Christmas 2010

I know its not fair to play favorites, but I can't help myself. Christmas 2010 is the best I've had in several years. Last year, my father suffered a stroke on December 26th and we spent that night and the remaining several days at various hospitals. Christmas 2008 we were hoping and praying that I wouldn't lose Katie as we were having several complications. Maybe its the experiences of the last couple years that have made me appreciate having my family here, and relatively healthy (a few exceptions to this list in 2010). Or maybe its the fact that having a child changes how you see Christmas and the blessings in your life. Whatever the reason....this one has been a favorite. Now to the good stuff - the pictures of Katie. I know you all don't come here just to read my babble - ha!

Christmas Eve we headed to off to St. Matthew's - our church here in Richmond - with my family. Nana, Papa, and Greatgrandma Lucy spent Christmas in Richmond this year. It was so wonderful to have them at our home!

It was extremely difficult to get a good picture of Katie with Nana, Papa, and GreatGrandma. All she wanted to do was investigate Nana's earrings.

On Christmas morning, Katie woke at about 6:30 (she normall wakes up anywhere from 6:30 to 7:15). Matt and I put her into bed with us for about 10-15 minutes of snuggle time, then headed downstairs to open our stockings. Katie had to stop and check out the tree before stocking time started.

Katie had NO problems figuring out the stocking process. She even helped Matt and I open ours. She also didn't seem to mind that all of her stocking stuffers were extremely practical gifts - Desitin, Bath soap, Baby Lotion, and a car window tint. Oh - and a slinky. She really does like the slinky.

After we opened our stockings and had our Christmas breakfast, my family arrived. We opened presents and left quite a mess. FYI - Katie is responsible for the packing peanuts being all of the floor.

On Christmas night, snow started to fall and it continued through the next day. I still can't believe we actually had a White Christmas here in Richmond. Katie's face says it all....

On Sunday, Matt and I got Katie outside to play in the snow for a little while. I had been debating whether or not to buy Katie a snowsuit. Then I found her cousin Brayden's old snow bibs in a box of hand-me downs. Even though they are navy blue - and boys clothes - I couldn't care less. The bibs fit her, keep her warm and dry - and have saved me a little money. Thanks Angie and Brayden!!

The best part of Christmas 2010 - its not over yet. We still have a few more family celebrations to go. Looking forward to seeing the rest of the family over the next week. Love and Happy Holidays to everyone!

Visit With Santa

Ah, the tradition of visiting Santa! Who doesn't have at least one photo from their childhood of you sitting on the Big Guy's knee in your Christmas best clothes? Last year Katie was about 4 months old when we went to see Santa so she was completely indifferent. This year we weren't sure what to expect. Let's just say, it didn't go quite how I'd hoped.

After the photo part was over, Katie warmed up a bit and Santa even let her sit in his chair all by herself! :-)

SNOW!!!

We've gotten 2 snow stores in Richmond this week. Wait - Matt won't like the word "storm." He says its not a storm if you only get a couple of inches. Personally, I think any type of accumulating snow counts as a snow storm - especially here in Richmond.

Monday we got a couple of inches and again today we got 2-3 inches. There were 3 rather large snow storms last year, but Katie wasn't truly old enough to get out and play in the snow. This year its entirely different.

I rarely post videos, but I thought this one was cute.

Diaper Changing

You would think that 16 months into parenthood, I would be an expert on changing Katie's diaper, but I'm not. Some days you can say "Katie, do we need to change your diaper?" and she will go get a diaper and lay down in front of you ready to be changed. Other days its a major battle - usually because she doesn't want to be still. On the bad days, I have found that toys are a great distraction technique. Though toys only last so long.

Last night after her bath she was getting squirmy so I gave her one of her black dress shoes to play with while I finished getting her diaper on (it was the first thing I could grab). She decided she wanted to wear the shoes, so I put them on her feet. Then, she refused to put on her pajamas because she wanted to prance around in her pretty shoes. Nothing quite like a baby in dress shoes, a diaper, and heaving lotion on her chapped cheeks. I'm saving these for the baby books!!! :-)

Christmas Cards

This past weekend before church, Matt, Katie and I did a little photo shoot for the Christmas Card. There were some good shots, some bad shots, and some funny shots. We played one of Katie's favorite games, called "how many ornaments can I take off the tree while mom, dad, and nana are viewing the digital photos?" Which reminds me....I probably should put a gate around the Christmas tree. However, we are working on the "look, but don't touch" concept. Katie still looks AND touches.

Anyways - here are some of the pictures that made the cut, and some of the ones that didn't.

Turkey Day

As usual - I'm a little late on my Thanksgiving post. I feel like I'm about a week or so late on everything these days. But hey, that's the life of a full-time working mommy, right? Anyways....here goes.

Each year, Matt and I alternate where we spend Christmas and Thanksgiving. This year we spent Thanksgiving with his family and Christmas with mine. Next year we will spend Thanksgiving with my family and Christmas with his. Its the eternal juggling act you do once married - and especially sharing a grandchild with 2 families! :-) Katie loves the attention no matter which side of the family is providing it - and Matt and I get equal time with our families.

This year we had Thanksgiving at Turkey Oak, Matt's family home. Coral's Thanksgiving dinner was delicious as always. We ate our meal around 2:30 which is during Katie's nap time, so she ate after everyone else. Ganny was nice enough to keep her company though.

When you travel with a toddler, they find anything and everything they shouldn't. Katie had a GREAT time exploring all the cabinets at Popa and Abu's house. Unfortunately she found a few things she wasn't supposed to.

After dinner was over, Katie needed some space to roam, so we took her outside to play with the dog and get some fresh air. She loves dogs, but gets a little timid when she gets close to them. I can certainly understand since Dottie is twice her size.

We also took some time to get a couple family photos...