Happy Holidays

This year the holidays blew by so quickly. Everything happened so fast, and they were really unlike any others before. We managed to get a small fake tree up and lit, but only one ornament made it to the tree, a gift from our friends the Schwenzens (expecting their first in Feb.) that was a special gift celebrating Joseph's first Christmas. I managed to wrap most of the gifts one frenzied afternoon, but Joseph's were unceremoniously presented to him in their original packaging (I am sure he didn't mind). There were a lot of little things, traditions, etc. that just didn't happen this year, but I wouldn't have had it any other way because this year we had the best gift of all: our son Joseph. It didn't really hit me until I realized that for the first time I wasn't the one getting the most presents (nor did I even care about presents). No, our son made out like a bandit this year. It was a great feeling after years of being jaded by the holidays to have a new reason to be happy and a very new perspective on love and family.

On the 23rd we went to Joe's parents house and spent some time with them, Andy and Jane, and their family. I got the privilege to witness Joseph and and his little cousin Ellie smile at each other after the gift opening and just before a family picture was taken. It was a special moment that I will remember for a long time. As usual we had a great time.

Then we were off to my parents house where we stayed overnight, through Christmas Eve, and then home on Christmas day. We had a lovely time there as well, and we got to spend some time with my sister, her husband, and my new nephew Ian.

The best part by far was finally meeting my little nephew Ian. He is only a week older than Joseph but I swear that kid knows everything. He gets the wisest most thoughtful expression on his face, especially when he was watching Joseph fuss and cry. It was like he was concerned and was wondering if there was anything he could do to help. The two cousins couldn't be more different. Ian is practically bald, he has huge eyes, and his crys sound completely different. Ian either grunts or lets out high pitched screams while Joseph is somewhere in between, but after spending some time around Ian he has begun to pick up the scream. There were a couple of special bonding moments when the two boys would look at each other and smile or reach out for the others hand, it was very sweet.

We had Monica, Scott and Ian come up to visit us in the Falls over night, as well as seeing them at my parents house on Christmas Eve. When the four of us would get together in the past (Monica, Scott, Joe and myself) we would have such a blast and we would be laughing the whole time. It was really nice to spend some special time with them when they came to our house, but I must admit that it was hard this year not to be able to just sit back, relax, have a few beers and joke around like we used to. I had very little time to talk to just Monica without distraction, but I am sure as the boys get older we will all have some more time together again.

To all of our family, close friends and loved ones, we hope your holidays were wonderful and we look forward to seeing or hearing from you in the new year!