It's Santa...It's Really Him!

Dear Taylor,

This post is long overdue, but I think you will find it in your heart to forgive mommy. She forgot about it, but here we go anyways. Today was a special day for a fun reason. Today you met Santa for the first time. We went to the Galleria, and I can honestly say, mommy completely expected you to cry when Santa held you. But you were indifferent, I mean brave.

While waiting for Santa, which by the way was not as long as the movies make it out to be, we managed to get some cute shots of you and mommy.

See Santa in the background? We are almost there.

Santa needed a drink, so we checked him out while we waited.

See, he's not so bad.

The kids in front of us came back for more when they realized that Santa wasn't so scary.

And I think to tell him a few more things from their list.

Finally, you got your turn with Santa. Yes, make sure you check him over carefully.

Look to mommy for moral support.

Make an attempt as escaping.

But then decided there was no use...he is Santa you know.

After Santa, we got some real smiles from you when you posed with Daddy.

Santa was pretty cool, but I think you know Daddy beats out Santa every time.

Taylor's Christmas in 30 Pictures

This was Taylor's very 1st Christmas.
Our 1st Christmas with a baby.
And what a wonderful Christmas it was.
A baby makes Christmas special.
I can kinda understand God's reasoning for a baby.
The baby Jesus.
He made it even more special than I can fathom.
Beautiful.

I didn't think it was going to be too exciting yet, with Taylor being so young and all...

But, boy was she a doll.

I mean, look at her, adorable.

She started sitting up so great all by herself.

She blew tons of raspberries.

And more raspberries.

She attempted to crawl.

She ate plates...Grinch style.

She was adored by all.

She even got to open her very 1st stocking.

She just needed to check it out from all angles first.

She decided it was safe.

She reflected (chewed) upon the real meaning of Christmas.

She even watched Zissou open his stocking.

He enjoyed it with his bum leg and all.

And then, when Mommy wasn't paying attention...

This sweet little girl...

Bit the carpet.

Mommy-fail. It happens.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight.

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Here are some more photos from our trip.

Taylor's first ride in an umbrella stroller (as a pink bear).
I almost ate her...I'm not even kidding.

Pic with Grandma.

Listening to Granddaddy.

Playing with her favorite toy of the trip...a bell.

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Oh, and since I have very few photos of Taylor and Mommy, here is a fun photo shoot.

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Oh, and it was my birthday. More on that later.

Well, that was fun.
I hope you enjoyed it.

Trees and Traditions and Ornaments, Oh My!

Trees and Traditions and Ornaments, Oh My!

Here she is all dolled up...our Christmas tree. I love real trees. I love colored lights. The large ones. I love simple, plain, tree decorations. That's just me. I truly love this tree. It is perfect.

It was so exciting this year, because we added a stocking for Taylor. And to be fair, we decided Zissou deserved one as well. Stockings are my favorite thing to open on Christmas morning. They are kind of a big deal to me. Good thing Jonathan knows that; he always does such a great job of filling my stocking.

Oh and that box thing on the mantle is super exciting as well. It has a little door for all 25 days of Christmas. We are starting a tradition where we put written activities and little treats in the doors, and every day we open up a door to see what is the special activity or treat for that day. I think our child(ren) will love that tradition.


Another tradition we have is that we each get to pick out a new ornament every year. Our tree has a small amount of ornaments right now, but we are slowly building our collection. This year we sort of went with bird themed ornaments. It just happened.

Jonathan's owl.

My owl.

Taylor's baby birdie.

Zissou's birdie.

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Oh, and here are some of my favorite ornaments.

This one I made in 1st grade. My friend's mom, Mrs. Cathy, brought these okra for us to make Santa's out of. I have kept it since. And I love it the most.

This is Mr. Sock Monkey. It is special because it reminds be of Becca.

Oh, and to add a little fright we have Jack the Pumpkin King. Painted by Jonathan.

Where the Wild Things Are.
(representing the book and not the boo scary movie version)

The Toys from the Island of Misfit Toys. Love clay movies. Love them.
(Fun fact: Do you know the doll's problem? She has emotional problems. Weird, huh?)

Jonathan gets me a Starbucks one whenever they come out with a new one.

This is just one of them.

Those are just a couple of my favorite ornaments and traditions.

Can I hear/see about your favorite traditions/ornaments?

Pretty please.