Christmas this year was very similar to previous years. We traveled to Northern California on December 23rd to visit our families, both of whom live in the same town and are separated by a short 25-minute drive. We stayed with my husband’s family the first several nights and then moved all our stuff over to my parents’ house for the last half of our trip. Then after about a week of visiting, we packed up our car and headed back down to Southern California. Everything about our trip home for Christmas was the same…oh yeah…except for the fact that we had a baby with us this year!
Last year, on Christmas Day, we announced our pregnancy to both our families at their respective Christmas gatherings. They were both shocked and ecstatic. This year, we couldn’t help but fondly recount last year’s events by re-watching the secret videos that my husband took while we made The Announcement. Brian’s family’s reaction can be seen here (we gave them a picture of the 7-week ultrasound and a “gift certificate” for one grandchild, redeemable on or around 8/7/11), and my family’s reaction can be seen here (we gave them a picture of the ultrasound and a pair of baby shoes, which is how my parents announced their pregnancy with me — their first child — to their parents back in 1982 on Christmas Day).
Christmas 2011 was, of course, very different than any other Christmas that we’ve experienced as a married couple.
It was wonderful.
Because Brian and I have lived hundreds of miles away from our respective families for the past 10 years — ever since we graduated high school — it was a real treat for them to be with Matthew, and vice versa. On more than one occasion, Matthew would lay on a blanket in the middle of the living room floor and the entire family would literally sit in a circle around him and just watch. We watched him wiggle, roll, laugh, and squeal for what felt like hours…and I could have watched him for longer.
When December 25th finally arrived we awoke at my in-laws and, coffee in hand, introduced Matthew to his first Christmas experience. Being that he was 4 1/2 months old at the time, he was very adept at grabbing things and pulling them toward him (always moving toward the mouth as the final destination, of course). So he instinctively pulled on the edges of the wrapping paper when a colorful package was placed in front of him and he yanked on the paper until Mommy had to gently say, “Good job buddy, we’re all done. No, that doesn’t go in your mouth. No…no…no. Thaaank youuuu!”
Since morning time is really Matthew’s best time of day, he was happy and entertaining for all of Christmas morning. Well done, little buddy!
After we finished opening gifts and Matthew took a longer-than-normal nap a la Season 9 of FRIENDS, we trekked over to my parents’ house to enjoy the second half of Christmas day with our extended family. Brian and I took our traditional Christmas picture on my parents’ staircase and, of course, Matthew was our new addition!
We thoroughly enjoyed our first Christmas as a family of 3. Throughout the rest of the week, Matthew lived it up.
He bonded with his new stuffed tiger.
He read the Sports Page with Grandad as they recounted the Sacramento Kings’ unlikely victory over the Los Angeles Lakers from the previous night.
He read some new books with Grandma.
He discovered that he could play music with his feet!
Thanks to Grandma and Papa Tedmon, he dressed up like a miniature advertisement for Santa and his elves.
He posed for a UCLA photo shoot.
And he made his debut into the world of boxing, thanks to some totally awesome hand-me-down baby boxing gloves.
We are so thankful that we have family to share this special season with and we were sad to leave when our week had come to a close.
My prayer for this new year is that we would see God’s hand at work as he provides for us and demonstrates his love for us. May our faith increase as he shows himself to be faithful and worthy of our praise.
Shari Kiley
/ January 7, 2012It was a wonderful Christmas! Love you all!
Susan Elizabeth Ball
/ January 6, 2012Beautiful post. I cried at the picture of Matthew on Grandpa’s lap. Last year was my first as a grandparent. My second grandchild (born to a different son) arrived just after Christmas this year. Babies are such a special blessing from God. Congratulations on a beautiful son and a wonderful family to share him with.