Rockin' around the Christmas Tree

My first Christmas is the best Christmas ever!

I'm sure that everyone had a great holiday, but I think mine is the best of them all.  Afterall, how many times do you get to celebrate your first Christmas?  I could not have possibly imagined how many fun traditions take place during the holidays, and I'm so excited to finally be included in them...I've been waiting my WHOLE LIFE for this!

Our Christmas festivities started on December 23rd when I got my first ever Christmas presents.  My nanny, Heather, gave me my first gifts...some very cool Hercules & Greek gods books, and some new PJs.  I grew out of my 3 month clothes and am now in 6 month clothes...even though I'm only 3 months adjusted age.  Mama stopped calling me "small fry"....and now calls me "fat fry"...I'm not sure if I like the new nickname or not!   I love spending time with Heather when Mama & Daddy are at work.  She holds me a lot and plays with me on my activity mat.  Mama & Daddy particularly love it when she comes to get me at 6am so they can sleep a bit longer!

 

Me with Daddy & Heather & my new PJs & book

I also got a cool gift from Santa on the 23rd (though rather self-serving).  It was a personalized plate and mug that said "Cookies for Santa"  and "Milk for Santa".  Mama had a special plate for Santa when she was little, and thought we should continue that tradition.  It turns out that we didn't have any cookies or milk at home, so in typical yuppie fashion, we had "eggnog truffles for Santa" and "20 Year Royal Escort Prager Port for Santa" instead.  Mama and Daddy are a bit over-the-top at times!

                                                     Santa's cookies plate & Milk Mug

 

Mama had a little help doing the laundry 

Then, on Christmas Eve, we went to dinner at FARM at the Carneros Inn.  This was a new restaurant for me (and Mama and Daddy), and it was amazing!  I loved it and was the perfect gentleman through the whole night, continuing my trend for being the happiest baby ever in these fine dining establishments.  I wore my best suit, complete with bow tie and hat.  Mama and Daddy enjoyed lobster risotto, filet mignon, and Christmas goose, followed by a cheese course, and a chocolate souffle...all paired with the appropriate Carneros wines of course! 

 

At dinner at the Carneros Inn

 

All dressed up for dinner on Christmas Eve!

Back at home, we continued with more traditions.  With all the lights off in the house, except the Christmas lights, we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas"...only our version is a bit different than the original.  We read a version written by Aunt Mimi about the Animal Farm (which I cannot wait to visit!).  Then we read the original version to compare.  We drank breast milk and port and were lulled into a happy stupor by the wonderful poems.  Then off to bed, with visions of sugarplums and breastmilk in my head!

 

I set out my eggnog truffles & port for Santa

 

 

Mama & I (and Flora) didn't quite make it to the bedroom for bedtime. 

 

Daddy & I ready for bed on Christmas Eve.  I was so excited I could hardly fall asleep!

Christmas morning, I arose after sleeping a whole 7 hours straight, much to the delight of Mama & Daddy!  Mama went into the hospital for a few hours since she is an important surgeon.  And when she got home, she changed back into her pajamas to make it seem like she never left!  Then we got to open our stockings.  I have a new stocking with a big "D" on it to match Mama's and Daddy's.  The stocking is about as big as I am!  My favorite stocking gifts were a "Schrodinger's Kitty" book, and "ABC" flashcards for nerdy babies, such as myself.  For example  "A is for Atom, B is for Binary Code, E is for electron", etc, etc.  I am definitely going to be the smartest baby on the block if my parents have anything to do about it!   Daddy got some nice shaving stuff from London...I guess it will be awhile for me to use it, not much facial hair (or any hair) yet!  Mama got some fun dessert stuff and tea in her stocking. 

 

My stocking is almost as big as me!  

 

Daddy with his new shaving stuff

Then Christmas breakfast of milk for me, and coffee cake, eggs, and sausage for Mama and Daddy.

Then we got to the good stuff...the presents under the tree!  Mama got some new supersoft (read: super-expensive) sheets and towels, a new robe, some wine, and her favorite:  an engraved photo frame with a picture of me!  Daddy got a whole bunch of stuff to make his new minibar complete:  crystal glasses, a new decanter, pitcher, zester, jigger, etc.  And I got a piggy bank and a 529 plan for college, a growth chart, some cool little dude clothes (including a tuxedo from Daddy, with the promise to attend a black tie event next Spring), and some awesome onesies from Daddy (though Mama disapproves).  The best part about those onesies is that Daddy could never have been allowed to get them, but since he gave them to me for Christmas, Mama is stuck letting me wear them (though she won't put them on me herself)! 

We also opened gifts from our other family members who weren't here with us.  I got a very cool painting of Greek muses from Gran, as well as a very cool book.  And, I got a toy that plays classical music, and a Patagonia winter coat that I can't wait to wear in Tahoe from Granddad and Boppy.   I got some other wonderful things from all of my aunts and uncles, but the most creative gift of all was from my Gran-Aunt Mimi - who sent an entire box of wool that was recently sheared from Finn, her best sheep!  We have to figure out how to turn it into a blanket or some felt, but it is already super soft to lay in! 

 

With my eyelashes coming in so long, I may really be a player!   And, a onesie with a chick with a shotgun...Mama's not too happy about this one! (but at least she has to admit the humor!)

 

Daddy with his Don Julio 1942 tequilla

 

My new pythagorean theorem blanket

Daddy's new hi-ball and double old fashioned glasses

 

Some new wine for Mama

Mama's new robe

 

 Mama's new engraved photo frame

 

Resting in the box of wool from Finn, the sheep from Gran-Aunt Mimi

 

The aftermath....

We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon, and had wonderful talks with our family.  We also took a family nap, which really ended up in Daddy taking a nap while Mama took me out to the couch since I was a bit of a fuss-budget.  Then Mama and Daddy made a wonderful dinner for themselves, while I ate more milk.

To understand my Mama and Daddy, you really have to hear this story about their appetizers: 
Before the holiday, they were deciding on the menu.  It was quickly settled that they would to a pancetta wrapped pork tenderloin with apple chutney, mashed potatoes, and roasted brussel sprouts with pine nuts for dinner.  The appetizer, however, proved to be more challenging.  You see, Mama wanted to do sushi, while Daddy wanted foie gras.  They debated over and over about this, and finally settled on both.  Mama would have her sushi, and Daddy would have his foie gras.  Now, seriously, they must be the ONLY two people in all of the world who would argue between foie gras & sushi!  What a ridiculous argument!!!!!   

 

Mama & Daddy settled on BOTH foie gras & sushi!

In any case, we all had a wonderful dinner and settled in for lots of cuddling and some after-dinner drinks and cupcakes in bed! 

It was a wonderful holiday, and there is more!  We are celebrating Christmas on New Years with Mama's family - my Grammie, Grandpa, Uncle Ben & Aunt Aubree!  I can't believe I can have so much fun for so many days in a row!