Nor'easter

Avonlea Jane has experienced a lot of change in the past few weeks. Not only can she now walk, but a few weeks ago she got a regular playmate. I have started caring for another little girl, Alma, a few days a week. She is three months younger than Avonlea Jane, and they both seem to enjoy their time together.

Alma and Avonlea Jane

Avonlea Jane on her rocking horse

Last weekend, New England was hit with a major storm. Massachusetts didn't get the snowfall New York did, but we had hurricane-like conditions, with Essex County getting the worst of it. There was flooding and major wind damage all throughout the local area. We only suffered minor cosmetic damage to our deck, but we were without power for two days. Our power went out late Thursday evening and returned Saturday evening. We were lucky to only have to wait two days, as several Salem homes were without power until Monday. Our friends Ian and Brittany graciously let us stay with them, as one cold night spent in the house was enough for us. Unfortunately for Avonlea Jane, the weekend away from home coincided with her worst bought of teething yet. She has been getting in one of her upper lateral incisors and a first molar. Both teeth have caused absolute misery for her and a range of symptoms from fever to a rash.

Bundling up and cuddling to stay warm as Daddy calls the power company to get an update

The best part of the power outage for Avonlea Jane: breakfast at Red's

Below: The wind and water damage was so severe that a boat, The Rogue, was wrecked between Marblehead and Salem

Avonlea Jane playing with Oliver's toys at Ian and Brittany's

Happy to be home

Eating pasta

Below: Playing with refrigerator magnets with Alma

Avonlea Jane's teething was a little better this weekend, but she's got a while before both teeth are entirely through her gums. She did have fun walking around Salem on Saturday during our first example of spring/no-jackets weather and at our Oscars party on Sunday. We enjoyed watching the Academy Awards with a group of eleven, but with few brave and wide-awake souls making it all the way to the Best Picture announcement. Two of our guests own a dog who played with Avonlea Jane during the Superbowl. When they arrived, Avonlea Jane started signing dog and saying, "woof, woof." We were very proud that not only did she remember Donna and Keith but that she remembered their dog Cody.