Christmas 2009

While last year was technically Caroline's first Christmas, she had absolutely NO CLUE what was going on. She was not yet 2 months old and just a sweet cooing blob. This year was a different story. She understood very little about Santa but she did understand that she was spending lots of time with her quite large family. She also loved the presents she received, but I don't want that to become the focus of Christmas for her. I made a big deal about our Christmas tree and lights around the house and in the neighborhood. We drove her around the neighborhood at night a few times and she would "OOOooo" (which sounds more like a Moooo, like "ewwww") when she would see the lights.

The Wednesday night before Christmas we went to Florence to visit with the Fam. We watched 4 Christmases, which was cute, and talk, talk, talked for hours. On Christmas Eve the festivities began. Christmas with small children is so much fun! Caroline went absolutely wild over her Christmas presents from Nana and my dad(grandfather name TBD) Lots of ohhs and ahhs! I was gifted clothes(my favorite!) and Chris was given lots of Alabama goodies.

Christmas Eve night we always go to my Aunt Linda's house and I look forward to visiting with everyone all year long. Unfortunately, Caroline hit a new milestone and got her first antibiotic for Christmas... Sad! This is her first true sickness. She is such a trooper and you would never know that she was even slightly under the weather by her behavior. She did, however, sleep the entire time we were at our Christmas Eve dinner. We have tons of kids in the family that wanted to play with "the baby", bless their hearts! After dinner it was time to get on the road and head home for Santa's visit!

We have begun a new Carter Family Tradition. We will be hosting the Christmas Morning celebration at our house and everyone is invited! Both sides of the family, everyone that can be in Birmingham and that want to join us. It's important to me that Caroline wake up in her own bed on Christmas morning. Christmas Eve Night my family trudged down to Birmingham so that we could be together.

On Christmas Morning we took it easy. I noticed that Santa Clause came to visit after we slept in. I couldn't sleep the night before, wonder why?? ;-) We did take advantage of the fact that Caroline was fairly clueless and let her watch some Disney while I worked on breakfast and got her ready for the big reveal. We opened presents as a family and Caroline loved opening all of her goodies. I do think that she was a bit overwhelmed by all of the books and musical toys. But overall, she really enjoyed the tradition and playing with her uncle and Nana. I am really looking forward to next year when she is more aware of the magic of Christmas.

What Santa left:

She loved it!!!

My living room, the war zone!

Little Wild Thing!

Hi Again!!!

I realize that I have only blogged twice in the past year... but I may still pop up in some of your Readers. In that case, hi again! Long time, no see! How's the Family?? Just teasing! ;-)

So, I need to pass some pictures of Christmas and Holiday adventures on to some friends and family and decided this would be the easiest, most effective course of action at this time. At this point in life, everything is about efficiency!

I wish, wish, wish that I was able to keep this blog up. I purchased an IPhone in June and have been emailing pictures and updates to family and friends through that medium. Caroline is a wonderful little girl, but she certainly keeps me busy. Free time is a thing of my past. I gladly give it up! I'm quite proud of our sweet little life.

My favorite thing about blogs is that they capture a moment in time... Honestly, I still go back and read the blogs I wrote before Caroline arrived every few months. Life is so different now, in virtually every way. I hope Caroline loves reading that snapshot of our life one day, as well.

So here goes nothing. Another try! For the family, for my daughter, for me.

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and best of luck in the New Year!!! I will leave you with a picture of my little girl... not much of a baby anymore!