Ice storm aftermath

We were very lucky that we did not lose power or internet during the ice storm. Large swaths of Portland lost power over Valentine’s Day weekend and some areas were out for over a week. we had plenty of snow, ice, and wind at our house but luckily we don’t have any large trees in our yard. Nonetheless, there were branches from trees coming down all over the neighborhood. When they would hit the power lines at night, we would see flashes like lightning and we definitely heard at least one explosion from a transformer blowing. It seems like every other block had a huge, half-broken branch dangling down over the streets and sidewalks.

Hendrik and Nora surveying the remains from the damage caused by the ice storm at 24th and Knott. There used to be a bus stop where the cones are and a branch on the bare spot on the tree.

One large tree branch that split off from a tree at 24th and Knott took out a bus stop and blocked the street for the better part of two weeks. The city and utility companies were working at full capacity clearing snow, cleaning up tree branches, and restoring electricity and internet. Two weeks later, the snow has all melted but the neighborhood is still littered with large tree branches on the ground.

Chef Hendrik

Hendrik making apple and pear puree for baby

Hendrik, being a hippie, decided it would be fun to make our own baby food! He ordered all of the ingredients and supplies and today we made our first puree. It has steamed apples and pears with a dash of cinnamon. It actually tasted really good; we had to keep each other from eating it. Nora will be in for a real treat tomorrow.

Poodle in the snow

Orion’s tolerance for snow improved considerably over the course of the recent storm. Early on, he was not amused (pictured).

After several days he’s happily prancing across the snow. The poor guy never made his peace with ice though: he was terrified when the sheets of ice made cracking sounds as he walked. He’ll be delighted to walk on pavement again.

Hendrik

The only snow plow in Portland?

Our annual February ice/snowstorm has been a little more intense than usual. On Friday we walked Nora over to her grandparents and back in her stroller for daycare per the new routine, even though there was snow. On my way home I was lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the only snow plow in Portland! Ok, ok, I think there are actually two.

Nora’s winter wonderland

Nora and Orion don’t know quite what to make of the strange cold weather and precipitation. Nora seems to be a happy little polar bear as long as we keep her bundled up but even with coats and boots, Orion doesn’t want to go out and do his business. I’m enjoying the real winter and it’s also nice that I won’t have to commute to work on Monday since we’re still working from home.

The little snowplow that could.

Guard poodle

Orion has always liked it when Nancy and I sit quietly together on the living room couch. Now with Nora in the family, he transforms into a ferocious guard dog every time the three of us sit down there.

He’ll even go so far as to bark at us for not properly collecting on the couch. Then when we comply he proceeds to explode at passing joggers and strollers.

Hendrik

Back to work

My maternity leave ended a few weeks ago so I’m back to work or at least back to work from home. In many ways it feels like I never left. I know research is slow but I expected that things would have advanced more while I was out. On the bright side it makes getting back up to speed easier.

Nora spends the day with Hendrik’s parents so the new routine starts with a walk over to their house, conveniently killing three birds with one stone: Nora gets dropped off at “daycare,” I get some exercise and fresh air, and Orion gets a nice walk. Hendrik and I are offsetting our work schedules so he starts and ends early and I start and end a bit later so we both have more time with Nora during the day.

Over the river and through the woods…

It has been quite a transition but ironically, I think the pandemic has made it easier on me than it outherwise would have been. We’re lucky that Nora has such wonderful, loving grandparents to visit every day who are also nearby.