holidays

I’ve noticed that many people are posting their New Year’s Resolutions on their blogs. I won’t be doing the same, firstly because I prefer to keep my resolutions for self-improvement private, and secondly because I make resolutions at Easter instead of January. This is because Easter is my favorite holiday and I think the attendant symbolism of Christ and Resurrection seems to lend itself more readily to recommitment, rededication, repentance, renewal, and the like. January 1st just doesn’t do much for me.

We had a lovely Christmas spent with Mark’s family in Utah. I wish we could have stayed longer. It was so wonderful to see everyone. I feel like I learn so much every time we go spend time there – I just learn from everyone’s examples. Mark’s mom made Christian a beautiful handknit (or crocheted? not sure) stocking. It looks fantastic. It caused a bit of a stir because she knit his name at the top and it just happened to work out that the Christ- is what is visible from the front, with -ian wrapping around to the back. It was hanging on her mantle along with the rest of the stockings. Her piano students were intrigued, noting “Wow! You even have a stocking for Jesus!” I have to say I really like the effect. I mean, you don’t name your child Christian if you’re afraid of an association with Christ, and it will be a fun reminder of the true meaning of the season. It’s fun. Especially because below the lettering “Christ-” is a gorgeous fluffy white snowman.

It was Christian’s first Christmas, but Mark and I didn’t really get Christian anything because we figured a 2.5 month old baby doesn’t know the difference, right? Boy has my dad been giving me grief about that ever since! Sorry Christian. I promise to pay for your therapy someday since you’re now apparently traumatized.

I didn’t take nearly enough pictures, but here are a few.

Grandma was so thrilled to have time to snuggle with Christian. He loved it too, falling asleep easily. He had a little bit of a hard time being around so many people – a big family means one overstimulated baby. So these naps were precious for all of us.

We just LOVE the hat and mittens Auntie Kathleen got for Christian. We’ve put them to good use already.

My brother Greg just finished a semester abroad in China. He brought back some fun gifts, including this very interesting child’s hat with a long black braid attached. We all got a good laugh out of it. Christian sports it pretty well, no?

No offense, Mark, it’s just not as cute on you!