Christmas

So can you tell we've been busy??  5 weeks since my last post!  Whew, it's been unreal, but hey, I'm here now, so let's get this ball rolling....

So Cody, Emma, and I had a wonderful Christmas!!  After our whirlwind Thanksgiving, I decided I wanted Christmas to go a little differently.  While I know Emma hasn't really learned the joys of Christmas & Santa yet, I still wanted to spend Christmas morning in our own home.  Last year we went down to NC on Christmas Eve and she spent her first Christmas in my parents' house.  We had a great time and loved spending that momentous occasion with family.

Christmas 2009 ~ 6 months old

 However, when the day comes that Emma learns about St. Nick, it'll be hard to explain how he'll find her at Grandma's house.  So at some point, we'd have to make some changes.  So why not this year?  So I did it.  I coordinated with family so that we could spend the morning here.  And I'm so thankful I did!

Growing up, our tradition was going to Christmas Eve Mass.  Now typically this is a "Midnight Mass", but over the years my family & I have went to 10pm masses, 8pm, 9pm, etc. but never actually at midnight.   But since this is our first year going to one in Roanoke, I didn't know what to expect... but to our surprise, they were holding a 4pm mass in which the nursery would be open too!  Score!!  So we dressed Emma in her adorable Christmas dress and off we went.  Unfortunately, what we didn't know was that you have to get there early to get a seat... oh well, we'll know for next year!  But here's a couple pics we took after returning home:

So there are several things I've learned about parenthood that no one ever tells you.  Most of them have to do with things being alot harder than what you thought they'd be, but let me know you... Christmas is one of those glorious secrets that turns out to be so much more FUN once you become a parent!!  I had a blast setting up all her toys/gifts after she went to bed.  No wonder Santa is so jolly!  It's the best job ever!

Christmas Eve

 
And I was so giddy the next morning that I woke up a whole 2 hours before Emma or Cody.  But this video of Emma's first reaction says it all.  It made it all worth it...

But we had the best, most laid back Christmas I think I've ever had!  And it was wonderful!  Emma got several other gifts, including a backpack and a potty (that we hope to begin using soon!).

We then ventured down to NC (in the snow) to have a Christmas day supper at my parents.

The following day was spent at Great-Grandma Herman's and finally at Cody's parent's.

Stockings @ Great-Grandma Herman's ~ ages range from mid-60's to 1 y.o.

Christmas is one of those times you sit back and enjoy the many blessings you have.  This year, I thank God for new traditions, a beautiful White Christmas, laid back family gatherings with wonderful people, delicious food and drink, and, of course, my darling daughter and her loving father.