Last night we had no cable service and no Internet: the perfect excuse to spend the evening in Middle-Earth.

Peppermint ice cream for Rebecca’s birthday (better late than never?).

Today marks the pregnancy milestone that I was probably most looking forward to (well, besides actually meeting this baby). I’m at 34 weeks, which means that as of 11:37 this morning, I am officially farther along than I ever got with Simon (he was born at 11:36). Although Simon is doing great and has had no problems to speak of, for obvious reasons we are incredibly thankful that so far we have no signs of such an early delivery. We are ever so anxious to meet the little one, but at the same time we would be delighted to wait about six more weeks.

This picture isn’t the best quality; I had to do lots of adjustments because I had my camera on the wrong, wrong, wrong settings. But it should give you an idea of just how desperate I was this morning to keep the little one happy. We blessedly did get out of the house this afternoon for a glorious trip to Super Target with Rebecca and Liv. Oh sweet, sweet freedom from the confines of the house. (I don’t know that I’ve ever had cabin fever as bad as I did this week.) You’d think I would have brought my camera for the ride, but really I was just too giddy at being OUT OUT OUT of the house.

For all of you who might be jealous out there: yes, the snow is beautiful. Very beautiful. But if it makes you feel any better, I haven’t left the house since Sunday, and I’m feeling claustrophobic (in my home and in my body). We’re out of eggs and nearly out of milk and diapers. Jason spent an hour trying to the car out of the alley. No go, so he’s home today (actually, I’m incredibly thankful for that; it’ll keep me sane a few more hours).

Simon is fascinated by the snow. Imagine how much his excitement increased when Rebecca and Liv talked us into going outside for some (much needed!) fresh air (I’m glad Rebecca grabbed her camera; I couldn’t figure out a way to handle mine plus the toddler). He’s been talking all day long about his “buh boo” and/or “boo boose” (both refer to “blue boots”) and the “no” (snow).

Note the rainboots with the jams. Simon put them on all by himself (the boots, not the pajamas).