Completely Exhausted in 2013: Christmas in a Nutshell

Yeah, like condensing Christmas to a Blog entry is possible. However, I am going to try.

When I was looking at all of my pictures over the month of December, I was made aware of how many Christmases we actually had this year. While the sentimental side of me wants to pay tribute to each of them with a separate blog, the working-mother side of me is just too pooped. So, here is our Christmas in a nutshell. Some seemingly meaningless moments may be made into a much bigger deal than they should be, but hey! It's baby's first Christmas, and his Mama can do whatever she wants!!

Our first Christmas was bith best buddies Sam and Alicia. Sam has always been the best at giving gifts, and this year proved no differently. He gave Canon his first Christmas present (that he actually got to open), a walker that he, of course, loved. He shocked us all by actually walking around with it. We had no idea he could do this yet! Sam and Alicia spent the whole weekend with us, then returned to Mobile to get back to the real world. Thanks Sam & Alicia!

Our next Santa visit came from MyGoo and Amelia who came to deliver presents from the Hamilton family. Their visit was made even more special when my best childhood friend, Wimberly, showed up with them. We haven't seen each other in years (sad, really) and it was so great to catch up.

We had a great day together. Canon and I took them to a local spot for lunch, then we played in the park and opened some presents. Canon got his first (of many, I hope) nutcrackers from MyGoo and Doc. Nutcrackers are one of my favorite Christmas decorations, so when my Mom suggested starting this as an annual gift for Canon, I could not have been more excited.

He opened plenty of other fun things as well including some toy balls from Uncle Bert, Aunt Dauren, Graham, and Avett. He also got a "Baby's 1st Christmas" ornament that Steiney needle-pointed.

He and MyGoo spent some quality time together since they would not see each other again until after the new year. He sure loves his MyGoo!

And finally, our last Christmas. We spent the actual Christmas weekend in Birmingham and Winfield with the Moss Family. It started with a night in Birmingham at Big Mom's house. We opened lots of presents and had a delicious breakfast at Cracker Barrel the next morning. Canon's favorite thing was climbing in the opened boxes!

We then drove to Winfield to have Christmas with the Barry's. Canon got his second push-toy of the year (there were more to come) - a Winnie the Pooh airplane from Nonna and Poppa. Nonna was eager to give it to him, so he actually opened it on Christmas Eve. It couldn't have been planned any better. He loved his toy so much, that he was completely consumed the next morning while the rest of us enjoyed our gifts. Thanks, Nonna and Poppa.

Nonna's family showed up later that day. Barry's grandfather, Dr. Barry, made an especially good impression on Canon. They spent many quality hours together, touring the Christmas decorations at the house, singing lullabies, and sitting together to study even the most mundane things, like sippy cups! I've already offered to let him live with us whenever he is ready and willing.

On Christmas afternoon, Canon was very ready for a nap, but of course he was having too much fun to just lay down and close his eyes. So, like a good mother, I left him screaming in the Pack 'n Play until he wore himself out. Well, Dr. Barry wouldn't stand for that. "I'll get him to sleep" were his exact words, and he did. When I walked in to check on them, this is what I found:

It was my favorite Christmas present.

The following are some Christmas pictures that I couldn't help but share.

It snowed Christmas morning, Canon's first time in the snow. Please pardon my attire. I got new boots that day, so I had to put them on immediately. Don't they look good with my pj's?