Christmas Morning

Let's go see if Santa came...

He did!!!! Lily asked for a bike, and she got her very own little pink and purple bike, just her size. She was SO excited!

Then she opened her gift from Mom & Dad next...as she opened part of the gift she exclaimed "oh no! Santa brought me pull-ups????" But no, it was just the food to go with her new little kitchen. Her favorite thing is to play Mommy right now. She loves to make us breakfast (donuts and fruit salad...in one bowl) or bake us pizza & fries in her little oven for lunch.

Here are a few pics of her 1st ride on Christmas morning. It was "OK". The poor child was pretty tired out by this point after being up sick the night before, but she wanted to try anyway. She road all the way up our neighbor Dennis' driveway to say Hi (? Maybe because he looks like Santa!?)

Bye Bye Crib, Hello Big Girl Bed

Lily's 1st Christmas present this year was from Gigi, Papa Joe & Papa Tom. Daddy Joe & Papa Joe set up her new big girl bed a few days before Christmas. I admit to a little tug in my heart when we took apart the crib (guess my baby's really growing up). She loves her bed though, and has slept very well in it so far (BIG fingers crossed to keep that going) even though she has been sick.

Every year we get new pajamas to open Christmas Eve & wear on Christmas. Lily got to open hers a day early. Actually, she got to pick them out at the store. She had a choice between princess, dora, snowmen, etc., etc., but what did she choose??? Bright yellow Spongebob Squarepants Santa pajamas! OOOKAAY.

Christmas Eve this year was mellow. Picture me, Joe & Lily on the couch watching Chevy Chase's Christmas Vacation. Yep, I said Lily SITTING on the couch, yes for the entire movie. Why you ask? Because she was burning up with fever and alternately coughing/vomitting. No, we didn't get to Aunt Cherie's Christmas Eve dinner. We were sad, but also knew it would be hard to be at that party without my Grandma Mary this year. She was always the star of the show. Other than not getting much sleep that night, or the next one, it was a nice evening together.

Twas the night before Christmas...

And no, none of these pics were taken the night before Christmas, but blogger is REALLY annoying sometimes, so here are the pics I was going to add after my little poem. First, our Christmas card photo shoot and then Lily helping Dad with the Christmas tree.

Now really:

Twas the night before Christmas

and all through the house,
a flu bug was rumbling,

and there were peeps much louder than a mouse.

We missed our Christmas eve party but we're saving our strength,

for a full Christmas day of immeasurable length.

The stockings were hung on the entertainment center with cheer,

hoping that Santa would find his way here.

Lily and Dad are all tucked in Lily's new big girl bed,

in hopes that we'll all get sleep sometime this year.

Milo & Cosmo are curled up in their bed/chair,

and Mom is sitting on the computer, new Christmas pajamas she wears.

A little pink bike sits in front of the tree,

how did Santa slip that one by me?
I really hope nothing happens that causes a "clatter",
or makes me spring from my bed to see what's the matter.

Because I asked Santa for just one holiday wish,

a full night of sleep and a nice christmas kiss.

OK, that's 2 things, but if I'm lucky my Santa Joe will give me both :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!!

Hi, Santa.

Now that Lily speaks English fluently (i.e., so that we can fully understand her) it just feels wierd to speak for her on this blog. So, for this post at least, I'm going to share a little story from the point of view of her loving mama, and as Calliou would say: that's me!

Lily met Santa today for the 1st time! It was AWESOME!

But first...ever since the day after Thanksgiving, we had talked about taking her to meet him at the mall, but to be honest, after envisioning waiting hours in line, with our VERY active toddler, knowing that the big red man would make her cry, just didn't sound like a fun way to spend an afternoon. We don't get a lot of afternoons together lately; I would much rather stay home! SO, Cosmo had a vet appointment today (Lily: WHY mommy? Me: Because we go to the doctor once a year to make sure we're healthy. Lily: WHY??? Me: Because...we DO?... In my head: Exactly when WAS the last time Joe or I went to the doctor for a check-up???)

So Joe, Lily, Cosmo & I piled into the car (Oh, pink baby was strapped in her seatbelt in the backseat as well) to drop Cosmo off at the vet. As Joe was signing Cosmo in, Lily got this really funny grin on her face. Then her mouth opened VERY wide and she said "Hi, Santa." I didn't think much of what she said because anyone that knows 2-year-olds knows that they have a lot of conversations with, well, anyone or anything. But, I soon caught a glance of a big red suit and a white beard. Santa was across the room setting up for the big "Bring your pet to sit on Santa's lap photo op" (huh?)

Lily began to flirt with Santa in the only way she knows how: by giving him her silliest grin with a finger hooked in each side of her mouth and her tongue stuck out. So, we really lucked out because Santa had just arrived and the animal parents hadn't even started lining up. As we exited the store, we went to say a close-up hello. Lily wanted to take her sweatshirt off to show Santa her reindeer t-shirt (she stuck such a proud chest out to Santa :) Lily was showing off by not answering Santa's questions, avoiding his gaze, and twirling around in circles for him. He finally asked her what she wanted for Christmas. She said "a bike!" Then he said "OK. I think I can fit one of those on the sleigh." She beamed.

Now THAT is Christmas.

I wrote this to remind myself how sweet this season can be...it's not about the cold rain, the long hours of work, the gifts, the food, the lines at the mall or the traffic outside. It's about the joy on my little girl's face. Merry Christmas my tweetie pie. Mama loves you more than you know.