Our Christmas 2012

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On Christmas Eve, I was checking out at Whole Foods and asked the cashier how she was doing.  She said, “The real question is how am I feeling?” In an instant, I thought: ‘Ah, crap.  It’s Christmas Eve, it’s 7 PM, and she’s working.  Of course, she feels like hell and just wants to go home.’  I prepared myself for an onslaught of very understandable bitchin’, but then she said:  “I’m feeling incredibly grateful and happy.  How are you feeling?”

 

I smiled really wide and said, “Well, I guess I’m feeling incredibly grateful, too.”

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I took the last two days totally off.  I put up an e-mail away message, refused to do any extra cleaning or tidying, didn’t run any unnecessary errands, and just focused on my family.  It was wonderful. 

 

Henry gave me an amazing Christmas present – he slept through the night.  Normally, only one adult gets up with Henry, but we both got up and played with him until his first nap.  Then, we made breakfast – Udi’s cinnamon rolls!

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We had a ‘nuclear family’ Christmas morning.  Henry’s gift was the Sit To Stand Learning Walker from V-Tech.  He is obsessed with it.  It seems like the most hyperactive toy ever though – it lights up and makes noises without reason.  Thus, why he is obsessed with it.

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Every year, we are also going to give Henry ‘experience’ presents.  This year, he got his first bubble bath and got to watch his first television program (Dora the Explorer).  Both experiences blew his little mind.  TV was especially brain-rocking.  It’s not something we’re going to make a habit, of course.  But I can see why parents plop kids in from of the tube when they need a moment…

 

I gave the Husband a ton of clothes (per request) and I got some running gear, a new wallet, and a very sparkly bracelet.

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Before we knew it, it was time for Henry’s second nap.  We all crawled back into our respective beds and took a long snooze. 

 

Our extended families came over for a late Christmas lunch.

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I made faux turkey with gravy, roasted potatoes, mashed sweet potatoes, a Coconut Quinoa, steamed greens, and honey bourbon carrots.  My mother-in-law provided Sophie’s Apple Crumble, which she veganized and made gluten-free.

 

Our guests left relatively early.  I managed to take my own bubble bath (sans squeaky toys) and be in bed by 9:15.  BLISS!  All in all – it was a very lovely Christmas.  It was our first Christmas with Henry and the first Christmas in our new home.

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I think ‘grateful’ sums it up quite well.

{ 25 comments }

 

  • Erin December 26, 2012, 11:05 am

    That sounds lovely! I love the idea of doing “firsts” with Henry. My 6 month old also got the Vtech Sit to Stand walker. I hope she likes it as much as Henry!

  • lisa fine December 26, 2012, 11:07 am

    I’d love to hear more about your thoughts on babies/children and television. I’m probably on the same kind of page as you – I definitly don’t want my kids watching much, if any, TV until they’re older, and always love to hear other people’s philosophies.

    • Caitlin December 26, 2012, 11:25 am

      I’ve heard it basically rots their brains and its better if babies are not exposed to any screens at all until 2 years. I guess I’m more laid back about it… Obviously he hadn’t watched TV before yesterday but he does look at pictures and play with my iPhone a lot.

      • Vikki December 26, 2012, 2:24 pm

        To offer an alternative view, my cousin’s two year old can recognize letters and numbers if you put them in front of her. (She was ‘reading’ the letters on people’s shirts yesterday at the family dinner) My cousin and his wife aren’t what you’d call progressive parents and don’t spend a lot of time reading baby books or blogs so they let her watch TV as an infant and as a toddler, she watches a lot of educational TV. My cousin and his wife credit the TV shows with some of what she’s learned. If it is rotting her brain, I can’t tell. She is closer to reading than her 6 year-old cousin who is in kindergarten.

        • Ali December 26, 2012, 4:47 pm

          Agreed. And another viewpoint-We have a 3 year old (and a 7 month old) We never “kept” our 3 year old from TV. She was allowed to watch it if she wanted, but we never made it this mysterious, restricted thing. Because of that she isn’t obsessed with it. She would 100% rather play outside or do an art project. There are times she wants to watch one show but after that she’s over it.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat December 26, 2012, 11:17 am

    Sounds like a lovely Christmas, Caitlin! I’m so happy for you that you took 2 days off to just rest and focus on what’s important. There’s been a lot of sleeping going on in this house as well and it feels amazing!! Our Christmas was quite quiet, (just my mum, sister and I yesterday) and as a present, my mum got a load of our home videos burnt to DVDs for my sister and I. We’ve been watching them ever since yesterday morning and they’re absolutely priceless! Enjoy your Boxing Day!

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed December 26, 2012, 11:26 am

    Sounds like a wonderful holiday! We did a good bit of running around, which left me feeling exhausted… work today is BLAH! Maybe one year my Christmas will be as relaxing as yours haha! Merry Christmas to you and your family <3

  • Lauren December 26, 2012, 11:51 am

    You are the third new mama that has mentioned their baby gave them the gift of sleep this year and every mom that has said that has also said it was one of the best gifts! Glad you had a nice, relaxing and comforting holiday! Merry Christmas to you and yours and Happy New Year!

  • Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction.com December 26, 2012, 12:12 pm

    Adorable photos of Henry! Glad you enjoyed your holdiday 🙂

  • Katie @ Peace Love and Oats December 26, 2012, 12:15 pm

    What a nice relaxing Christmas, and a great first Christmas for Henry!

  • Jessica @ Dairy Free Betty December 26, 2012, 12:18 pm

    Sounds like a perfect Christmas!! 🙂 A little late but Merry Christmas!! Can’t wait for our little one to be here next Christmas, so exciting! 🙂

  • Amanda K. December 26, 2012, 12:19 pm

    happy first christmas henry!
    i love how much you guys slept 🙂 that’s awesome.

  • Erica December 26, 2012, 12:58 pm

    we got oir 9 month old don the same toy! for Christmas! he loves it. sounds like the prefect.holiday. we had a nuclear family Christmas over here too. it was really nice!

  • Amber K December 26, 2012, 1:38 pm

    Sounds like an awesome time was had by all. 🙂

  • Lisa December 26, 2012, 1:55 pm

    What an adorable hat!

  • Coco December 26, 2012, 3:57 pm

    Merry Christmas! Henry you are adorable.. and I love your little christmas hat!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin December 26, 2012, 7:30 pm

    I’m glad you were able to take some time completely off so that you could enjoy your Christmas. It looks like you had a great time!

  • Jessica December 26, 2012, 7:31 pm

    Lovely! I swear, and i say this all the time, our babies are living parallel lives! We got Zachary the vtech sit to stand walker for his first xmas too! And I think they look so alike too! It is so funny- IRL I call you CaitlinHTP and So Ill say to my husband “OMG Henry, CaitlinHTP’s son, looks soooo much like Zach!” lol Merry christmas!

    • Caitlin December 26, 2012, 8:57 pm

      I wanna see a pic of him with his walker!! Email me please 🙂

  • Sara@fitcupcaker December 26, 2012, 8:04 pm

    Merry Christmas! That quinoa sounds great. I love it so I’ll definitely have to try this recipe!

  • Chloe Rossano December 26, 2012, 8:10 pm

    Hi Caitlyn!
    My name is Chloe and I’m a 22 year old college student. I’ve been reading your blog for a few years now…it’s always inspiring.
    I’d love to share the women’s empowerment project that I have going on with you…It’s called RAW: Running Arizona for Women.
    There’s a more detailed explanation on the projects Facebook page:
    https://www.facebook.com/RawRunningArizonaForWomen?ref=ts&fref=ts
    and some ramblings about running and being a woman on my blog:
    http://runningarizonaforwomen.tumblr.com/
    I’d love any input you might have! And feel free to share it with your friends 🙂
    Chloe

  • Caitlin December 26, 2012, 9:55 pm

    Hold the phone!!

    Vegan cinnamon rolls?? Seriously my favorite food ever! I am now on a search for these! THANKS!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) December 26, 2012, 11:47 pm

    That sounds like a wonderful Christmas! I love the “experience” gifts. I’d never heard of that until now. Very cool!

  • Miranda @ Biting Life December 27, 2012, 1:07 am

    Awww I love that conversation between you and the cashier. I love it when nice things like that happen 🙂 It’s good to know that at least some people can be polite, cheerful, and in a good mood. Sometimes it feels like nobody is. I really appreciate it when people go the extra mile to be happy around others, even if they’re not feeling like it inside.

  • Stephanie December 29, 2012, 12:16 pm

    That picture of Henry with the hat…is seriously the cutest photo ever!!!!

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