On Christmas Day

Today was just a fun day. A tiring, back aching, long, busy day, but a wonderful and fun day. While I woke up at 6:30am, showered, made coffee, and generally puttered around, my darling family seemed to want to sleep in. But it was worth the wait, seeing you run in and see the tree with presents and Nonnie and Bapa waiting. After a yummy breakfast of French Breakfast Puffs *heaven* and fruit salad to counteract the French Breakfast Puffs, we got to the present opening. The long, long, long, present opening. I mean, when you have a perfectly good letter puzzle to play with, why would you want more presents. But we finally finished. In fact I think you opened your last present at about 7:00 tonight. You are a girl who likes to make the suspense last.

You certainly were in heaven with Mor Mor, Ed, Aunt Heather, Uncle Justin, Nonnie and Baba all in one room together. And just think, we will see Uncle Matt, Aunt Elizabeth, Maddie, Gracie, and Baby B in just a few days. We even got to spend some Skype time with Aunt Katherine and Uncle Ben showing off letters-yes from the letter puzzle. Again, why do you need more presents when you have a letter puzzle? But of course you realized that you HAD to sleep with your new monkey, you are absolutely mad about your new magnetic Elmo book and well, we didn't get to do it tonight, but your Mama can't wait to play Cariboo with you. Lily, I love your wonder, your excitement, and the itty bitty pieces of wrapping paper you tear off and hand to me, each time saying "thank you." Thank you sweet girl. Thank you sweet family. And Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

May you have the wonder and excitement of a child today.

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

Tonight was a busy night for you Lily. A busy night of traditions, music, food, and books. We went to our customary dinner at Pizza Hut. Because we always go to Pizza Hut on Christmas Eve. In fact I have only missed one time in my entire life (you were a sick little girl.) Then it was off to quickly open our customary presents. Some Christmas Pajamas and another edition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Next it was off to church where everyone found out how much you like music. EVERYONE. After Joy to the World, during the silence after the song ended, we heard a very, very loud "YEA!!!!" Well, I'm glad you liked it. As we were leaving church you said, "Bye-bye Peoples!" You are just so original.
After church we came home and got in our jammies and Daddy read you 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Where last night was a very new tradition, tonight was a very old one. I love that your Daddy can now carry on this very special tradition of reading while Mama listens and takes pictures. You may not understand right now, but these memories and these pictures will be some of your most favorite memories you will ever have. I know they are some of my favorites.

I realized tonight that we never wrote your letter to Santa this year, so here it is...

Dear Santa,
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas. I have been a very good girl this year. I started eating my vegetables-my Mama and Daddy seem to really like that. I haven't been in the trouble chair for a really long time. I really like that. Last year you made my Mama and Daddy really happy by making me walk on Christmas day. It will be hard to top that, but my Mama wants me to ask if I could I learn my colors? I mean, I know what an octagon is and what forte and piano mean, but I don't know my colors. I should probably work on that. What I really want is an Elmo book. Actually lots of books. And some toys. But I already told you that when I sat on your lap. Ok well I have to go to bed and sing a bunch of songs for about an hour at the top of my lungs so I have to go. Merry Christmas Santa!
love,
Lily

On the 3rd day before Christmas

Tonight we started a new family tradition. Movie night.With all the changes 2008 will bring, I seem to be very protective of our family time-especially our "trio family" time. Tonight we watched The Muppet Christmas Carol. And Lily was SO excited to see Muppets. As soon as we told her what we were going to do she jumped. She clapped. She said "YEAAAAAAA! Watch Muppets!!!!" So we snuggled under a blanket and watched the whole thing by the light of the Christmas tree. I think I am going to like this new tradition.

On the 4th day before Christmas

Tonight we went with Nonnie and Bapa to Blossom for their second annual Holiday Light Festival. Two million lights and one very happy little girl. Lots of "Ooo! Pretty lights!" and that was just from Bapa. The best part for me? Singing Jingle Bells on the car ride over with my family.

On the 5th day before Christmas

I love mail. LOVE MAIL. And what better time to be a "mail box stalking, no one else better get there first or else" kind of person. For the past few years I have been taping all my Christmas cards up on the trim in my dining room with the inevitable hunt for what card fell every time I went into the kitchen. Not anymore. I now have a wonderful Christmas card Tree display which I got from Mor Mor last year. I love that I have all these reminders of family and friends greeting me every time I come into my dining room. And none of them are on the floor.

On the 6th day before Christmas

The train. We bought this train for Lily last year to go around the tree (ok perhaps we bought it for Daddy last year as Lily wasn't too interested in it.) This year? Oh my goodness do you LOVE this thing. It must be running constantly. You clap you hands when it starts. You cheer when it goes around the corner. You say WHEE! when it goes down the hill. And now, we have added to fun and got a train station where the train can go through or UNDER! "Through the tunnel Mama! Through the tunnel!!" We decided last year that this would be a Christmas only toy, put away at the end of January. I'm so glad we did because it makes these hours of playtime even more special and even more fun.

On the 7th day before Christmas

Oh. My. Goodness. I think tonight I have created a new Christmas morning tradition. I made the most incredible thing I think I ever have tasted. French Breakfast Puffs. Now let me just preface this by saying that I am NOT a cook. NOT a baker. If something can go wrong in the kitchen I have done it. So to prevent meltdowns I practice. Boy am I glad I did or I wouldn't know the joy of these (Nor would my choir at our annual Christmas Party.)I got the recipe at The Pioneer Woman Cooks. Boy does she ever. Her recipes are SO easy to follow (and quite humorous as well) that even I can't screw them up. So far I have made three things from her site-Butternut Squash Puree, Everything Cookies and now the French Breakfast Puffs. Can I just say that you ROLL THEM IN BUTTER AND CINNAMON SUGAR! Oh and lest I forget-my goof this time? I forgot to set the timer. *sigh* they still turned out great :)

Again, here's my journaling for my album...
I created a new family tradition tonight. From this year on we will ALWAYS have French Breakfast Puffs on Christmas morning.
French Breakfast Puffs
3 cups flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup sugar
2/3 cup shortening (Crisco)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 teaspoons cinnamon
2 sticks butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease 12 muffin cups. Stir together flour, baking powder, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside. Pray. In a different bowl, cream together 1 cup sugar and shortening, then add eggs and mix. Add flour mixture and milk alternately to creamed mixture, beating well after each addition. Fill prepared muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until golden. In a bowl, melt 2 sticks butter. In a separate bowl combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Dip baked muffins in butter, coating thoroughly, then coat with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Eat. Faint.
(Recipe from The Pioneer Woman)

On 8th day before Christmas

Tonight we took a trip to Donzell's Garden Center which at Christmas time turns into an absolute Christmas wonderland. The display used to be complete with real live reindeer but sadly that tradition seems to have ended. Just as I had expected, Lily was in heaven looking at all the pretty lights, Christmas Trees, stars, ornaments, and displays. We heard lots of "Ooo! Look at THAT! Pretty lights!" Ok yes, we heard "Oooo! Look at THAT! A FAN!" at one time, but never the less, I do think she was impressed. I believe the words we heard here were "Look Mama! Look Daddy! A DEER!"

On 9th day before Christmas

The peeping tom photo. I recently read on someone's blog that you should have a picture of your tree from outside your house (can't remember where I read this thanks to preggo brain.) I love our tree-love it, however somehow in the purchasing of it LAST year and the putting it up this year, the directions have disappeared. Let me tell you how much fun it was to put together. Oh well. I think what I will remember most about this picture is the thought of what my neighbors were thinking of the crazy woman taking photos of her living room window. Oh and the footprints I left in the snow that lead up to my window-now that's not at all creepy. ;)

But when I really think about it, I think about the joy that surrounds this tree this year. Playing with the train set, ringing Grandma Watson's bell ornament, hanging my hand stitched ornaments from Grandma Rinehart, and looking at the pretty lights reflect in Lily's eyes. Yes, I love my tree.

On 10th day before Christmas

Today I went to a very fun cookie party...in a blizzard. I know, I know, why in the world would I go out in a blizzard for some cookies, but I had eight dozen cookies that needed to be shared with others. It was so worth it. Lily got to play with Maya, Riley, and some other great "big kids" and I got to sit around, laugh, talk, and frost cookies with some wonderful women. I really, really needed that. And now I have a whole heck of a lot of cookies to eat, wait, I mean share with others. ;)

On 11th day before Christmas

So this is not actually my photo for the day, but a sneak peek of my very first digitally designed Christmas Cards-actually my second ever dabble into digi. Since I didn't want to completely give them away, instead this is my cute place mat that I got in the Target Dollar Spot. Ok, so they were $2.50, but cute enough to be totally worth it ;) got a runner for the table too.

Now I promise that I will eventually share my Christmas Card with all of you later, but for now you will just have to use your imagination for journaling purposes.

The three of us. This will be the last Christmas of just the three of us. We are growing. Things will be changing quite a bit for you next year and I find myself really cherishing every single second with you. And let me tell you, you make it easy. You are SO funny. You have SO much to say. You are just such a good little girl. This morning you joined me up front for service while I was singing with the band. At first you danced, but then you wanted up. Ok, little heavy with one arm to hold you and a mic, but ok. At one point during a very quiet, slow, and serious song you whispered to me "say applesauce?" Why? Because that was one of your first words and we practiced saying it in your own little toy mic. So of course that is what a mic is for. I don't know how I got through the rest of that song without laughing hysterically. It is times like that that I cherish. You, me and funny, weird inside jokes.

On the 12th day before Christmas

Santa Clause. Today we got dressed up in Mor Mor's dress from when she was two-years-old, some tights and your sparkly sparkly shiny shoes. You just looked beautiful. You were truly excited to see Santa this year, as we heard MANY times. "Excited to see Santa! Excited to see Santa!!" We practiced saying what you wanted for Christmas-apparently books. Lots of books. As we stood in line you peeked through the people to catch a glimpse of the man in the big red suit, with a great big smile on your face. You heard the bells they shook to get the other kids to look at the camera. You immediately started singing "Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!" over and over. Daddy picked you up so you could see a little better. And ohmygoodness, Santa waved at you! Again, huge smile on your face.

Then your turn came. You started walking up, very tiny steps at first uh-oh but then the arms went up. You sat in his lap. I heard him say
"What do you want for Christmas?"
"Some books." Clear as a bell.
"Some books? We will see what we can do about that."

You were so cute up there. Showing him the ceiling that looks like sky, giving him a hug, and posing like a beautiful little princess in the gorgeous dress that is fifty years old. Your Daddy's words when we saw the picture? "That picture doesn't even show half of the cuteness that happened up there." So this is why I am more excited about Christmas than I have been, well, since I was a child. Because I get to relive everything through your eyes. Sitting on Santa's lap, seeing pretty lights, playing with the train around the Christmas tree, singing Christmas songs, and of course seeing your face for the first time when you see the Christmas tree all lit up after Santa has come on Christmas morning. So excited! So very excited!

On Christmas Day

Merry Christmas! So I made it. In so many more ways than one. I made it through the day. I made it through my very first Christmas season at church. I made it through the 12 days of Christmas and faithfully posted every single day. So what do you think will come next? Why a 12 page scrapbook of course! tee hee

Dear Lily,
Today was a wonderful day. You must have sensed the excitement in the air and woke up at 6:45 this morning-a full two hours before your normal wake-up time. But I think I was a bit excited as well as I was laying awake in bed long before that ;) Unfortunately you don't quite comprehend the sheer joy and excitement of opening presents, much to Daddy's dismay as he carefully wrapped each one, only for me to tear them all open-but you sure do know how to play with them all! And yup. This is what I look like in the morning...
Then it was off to Mor Mor's house. I love how excited you get when we pull into Mor Mor's driveway (or Grandma and Grandpa's too!) As soon as we got in the door, your Daddy graced us with his mad waffle making skills as you, Mor Mor and I played upstairs. After breakfast (your second breakfast-yep, you definately have those Willis genes in you!) the newlywedded Taylors' joined us and we got right down to opening presents. Despite some fussing at the end because of a desparate need for a nap, I think you had a wonderful time.

So back home we went for a much needed nap for you, and for your Mama and Daddy to spend a few hours building your new kitchen :) Then it was off to Grandma and Grandpa's house. There the most exciting and amazing thing happened. You gave Mama her best present ever-YOU WALKED. First a few steps, but then across the room. Over and over. You are now a walker. YOU WALKED. I am a mother of a walker. Somehow you grew taller tonight. Somehow your Mama grew a lot older tonight ;) but sweetheart, that was just the best present ever. I know that you will not remember this Christmas, I know that Christmas will mean so much more to you next year, I know that there will be other memorable moments, exciting moments, but this is the one I will never forget. Thank you.
I love you,
Mama
p.s. Why the Golden Graham's on the chair you ask? Why it was actually a present from Bj with a very special toy suprise-my very first pair of diamond earrings!!! Seriously-he put a sign on the front that said "toy suprise inside!!!

'Twas the night before Christmas

Traditions. That is what I have been thinking of tonight. We have a lot of traditions in my family-many of them occuring on Christmas Eve. First, we must always go to Pizza Hut. Many, many years ago, my mom decided with all the cooking she had to do the following day, and the busy schedule of church, we would go to Pizza Hut for dinner on Christmas Eve. I have never missed a single time (until last year when Lily was sick...) I remembered the second big tradition while in the middle of church tonight. Leaving Santa cookies and Dr Pepper...not milk, Dr Pepper. I never "got" that when I was a child-we were told that Santa had just had enough milk and he wanted a change when he got to our house. Last is the reading of 'Twas the night before Christmas. This will be the first year in my entire life that my father will not read this to me. The first time ever. I am the only one of all the girls who has always been there for Christmas-not living in another state, I am always here. This truly was my absolute favorite tradition ever. I think I looked forward to this just as much as opening presents. And I still do. But as my own family grows I know that I must step aside and let my daughter sit on her Daddy's lap as I quietly move around the room taking pictures, just as my mother did for all those years. Thank you for all of those good memories and all of those wonderful traditions. So what can I say now?
"Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night."

On the 3rd day before Christmas

all is calm
all is bright

On the 4th day before Christmas

My handsome hubby in his brand new glasses :) I can't tell you how excited I am about these!


The Taylor trio had an absolutely wonderful dinner together tonight. Not because of the food, but we actually had real family time. We went to Friendly's and for the first time Lily drank from a straw AND colored!!! Of course she had to have a crayon in each hand, and it was just the cutest thing. Seriously. I will scan her masterpiece and post soon. This is how a crazy stage mothers are born. ;)

On the 5th day before Christmas

Lily sitting on Santa's lap by herself? Not so much this year...

So I really must say that I would be perfectly happy if they did not choose to add the snowman and the snow and trees at the bottom. Really. Perfectly happy.


Dear Lily,
Do you know what today is? It is your 16 month birthday today. Sixteen months old. That is just unbelievable to me. You are such a sweet, sweet little girl and the time has just flown by. So you still aren't walking, and while I know that it is still totally normal, I still worry and I still can't wait. The molar you are working on is almost completely out and you are now working on another top tooth in front (thank you Santa ;) Nothing about you is "normal" and I just love that. Not how you get your teeth in out of order, how you hate baby staples like bananas, and fun to eat food like peas. Or how you can love a food one day and pitch a fit if we give it to you another day.

My favorite is how you must have "two" of everything. If you have one ring in your hand, you have to find the other one for your other hand. It is the funniest thing to watch you try to crawl around with a ball in each hand (and they must be the same kind of ball), a remote in each hand, a phone in each hand. I have never seen another child do that before.

With all those quirky habits you is constantly making me laugh. I love watching you dance-stomping your feet, moving your shoulders up and down, and recently, doing this head banger kind of thing that had me almost crying I was laughing so hard. I also love your "hi" conversations where you just says "HI!" over and over and over again. I pretend that your great-grandmas Marie Lillian Watson and Claire Marie Back have come to visit you. I know they are watching over you. You knows how to sign eat, all done, hungry, dog, and we are working very hard on more, cat, and night-night (although I think you do understand them.) You also can pat your head, clap your hands, kick your feet and pat your belly on command. Although, we need to watch out if we ask you to pat your belly, as you much prefers to lift of the shirt of whomever asked you, and pat theirs instead.

You have the best giggle, the loudest laugh and you have the most powerful lung capacity that we started learning "inside voice" long before it was probably possible to comprehend the concept. We can really get you cackling during a game of peek-a-boo, crib chase (where you try to hide in your crib, pretend you are asleep and I come get you and tickle you ;) and of course, getting raspberries on your belly.

You have changed our lives in every single way possible, and I am thankful for every single day that I have spent with you.
I love you,
Mama

On the 6th day before Christmas

Here is my one REAL Nutcracker, direct from Germany. I used to obsessively collect these, but my interest has waned in the past few years. I will always have a special fondness for this one however :)

On the 7th day before Christmas

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
How lovely are thy branches!



In other news, anyone have suggestions on stopping a jumping girl? Lily just LOVES to jump in her crib and today she split her lip-probably more tramatic for me than for her, but still, I have to figure out how to stop this!