Christmas

I’ve always enjoyed Christmas, but I was really excited about this year. For the first time, Hadley had an understanding of Christmas, Santa, and presents. We also had Malia this year, and even though I knew she wouldn’t understand the holiday, it is always fun celebrating firsts.


We started our celebration with Christmas Eve lunch with some great friends. It was wonderful sharing a meal, good conversation, and play time for Hadley and her friends. It is our tradition to open one present on Christmas Eve. Hadley opened her Barbie or Darbie as she insists on calling her. Malia and I opened our presents and Gideon opened his present from Hadley.

Playing with "Darbie"

I took Hadley shopping for a gift for Gideon. She knew immediately that she wanted to get him a movie, but she wanted to get him a movie that she liked. Finally, I was able to convince her to get a movie that he would like. Even after explaining to her that it was a secret, she came home and told Gideon that we got him a movie.

After opening presents, we set out cookies and milk for Santa. Hadley tried to convince me to let her eat one of Santa’s cookies. We finally settled on her own cookie and to leave the others for Santa.

For Santa

The next morning we started with stockings and then proceeded to the other gifts. Malia napped through opening most of the presents, but she enjoyed chewing on the wrapping paper while she was awake.

Searching her Stocking

Yummy

Still enjoying the paper

Since Malia was napping, Hadley got to open both her and Malia’s presents. She also helped Mom and Dad open our presents too. Hadley loved all of her presents, but some more than others. Not surprisingly, she loved her train set and table, camera, and guitar. Others that were a huge hit were her chap stick, dinosaur flashlight, and toothbrush.

Guitar from Uncle Eric and Aunt Melissa

Chef's Hat and Apron from Aunt Suzanne, Uncle Chuck, and Keagan

Trying out her pink camera

Deep in concentration

I definitely went overboard shopping for the girls this year, but they are only little once. We are still trying to figure out where we are going to put all of the toys, but I wouldn’t trade this Christmas for anything and am so excited for next year.

Malia is 4 Months Old

Dear Malia


Today you turned four months old. I do not know where all of the time has gone, but I am trying hard to enjoy every moment of it. Enjoying the moments is easy as you are still one of the calmest, happiest babies I have ever seen.

This month your personality has really started to shine through. Along with being calm, you have a silly sense of humor, love your sister so much, and want to watch everything around you. You also discovered your hands and are getting really good at using them.

While you love your hands and your new found ability to grab and hold things, you haven’t mastered them yet which has led to some frustrations. You get upset when you can’t get something to your mouth. Your hands have also made getting to sleep difficult. Those silly hands keep taking your binkie from your mouth. Throughout the month I have seen you learning to use your hands more and more, so I’m sure it won’t be long until you figure them out completely.

A skill you did master this month is rolling from your back to your belly. It only takes you seconds to roll over and do a mini push up. You are starting to get the motion down for rolling onto your back again, but your arm is still getting in your way.

You saw snow for the first time as well. Living in Vermont you will see a lot more of it and soon you will be sledding and building snowmen. While I’m looking forward to all of your upcoming milestones, I can definitely wait as I love seeing you grow and develop. Stay little my Squishy; don’t grow too fast.

Decorating the Christmas Tree

My Dad always said he could tell how tall his kids were by where the ornaments were hung on the Christmas tree. As this is the first year that Hadley has really been able to help decorate, I realize how true that is. The entire bottom row was covered with ornaments until Hadley agreed to direct Mom and Dad where to hang them. She knew exactly where she wanted them too.


Our years of having the “pretty” Christmas tree are past us now. Now we have sentimental, family ornaments placed in clusters and lining the bottom of the tree. I don’t know about all of you, but I think that makes the tree that much prettier.

Adding some garland

Looking for just the right spot

Malia was less than impressed with our decorating