Christmas time is here

The week of Christmas came and went in a fury! Besides Jack, Jeff, and I being sick for the entire week, Christmas was great. Jack caught some bug almost two weeks ago, then he gave it to me, and I gave it to Jeff. Our household was really lovely, like a chorus of phlegm, coughing, and sneezing - ahhhh! However, Jack and I are almost, almost, almost completely better, and Jeff just has to let the sickness run its course, and then we could all be ill-free. I felt so bad some days, and I can't imagine how bad Jack must have felt, especially since he can't exactly tell us what's bothering him nor can he understand any of the aches and pains. Poor baby had some really rough nights of sleep, resulting in rough nights for us, as well, along with nights where he ended up in our bed, because he would not sleep anywhere else.

sick baby and mama!

As I mentioned earlier, Christmas was wonderful. I love spending time with my family, where everyone is in such good spirits and smiling and laughing. It's very heart-warming! My parents hosted Christmas Eve dinner this year and my mom's side of the family celebrated there (minus Joey, my cousin. He works for security in a NYC airport and had to work on Christmas Eve). My parents (mainly, my mom) do such a nice job decorating their house. It's so colorful and festive. I described it in a card as the "Christmas palace!" For the party, there was tons of food and we just ate, talked, danced (Jack and little Grace had some great moves to the Christmas tunes), and gave each other gifts! Jack does not quite "get" the gift-giving nature of Christmas nor does he understand the real meaning of Christmas, but he does recognize the Christmas lights, the Christmas tree, the Nativity Sets, and the other decorations that we use to celebrate this amazing holiday! This year, the adults all did a name swap and bought gifts for that one person, and instead of everyone opening gifts up at the same time, we opted to have youngest to oldest open the gifts. In this way, we could all enjoy everyone else opening their present(s). Eric's family does this for their gift exchange and Kathy suggested it to our family. It was nice to watch everyone else and to share in their excitement. Jack and Grace were not included in this gift swap and they received many gracious gifts!

It was nice to spend Christmas morning with just Jeff and Jack, my sweet, little family. We had a couple small gifts under the tree for Jack, as well as several stocking stuffer gifts. He seemed excited with everything. We went to Christmas Day Mass at St. Veronica's and it was, surprisingly, unpacked! We arrived just a few minutes late (we try, but we always seem to be a tad bit late to Church every week) and were so sure that it would be standing room only. Much to our surprise, we found a close parking spot and my parents had been able to reserve us a couple seats right next to them. Another surprise was Jack's behavior and cooperation in Church. He stayed with us, on our laps or in our arms, the entire time. He was friendly (hopefully, not in an annoying way) with the couple behind us. He kept flashing them his cute grin and they would, gently, touch his little hand and say "what a happy baby." That was our Christmas miracle! For months, Jack seemed miserable, constantly crying, needing to be rocked, bounced, swayed, etc.... I dreaded taking him out anywhere, for fear that we'd have a major meltdown situation. It provoked so much anxiety in me! I know that things can change so suddenly and that toddler hood will have its own share of excitement, but so far, toddler hood has been easier to manage (mentally and emotionally) than infancy, even though I do still yearn for those precious days with a tiny newborn. Now, whenever someone comments on his disposition, which is, generally, cheerful, sweet, silly, and good-natured, it makes me so relieved and happy. Of course, I know that he can and, most likely, will enter some wild toddler hood days, but I am trying to love and appreciate our cheerful toddler! I do find it interesting, though, when I think about the whole fussy/high needs baby and happy toddler. I have heard of many parents referring to their fussy babies becoming happy toddlers (which is what we've seen, for sure), but it just makes me wonder.... how many unhappy toddlers do you see and how often do you hear of parents with easygoing babies talk about their unhappy toddlers? It just seems, to me, that most toddlers are enjoying life. Either way, I'll take it!

The homily at Mass was very appropriate and something that I think we can never talk about enough: unconditional love! When we pray now, at Church and at home, it's so neat to watch Jack. We have been praying with him since he was born and now when we pray, he will, usually, either clasp his hands or he will reach to hold our hands. He is also, almost always, reverent (or just quiet!) when we pray. I think that prayer is one of the most important things we do each day, and I am glad that he seems to be starting to recognize it...well, as much as a 15-month-old can. He's so sweet.

After Mass, we headed back to my parent's house to open some presents. That was fun. We received too many kind gifts from them. I think they appreciated the gifts we gave them, too. It was a bummer that we couldn't celebrate Christmas Day with Kathy and Eric, though. They spend that day with Eric's family in Indiana. I really miss Kathy on Christmas!! On the other hand, I think it's such a blessing for them that Eric's family lives so close by. Plus, we are still able to always celebrate Christmas Eve together. Jack took a nice afternoon nap and then we traveled to the West Side to celebrate Christmas with the Owens family. Another wonderful celebration! My grandpa (Jack's great-grandpa) dressed up as Santa Claus, which he says he has never done before, and he was such a hit! He looked great and happy and he was so sweet to Jack. Of course, Jack does not really understand much about Christmas, much less, Santa, but Jack does recognize Santa, and he looked bewildered to see Santa standing before him, in the living room, offering him presents! It was really cute. Grandma and Grandpa did a little photo-op, too, of Mr. and Mrs. Claus - so adorable! We had a great meal and a little gift exchange there, too. After eating, Jack and I took a walk with Mike and Laurel, and my dad. Laurel carried Jack on her back, in the Ergo. He seemed quite content and almost fell asleep, even though it was chilly. He was bundled up nicely, though, and his head was very warm, thanks to Cousin Michaela, who knitted him a hat!

Merry Christmas, everyone.