Vortex, I'm wearing the mocs right now--they are VERY comfy.

They rock like a rocking thing. Seriously, I wish I could wear them everywhere. I'm thinking about getting a pair in patent leather, kind of dressier.

Oh, sj! How scary! Take care and stay warm and cozy.

Still waffling on which kids' boots to return.

I hate stuff like that. I mean, small risk, but I hate accepting any known risk with Ellie. Not because it's necesasrily that bad for her, but if it ever was, I'd feel like shit.

The other day, I could have saved us an hour if I had been willing to take Ellie less than a mile without a carseat. But it was rush hour and on busy streets and drivers here are crazy. I decided we'd sacrifice the time because I could never explain to Joe why I'd taken the risk. With boots, though, I might.

Cash, how do you guys like Wisconsin so far?

I hate stuff like that. I mean, small risk, but I hate accepting any known risk with Ellie. Not because it's necesasrily that bad for her, but if it ever was, I'd feel like shit.

Exactly. I'll probably keep the LE boots because they just look like better quality boots and Owen took to them much better than the others. They're also taller and considering how much snow we get, will proably do a better job of keeping the snow out.

Of course, there is always the option of tossing the Target boots into the closet for spares. Considering how many times I've spent valuable time looking for lost shoes, I think a second, cheaper pair might come in handy.

Cash, how do you guys like Wisconsin so far?

Not to rub it in, but my backyard looks like a Christmas postcard. We really love it. SP has a tobbogan run set up in one of the city parks so we're just waiting for the kids' snow pants to get here so we can go try it out.

We finally got our fireplace inspected and bought a load of firewood so we're really, really liking our first winter up here.

Not to rub it in, but my backyard looks like a Christmas postcard.

Well, I'm insanely jealous, but that does sound like a lot of fun. I just hope that there is snow in New Mexico and that this baby gives me at least a week or more to play in the snow some.

Speaking of the baby, I've been having Braxton-Hicks type contractions on and off. They don't feel anything like the real thing but they are distracting and make me worry about the baby coming early. I just want to fast forward to Christmas already.

Speaking of the baby, I've been having Braxton-Hicks type contractions on and off. They don't feel anything like the real thing but they are distracting and make me worry about the baby coming early. I just want to fast forward to Christmas already.

Ooooh, that's exciting. The bean should stay put until you're safely in NM. When's your due date again?

Remember how I was all worried about having 12 pages of my 20-25 page paper done last week (I now have 16, BTW)? Well, I saw two peeps who are in this class with me last night and asked how they are faring. Neither one has even started writing yet! It's due in one week! I'd be losing my shit!

Sorry to be all school, all the time. It is all-consuming right now but will be done next Wednesday. YAY!

Not until February 10th, so I've got about 9.5 weeks to go. I know some things trigger the contractions (lying on my back, for example) but I've definitley been feeling more contractions. I'll ask the midwife just to verify that it's not anything to worry about.

I think keeping the spares is the best option, Cashmere. Extras with kids never seem to be wasted.

I'm annoyed that my mother is insisting I was having the asthma attack because of the anxiety attack. No, I was anxious because I couldn't breathe.

February 9th is an especially fine birthday...