Today was a wonderful first Christmas for you, the type of day that rivaled my best expectations for what the day should be. I love the holiday season, and Christmas in particular, and I’ve loved getting to share it with you. I relish the colder weather and arrival of snow, the festive lights all around, the smell of an evergreen tree decorated inside our home, and the anticipation of giving and receiving the perfect gift.

Nana and papa stayed here last night, and we all woke up and almost immediately dove into present opening. First was your stocking. Even with lots of prodding you didn’t really understand that you were to pull out the objects from within the sock, and that they were for you. After that we started opening gifts. We’d start opening the present for you by making a small rip in the wrapping paper, and you’d take it from there. You’d rip and tear until you’d freed a piece, then more often than not you’d try to eat the paper. Papa kept telling you that you can’t eat the paper and taking it from you. Towards the end of the presents you were a pro; you’d rip off the paper and immediately hand each piece to papa!

Some of your favorite presents included: a Winnie-the-Pooh car just like the one you enjoyed at your cousin’s house in Seattle (from Grandma and Grandpa Stephans); your first pair of skis (thanks to nana and papa); a walker (from Denny and Nancy); nesting cups and a shape sorter that will be perfect on the beach in Costa Rica (though also perfect here; thanks Jen and Brett); and a little toy house that makes all sorts of sounds and music (thanks Kim and Brandon).



After the presents were all unearthed we enjoyed a nice brunch, and you took a nap. Then we decided to try out our new backpack. I bought it last summer but you’ve been too little for it. But recently you’ve been growing agitated in the Baby Bjorn after short walks, and so we thought we’d try it. We bundled you up and loaded you in, and you were so happy and curious once strapped onto your dad’s back. You happily chatted the entire way.

When we got home I decided to let you play in the snow a bit since you were all bundled up. We sat you down in the snow in our backyard and you just looked around for a bit. You moved your legs in the snow and touched it with your glove-covered hands. You seemed pretty impartial to the whole deal.

This afternoon we went to nana and papa’s for a nice Christmas fondue dinner. You had lots of fun crawling around and eating all of the yummy food for dipping. It was a perfect day.

Nana and papa came over this afternoon and we all went to church. It was an early service and they had a traditional pageant with lots of singing. We sat at the end of the isle right where a lot of the singing and acting was happening, and you seemed mildly interested in watching it. But you really loved all of the singing, and you even ‘talked’ and ‘sung’ with everyone else. At one point the song ended and the entire church quieted, except for you who kept ‘singing’ aloud. The whole congregation burst into laughter. I wish I had a video of it!

On the way home from church nana asked if we were going to let you open one present the night before Christmas, a tradition we’d always done while growing up. We decided to go for it, and you had your first experience of ripping open a present. You seemed to enjoy it, though it took us a bit of prompting for you to understand that it was alright for you to rip off the paper. Inside was a little toy tea set, and we all had lots of fun drinking our imaginary tea with you.

Last night was your first night without us; you spent the night at nana and papa’s. Your dad and I went to Denver to a museum exhibit of artwork by Van Gogh, then had a nice dinner out and stayed downtown. Nana and papa had so much fun with you, playing with you last night and this morning. They even got some good snuggle time; after you woke up around 3 am they brought you to bed with them. I was glad they got to experience waking up beside you because it is one of the best things in the world to roll over and see your cute, smiling face and to hear you babbling aloud first thing in the morning.

We had Santa attempt #2 today, and this time it was a success. Well, a success in that he was actually there this time, but a minor fail in that you were not overly enthused to see him. Before I even handed you over to him you started bawling. He held you for the requisite pictures, but you cried the entire minute or so that he held you. Even Ms. Claus’ attempts to get you to smile by clapping and shaking her bells were not fruitful. You settled down soon after I picked you up and held you in my arms, but you definitely weren’t sad to say goodbye to Santa.

Today your dad and I were so excited to take you to see Santa. We got you all dressed up, drove downtown and walked into the little building where he’s supposed to be. We got there a few minutes after 11 am – when the Santa visits start – but we were surprised there was no line. Upon entering the building we realized there was no Santa, and after inquiring about his whereabouts we were told he’s only there on Saturdays! Both your dad and I misread the advertisements. So, I decided to run to 29th Street Mall, since we were already out and about. When we got there there was a middle school band playing Christmas carols outside. We sat and watched them for about 20 minutes. It was your first live band you’ve seen and you were fascinated. We just sat – you on my lap and my arms wrapped around you – and we rocked back and forth to the beat of the music, and we clapped after each performance. You loved it!

We frequently take you to Southern Sun, the local brewery near our house. When there’s a long wait they put out baskets of free fries for those waiting. We love those fries. True to family tradition, you also love the fries. You grip one in your little hands and gnaw at it until it’s all gone and you’re ready for the next. You can polish off a little plate of fries all by yourself!

For the last couple of days you’ve been sticking your tongue in and out quickly, just like a little snake. You do it while playing, crawling, walking. All the time. Pretty random, and pretty funny.

You went to story time at the library with your nana this morning. This was the second time you’ve gone. They hold it every Tuesday at 10:15, but the timing often overlaps with your morning nap. She loved taking you the first time you went, and she’s been anxious to go again. You sit there nicely on her lap and listen to the story, all while watching and taking in all of the other little ones around you. I can’t wait to take you one of these days.

We’ve been struggling a bit to find foods that you like and that are healthy and high in calories. Since you’re so little we’re constantly trying to get you to eat. When we first started introducing solids you ate everything we offered you, but recently you’ve become much more picky. At times you won’t even open your mouth, using your hands to shove the spoon away, turning your head and pursing your lips. You never did this a couple months ago.

You do great at feeding yourself finger foods, and you particularly like cheese and black beans. The old standbys of Cheerios and Cheddar Bunnies are also big hits. But we’re not able to get much spoon-fed food, fruit or veggies in your mouth.

Today is your papa’s 71st birthday. It’s so fun being in the same town as them and getting to celebrate with them. Last year they were here also, and I remember my close friends were arriving for my baby shower. We went out to eat to celebrate papa’s 70th birthday, and then just two days later my friends held a wonderful shower in honor of your impending arrival. It was so special, and it’s amazing to think back to the excitement, support, joy and a little bit of anxiousness I felt a year ago.