Snow all over the place

Snow has hit much of the Northern Hemisphere in the past few days, blanketing some areas, and engulfing others. We are not exempt from Mother Nature's cold, white wrath. The snow fell enough to cancel schools and delay work days (unless you were already AT work...grrrr). Children rejoiced, and adults strained under the weight of their collective shovels as they dug trenches that would enable the pedestrian to pass without hazzard, and prevent vehicles from sliding or sloshing on the roads.

As it was Aurora's first real snow, she did what anyone gifted with youth and vigor would do, she went outside to play. First she made a snow angel, a tiny cherubic imprint in the otherwise pristene surface. Following that, she decided to try catching snowflakes on her tongue. It was cute to watch, as the flakes that fell were - in some cases - larger than her mouth. Eventually she got to taste the icy goodness she so craved, and it drove her to perform one last act...building her first snow-person. I must say, for her age, she is quite the artist. She is no DaVinci, no Michaelangelo, nor David...but her skills would best any sculptor of the same age! Luckily, she allowed her Mother and I to assist with the finishing touches (the face was all me) before heading indoors for some warm milk and a nap. I have included some photos, in case you require proof my story is true.

POST SCRIPT - In the last few days, the snow has melted away, leaving but a small mound of Sno-Cone where once stood a monument to the Frost People of the Winterland. I would post those photos here, but it seems malicious to post images of someone/something suffering a slow and seemingly painful (Wicked Witch-ean) demise. It is a great learning opportunity for Aurora, though, she gets to experience the cycle of life. A lesson, I'm affraid, she will come to learn all too soon as she grows older. Oh, what a world...what a world. Luckily, she won't remember any of this , and will get to enjoy the wonder and amazement at her next few snowfalls.

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ULI

MADLY

Things I overheard while talking to myself...

The title of this post comes from the memoir/autobiography written by Alan Alda of M.A.S.H. fame. It is a nice read if you're into humorous sefl-exposition. I read part of it and didn't want to put it down.

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If there's been one constant this month, it has been the snow. It falls, it falls more, it melts, and then falls again. The road conditions were the worst I've seen in my time in Germany, and it's still only January.

While I've had to trudge through it to get to work, Vanessa has - unfortunately - been "snowed in." I understand, I mean, I'd get cabin fever too if I were holed up indoors for weeks at a time. She just doesn't have the opportunity to go out much, being tied to Aurora the way she is.

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And speaking of Aurora...

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She is growing ever bigger, and she has begun to recognize Mommy and Daddy's faces...even to the point of facial expressions. For example, when we smile at her, and she "sees" it, she will smile back. And she has the most adorable smile...half-toothless grin/half full-faced laughter. Sometimes we know it's just gas tickling her belly, but most of the time, it's true glee we see in her face. Just take a look:
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How can you not melt when you see this...and you should see it in person. A-DOR-A-BLE!!!

She is gaining weight at an acceptable rate (had a scare that she might be lactose intolerant for about two weeks, but that turned out to be a false alarm), and she's already three inches longer than she was at birth. Pretty soon, she'll be asking for my car keys! It's great watching her grow day-to-day. I like looking at her and seeing her notice something for the first time. And at night (or during naps) Vanessa and I enjoy just looking at her. She has begun dreaming, and the emotions roll across her face from smile to worry-face back to smile. We've had our fun moments with her (just because she can't stop us yet!), and I've posted some random shots form January at the bottom of this post. Enjoy!

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My work situation is steadily declining. There's so much I'd like to write, but my coworkers have access to this site, and I don't want to put anything specific out there. I will simply say that I am happy to have a job in this economy, even one that I am no longer finding myself enjoying. I actually find myself missing my deployment most days, and if it weren't for my wonderful wife and darling daughter, I'd request to be permamently reassigned back there. Is that crazy or what? Ah well, the family motto kicks in, and I'm good again.

"I can do anything for a year."

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I've been getting nostalgic lately, and missing my friends from back home in the U.S.A. There are so many great memories, and I know we'd be abe to do many things we used to do - family lives not withstanding. I miss going to Rocky Horror shows, being introduced to new theater expereinces, reliving my darker college days, late nights at 24-hour diners, and so much more.

"You can never go home again," but you can enjoy the memories you have of it.

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I realized the other day that I should start writing a book of advice and memoriws fo my daughter - because let's face it, I won't always be here. I think it would be nice to have a "BOOK OF THINGS MY FATHER TAUGHT ME" for her to go through in her youth, her teen years, and her adulthood. I know I would have enjoyed one from either or both of my parents. They both say they'll tell me anyhting I want to know, but it's hard to know what to want to know. So, I may become an author soon...

...or it could be just another thing to procrastinate about until it's too late.

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Anyway, enough chatter, here's the reason you really logged on to this post...more pictures of Aurora Celeste Heinzelman.

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ULI

MADLY