This Christmas

Yes, I know Christmas was almost two weeks ago. Again, I have a newborn. Priorities.

I knew it would happen, but I was so emotionally overwhelmed by the difference a year makes. Last Christmas I was so, so sad, thinking about how Jack would never get to open any presents with his family on Christmas Day. I was in no mood for celebrating.

This year, instead, I was overcome with joy at the beautiful blessing we were given. Not only to be holding my healthy, beautiful daughter in my arms, but to be able to share her with our family and everyone we love. The adage "What a difference a year makes" has never been truer for anyone, I can assure you.

Sweet Baby E got absolutely, positively SPOILED on Christmas. 90% of the boxes under the tree were for her. Let me say now that I am completely okay with this. I honestly prefer to give rather than receive, but when it comes to my daughter.... dude, it's fair game. Spoil her rotten, I don't care. We'll teach her humility, gratefulness and graciousness later on I promise.

So because I spent $28 on an outfit she would wear for only 4 hours, here are some more pictures of Emerson in her Christmas dress :)

Then once we took an appropriate (read: obscene) amount of pictures with her in it, we all switched to over to more comfortable Christmas PJs. Yes, we have matching pants. We are the coolest family on the block. Word.

After opening all of her presents, there was one tiny box that was left for me. I asked who it was from, and Jon replied "It's from Emerson." Here is what was inside:

Cue the tears. It's her birthstone. That baby, I tell you what. She is so thoughtful. It's gorgeous, and every time I look down at it I think about my sweet baby girl born in December - and her sweet father who went and picked it up for her ;-)

My other favorite gift of the night? Aunt Lindsay bought us this book:

Cute storybook, right? But when we opened it up, she had written  on the inside. Quick back-story: We went into labor at 2:00pm on a Tuesday. By 2:30, most of Jon's family had shown up and were tailgating in the waiting room. Even though they couldn't come back to the delivery room, they waited there ALL NIGHT LONG. Emerson was born at 7:48 the next morning. We couldn't have any visitors until around 9:30am. I can't believe they waited in the drab waiting room the whole time, but I was so touched by the gesture. Anywhoo, back to the book. Inside, Lindsay had written hour by hour what happened between the time we went into labor until the time Em was born, including all of the times Jon came back to give them "updates" and how everyone felt. Well, I say this like I've read it. I haven't actually been able to read everything she wrote, because just by looking at the book cover I start sobbing. Reading the title takes me right back to how I felt during labor and how emotional and amazing the experience was. Someday I'll read it, I swear. But the gesture was incredible, and I am SO happy Lindsay had the foresight to do something like this.

All in all, Christmas was a huge success. I can't wait until next year when she'll be old enough to open her own presents and interact with everyone. Now I just need to figure out how to explain Santa Claus...