Winter Wonderland

Yet another snow storm hit the Colorado front range but Rich and I managed to escape to the mountains before getting snowed in at home again. We wanted to enjoy ourselves for what could very well be the last time without a baby in our favorite winter wonderland. Ironically, while Colorado Springs and Denver were getting pounded, we had very little snow up in the Fraser Valley. Rich thought it looked like Mordor, however, because we could see dark clouds hovering over the Continental Divide, dumping feet of snow just on the Eastern side.

We spent Thursday and Saturday cross country skiing and snow-shoed on Maggie's favorite trail on Wednesday.

Now, before calling the pregnancy police, let me just say that I think XC skiing is the BEST pregnancy workout (and one of my preggo books says it's okay as long as you are experienced!). Assuming you're comfortable on skis, and stay on flat, groomed terrain, you get your heart rate up to a nice even rhythm (akin to power walking). You glide across the snow, gently stretching your legs and lower back, rocking the baby to sleep. There's also no impact on your knees--the reason I had to give up running about 6 weeks ago. Gliding along on my skis is about the only time I've felt graceful for the last several months! And just look how breathtaking that view is in the bottom picture! Mid-morning, the gray skies cleared and we got a spectacular view of the Continental Divide. . . I told the baby that I can't wait until he sees it for himself. He'll be a true Coloradan, in love with the mountains!

(And a small disclaimer: I don't ski with Rich--he's way too fast for me now. We just started out together to snap a few pictures!)

Tidings of Comfort and Joy

Up until late Christmas Eve, that joyous holiday spirit was making a weak appearance at the Shertzer house. We were doing great until four days before Christmas, when Mother Nature put us on house arrest with a to-do list that was still a mile long. Once the snow stopped, we spent two days battling the crowds trying to check everything off of that to-do list. At the same time we were dealing with getting the Jetta towed to a repair shop (it died as Rich was trying to get home in the blizzard), caring for the dog of a friend who went out of town, dealing with a gas leak at said friend's house, worrying over the dog possibly being sick (turns out that thankfully he's fine), and a treacherous drive home on icy roads in a borrowed car with poor traction (we swapped our Subaru with a friend that was going to the mountains) as we got a few more inches of snow on Christmas Eve. Oh, and then getting the car stuck in the street as we tried to pull into the driveway. God bless the Mom who stopped with her two teenage daughters after we'd been out there a good 25 minutes. With their help, we got it pushed out of its snow rut and into the garage. I think they were the angels who brought the Christmas spirit back to us just in time.

Once we were safe and warm, Rich and I cuddled up on the couch and in the solitude of the evening realized just how much we have to be thankful for.

Christmas morning came like a new beginning with blue, sunny skies and a pristine covering of fresh, fluffy, white snow. With both of our families waiting for the baby's arrival to make trips to Colorado, we spent the day with the friends that have become as close as our family. We had brunch with the Cobbs and enjoyed Sarah's excitement as she thrilled at opening her presents. Then, the Cobbs and the Leonards joined us at our house for Christmas dinner. And Christmas always includes the antics of our furry family. Little do they know that next year a new member of the family will be stealing the show!

For 2006, we hope that in all the hustle and bustle you, too, found the Christmas spirit and enjoyed the true meaning of the day.

The Nursery

Although we know you're all fascinated with Rich and I, the real reason we started this blog is so that our long-distance family and friends can keep tabs on the soon-to-be newest member of the Shertzer household. So here is the first of many posts devoted to our bundle of joy. . .

Although we're not so organized with our time (see the Blog sidebar), we are pretty organized with most of the other things in our life. Considering that, we finished the nursery a few weeks ago. All that's left to do (as friend Liz said) is add the baby!

We are so happy with how it turned out! Wish we had a "before" picture for comparison. Let's just say that we used to refer to it as "the cats' room" and our two 20+ lb felines are not so neat. Rich ripped up the carpet and installed the pergo floor with the help of my dad. He also did the painting, picture rail, and curtain installation. We joke that while I'm the "efficient" worker, Rich is the "meticulous" worker. This can be a problematic combination for most projects, so it's a good thing I had to minimize my exposure to paint fumes and other unfriendly compounds from Home Depot, because if I was helping more we'd have had the project done months earlier but with plenty of flaws. My mom and I did spend a considerable amount of time at the sewing machine, though, making the curtains, crib skirt and bumper, and basket liners. And if you're wondering what's hanging from the picture rail, it's the Baby Nerd Alphabet. Absolutely adorable and perfect for the son of two engineers!

Next Assignment

Okay, here goes my next attempt at blogging--this time with photos (since that's the real reason you'll check in with us, to see what we're up to!). Looks like this may work, so I'm raising my blogging grade to a B+. The picture is of us with my sister, Laura, and her boyfriend, Chad, in front of my parent's house in Orlando at Thanksgiving. The warm sunshine is quite a contrast from the blizzard I'm watching out my window here in Colorado.

I realize these aren't the greastest pictures, but to give you an idea of what we're up against, the first shot is looking out of the basement window. That's right--it's a good 6' above the ground.

The next picture is the drift outside our front door. Maggie won't go out in it! Rich has to shovel her a path and coax her into walking outside so she can do her business.

We've still got another 3" or so forecasted before Mother Nature cries "uncle" sometime this evening. Then we'll surely be digging out for days! At least it will make for a beautiful white Christmas.

Open for Business

Well, this is it. . . my first blog post! It's more a test of my blogging skills than anything insightful for you to read, but I'm happy to finally be taking the plunge. So far, I give myself a "C" since I have been unsuccessful at uploading photos. Hopefully with the mentoring skills of my friend, Erin (a master blogger), I'll get it figured out and you'll be keeping up with Shertzer Time in no time!

(Okay, I'll upgrade myself to a "B-" since I think I was able to make a link to Erin.)

Stay tuned. . . pictures coming soon!