Wednesday, December 5, 2007

An Introduction to Snow

Last year at this time, we were bundling Dylan into his car seat, throwing a blanket over him, and booking it to the usually already warmed up car, because he was little, fragile, and brand spankin' new! Needless to say, he didn't exactly get a proper introduction to snow, not that he would have noticed or even cared. But, this year, I was eagerly awaiting the moment there would be enough snow on the ground that I wouldn't look like an complete loon if I took him out and made the introduction.
Today was the day, after a quick call to "daddy" to make sure he wouldn't be pissed about missing this first.

I approached it methodically, as if planning a battle. First, I went through my winter box, finding my snowpants (that now need to be held together with a safety pin - YIKES), hat, gloves, thermal wear, turtleneck, heavy socks, boots, and ski coat. I put the first layer on, then moved on to Dylan. I got his stuff ready, a turtleneck, heavy fleece pants, warm socks, snow overalls, hat, and jacket with attached gloves. I bought 3 pairs of boots at a consignment store a few months ago anticipating this very event, so after changing his diaper, I starting trying them on him to decide which ones would work best. The first two I couldn't even get on his feet, which makes no sense because they are actually a size bigger than what he wears in shoes. The first of the third pair, went on no problem, but by that time, he was over trying on boots, and decided to take it off and hightail it out of there. Cue the corny music they play in old movies where one person is chasing another. I chased him around the house, trying desperately to get those *&^% boots on. He decided this was great fun, and giggled and hee hawed through every room in the house.

When I finally wrestled, (in this corner - Sweaty Mommy! In this corner - Annoyed Kid With Too Many Layers On!), him into all his clothes, and got my own on (while he sat there looking pissed, cute, and ridiculous all at the same time), I made a decision about the boots. They wouldn't stay on, and he couldn't walk in them at all, so I put on a pair of his shoes, and put a zip lock bag around each one, securing it with a rubber band. "A little piece of genius, right there", I smugly thought to myself. Then we were off. "Snow, Dylan. Dylan, Snow. Nice to meet you".

After my poor kid slid halfway across our back deck, on his zip lock iceskates, before the big crash and burn, I had a vague recollection of my mom doing the EXACT same thing to me when I was a kid, with the EXACT same result! Holy Crap! We really are destined to repeat our parent's mistakes, aren't we? Luckily, my parents didn't make very many, (right Mom and Dad?XXOO). I had a great time, and my newly signing smartie pants kept signing "More" when we came in, so I guess he enjoyed it too!

"Yea, Mommy. I can't move OR see. This should be fun".




16 comments:

The Girls' Mommy said...

SO Cute! Multiply that by 6 (kids)and you have my day with the snow today. I'll post the blog tomorrow. Needless to say, we didn't have as much fun...but I'm glad you did.

Anonymous said...

What a cutie! Cooper's introduction to snow was when I was 7 months pregnant with Maren . . . I think the entire apartment complex heard me yell that I was "too freakin' pregnant to be wrestling [him] into a pair of boots and snowpants." I wish they made a suit with the boots and mittens attached - all you have to do is zip the kid in. Glad he enjoyed it!

Pam said...

I love those pictures!! Riley hasn't seemed to notice the snow- he only cares because I have him bundled, stuck in his car seat and covered with a blanket. Ashlyn loves it. Last winter, she tried to ride her big wheel in the snow while daddy shoved- funny stuff! We barely got an inch today so she just put some gloves on and pushed it around...

So glad that Dylan liked his first time meeting the snow. I'm sure he will be wanting more and more. Though, really, are we even up for it after all the fuss and fight to just get outside? Thanks for sharing this milestone with us!

Burgh Baby said...

Dude, I'm so jealous. So very, very jealous. I haven't bought the multiple layers of warmth yet--maybe that's a good thing since she won't stand in the darn driveway with snow around. Or maybe I'll have to go spend a ton of money on snow gear just to see if I can convince her snow really is fun.

Those pictures are adorable! So is the mental image of him signing more, more, more after you went back inside!

Janet said...

What a cutie (and a beautiful cat, too!) We had our first snow yesterday too. A whole 1/4 inch. We put coats and shoes on the kids and let them go out on the deck and touch it. It's gone now.
I've added you to my blog roll if that's OK.

Kristi @ Mi Vida Ocupada said...

Oh, but he is so cute all bundled up!

Kellan said...

Jen, what a cute post! I loved, "A little piece of genius, right there", I smugly thought to myself" - and the visions of him in the zip-lock bags around his little feet. He looks adorable and I'll bet he just had a blast. Kids do love the snow, don't they? Take care and have fun. Kellan

Aunt Becky said...

Awww.

It's always adorable, the first intro to snow. But it makes me think of that scene in "A Christmas Story" where Ralphie goes "I can't put my arms down!"

Jen said...

Julia, Why 6? Honestly how did we dress 24 preschoolers in snow gear in about 15 minutes? Of course, we were younger then. Yea, that's it.

Driving, Oh those pregnant outbursts. Fun times.

Pam, I don't think I'll attempt it again, without Jim around to help. It was fun, though.

BBM, Today his physical therapist came, and she was massaging his face, and he sat there as still as could be until she was done. Then, he signed "More"! He can already appreciate a good massage.

Janet, Of course that's ok! Thanks. The cat is beautiful, and is actually a really good natured cat. Go way back and read "Super Soaker and The Stray" to get the whole story.

Kristi, He is so darn cute, I don't know I'm going to avoid him having me wrapped around his finger!

Kellan, I wish I would've got a picture of him with the ziplock bags on, but the second he stepped onto the deck, he slid like a hockey puck! They stayed on about 5 seconds.

Becky, Luckily? the jacket is too big, so he did have enough room to move his arms.

shay said...

Ha ha. I love how they're so bundled they hardly bend.

I never thought of ziplock bags!! Right now I'm lmao at you:)

Oh and I'm new to your blog so that's kind of rude of me I guess:)

Audrey said...

I'm new here but glad I dropped by to look at those pictures. Aww... too cute!

Casdok said...

Such cute pics!

Jen said...

Shay, Laugh it up. I don't mind. Stop back again, sometime.

Tot's mom & Casdok,
Thanks for stopping by! Nice to meet you.

Kellan said...

Hey Jen - thanks for coming over and leaving the nice Birthday wish for my Dad. Have a good Saturday. See you soon. Kellan

Daphne said...

he is such a darling cutie!! looks like the fun was worth the chase!!!

Sparx said...

Ack, I missed the pics! I love this post - funny and true and touching. I normally hate snow but now I live in a snow-free country I really wish we had proper snow for the spud to meet. Great, great post!