Christmas 2008

This is my favorite picture of the holidays, so I'm putting it up at the top. It's probably because I haven't nagged and physically forced Dada to take pictures of just me and you together like I had to do with Sofia when she was little. I just don't have the strength anymore. So this is sadly, a rare shot of us together, but one that I will cherish. [It turns out you had a better appreciation for my plastic vegetable steamer than for your number one Christmas present, the knit monkey from Land of Nod.]

This year we made the trek up to Aunt Sandy's house in Eden on Christmas Eve. As we were getting dressed and ready to leave, I decided to give you a quick hair trim which turned into a full on hair cut (only your second one and the first by me). You wouldn't stop moving your head this way and that. It's a miracle you still have ears. I think it turned out quite cute.

Look how big you are! Last year, you were just a baby in a manger.

We packed all our snow gear in preparation for sledding. Once we arrived, it was pretty windy and cold but we couldn't pass up the opportunity so we bundled up and went out anyway. Here you are bundled up for sure. I thought I might be asking for it with this one figuring you'd be screaming your little head off in protest the second we got outside. Much to my surprise, the wonderment of snow was more than enough reward and you allowed us to mummy-fy you and even deposit you in the snow for a little bit while we sled down the hill. Daddy took you down one time and you never complained. I can't stress that enough because I myself was complaining about the frigid cold wind in my face and my toes and hands that I could not feel pretty much the whole time. How amazing it must be to experience things for the first time.


By the time we started opening presents, you were down for a nap. We had to put you to sleep in your stroller which is not something you really do much. Before going to bed, you enjoyed knocking down Aunt Sandy's nutcrackers and trolling around as if you were just one of the big kids. You got to open some presents later in the evening but it really wasn't half as interesting as being bundled up like a mummy in the cold weather, the snow, or just walking around Aunt Sandy's house moving all her trinkets around.


Everyone went to bed in their new home-sewn matching octopus pajamas and we woke up the next morning ready for more presents at home. Santa and I agreed to three presents per person consisting of 1) something cuddly , 2) something creative, and 3) something fun. You received the knit sock monkey, toddler animal coloring markers that make the sound of the animal when you snap the lid back on, and home-sewn fabric balls. I was happy to see, you showed more excitement for at least one of the presents than the excitement you had for bows and empty boxes. I hit it just right with the fabric balls. I wrapped them in paper so you could still see the shape of the balls and put them in a see through bag to spark your interest. This was probably the only present you wanted to open yourself and you loved them! Balls are pretty much the coolest things on the planet to you right now.


After our family Christmas morning, we went to Tia Marcela's house for brunch and more merriment. You received three mega blocks wagons, so naturally we decided to keep the biggest one. Sofia stuffed you into the wagon and ran off with you.

Another memorable gift, batman mask from Peter & Holly

By the time we got to Abuelo's house, you were ready for a nap so you missed most of the merriment over there. But that didn't stop Sofia and cousin Autumn from enjoying your present from los Abuelos, a rocking horse.


The best present of all this year was that you finally decided to start speaking. At Tia Marcela's house you suddenly turned into a jitterbug of chatter.