our go to resources for new parent information.

38 Weeks Pregnant

38 Week Development
Weighing close to seven pounds and measuring 20 inches long, fetal development is nearly complete!  Baby Wilson still has a few last-minute details to take care of like shedding the skin-protecting vernix and lanugo. The last bits of vernix caseosa (the white goo keeping baby's skin moist) and lanugo (downy hair) are slowly shedding into the amniotic fluid. Her head is about the same circumference as her abdomen, and her head could be covered in an inch or so of hair.

Week 38: January 3, 2013

The Final Touches 

Ever since Andrew and I got back to Boston, it's been extremely cold and snowy.  This has actually been nice because it's given us time to get some of the last minute preparations done. Today we installed the car seat and the extra base in our cars, put the rest of the bedding on the crib, figured out how to use the BOB stroller with the car seat attached and washed the rest of the newborn clothes.

Andrew cleaning the snow off the car so we can go shopping.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Years Eve toast with our fake champagne.

New Years Eve Date night at home. Poor Andrew had the flu so we 

couldn't make it out to ring in the new year.

Looking Forward To...

Our next doctor appointment! We see the Dr. again on Monday 1/7. Fingers crossed this is our 2nd to last visit pre-baby.

AND

Testing out our new snow shoes! This was one of Andrew's Christmas Gifts. I hear a little exercise can move things along if you know what I mean!