Playing in the Snow with Gwen
We had record breaking snowfall in NH this past December but Gwen wasn't very fond of the snow, probably because she didn't have a snow suit or a sled to really get out and experience the fun that snow can be (when you're a kid, anyway). All of that was taken care of at Christmas when she got a snowsuit and boots from Grandma and Grandpa Michniewicz and Santa brought her a sled!
On New Year's Day, Tony took the opportunity to bring Gwen outside to play in the snow and try out her new sled during yet another snow storm. I got to stay inside and take pictures and videos, which was both depressing because I couldn't have outdoor winter fun with the family, but also nice because I can't stand up for more than 5 or 10 minutes at a time so the pressure to participate was off.
Gwen started off her adventure crying hysterically as we, being dumb new parents, dressed her up in all her gear and then asked her to turn around to show Mommy so she could take a picture. Not being able to move as she was bundled up from head to toe (think "A Christmas Story"), and not being used to having restrictive footwear on, she turned around to show Mommy and instantly fell headfirst into the bed-rail with her forehead and not being able to use her hands to brace herself, her face hit the floor immediately after. We checked her for blood and tried to calm her, to no avail. Since it was clear she was starting to overheat indoors in her snowsuit I told Tony that he should take her outside and give it a shot... either it would distract her and she'd forget about getting hurt or she wouldn't want to play at all since she was already upset, at which point he should just bring her back in. It worked! Once she got used to moving in boots and a snowsuit she had a ball! Daddy pulled her through the walkways and all around the cars and even put her up on one of the snowbanks to help her sled down the hill and she loved all of it, saying "Whee!" the whole time. They spent about 45 minutes outside, knocking snow off the cars, making snow angels, and throwing snowballs that they almost hit Mommy with. When she came inside she was ecstatic and rejuvenated by the fun and fresh air.
