Christmas 2012 Recap

Christmas this year with Ellie was a blur but filled with so much joy. December 23rd, 24th, and 25th were all jam-packed amazing and exhausting days, especially when you have 3-month-old to take care of. In the days leading up to Christmas I was really nervous about how Ellie would handle all the activity and busyness of these days. Overall she did really well, but she did have some meltdowns thrown in there.

Key lesson learned: When you have a small child, you MUST lower your expectations! Also, plan and prepare ahead as much as possible...and then embrace that things will most likely not go anything like you planned or envisioned. :)

On the 23rd we spent time with my two sisters for our annual baking extravaganza. For probably the last ten years or so my sisters and I have devoted a day to get together before Christmas and bake and bake and bake and bake. It's not so much about making goodies, but more so about spending quality time with my sisters. We listen to Christmas music, wear matching Christmas aprons (thanks, mom!), stuff ourselves silly sampling treats (for quality control purposes of course), drink lots of coffee, bemoan how we're going to actually get rid of all the goodies. Basically, amazingness wrapped up in one day. I cherish this day every year! My sister Ang has an 8-week-old (Kason) so I joked that the cousins got to have a big playdate. The two babies of course had no idea what was going on. Chad and my brother-in-law Mike were on baby duty, which allowed us to actually bake and get stuff done. We had to stop somewhat frequently to feed the babies, but luckily both the little ones were having good days.  I  should note that without that help from the daddy's we would NOT have been able to pull off an all day baking extravaganza this year. Thanks guys!

Cousins!

Christmas Eve was with my husband's family and it was a full day spent at his parents house. I am very blessed to love all my in-laws (I know this is rare) and as always it was fun to spend time with them. We did our traditional cinnamon rolls in the morning, followed by the opening of stockings and presents. One thing that surprised me: Ellie was a little startled by the sound of wrapping paper. I was so excited to open up one of her first presents, but this just resulted in tears from her. Too much? Didn't like the gift? ;)

Trent and Asher. This was Asher's first Christmas with his forever family.

Spoiled.

My niece Sydney.

You can't tell from this pic, but my niece and nephews are all gathered around Ellie showering her with attention.

My super thoughtful sis-in-law, Michelle, got us the perfect "First Christmas" ornament for Ellie.

With Grandpa Phil. Best gift ever.

My nephew Carson playing with one of his new gifts. 

Yay for presents!

Ok. Warming up to it.

And then it happened. The meltdown. Sometime that afternoon Ellie decided she had enough with all the commotion, hustle, (well meaning) children in her face, etc. Once she started crying she was hard to console and got trapped in a vicious cycle of being tired and hungry. That never ends well. The family was supposed to go to Christmas Eve service together at 5:30 that evening but once the fussiness began I knew we were going to be late. And this is where my need to let go of expecations really came in. You see, I had pictured this *magical* moment at Christmas Eve service. All three of us together dressed in our nice clothes, singing silent night together with the glow of candles on our faces. Ha. Reality could not be further from that vision. Chad, Ellie and I arrived to church thirty minutes late (thanks to said meltdown) and quickly had to go out into the hall because Ellie started fussing. Once she calmed down and I brought her back in to the service she promptly started crying about 2 minutes later because she was hungry. I left to go feed her and by the time we finished the service had just ended. So I think I spent maybe two minutes in the actual church service. Ha.

All dressed up for Christmas Eve service. Don't let that face fool you, she had plenty of meltdowns that evening.

Now, onto Christmas Day. We spent the morning at home to celebrate Christmas for the first time as a family of three. To say I was excited would be quite the understatement. Ellie of course had no idea what was really going on and could care less, but I was excited to start building family traditions of our own. We didn't go too overboard on presents this year and got Ellie a few things--some she needed and a few wants I had for her. Despite all the overstimulation Ellie had on Christmas Eve, we were VERY lucky and she still slept well that night, waking up around 7 AM on Christmas morning. I fed her, we opened presents, and when she needed to go down for a nap around 9 Chad and I were able to eat a nice breakfast just the two of us. Bliss!

Patiently waiting to open her first present on Christmas morning.

As always, Ellie spent most of her time watching us from her bouncer (= her favorite thing ever).

So happy :)

Christmas afternoon we headed over to my parents house for time with immediate and extended family. It was so great to spend time with everyone! Lots of food, conversation, and so many presents. Ellie is quite spoiled already. :) The cousins were reunited for the day--it was so fun to have both babies together on Christmas but that of course meant there was no way to plan things like meals and present opening around two unpredictable feeding and nap schedules. Ellie and I ended up ducking out for a while midway through our big family opening of presents because she was fussy and needed to eat. Meanwhile, Kason slept through most of the excitement. Oh, babies.

Family of three :)

With Grandpa Alan, also affectionately named the "Baby Hog."

Bouncer love. Again.

Ellie with Great Grandpa K.

Ang and Kason.

Stud. I was so excited to give Kason his first pair of Baby Js.

Why yes, more time in the bouncer. Little lady loves that thing.

With my sistas.

The proud grandparents. Getting two babies to take a good photo together is impossible.

All tuckered out. Twas a big day of eating, pooping and sleeping for this little guy.

Ellie Bear sporting one of her many new gifts.

Naptime. In her party dress. 

The events and festivities surrounding Christmas were much different this year with a little one on board. Lots of quality time with immediate and extended family, sprinkled with lots of time feeding, changing diapers, and getting Ellie down for naps. It was all quite simple but also busy and exhausting.

We're so lucky to live relatively close to family on both sides and treasure the time we get to spend with them. I love seeing how in love each and every family member is with our little lady. Guys, if you're reading this: We love you! Thanks for helping to make Ellie's first Christmas special.