Ellie's Second Christmas

This year it seems like Christmas came and went faster than Ellie can shove a handful of Cheerios in her mouth. I'm pretty sure I was more excited for Christmas than Ellie was, which is pretty understandable since she is still a little young to understand the concept. I just knew that while last year was fun being her first Christmas and all, that she would get a lot more excited for all of the presents and goodies in her stocking this time around. Part of that may have been due to the fact that she didn't get things like sweet potatoes in her stocking this year...but also just because she is at such a fun age now! I am so thankful to have her joyful, innocent, adorable little personality around for holidays like Christmas, as it can really be a difficult time when you have lost people that are close to you. It's tough not to remember how it used to be when my little brother was still here, and how much I just want him back around again. Or how I should have been getting little gifts for the little baby that should still be in my belly, or joking about how I am eating for two while I enjoy that extra cookie or two. While the holidays are really such a fun and happy time that I get to enjoy with my family that is still here, they are simultaneously a painful reminder of what is gone and lost, and will always feel a little incomplete. Having Ellie to really focus all of my time and excitement on keeps my mind occupied and happy. Having both of my sisters there is an amazing part as well. There is nothing like seeing Ellie with her aunties :)

We celebrated a Christmas with Kevin's side of the family at his parent's house the Sunday before Christmas. While Ellie was pretty much done with the whole opening presents concept after about one or two gifts, it was probably good practice for her in preparation for the big day. We spent Christmas Eve with my family and our good friends the Madrigals, a yearly tradition that I love. There was another little life, sweet baby Nayana, added to the Madrigal family over the summer, and it was so fun to see her and Ellie interacting together. After Ellie's initial stranger-danger meltdown, she thoroughly enjoyed herself playing peekaboo, downing cookies and swapping toys and noises with Naya late into the evening. I can't wait to see both of them running around together next year. We enjoyed a quick little Christmas morning with just the three of us at our house going through Santa's gifts and stockings before heading to my parent's house to celebrate the rest of the day. Ellie chose Christmas morning to sleep in later than she EVER does of course, and I am so proud of myself for not waking her up, as I was pretty much ready for festivities at about 5am. Finally, we had our last little Christmas celebration with some more of Kevin's family up in Portland on the Friday after Christmas. While it was a little overwhelming to have so many Christmas's, people and presents going on, it was kind of nice to be able to stretch the holiday out so far, and not have it all be over in just one day like usual.

Ellie and Naya on Christmas Eve.

Opening some blocks at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Santa came!!

Coming downstairs Christmas morning.

Peeking at what Santa brought.

Wow!

Listening to me rock the recorder. I play a mean Hot Cross Buns.

Xylophone! Music and dancing are her favorite things so there was somewhat of a theme going on.

She wasn't too sure about Mrs. Potato Head at first, but their friendship has grown, as abusive as it might be...

Time for stockings.

I'm pretty sure she recognized this book from a few days earlier. I tend to try and stay away from most electronic noise making toys both for my own sanity, and also because I think that kids are more creative when they have to come up with their own ideas of noises for things. On a shopping trip to TJ Maxx with Auntie Sara, Ellie had just about reached her limit on being-confined-to-the-shopping-cart time, and I handed her this book that makes various car noises (hence the title Noisy Car) in an attempt to distract her while we tried on a few more sweaters. She proceeded to drop the book intentionally, accompanied by her I swear that was an accident "uh-oh" and it landed just right on the corner of a metal shelf to cut a dent in the side of it. Needless to say I felt too guilty to put it back and we are now the proud owners of the Noisy Car book. Lesson learned.

Ellie's favorite stocking stuffer. Daddy helped Santa pick this one out :)

A doctor's kit from Auntie Sara. So fitting!

A bunny shirt from Titi Kelci, also quite fitting.

I know this post is a little late, but we have been a bit busy :) especially enjoying all of the auntie time we can get! This is also why the photos sort of tapered off in the end as well, and while I didn't capture everything on film I know I have the memories in my mind. I hope that everyone had a fun and relaxing Holiday, and has a happy and promising new year ahead of them. We got a new car, Kevin started his new job today and I am leaving for Hawaii on Wednesday, so I don't think that our new year could be starting off much better than this!