3 V's: Sarah's First Christmas

Monday, January 4, 2016

Sarah's First Christmas

What a fun first Christmas for Sarah! I know she won't remember this Christmas, and I'm definitely looking forward to the coming years when Sarah really gets into it, but this year was still a lot of fun! We kicked off the festivities with a Christmas Eve service at church. There wasn't any childcare. Sarah made it through one song, and then as Pastor John was saying, "Listen to the silence," Sarah let out a scream, and John continued with, "Except for maybe a baby." That was our cue to exit. I was thankful yet again to be able to just go to Robert's office to care for Sarah a bit. We hung out, changed a diaper, and walked around for a bit. We weren't the only ones out in the halls! I really wanted to make it back in time to hear Robert sing a song he wrote. I slipped in at the back, and Sarah fell asleep while her Daddy sang. It was such a sweet moment. I was able to make it back to my seat in order to partake in the Lord's Supper. Sarah was cashed out and majorly slumped over after the service, so of course that was a hit with everybody.

Sarah seriously loves Lamb Chop.

It's Christmas morning!!! We started our day like normal with a bottle and cereal at 8:00. Sarah enjoyed looking at the tree and watching the fire. We didn't really go all out for her presents since 1. She won't remember and 2. We just bought a house, so...I re-wrapped a few baby shower presents Sarah received that we hadn't used yet: high chair, bouncer, convertible car seat. We bought her a couple of new things: size 3 diapers, long sleeved onesies, and an ornament.

Overwhelmed as a bring out the high chair

Smiling at Daddy. She loves him so much!

For me?

Love that little toothless grin

Carrying on the Christmas wrapping paper tradition

After opened presents at our house we hit the road to go to my parents' house. While we waited for Jim & Taylor and Memaw & Pepaw to arrive Robert carried on the dad tradition of putting together toys. This one was very easy!

Once everyone arrived we enjoyed brunch together - grits, egg casserole, potato casserole, eclairs, and coffee. It was delish! Pepaw read the Christmas story from Luke before we opened presents.

Sarah was spoiled big time in the present department! She slept in my mom's arms for about 80% of the event, so it was a good time in her book. We dispersed for a bit to nap and relax and joined back up with Memaw and Pepaw for chicken gumbo dinner. Santa Baby made another appearance at dinner.

We really enjoyed our time with everybody, and we headed back home after dinner and games. We went to sleep happy and content and ready for Ray and Terri to arrive the next morning. Sarah seriously loves the tummy time car that Aunt Taylor and Uncle Jim gave her!

Ray and Terri arrive on Saturday night after Sarah was already asleep. We chatted for a bit and hit the hay. Robert was able to preach on Sunday since John was on vacation. The church also had a pancake and sausage breakfast. Yum! We celebrated Christmas that afternoon, and Sarah enjoyed hearing two stories from Papa and Babi about kittens - her favorite subject. One of the books was a Christmas present from my parents. It was a touch a feel kitten book. Does it get any better than that?

Ray and Terri helped us with some house projects while they were here - painting furniture, working on a step to our garage, organizing the garage, and working on our cars. We enjoyed their visit here. It was Terri's first time through Arkansas and Missouri. She even got to go sledding in Kansas with Jason and Bethany!

We headed to KC on New Years Eve so we could see Serina and Mark, Grandma and Grandpa (June and Gary), Bethany and Jason, and Robert's cousin and family. Serina made sure we weren't short on delicious food! Appetizers for NYE, Mi Ranchito, lasagna. Sarah slept in the guest room with us, and it went pretty well. She's had a snotty nose from teething, and she woke up a bit early each day breathing in and out snot bubbles. She's silly! Moose was very interested in Sarah, and she actually seemed semi-interested in him. They did pretty well together! We got to see Robert's great friend Harrison and met his fiance. They're a great pair!

This was seriously Moose every time Sarah was awake

While we were in KC Sarah had the funniest play date in the history of mankind. Robert's cousin Todd and his wife, Ryan, had a baby on my birthday (September 8), about 5 weeks after Sarah was born. Sarah and Estelle met briefly at their great grandpa's 80th birthday party, but this was their first real play date. It was awesome! They examined each other a lot. I think it was so mind-blowing for them. They even held hands on their own!