Our first Christmas for three

Christmas is always one of my favorite times of year. The decorations, music, lights, food, warmth, and family; I love it all. It's a dose of bright and shinny in an otherwise dark (and here, often rainy) time of the year. I eagerly look forward to breaking out the decorations and setting up the tree. I appreciate a well lit house more than most. So it goes without saying that I was particularly looking forward to this Christmas, as it was our first Christmas that we got to share with Tara.

Tara is just shy of 7 months old, so she doesn't really have any idea of Christmas right now. Even so, I loved sharing it all with her this year. She "helped" pick the Christmas tree. She watched as I decorated the house. I pointed out pretty houses and took her to see beautiful light displays. We told her all about Santa and got her her very own stocking. Of course, we took her to meet Santa as well.

Jeff had some vacation time that needed to be used for the new year, so we had some extra days to enjoy together in addition to the normal holidays. The extra family time made this Christmas that much nicer. We spent Christmas Eve with friends who graciously invited us to share in their family dinner. Tara got her very own meal consisting of mashed potatoes, stuffing, chopped green beans and cranberry sauce. She thoroughly enjoyed it. Some of it even made it into her mouth!

Christmas day was spent quietly as a family of three and I wouldn't have had it any other way. We slept in as late as Tara would allow, got going slowly, and enjoyed a fantastic breakfast of eggnog french toast and homemade whipped cream, courtesy of Jeff. Tara had a more healthy breakfast of homemade applesauce. I was finishing up a Santa hat for her, so we didn't open presents until after her first nap of the day. Instead, we started the morning off right by watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. It's just not Christmas without that movie. We also made a fire and watched the rain turn to snow. It didn't last long but snowed just enough to coat the ground and trees, giving us a beautiful white Christmas!

Once the Santa hat was ready for pictures, we proceeded to open gifts. While we of course did the majority of the opening, we did let Tara "help". This could best be called "Tara eats Christmas", since most of her skills involve putting the wrappings up to her mouth. We'd like to send a collective thanks to everyone who sent something to Tara this year. She made out like a bandit with new pajamas and clothes and toys. Some of her favorites are some rubber ducks, and peek-a-boo playing teddy from her Grandma, a sleepy time puppy from her Maga, and an toy remote control from her Great Grandma S.

After presents we Skyped with both sides of the family. It's wonderful to be able to see and chat with everyone, even when we can't be there for Christmas in person each year.

Dinner was a yummy ham, scalloped cheesy potatoes, crescent roll and, of course, pumpkin pie. Tara enjoyed a bit of the potatoes.

So Tara's first Christmas was warm and simple, with lots of fun, love and good food. I really couldn't have asked for a better day.

6 months

Tara,

You turned 6 months old on Saturday, December 1st. I simply can not believe that you've been with us for a half of a year already. It's been a whirl wind 6 months, to say the least.

You now weigh 17lbs 9oz and are 26.5 inches long. It's no surprise that you are a little taller than average. You've got parents that happen to be on the tall side. 

You still do not roll over from your back to you belly, but you do flip in the other direction from time to time. Instead, your big new trick is sitting up all on your own. You almost never fall over any more, but I admit I do put pillows around you just in case. It's so much fun to sit you with toys on the living room floor or in your room and watch you play with them.You also like to sit next to the toy basket in your room and take all of the toys out, which gives me time to get a few things done!

I adore watching you bounce around in your jumperroo. You move your little feet like a ballerina jumping into the air.

We've begun offering you solid food. Your first food was sweet potatoes, which you tried on Thanksgiving day. Since then you've tried green beans, bananas, avocado, carrots, blueberries, and a piece of whole wheat pancake. Of all of those options, you only liked the pancake. Everything else gets a decidedly yucky face and gets smeared around. You do enjoy feeding yourself and easily move your tiny spoon into your mouth. You're so independent already!

Christmas is coming. Christmas is always my favorite time of year, but this year is so much better because you're here. I love sharing all of my favorite parts of the season with you, like classic Christmas music, lights and decorations and of course, the tree. We went to get the tree today. You didn't pay it much attention, other than to touch it a lot. But tomorrow it will be lit and decorated and since you can't get at it yet, I'll get one more year of decorating it normally before little hands start reaching.

We took you to visit with Santa Claus, although you have no idea who that is. You were wonderful, as you nearly always are in public. Everyone there said you were the best mannered baby that had visited. Truthfully, we hear that a lot. You love people and are often nothing but smiles and giggles when we're out and about. Only daddy and I know that you are learning to yell when you're mad. Those moments are few, though, and you are generally the sweetest baby girl anyone could ask for.

I can't wait to see you on Christmas morning!

Love always,

Mom

Baby dance party