Christmas Circus

To say that Rod & I were tired/exhausted from the holidays would be a gross understatement - rolling into Christmas with a new baby & busy pre-schooler tested our patience, limits and sleep tolerance (or lack thereof!). I had vowed to get some Christmas shopping done while on maternity leave, but let's face it - getting a shower, much less Christmas shopping done, was a huge accomplishment during any given day. I quickly said 'the hell with that', and decided to bask in my non-showered bliss while snuggling with my new baby. And letting myself enjoy the nirvana of a no-deadline-day....with my job, it's deadlines all day for various things. They never stop....it's almost hard to feel like you've ever accomplished anything b/c once you've checked one deadline off your list, 3 more appear. Sigh, I digress...

So, with being ill-prepared gift-wise, I was lucky enough to get some ideas sent from my mom. I'm telling you, and I openly confess that while I pride myself on being a super-mom, I failed this Christmas. I literally was shopping until the 11th hour. I felt like the kid in college who races into the classroom for a final in their pj's, stinky t-shirt and busted pencil. So ill-prepared I was embarrassed of myself. Tried to give myself the pass of "you just had a baby a few wks ago", but it didn't settle right in making excuses for something I have had all year to prep for. Shame, shame. I found something for everyone (what they wanted) and everyone was happy. Whew. The bad news is, Christmas may be over, but February is right around the corner which brings Rod's birthday & our anniversary. Two biggies that stress me out - primarily b/c Rod is so hard to buy for! I try to be clever & cute for every birthday & anniversary, but honestly, I'm feeling pretty tapped out. So, if you have any good ideas, help a sistah out!

Charlie, our elf, came to visit again this year. He comes every Thanksgiving night - and Sophia knows it. Last year she was still warming up to the idea of having an elf come and watch her behavior and then reporting it to Santa each night while she slept. This year, she could've cared less what that damn elf reported...she just had fun playing the game of "where is Charlie at this morning"?! Charlie hung out everywhere this year: family Christmas tree, Sophia's tree, Camilla's tree, our mantle (which meant he hitched some rides on the camels & sheep from our nativity), snuggled up in our stockings, perched inside our indoor window wreaths and even took Sophia's Fisher Price airplane & school bus for spins. His last day visiting he got pretty wild and decided he'd string up some TP on our kitchen chandelier. Sophia LOVED it.

Charlie gettin' wild with the TP

Normally, every Christmas Eve is spent going to the Children's Mass, followed by the annual cocktail party at Lopez's. However, this year, Patricia decided to forego the whole party and just do a quiet family dinner (still need to upload photos from our other camera!). I was so relieved. Especially with an 8wk old, I just didn't want to push it and make it a late night. It would've made for a really long day for us - especially since both Rod & I had to work that day. We enjoyed Mass, and then a delicious and low-key dinner at Lopez's. We enjoyed opening gifts and watching Sophia. I was smart enough to know it'd get late no matter what, and I packed Sophia's toothbrush and pj's. When we got home, we put together cookies for Santa and hit the sack. I was SO grateful when both girls slept in until 7:15am! Sophia's big wish for Santa this year was a "big, big, big bike". And Santa delivered! She awoke all excited to see her brand new big-girl bike and helmet parked in front of the tree! Forget the rest of the pink-wrapped gifts under the tree, the bike was all she cared about! She immediately hopped on (helmet & all) and pedaled laps around our house! It was hilarious as we'd have to stop her between laps to come open one of her gifts. Never bothered to remove the helmet either. The weather was blustery and cold (rain, but snow forecasted!) and so riding outside was next to nill. Rod did brave the cold and let her ride a few short minutes outside. Camilla enjoyed the morning snuggled up with me and could've cared less about the stuff Santa brought her (a kick piano for the crib) and a few teething toys/rattles. She's now very alert and loves her mobile and rattles. We play games with new textures touching her skin and we love it when she smiles big followed by the CUTEST coo's!!

Later Christmas morning, we headed over to the Schultz's for lunch and presents. My mom never does anything half-done...frosted cookies, homemade fudge, homemade dip, chex mix and more covered the kitchen countertops upon our arrival and the aroma of honey-baked ham and green bean casserole permeated the air. I could actually feel myself getting fatter. And I was okay with that. We decided to open gifts first, allowing Sophia to tear into them, then eat. Of course followed closely by naps! Sophia had the best time and received some fun new things (namely a new doll that was eerily proportionate to Camilla & even looked like her). She hardly let my brother out of her sight - that is her buddy! We all enjoyed the morning/afternoon together and by the time we left, it was indeed snowing! The majority of my life, I've had white Christmases, and so the handful that I've had without snow makes it always feel un-Christmas-y. I was tickled to watch Sophia light up and to know that Camilla's first Christmas was a white one. Sadly, most of the snow didn't stick, but as anyone who's lived with regular snowfall, the first snowfall is the most beautiful. It's one of the most peaceful acts of nature to watch....it never gets old to me.

Uncle Jim & Sophia

Uncle Jim burping Sophia's new "Camilla look-alike"

Camilla's 1st Christmas!

Sophia & her new baby doll from Uncle Jim

Let the present-opening COMMENCE!

All in all, although some portions of juggling schedules and children stressed me out, our first Christmas as a family of four was wonderful. I was so happy to slow down and watch the delight on Sophia's face and to snuggle Camilla - as I knew next year the girls would be older and bigger. It was amazing to think that a year ago, Camilla was only a wish and a prayer....and now here we had a beautiful new baby girl to be grateful for. Even though she was an October baby, she was still the best Christmas gift. Life just seemed so sweet this year - and it can only get better!

Inside the stocking Nana handmade for her

I love my stocking, thanks Nana!

Christmas Catch-Up

It's been far too long, but I'm going to give our poor blog an update by (gasp!) actually posting! We'll try to do this 'cliffs-notes' style. Short, sweet and to the point. No worries on a quiz either...

Camilla a-snoozin' away!

Camilla is a growing girl having just reached her 2 month birthday (um, excuse me, but where has the time gone already!?) on Dec. 18th. Today she went for her 2month check up and here's her stats: 8lbs 5oz and 21 3/4 inches long.

She is learning to coo so sweetly and smiles at the sounds of our voices or sights of our faces. She loves when we play the little game of tickling her nose/cheek/ear/tummy - she is happiest laying down and 'playing'. She continues to be such an easy & sweet baby...we are so blessed! Camilla loves to snooze and sleeps from about 10:30pm until 6am - Mommy is especially grateful! I have nicknamed her "Birdie" as she has the cutest little baby-bird-down hair on her head, and that she will snuggle right up to me like a baby bird would to its mother. So sweet.

Camilla was also baptized on Dec. 12th - wearing my own baptism gown....and the same one Sophia wore to her baptism. It's a sweet little dress and now it means so much to have worn it myself and had both daughters wear it. However, neither daughter was I able to get a decent photo of them wearing it. Go figure.

Camilla wearing Mommy's baptism dress

Brendan & Monica: Camilla's Godparents

Sophia seems like a teenager in comparison to her baby sister. She is busy with school and her social calendar! School performances, parties, play dates and more keep Sophia a-buzz with activity. She is only 3mos away from turning FOUR - I can't hardly believe it. She is still loving school and is SO darn smart! She can write her name, "mommy", "daddy" and attempts "Camilla" and a few of her friends' names. She recognizes letters and is on the brink of learning the basics of reading (hooray!). She loves books and pretending to be a teacher...most of all, she loves being Camilla's BIG sister - can you believe the novelty hasn't worn off yet? We've never seen signs of jealousy and I don't think we ever will. Pure sweetness pours from her kisses, hugs and love for Camilla. Heaven! Here's some more of what Sophia's been up to...

Boarding The Polar Express!

Reading along in the book as we race to the North Pole aboard The Polar Express!

Sophia singing in her school Christmas program

Sophia's class Christmas party

Sophia 'skyping' with her bff, Ava across town!

In other news, Mommy sadly had to return to work in her position as marketing director & buyer on Dec. 9th. Working as a marketing director & buyer for 3 retail stores meant I had LOTS of work to do before I ever left on maternity leave...and also meant I'd have a heap on my desk when I returned. Not to mention heading back to market (in Atlanta) for nearly a week early January! I had told myself that it wouldn't be hard or bad since I'd been thru this before and I'd at least know what to expect. Wrong! I think it was worse this time b/c of that very reason. I had high anxiety going back. I love my job, but I knew how badly it was going to hurt to have to give up being the full-time mommy gig that I had cherished the past 8wks. I was desperately going to miss the girls. However, I fared ok my first day back - and Rod even had flowers sent to my office to help cheer me up. It was nice to be greeted with such enthusiasm by everyone I worked with - it felt good to be wanted back at work by all of them as they said they had really missed me. It's always nice to know you're needed and wanted by so many sweet people! Luckily, unlike my return to work after Sophia's birth, I at least remembered where my files were stored on my computer at work! It's taking me a bit of time to re-adjust to being a working mom, but I'm hanging in there and hoping I can manage my new family circus!

I was super proud of myself this year for running in my 7th consecutive Jingle Bell Run 5k too....just 6wks after giving birth! Initially I had given up hope of doing it as I thought that was too lofty of a goal. However, I recovered great from the c-section, and was exercising long before the 6wk mark. Because I was in such great shape when I got pregnant, I was able to shed the baby weight in nearly record time. Without any running under my belt in the last 9mos or leading up to the run, I think finishing it in 36mins wasn't too shabby. I told myself I wouldn't be running this for the time this year, but just to say I completed it. I was certainly proud for finishing it, but I sure did miss my time of 28mins from last year's run!

Julie post-run...brr, it was a COLD run!

Shed the jacket to pose with my Birdie!

Lastly, we are looking forward to spending our first Christmas as a family of four...God has blessed us greatly with our sweet Camilla Ann this year and we couldn't be happier or more grateful!