Dear Grant,

Mommy loves you more than you'll ever know. And so, it is hard for me to admit that I've lied to you. You are my sun and moon and I would never tell you things to hurt you on purpose, but I think I may have done you a disservice when I told you the baby would come after all the snow came and all the snow melted. Mom wasn't really thinking this was the winter we were going to have. I didn't think that when I looked outside this morning we would be up another full foot of snow. I didn't think we would have snow banks over four feet high in our driveway. I never thought I would be afraid to put you down outside for fear I would lose you in the mountains of ice and literally never find you again. Beanie will certainly be here before the snow melts. Even if she isn't early and doesn't come until April. But if she is early and comes in March, she may still be here before the snow stops falling and unlike the unseasonable warm November day when Mom and Dad brought you home, I'll be bringing her home in a parka, not a cute little outfit and hat. So much for having a spring baby. So, my sweet Grantie-G, Mom is sorry to have mislead you. You probably believe you've got months and months to continue being an only child, but you are very much mislead. Mommy and Daddy will work hard to help you understand that you really have just six to nine weeks to enjoy this quiet time of being the show and having no competition. The good news is, eventually Mommy will get her lap back once the baby comes and snuggling will get a little easier. The bad news is, instead of eating for two, I'll be snuggling two, so you will have to share. Don't worry Pumpkin, you'll always be my first baby and will always hold a special distinction in my heart. I'm sorry I lied to you. I'm sorry we live in New England. I'm sorry for another foot of snow today. I'm sorry we don't manage to get a snow day for it. I love you,

Mom

I'm officially opening the Baby Name Draft Board. Suggestions are welcomed-one boy and one girl per person. If we pick your name, you can be a godparent. or, if that is too scary, I'm happy to give you cash. We're in a real pickle with boy names, so this could be your chance to be the winner! Suggestions are welcome in comments or via email, phone, whatever. Bring it on!

Vacation is over-and really, not a moment too soon. Its been lovely, but our whole family needs some routine to get us back on track! I'm not really looking forward to going back to work because I'll be swamped and stressed for the next 10-13 weeks, but my new graduate assistant starts soon and that should really help things. Yeah for Carolyn!

We took Grant bowling for the first time today. We were desperate to get out of the house, but didn't really want to go to far or do to much. It turns out, he's not really big enough to roll the ball all the way down the lane by himself, what with barely being three and all. They have this ramp thing that you can put in the lane and he can carry the ball over and put it on top and simply roll it down. He loved it-and outscored his mother.

I'm not going to lie though, bowling at 27 weeks pregnant might have been a mistake. I've had some nice pain in my belly since we got home. I think work will be the best thing to happen to me in terms of taking it easy! no more lugging around a 34 pound kid all day! and lots of sitting in chairs and in meetings, not jumping up and down off the floor or trying to find a way to carefully create a lap so both kids are comfortable and neither kid is being smooched. Good problems to have though :)

Taylor now has unlocked a wookie on his Star Wars game. such a cute little lego wookie :)

My friend Britt starts working at the same place as me again tomorrow and Amy is going to be induced. January 3rd, you're looking like a vast improvement over January 2nd!