Let it snow, let it snow ...

We had a lovely snow storm yesterday. Just an inch or two where we live, but up in the hills behind our apartment there are 4 inches or more. The Mister took the Dog to the dog park, where he had a lovely time tearing around with his friends in the white stuff. Last night the temperatures dropped and everything turned to ice. Sheets of ice on the streets, sheets of ice on the sidewalks. And, this morning, ice on the inside of our living room windows where condensation froze up overnight. (We live in an old building with single-paned windows that don't always close tightly. Sometimes you can feel a breeze; I'm sure we're wasting a lot of electricity heating the air that leaks outside.)

In the Big City, snow was lovely for a few hours, and then the fleets of snowplows took over. Homeowners and shopkeepers quickly scampered outside to scatter salt and shovel sidewalks. The subways were always running, and it was rare that snow would be a valid excuse for missing work. Here, on the other hand, there don't seem to be any plows and it's only random property owners who clear their sidewalks. This means that when it snows and then ices over (as seems to be the usual pattern here), the city basically shuts down. It's nice for the first day, but after that, it seems to be a little ... wimpy. Where is our rugged individualism? Where is our collective work ethic? How can a relatively major city like this get shut down by one inch of snow? It boggles the mind. And makes me wish I had some of these.

For today, I was happy to sit at home with my fleece, wool socks, and endless cups of hot tea. I had intended to tackle a major filing project. Instead, I found my nose buried in The Girlfriends' Guide to Baby Gear, making lists of layette items, creating online registries, researching cloth diaper systems, asking the Mister his opinion on Baby B*jorn colors and generally acting like a nesting pregnant woman. Hilarious, eh? Babies aren't that complicated, but wading through all the hype takes a good chunk of time. With the exception of bottles and formula, I feel like I know what we'll actually need (as opposed to what people tell you you'll need), and yes it did take me most of the day.

The weather has put a crimp in our social plans. Our dinner guests cancelled last night, and the adoption agency cancelled their potluck holiday party tonight. I'm particularly disappointed about that, as we were looking forward to meeting families who have already adopted, in addition to seeing our waiting families group. On the other hand, the pan of lasagna that I prepared yesterday will last us for a week!

Comments

[Heather]

That crib is absurd. And I thought the Land of Nod cribs were expensive! Compared to that thing, they're practically bargain-basement.

Assvice alert: Skip the B*jorn and spend your money on a carrier that will still be comfortable when your baby weighs more than 10 pounds. Or don't. It's your registry. Ignore me as I stick my nose where it doesn't belong!

Also, I am totally going to start calling our pile of cloth diapers a 'system' It will make me feel important.

Can you tell I'm getting a little stir crazy? Our town is a sheet of ice and I'm facing down another day trapped inside with two shorties.

[Calliope]

oooh! I want photos of the snow!
Sounds like you are getting a great list going- I am very impressed. The baby STUFF is insane. I wish there was some kind of starter kit that we could get- you know like when you get a kitten...heh
Can't wait to hear MORE!!

[Aegina]

It's actually snowing here, too -- or was -- enough that the Munchkin will be excited when she leaves "schoolday."

I liked my B*jorn -- used it until my daughter was about 14 months old! But I know other people haven't found it as comfortable. I guess having these big hips came in handy for something! But Heather, you are a more dedicated woman than I am -- my commitment to the environment fell apart at the prospect of cloth diapers! :-)