Christmas Eve is coming soon..now Santa dear...

I was going to ask for a few things from you this year. Well, a lot of things really, but then I realized, none would make me as happy as the gift I've already been given. I celebrated my second wedding anniversary with my husband by giving birth to our beautiful little girl on May 19th. Although we've had the never ending colds and sinus issues since then, I'd say, we've made out like bandits in the happiness department. So, as much as I'd love to say, gimme gimme gimme. I think this year, I'll focus on the beauty of it all and celebrate the birth of Jesus while enjoying good times with my family.

That being said, I wanted to share a photo from Thanksgiving Day down at Grandpa's, Julia's Great, this year. My Dad was holding her and I've got so few shots of them together, I started clicking away. I just uploaded all the photos from our camera.. ah hem, the last 3 months worth to be exact, and came across this one. They both have such big beautiful smiles I find myself smiling right back at them while looking at it!

On December 4th, this date is important mind you, Julia tried for the very first time, Bananas, or rather, naners! We strapped her into the highchair Grandma and Grandpa Jack had purchased for her(thank you very much)and off we went to explore the land of solids! To commemorate the moment, we of course, had to take a gazillion photos so that we could look back on this day and share a few laughs!

She was so excited to finally be given the spoon instead of having to watch Mom and Dad eat. Then she actually tasted the 'naners. If you can see in this second photo, her eyebrows drew together and I'm not sure she knew what to think. Since then, we've tried squash, applesauce and sweet potatoes. The applesauce she's not too fond of yet but hasn't had the response to it as bad as she has to the squash. I didn't realize, at 6 1/2 ,months old, a body would know how to gag themselves. Now I know. She really really does not like squash. The sweet potatoes, she plain ole threw those up. No gagging, just bleeach. Done.


We've also learned, Julia, does best eating solids in an assembly line like fashion. There needs to be at least 2 spoons at the ready, one for her to bring home the goods and one for Mom or Dad to load up for the next round and needless to say... it's a pretty messy experience. I think this last photo shows her skill at bringing home the spoon very well. I keep thinking, treasure these moments! They are so much fun to watch her develop and learn new things, pretty soon, she'll have learned them all and we'll have a grown up little girl on our hands.

This last weekend, December 12th, Julia met Santa for the first time. Her Aunt Lakey joined us on our journey to pick up a few more Christmas gifts and to meet Santa. We loved our Santa experience! We went to the Southpointe Mall in Lincoln where they have a Santa 'shack' set up. It looks like a little gingerbread house and when you walk in, there's a little hallway to take your coat off, ease your young one into catching their first glimpse of the jolly old man and then.. THERE HE IS! Sitting on a giant chair just waiting for you to come up and say hi. In his softly spoken voice, he says, 'Well hello there little one, what's your name?' and focuses on her only while gently speaking to her about his elves, their toy making skills and his home at the North Pole, all the while taking a hold of her and setting her on his lap just so. Not once did she cry, well to be honest, not once did she smile either but.. just the same, Jason and I got such a kick out of her picture with Santa, we'd love to hear what you think:

Following that visit, her daycare had a visit from Santa also. Lucky us, it was the same Santa from the mall and this time, he had his trusty reindeer with him. So, she got to meet Santa again!
This Reindeer even posed for us!









That about sums it up! Jason and I decorated our tree this last Monday. He let me have my wish and we got a real one for Julia's first Christmas. I love it but as much as I love it, I feel terrible that we've cut down a tree just for a few weeks of pleasure. So, treasure it I shall for it's our tree and we are grateful to share our Holidays with it!


Take care and if I don't get another post out before the holidays; Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I wish everyone safe travels and wonderful cheer with their loved ones!

Love,
Angie