Attack of Snowzilla: The Blizzard of 2016

Enjoying the Blizzard!

On January 22-23 Washington DC was hit by a whopper of a snowstorm.  Over the 48 hour event our little Capitol Hill home was inundated with approximately 25 inches of snow and the snowdrifts were well over 3 feet!  Needless to say the city came to a standstill and we were given the gift of cozy family time.  Not only was this snowstorm a major event it was also the first big snow of the season and the first snowstorm in Benton's recollection.

Finding ways to keep Benton entertained during the worst of the storm

Fun in his tunnel!

Man oh man was Benton surprised by the snow!  On Saturday we went out into the full force of the Blizzard....for about 5 minutes so Benton could experience the snow falling and satisfy his urge to get outside.  As the snow whirled all around him and the drifts were as big as his shoulders he had fun for albeit a short amount of time before it was time to head back inside.

Getting ready to go out and his first impressions of the snow!

Starting to enjoy the snow!

Family Pics in the Snow

Ready to go back inside

One last pic before heading inside for hot cocoa

The next day after the storm had dissipated we went out into our neighborhood to check out our winter wonderland.  All I can say is WOW.  Our street was untouched by cars and even pedestrian footsteps and the sidewalks had small paths worn into them by determined neighbors.  As we took Benton for a short stroll he definitely had difficulty finding his balance in the waist deep snow.  Instead of trying to make it the 4 blocks to the park - an impossible feat - we made snow angels right in the middle of our untouched street.  Benton was not a fan of the snow angel but was a fan of everything else.  I think he thought we were trying to drown him in the snow :)

Papa helping Benton around the neighborhood

Pictures of our neighborhood in the aftermath

Enjoying the snow!

Blizzard family portrait

Overall it was a pretty magical day and it was so fun introducing Benton to the snow.  Thank god for these wonderful moments with our little man!

Happy Holidays! Turkey Time, Santa Claus and New Years

The holiday season in the Bertram household was definitely a time of joy and thanking God for our blessings.  For each of the three major winter holidays we holed up at our home on Capitol Hill just the three of us.  While we would have loved to have visited family my high-risk pregnancy wouldn't allow for a plane ride to Hawaii or Michigan.  Without extended family in the picture we made our own traditions as a family of three :)

Playing in his tunnel with Papa

Getting ready for Thanksgiving with a turkey hat

For Thanksgiving we had a wonderful feast, watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and watched our favorite Thanksgiving movies (Dutch and Planes, Trains and Automobiles).  We also dressed up Benton as a little turkey.  Overall just a great day full of thanks.  Thanks for our strong and amazing son Benton and thanks for making it to 23 weeks in my new pregnancy.

Happiest little turkey in the land!

My little turkey

Thanksgiving dinner - party of three!

Benton playing with his Thanksgiving food!

Thanksgiving family portrait

Showing Benton how weird his parents can be :)

Posing with our little turkey!

Over the month of December we tried our best to enjoy some classic Christmas traditions even though we were mainly homebound.  We picked out our family Christmas tree - a tradition that Benton seemed to enjoy by throwing himself at every tree we looked at :)  We also went to Watkins Regional Park to see their Festival of Lights.  This park had beautiful light displays and had an amazing gigantic Christmas tree with blinking lights and blaring Christmas music.  Benton loved the music and toddled directly over to the tree to enjoy!  We also decided to continue my family's tradition of baking Christmas sugar cookies and Benton even helped make the dough, used the cookie cutters and helped decorate.  All in all a very wonderful month filled with good old-fashioned family fun.

Purchasing the family Christmas tree!

Enjoying Watkins Regional Park Festival of Lights!

Family portrait in front of the Christmas Tree :)

Checking out the giant singing Christmas Tree

Making sugar cookie dough with Papa

Covered in flour!!!

Rolling out Christmas sugar cookies with my sweet boy!

Even though we didn't have family around on Christmas day, we were lucky enough to have Joe's parents and Joe's friend come into town for a couple days before the holiday.  Having them in town for a brief bit was very fun and great for Benton to have extra people to play with in the house.  We also were lucky enough to go to our friend's house to celebrate her son's 2nd birthday.  He was in the NICU with Benton so it was a like a mini-NICU reunion.  Seeing all these healthy, thriving kids together was awe inspiring.  Each child had been through a tremendous amount in their 2 years yet here they were playing and sitting on Santa's lap! 

Santa-themed birthday party for Benton's NICU friend

Sitting on Santa's lap at Wynn's birthday party

This Christmas we had a lot to be thankful for - Benton's successful surgery, making it to 26 weeks in this new pregnancy, and the love of a close family.  On Christmas morning Benton helped to tear open his presents and truly seemed to enjoy opening gifts.  He kept saying "more" "more".  We know that we are unbelievably blessed and thank God for the love of our family and our friends.

Fun in our Christmas jammies

Our little Christmas reindeer

Official Christmas Jammie Photo

Benton putting Christmas ornaments on the tree :)

Christmas morning

Benton watering the Christmas Tree

Finally for New Years, we made a North Carolina BBQ feast, which has become our traditional New Years meal.  With everything going on it was a miracle we stayed up till midnight to watch the ball drop.  We are definitely excited to ring in the New Year as this year we will welcome our daughter and become a family of four.  We are also looking forward to Benton's continued progress and hope that 2016 is the year he can come off his feeding tube and start talking.  Here's to 2016 being the best year yet!

Fun over Christmas break

Family fun at the park

Our little love

Jumping for joy at the park!