Baby's First Christmas

Noah's first Christmas... I didn't know what to expect. I think a baby's first Christmas depends a lot on how old the baby is at Christmas time. Noah had a good Christmas, but I don't know if he realized it. In other words, for him, it was probably just like any other day - well, any other day with a lot of driving, and he's had a few of those already.

I think that his older cousin was slightly more aware of the holiday... but only slightly. She at least was able to grab onto the wrapping paper, and as Laura pulled Ellia away from the gift, the paper would tear away, as well. So, maybe Baby's First Christmas is super exciting for the January babies, but for the August and October babies... well, it was more about just watching their cuteness.

I mean, Santa didn't really have to come this year for Noah to be happy. And next Christmas, he's not going to compare it to how this Christmas was. But he did come out of the day with more outfits than when he started.

Noah with his first Christmas present, courtesy of Nina!

Christmas Eve, we went to a candle-light service at our church. Afterwards, we went home and had a late night wrapping presents. Noah apparently liked the late-night concept, because he didn't sleep a whole lot. So, Christmas morning, we didn't exactly wake up early.

The rest of the day ended up being a whirlwind. Woke up at 10am, had to be at my parents' by 11am... that didn't leave a lot of time for unwrapping gifts and getting ready for the day. So, Libby and I flew through our presents to each other, and the ones we had accumulated for Noah.

We had debated a few times whether or not to get Noah something for Christmas. "What?!?!" you're thinking. But really, other people were going to get him things, and he wouldn't remember, anyways. In the end, though, we did. We got him some very nice teething supplies (hopefully for quite a ways into the future).

At my parents, things were slightly more relaxed, which was nice. Noah and Ellia played for a little while and then began their day-long process of taking turns napping. I didn't really get any good pictures there, but I think my parents and Kevin did, so maybe they'll appear here some day, but not yet...

And then, off to Norwalk. Great Grandma Egle was right at home with little Noah again. Except, he wasn't as little this time as the last time she held him. Fortunately, her broken arm is healing nicely and she has more strength in it!

Noah certainly enjoyed his favorite spot in the cradle of Great Grandma Egle's arms!

It was fun hanging out with family, and for more people to get to meet Noah. But the next thing we knew, it was time to drive back to Michigan for the end of a really long day! And then, we got to have Christmas Day #2 on the 26th with the Withers clan.

Noah and Ellia played again!

Again, an early period of simultaneous alertness before alternating naps...

One of Noah's future babysitters getting some practice

I think I did learn one about the experience, though. Before it had always been a struggle throughout Christmas remembering why we're celebrating. Wait, is it because Aunt Elaine makes really delicious cookies or because the Savior of the World was born? With a kid, there are even more distractions. Don't get me wrong - he's super cute, and it makes us happy when other people think he's super cute, and want to buy him presents because he's so cute. It was just another observation of how things have changed.