Christmas Morning

In our house, Christmas is a day, not a date. Santa won't always come to our house on December 25th. We'll be telling our kids that Santa knows our schedule and he'll come when he's sure we'll be home. With Erich's work schedule and out of town traveling to visit both of our families, we've got to do what works. I was a little sad about this at first, but I've adjusted and now it's exciting. This year we celebrated Christmas at home on Wednesday the 22nd. I had trouble sleeping the night before because I was so full of anticipation. I couldn't wait for the moment when Avery would walk out of her bedroom and look down the stairs to see the tree all lit up and full of presents just for her. Those Christmas morning memories from my childhood are still so vivid for me and I loved that Avery was about to share in that joy for the first time (although last year was her "1st Christmas", this is the first year she has actually been aware enough to get into it. The girl has some major Christmas spirit). I tell you what, she did not disappoint. As soon as we heard her start to stir in her crib that morning, we went upstairs to get her. Still yawning and stretching and rubbing her eyes, she made her way to the top of the stairs...

Such a sweet girl. She was still a bit sleepy and seemed to be in awe of the whole scene. Erich and I want to carry on a tradition from both of our childhoods... reading the Christmas story together as a family before opening gifts. Santa and presents are very exciting, but keeping our focus on the Hope that came from Heaven in the form of that precious baby is a priority for us as a family. We weren't crazy enough to think that an almost 2 year old would sit still for a Bible reading when there were presents begging to be opened right across the room, so we decided to try and do things more on her level this year and read one of her board books that tells the nativity story beautifully. We were soon put in our place when even that proved to be a challenge. Avery was way too wound up by that point. She ended up reading the book to us (pointing to the pictures and saying "baby Jesus!" every time she saw him) and we called that good enough. We'll try again next year.

Avery telling us about Jesus (reading from an upside down book... she's a genius)

Coloring books galore. Jackpot!

The biggest crayon box I've ever seen (I hear santa scored this for free. Even better)

This was Avery's "main" gift. Her first real baby doll, a cabbage patch! I was probably more excited than she was. The doll is called a "surprise newborn". It comes wrapped up in a green "cabbage" suit and you can't tell the gender until you open it up and reveal a pink or blue diaper (it also comes with a cute little outfit to change into). How fun that it was as much a surprise for us as it was for her. The big reveal showed a pink diaper, so Avery is now the proud momma to "baby Haley" (we stuck with the name on the included birth certificate). Avery carries her everywhere, tucks her into bed at night, rocks her, and gives her a bottle. She is such a nurturer!

Tucking baby Haley into bed. This cradle was mine when I was a little girl. It was made by my Grandpa Staley and I loved passing it on to my baby. Many baby dolls have slept in that cradle! Another handmade gift I was excited for Avery to have was the blanket I crocheted to go in the cradle. I've been wanting to learn and I figured a baby doll sized blanket was a great little starter project.

It was a great Christmas morning at the Piland house. I get pretty choked up when I think about it. I am blessed that God designed me to be Erich's wife and Avery's mom and in moments like this I feel my heart exploding from the love. Even though I know it's all going to fly by too quickly, I can't wait for all the Christmases to come as our little family grows and changes. These memories will be cherished.