We celebrated a quiet and beautiful Christmas. To be honest, Christmas started in November for us, so the entire Christmas season has been nice and long. It was so special to hold a baby in our arms while welcoming Baby Jesus. I had a lot of thankful prayers to whisper at His crib this Christmas. Hubby played music for Christmas Eve Mass, so the rest of us went up to the choir loft and got to attend Mass together for the first time since Baby's Baptism. (We've been trading off Mass times, to avoid taking the baby out in -20 air / -35 wind chill, plus flu season blossomed late last month here.) After Mass we sat down to hot bowls of chicken wild rice soup (yum - something we don't eat very often, so it's a treat) and then took a drive to look at Christmas lights. Baby slept in her car seat through the entire parade of lights. Turns out Santa knew we were gone for only brief periods over Christmas and managed to sneak in while we were gone. The Boy was thrilled to get some new Lego sets ("Orcs! Just what I've always wanted!!!") and a small guitar to start learning and playing. Baby got some pretty hair bows and a play gym. She was less enthused about the gifts, but loved the Christmas tree. She spent her tummy time each day in front of the Christmas tree, ogling the sparkly lights. We kept up a string of lights for her to look at since she really seems to enjoy them. That and her devotion to the lamp in our living room.
Christmas Day we enjoyed with Hubby's Mom and a nice Christmas dinner together and a round of conciliatory Scrabble. Well, it was meant to be conciliatory, until a Christmas miracle occurred and I beat my husband. This hasn't happened in years. He still gave me some nice things in spite of it - Tolkien's Silmarillion, a new pair of nursing shoes (happy feet = happy back = happy me), and super-duper warm gloves. He also got a few nice things in his stocking and under the tree. We spent the day after Christmas with my family and got to see our beautiful little nieces. It was fun to see their parents and my siblings, too :)
Sleep in heavenly peace
We took two full weeks off school - boy did we need a break. The Boy worked hard the week before Christmas break on a Five Senses unit study. I couldn't find anything pre-made I liked, so we ended up making our own. It was a lot of work, but turned out pretty well. He enjoyed his break from school, but was starting to go bonkers again over not having his mornings filled, so the return to school was also well-timed.
A very sense-able boy
I've been able to get a couple knitting projects finished up and started a couple more. I finished this cowl, and am part-way through a pair of legwarmers for LS#2 to go with her new cowgirl boots. Also made a new baby hat for E. since the ones I had made before were way too big. Feels good to have some projects in my hands again.
Canaletto cowl
The most important of all is E., of course. She is doing so well! She is settling into a bit more of a routine - awake a bit during the day, fussy in the evenings, then sleeps for 5-7 hours a night (yay!!!). She loves her big brother and watches him while he is building Legos or playing in his room. He loves her too and often asks if she can come take her nap in his room while he plays. She still gets a shower of kisses from him, and I'm positive it's helping her grow, because she is growing like crazy. She loves to snuggle and be held, and we are happy to provide plenty of snuggle time. I don't go back to clinical for a little bet yet, but my online class has started. So far E. and I have worked on it together - she gets to snuggle and nap, and I get to post the videos and readings.
Big Brother has been wanting to help with Little Sister - except poopy diapers
So tired!
Pretty Girl!
Reading Tintin to the Baby.
All snuggled up
More snuggling.
Faux-hawk!
Loves to stare at lights, windows, shadows. We are getting occasional smiles, but she is pretty serious still.
Fist bump. Or threat. Not sure which.
Strong girl!
Playing together! Baby E. is driving a motorcycle and The Boy is in the side car, in case that wasn't obvious. She could have been in the sidecar, but she wasn't able to hold the rifle so had to drive, instead.
Thanks, everybody, for all the fun Christmas cards and letters. Always enjoy the updates and photos. Have a blessed new year!
