Ice Storm Livin'

In December, our area was hit by a huge Ice Storm which knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of people. Our power/ heat/ phone was out for six days, which seemed plenty long to us. Some of our friends had to last even longer. We'd cheer about the home thermostat hitting 39 degrees! We cooked over the fireplace and huddled under blankets. We read or played games by sunlight when we could, but had to save our batteries so we didn't read too much at night.

Our generous friends helped us get through, cutting down trees, clearing roads, sharing hot food and information. Indeed, gossip was the only means of getting most information-- the radio was annoyingly bereft of useful info. So our sincere thanks go to our neighbors across the street, the owners of Harlow's Pub and Our Town Pizzaria, and The McMahon and Eichler families.

Jack had the good sense to stay indoors until after the power was restored, but came in time for us to be home for Christmas.

Ice Storm Induction

Prior to his birth, Jack spent several months being measured and ultrasounded and checked on-- the doctors were thinking he would weigh in at a scale tipping level when born (though they didn't call him 'him'-- we had requested to not know the gender until the baby was born...).  We had many conversations about what the options might be if the baby continued to measure on the large size.

Concerns about how big the baby might be eventually led the doctors to recommend an induction in the 39th week.  Both Elliot and Avery were over 9 pounds when born, and the new baby looked to top both of them.  

The week before the birth our area was hit by a huge ice storm, which knocked out our power for a week, and many of our neighbors for even longer.  Not the ideal time to bring a baby home, so it was just as well that Jack decided to stay indoors for a bit longer.  A week without heat and power in the New Hampshire winter was a tough one for the family.  We were happy to have it back.