Life, and All That Surrounds It

Christmas was really fun this year. And I assume it will only get better in future years. This was Hannah's third Christmas but the first where she sort of got it. She knew that Santa was coming to bring presents (even if she was slightly afraid of him whenever we saw him). She knew she was getting into her "Christmas princess" dress to go to a party (even if she was a little overwhelmed by aunts, uncles, and cousins when we got there). And she knew that it had something to do with Baby Jesus (she does love babies).

Christmas eve we went to church with Nana and Papa where Hannah was so well behaved. We sat close to the front so she could see what was going on and she did great. She didn't really get into the singing or bell ringing (she had brought her jingle bell to participate) but she was mesmerized by the nativity scene and spent time afterward getting a closer look at Baby Jesus.

We spent Christmas Eve with Jeanne's extended family and Hannah had a blast trying to keep up with her 4- and 5-year-old cousins. She also got to be the "big" girl to her cousin Jillian who is all of 6 months younger. Hannah does an a great job of playing both roles, although keeping up with the big kids always holds her attention longer.

When Santa show up, she had overcome her fear and immediately went over to him to sit on his lap, even backing toward his knee to make it easier for the big guy to lift her up. But everyone's laughter and a closer look made her shy and she quickly got down without telling him what she really wanted (fortunately Santa figured it out anyways).

She was up late on Christmas Eve but I still expected her to be up promptly on Christmas morning. Instead she slept in until after 10! This was the one indication that she doesn't totally get it and I have a feeling in future years we'll all be getting up much earlier.

She did great opening presents, she is very methodical in taking off bows and ribbons before digging into the wrapping paper. The hard part for her was putting one toy down to move on to the next present. At one point I really thought we would have to put on the Snow White DVD before she would continue (we managed to distract her with another present). The day continued with her cousins and grandparents and more presents and all in all it was a great day.

Showing her excitement at a new present:

Having not grown up with Christmas I had never really seen it through a child before. I think I'm starting to get what all the excitement is about because it's really special to see a kid so excited about the holiday. She loved the tree, the songs, the lights as we drove around, the presents, the idea of Santa, snowmen and elves and other new creatures, and just all of "Christmas time" (as she called it). It was fun to see her enthusiasm and I think the next couple years will be even more.

She had more fun planned over the weekend as she got to stay with my parents and sister for the night on Saturday while Jeanne and I got a rare night out at the movies (we saw Up in the Air which we highly recommend). Hannah loved her time with Gramps (as she was calling him) and Nana and Leah and barely noticed we were gone. It's great to see her connecting with both sets of parents so much; growing up with grandparents close-by is something that neither Jeanne or I grew up with and it's special for us to see this relationship growing.

Photos from the holiday:

Posted by Pete at 10:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Hannah is really starting to get this whole Christmas thing. She is excited about "Christmas time" as she calls it whenever we see a Christmas tree or a Santa. And she knows who is coming tonight to bring her toys although she's not quite sure what she wants him to bring:

We had our first real snow storm this week which meant we got to get out the snow pants and boots and play outside. And we had fun inside too with finger painting and showing off our family with matching pajamas:

Posted by Pete at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hannah is really getting into Hanukkah this week. When she walks in the door in the evening (bursts might be a better description), she wants her standard two "bitemns" (vitamins) and now she immediately wants to light the candles. The past two nights we have been teaching her the blessing over the candles and she's starting to get it (kind of):

Posted by Pete at 9:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We had a holiday-filled weekend as we started to see what the Christmas season is like with a toddler. It started with the first night of Hanukkah on Friday night, continued with setting up the tree on Saturday, decorating it on Sunday, a trip to the Enchanted Village Sunday evening, and was capped off by a trip to see Santa on Monday. Hannah has been so enthusiastic about everything, it's so fun to see the holidays through her eyes.

She initially thought we were getting the candles out to sing Happy Birthday (her favorite song). When we lit the Hanukkah menorah and sang the blessing she thought that was different, but ok. But when we told her she couldn't blow out the candles and that we had to let them burn she was very confused. She thought it was rather unexciting until fifteen minutes later when she realized the candles were getting smaller. And when they were completely burned out she got very excited running around saying "the candles all gone! the candles all gone!". They really are "eight crazy nights".

Putting a Christmas tree in the living room was quite the exciting event, but decorating was even more fun. The lower branches where she could reach were weighed down with all of the ornaments she could get her hands on (and the non-breakable ones we trusted her with) until we redistributed them around the tree. She also thinks its silly that the tree gets thirsty and likes to drink water. (It was an indication to us how few living plants we keep in the house).

Sunday's trip to the south shore was the latest chapter of a long Boston tradition. As explained on the Jordan's website in 1958 Jordan Marsh opened the "Enchanted Village" downtown. It was a Christmas tradition for many New England families for decades. This year, Jordan's furniture has restored all of the displays and set it up for viewing. It's a really impressive exhibit showing Christmas scenes from a simpler time. The only modern addition is a "snow" machine that blows snow every ten minutes to set the mood. It's been a such a big hit that the lines are ridiculously long. We waited for about an hour and a half in an endlessly snaking line, but the time went by and it allowed Hannah the chance to get used to the crowds and noise. By the time we made it to the front she loved every minute of the exhibit. We decided it was worth the long wait (what else were we really going to get done on a rainy Sunday afternoon?) and it may have started a new family tradition.

The one piece we didn't see was Santa (he was done for the day by the time we got there) so Jeanne and Hannah went to the mall on Monday to seek him out. Much to our surprise Hannah was willing to sit on his lap. Although still reluctant, it was a huge step for someone who has been terrified of the big guy in the past (although getting her first candy cane from a Santa last week may have broken the ice). And the look she is giving him is pure Hannah.

With Hanukkah ongoing and Christmas ten days away it's clear we have more holiday fun in our future!

Posted by Pete at 10:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

One of the the (many) things about Hannah that I hope I never take for granted is her ability to make me smile. Now I'm generally a happy person so it's not that hard to make me smile, but every so often I have a day like today. I had a really crappy day at work for a number of reasons and was in a really horrible mood on my commute home. But as soon as I walked in the door and saw her I was able to leave work behind and focus on how much fun a 2-year-old is. I immediately started to smile.

It's the same in the morning. Even when we're in a rush and we get frustrated at her not wanting to get her shoes or hat on, or not wanting to finish her oatmeal and brush her teeth, it's really hard not to smile at how cute she is. She provides so much happiness and fun, and I hope we continue to appreciate it.

That's not to say she's not a ton of work. My parents and sister found this out on Thanksgiving weekend. After a great family dinner on Thursday (Jeanne's parents, my parents, my sister, and the three of us) we dropped off Hannah at my parents' house on Friday for the weekend. We snuck away up to Quechee and did work on the house and had a weekend away. Hannah got to have a special weekend with Nana and Grandpa.

Friday night she went to Shabbat services with my parents and did incredibly well. From all accounts, she was mesmerized by the singing (but didn't partake) and followed along when everyone stood and then sat back down. After an hour or so she turned to my mom and said "I'm ready to go back to your house" so they left my dad there for the rest of the service. When they got home and my sister asked her where Grandpa was, Hannah answered "he's still singing".

Saturday morning Hannah got a treat of her first pedicure. The rest of the weekend (and in the following week) she took off her socks to show anyone her "pretty red piggies". The grandparents role is to spoil children and Hannah loved it. But it wore them out.

Jeanne and I were very amused to return on Sunday evening to find my parents and sister all exhausted from a weekend with a 2-year-old that never stops moving. She was constantly busy and the addition of two dogs made for a much livelier weekend than their house is used to. We're glad that they got to experience how tiring she can be, but also how much fun it is to have her experiencing so many new things.

And after recently booking a week-long vacation in March when Hannah is going to stay with Jeanne's parents, we're hoping Nana and Papa can recruit helpers (maybe cousins) so they can make it through a week with her.

But no matter the exhaustion, she still makes everyone smile.

Two batches of recent photos.
Thanksgiving weekend:

First snow of the year:

And a few great ones of her and Annie playing together:

Posted by Pete at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)