Cherry Blossom Heart

Abby's First Christmas!!!

Week 28

Abby's 1st Christmas!

I have to say, I was pretty excited leading up to Christmas morning, not for myself or the presents I might receive, but for Abby. I couldn't wait to bring her downstairs to show her what "Santa" (thank you again to all the amazing family and friends that sent her things this year....it took hours to finish opening it all) brought her, but more importantly it was about that feeling you get when you walk into the living room and see the tree lit up and you get the Christmas music going...it's just a special morning and I couldn't wait to share that with Abby. I know she doesn't know who Santa is yet and she doesn't understand all the presents, but I still feel like she enjoyed the day. I remember as a kid Christmas being such a magical day and I want to pass that along to Abby. My grandmother used to work hard to make Christmas day special and it wasn't about the presents. We could get hand made knit mittens, a jacket and one or two toys and it would seem like we were given the world. She told me once that you have to work hard to make Christmas special. You do, but I find that something that brings so much joy isn't a lot of work when you love what you are doing. So this was Abby's 1st experience with Christmas and I'd like to think it was a great one. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. :)

One tradition in my family is we get to open one present Christmas Eve before we go to bed. Abby's Christmas Eve gift was this book. Puppy's First Christmas. It's now become a favorite. We started reading it before bed on that night and we've read it every night since.

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!! WAKE UP DADDY!!!!

Coming downstairs to see what "Santa" brought for the first time.

Stockings first!

Nana sent me a stocking too

Toys!

Auntie Jess got me a "Juicy" shirt. Designer clothes before the age of 1....Auntie keeps my in style.

Santa even brought gifts for the boys!

I had so much fun opening my gifts I wanted to help Daddy with his.

By far my FAVORITE!! I could bounce for days in this thing!

I just love this paper!

The True Meaning of Christmas

The holidays have always held a special place in my heart, but this year will be just a bit more special

with Abby. This year I’ve really been thinking about what is truly important and what we should be celebrating and it’s not material things. Being able to spend Thanksgiving back home with all our family it really hit me that all I need are those around me that love and support me. I feel like Christmas came early
this year because my heart was filled with so much joy seeing Abby play with her cousins, or when her
grandfather got down on the floor with the three girls and say “I’m so happy, I have my three girls”.
Watching Abby rocking in a chair with her great grandmother as her eyes slowly close and she drifts
off to a peaceful sleep in loving arms. Seeing her smile and laugh while she plays with all of her uncles
and her aunt. Seeing the joy on the family faces as they meet her and she gives them warm smiles and
laughter. All these things are the most amazing gifts in my opinion. I have a beautiful family that I am
so proud of and can’t wait to spend Christmas with. Nick, Abby and I have an opportunity to start new
traditions. Tis the season for traditions. I feel that is something that makes this season special. We all
grew up with our own family traditions and if they were good enough they continued throughout the
generations. To this day I still turn up Elvis Christmas carols and dance around in my living room while
all the Christmas lights are glowing. I plan to carry on that tradition and create more with my family.
This Christmas I’m looking forward more to the things we do than the things we get. So bring on the
Elvis music, PJs, Santa hats, pine tree scented candles, twinkling Christmas lights, cookies to bake and deliver to the local fire departments and Skyping with our family back home because to me, that is a Christmas worth getting excited over.

-Cheers!

Abby: Week 27

27 Weeks

Getting in lots of playtime with Mommy and Daddy this week! My favorite!

Time to attack Daddy!!

Bear got me!

Love being upside down...

I'm just a happy little girl. :)

My Daddy is so silly.

Hey there, just hanging out sideways on my mat.

Pretty lights

Deep in conversation with Bear...I can only imagine what she's planning.

Abby: Week 26

Week 26

I met the Big Guy today. I remembered seeing him in Maine, but this time I got to sit with him for a while.

He was so funny looking. I kept pulling on his beard and he didn't seem to mind all that much.

I just couldn't stop looking at him! There was just something about this guy.

Mommy and Daddy liked him too!

Mommy decided that after we saw Santa she needed to keep taking photos of me. This woman never stops...

...but hey, I'll pose if I have to. Cheese!

...we tried some new food today....

not my favorite...

Lion's feet taste great by the way.

Hey Bear!

Mommy thought she would try a different approach to my weekly signs since I have decided that I now want to play with the paper each week. Let's just say I can be just as destructive on the white board....see these numbers....now watch them disappear!

Abby: Week 25

Week 25

So Thanksgiving came and went and before we knew it we were back home in Maine. Once we got home I started trying new foods. No longer just formula for me! Mom started with the basics...apples, pears, bananas, sweet potatoes, sweet carrots, peas and green beans...YUCK...not a fan of the green stuff, but mom keeps giving it to me.

As soon as we got home Mommy and Daddy started decorating. I loved the lights around the house.

Nana made me another sweet hat!

Now that things have slowed down a bit I'm back to lots of playtime with Mom and Dad. I love "driving the bus" with my toys. Mommy and Daddy make funny noises and I turn the "wheel".