Happy Valentine's Day!

I think it snows every Valentine's Day. I can remember canceling Valentine's day parties at school and having to re-schedule them. 

Let's be honest, I think we're all pretty sick of snow by now but we're all just trying to make the best out of it. It could be a lot worse. I'm truly thankful we didn't lose power. I'm also really glad Pat stayed home from work yesterday, it helped a lot because I didn't feel well. 

We had a mini-Valentine's Day photo shoot this morning before daddy went to work...

Dancing with daddy

We actually got out of the house today and bought some crafts. She had a blast with her new art supplies.

She gives me this face a lot! "Help me, mom!"

This actually kept her busy for about 30 minutes. 

The finished products

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Snow on Snow on Snow

Every time Pat went outside to shovel Sophia would grab her hat and mittens and start putting them on. Then she'd bring me her boots and ask me to help.

She desperately wanted to use the snow blower. In fact, she was quite disappointed when I had to take her inside to let daddy finish snow blowing by himself. 

"That's not how you shovel, dad."

Cuddling with mommy and her baby sister

This long, snowy winter reminds me of these wonderful books that young readers would enjoy....

Who doesn't love a good Jan Brett book?

Snow lately...

Learning our colors using the snow...

Mixing colors is *snow* much fun!

Our backyard: these pictures were taken at sunset the day after the ice storm. We had so much ice on the mountain. So pretty, yet so dangerous.

Our little bucket head. We are thankful to our friends who let us stay with them while we were out of power after the ice storm. She *had* to take this bucket from their house as we were leaving. She has loved carrying it around and now  enjoys wearing it on her head. 

Lila and Sophia play date

Chronicles of a cousin's play date with an almost 2 year old and almost 1 1/2 year old. 

Taking turns pushing each other in the car

Enough dinner dad, "put this bucket/hat on my head"

Tickles for everyone!

He looks so innocent.

Lila and Sophia taught Uncle Pat how to slither across the floor.

And, now it's time for bed...

28 weeks and growing

Today I surprised myself and ran two miles on the treadmill! I am so thankful to have a treadmill at my house because we’ve had a lot of snow this winter. I really miss taking walks outside so if I’m desperate for a walk I can use the treadmill. I have continued to work out throughout my pregnancy because I was very active before I became pregnant. My intensity and work-out level has decreased as my pregnancy has progressed. You definitely have to listen to your body and do what’s safe for you and the baby.

Lately, I have only been running one mile before a spin class or just 1 mile and 20 minutes on the stepper. Spin class a few days a week and pre-natal yoga once a week has really been great! I forgot how relaxing pre-natal yoga is and how amazing it is for your body. I love going to Mt. Spirit Yoga.

I know I just started the third trimester and I know there’s still a long way to go before this baby girl arrives but keeping active helps keep a positive attitude as your body gears up for even more changes. I remember how tired I was in the third trimester with Sophia so time will tell how it goes. I just have to remind myself, “one day at a time”.

I met a mom recently who had a baby in September. She’s a really great runner who runs at my gym. She just had her fourth baby and she said she ran all the way through each pregnancy – how awesome! We are all different and built differently. I work out when I can because it makes me feel good and makes me feel like me, considering when you’re pregnant and your body is changing all the time, you certainly don’t feel like “you” and your body doesn’t act like “you” either. But, in the long run, it is only a short amount of time and what a miracle to be able to carry a beautiful, healthy baby. What a blessing – for that I am so thankful!

So, I just want to encourage moms and moms-to-be to continue to do what makes you feel joyful and what makes you feel like “you”. If working out isn’t your thing that’s ok because God designed us all differently. We are all made to excel at different things. So it’s good to appreciate each other’s differences and strengths.

I just had to share some maternity tops I’ve been living in these days. I love how I can work out in these tops but I can also layer them with a cardigan and make it look like a nice shirt. I love how the fit is flattering. People have even complimented me when I’ve worn the tops, so I think these tops would be great for pregnant mommas everywhere. 

Old Navy maternity 

28 weeks

Massanutten Adventure

 

If you’re looking for a weekend getaway to distract you with the dreary winter, then Massanutten is the place to go. It’s a great family vacation getaway. There’s activities ranging from: skiing, tubing, horseback riding, ice skating, spa treatments, water park adventures etc. I had no idea how big the resort was until we drove around it. I thought it was just a ski resort, but believe it or not but it’s more crowded in the summer.

We, of course, are water people so we visited Massanutten purely for water enjoyment/entertainment. Snow is not our optimal environment. However, after our girls grow a little older I’m sure we will expose them to winter sports such as skiing and snow tubing.

We stayed in a 2 bedroom condo at the resort that had a full kitchen. Unlike Great Wolf Lodge where you stay at the water park, you have to drive everywhere at this resort, but it wasn’t too bad. It was really quiet where we stayed and it was not a far drive to any of the activities.

I loved how the water park had so many activities and many different levels of water entertainment for all ages. It was also nice that there were numerous places to buy food and a small restaurant which even had an arcade close by.

Sophia loved the “frog pond” which is designed for toddlers. The whole pool is one foot deep so little ones can walk around freely without any trouble. There were also lots of fountains to play in, swings to jump around in, and a small slide that she could easily go down. We also went on the lazy river where you sit in tubes and float around the water park.

There are really big water slides too that maybe Sophia will do one day.

Overall, we had a great time and definitely recommend Massanutten as a family trip for anyone.