First "Real" Christmas

At barely 10 days old, last year's Christmas and holiday season really wasn't all that much of Christmas. This year, we got a little closer with some family traditions. Overwhelmed by his 1st birthday, since we've only done that type of party once before, Christmas took a back seat, compared to what I thought I'd do with Stefan. I have some definite traditions I wanted to pass on, but ultimately, it just didn't go as I planned. I'm probably 1 year ahead on the expectations of how to celebrate the holiday, maybe even two.

Decorating the tree, I anticipated sharing at least a little with him. In reality, I fought him off the ornaments as he only went for the breakables, de-tangled him from the lights, and removed him from the branches of the tree a few times too many to enjoy it all. Luckily it was coming on nap time. Mid tree, I tossed him in his crib, and sighed with relief, as I could finish on second least favorite holiday tradition. I get tired of the whole thing after I get the lights on and about 3 ornaments. The 1938 version of "A Christmas Carol" was put on, not my favorite, but a staple for tree decorating time, and chilled out in the glow of colored lights and the smell of pine.

The next thing I realized is great tradition is the food...won't get into here, because I plan a whole expose around this: "Holidays, Food Allergies, and Elimination Diets, a deadly combo! Why what is on your plate might KILL you! Story at 11:00." Let's just say, merely from my plate and his, I wouldn't have identified any of our holidays as being such.

We had an advent calendar on my desktop which was really cool (Thanks Liz!!). Every morning we watched the little animated cartoon and listened to the festive music. We're still revisiting it, actually. It brings cute little smiles to Stefan that I love so much!

Ultimately there was way too much that was left out to get all crazy with how I'm passing down any traditions in a post. Like all those walks through the woods that weren't really as much fun as they'll be with a boy who wants to explore under rocks or play in the stream in a few years, I found I'll just have to wait until he's a little older to get excited about the holidays. He didn't  see the actual bearded guy, but I hope his fondness of plush small Santa will prepare him for the excitement of the real dude for next time.

"Love the Dinosaur!"

Child rearing is the ultimate practice in patience, not just with the daily routines, but with all the fun activities he needs to grow into. We'll get there soon enough, as long as the Mayan's aren't correct, and the world is still around after 12/12/12.