SNOW!

We were predicted to get snow yesterday and today, and for the first time in as long as I can remember, the forecast for snow in Atlanta was right! Sometime after lunch yesterday, the white powder started to fall. Of course it was during Maddux's nap, but Eli watched from his room until she woke up. (He and I snuck out onto the back deck for a few minutes when it first started.) By the time she woke up, it had stopped, but less than an hour later, the snow started up again. Eli, Maddux and I got bundled up and went outside to join the neighbors in celebration. Eli had a blast trying to make himself slip on the ice accumulated in the gutter while Maddux kept trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue. While we were outside, Daddy came home and joined in the fun. Not long after, the snow turned to a little bit of sleet, so we went inside to eat dinner. The kids had a blast and Eli said he hoped it snowed more so we could build a snowman family. ("One Daddy, one Eli, one Mommy, and one Maddux.")

He got his wish! We woke up this morning to a little heavier dusting on the streets, bushes and lawns. The temperatures had dropped into the teens, so many streets were frozen over. Of course this meant no school, so I planned to have some outdoor fun with the kids. Maddux had different plans, however. She woke up around 6AM, retching like she had on Christmas Eve. She vomited a little and then laid with me in her chair. She eventually fell back asleep and then woke up to request I put her back in her crib. But as soon as I left the room she was crying again. More stomach convulsions and more vomit. Poor girl! She ended up laying on the couch (on top of towels) while I worked. And that was her existence for most of the morning. Even once the three of us went downstairs, I made a bed of towels for her on the ground so she could be near Eli and I while we ate breakfast. (She tried a saltine cracker, but only ate half and then vomited it up. Water is the only thing she's been able to keep down so far.)

Maddux has gone in and out of feeling well enough to play for five or ten minutes, but then the nausea will hit her and she'll return to the couch (or floor) and lie down again. Around 11AM, our neighbor called to say they were going to try cardboard and cookie sheets on the hill in front of our houses. Since Maddie was feeling better at the moment, I bundled both kids up and we headed outside. What a blast! Maddux wanted to be held the whole time, but Eli slid down the hill with the other kids, having an absolute blast. Oh the joy of a snow day!! Mad Dog lasted maybe fifteen minutes before she begin to cry and beg to go inside. Once we got upstairs, she put her head on the couch pillow and passed out.

Once Eli's fingers had frozen over a few times, he made his way back inside. Maddie woke up about the same time and we decided to tackle lunch. I figured smoothies may be the best (read: most tame) thing for her stomach, even though it was the opposite comfort food based on the weather. They both gulped down the frozen fruit quickly. Eli moved on to some pretzels and cheese sticks, along with a banana while Maddux took her place on the floor-bed again. (At least no vomiting this time!) I decided to let the kids veg on the couch for a few minutes before naps as a special treat. As soon as I told them the news, Eli told me that he wanted to get his blanket to so he could be next to Maddie on the couch and hold her. Does it get any more sticky sweet than that?!? As soon as Sesame Street came on the screen, he did just that. And she let him. Life is good.