Favorite Gift

Out of all of his Christmas gifts, I think Sam was most excited about the toothbrush that he got in his stocking! He instantly knew what to do with it and started brushing his own teeth. We have been brushing his teeth, up to this point, with a 'gum' brush thing that fits over your finger. This one is a real, baby toothbrush. We take turns doing it for him and letting him do it himself. He is getting so big!

Day After Christmas Recap

Today we had Luke's family down for a Christmas celebration. We had a nice afternoon playing with all of Sam's toys, catching up and then Sam finally got to open his stocking.

Practicing walking with his new toy

Opening his stocking with Grandma Good

A Good family tradition...an orange in your stocking

Sam's stocking made by Grandma Good

Christmas Day Recap

Reading the story of Jesus' birth in Sam's Bible

We got up at 6am on Christmas Day so that we could have our family time before heading to church for their morning service. Luke and I got up first and opened our presents (we just did stockings this year) and then woke Sam up. Sam was so excited when he saw the tree with the presents underneath. He was pretty good at opening the gifts but in order to get through all of them, I had to hide the opened ones behind me so he would open another one. Poor Sam! A hour or so later we had to leave Sam's stocking unopened and head to church. Afterward we spent the day at my sister's house opening more presents, eating good food and playing some games. Of course I took a ton of pictures wanting to capture every moment of my baby's first Christmas!

First present he opened, he was really excited about tearing the paper

Sam loves wearing slippers...these ones are elephants

He was most excited when he opened books...he loves to read

We made this Koala (we named him Wally) at Build-a-Bear for him

Opening presents at my sister's house

Christmas Eve Recap

Grandma and PapPap Galand's Grandkids
Aly (14), Alex (12), Nik (9) and Sam (11 Months)

On Christmas Eve we went to the family service at church where the kids put on a cute pageant. Sam was more interested in all of the adults around him, but I enjoyed it. Afterward Sam and I (Luke had to work the later service) went to my parents' house for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of fish, macaroni and cheese, and pierogies. After dinner all the kids take turns finding the Heinz pickle ornament that is hidden on the Christmas tree. When they find it, as a prize, they get a Christmas ornament that Grandma picked out just for them. Sam was so excited that we were not only letting him touch the ornament on the tree but that he actually got to pull it off. He got a cute bunny ornament holding a blue candy cane. Soon after that we left to head back to our house for the night.

For unto us a child is born (Isaiah 9:6)

For the past few weeks I have been reflecting on the fact that Jesus came to us in the form of a baby. I marvel at how God chose to knit together his son in Mary's womb and that she came to deliver him in a stable. My friend reminded me today that we tend to like the baby Jesus better than the man Jesus who dies on the cross for our sins. I can't help but think how true that is. Luke 2:25-35, which is found right after the story of the birth of Jesus, reminds us that this baby will grow into a man who will be hated by many and will cause his mother unbearable heartache. This of course talks about the ministry of Jesus, the controversy that ensues when he claims he is the Son of God, and ultimately his horrible death on the cross. So while we rejoice this Christmas in the birth of our Savior, let us not forget what, as a man, he did on the cross on our behalf.

May you all have a blessed Christmas.

A Picture with Santa...Pricey!

So I figured it was time to take Sam to see Santa. I was not looking forward to this visit because I was sure that he would hate Santa and I would have a picture of a screaming Sam on Santa's lap. I mean, what do you do with a picture like that?! After sitting in traffic for 20 minutes just to get to the mall we were relieved to see the Santa line was really short. I figured that they would charge a small fee for a fancy picture with Santa but almost fell over when I was informed that the pictures START at $19.99! I'm sure most of you are thinking...Trisha, just take pictures with your own camera. Well, we thought of that, but there was a big sign that said you could only use your camera WITH the purchase of the minimum picture package. I have to admit I complained the whole time I was in line, getting other moms to commiserate with me but, like the stupid consumer I am, I paid the $20 and got the picture taken. Other than the cost it was a positive experience...it was a great looking Santa (and by that I mean "real-looking", not "attractive") and Sam did not cry. He was fascinated by Santa and while we didn't get pictures of him smiling on Santa's lap...we don't have pictures of him screaming on Santa's lap. And really...what more could you ask for?!

Brainwashing?

Yesterday my sister watched Sam for me while I went to Luke's work Christmas party. When I went to pick him up my sister laughed as she told me of her adventure with Sam in the mall. Apparently he was fine in his stroller when they were in the main mall area...but the moment she went into a store Sam started crying, loud crying with big tears. After a few more attempts with the same results she left the mall and didn't get her shopping done. Well today I was determined to finish my shopping and I needed to get an outfit for Sam so I went to the shops down at the Waterfront. There was no way I could shop and hold him (he loves to sit in shopping carts, but they don't have those at these stores) so I put him in his stroller thinking that he would be different for me (don't us moms always think that?!). Well he loved his stroller as we walked around outside but as soon as we got in a store, he started to cry. This happened at all three of the stores that we (quickly) visited. Finally I just had to grab a few things and get him back in the car. I am thinking that Luke brainwashed Sam into thinking that clothes shopping is the scariest thing in the whole world and that he should scream and cry every time I take him into a store in his stroller. He probably told Sam that the clothes can come alive and gobble up small children so the only way he is safe is for mom to hold him. This way I am exhausted from carrying him and quickly leave the store realizing that I don't need anything that bad. I am onto you Luke...time to fess up! :)