My baby's first Christmas!

A photo album and random thoughts dedicated to my son Carr

The picking of the Christmas tree!

I don't know who's happier, Carr or myself.

Chip and Carr had been sick for about two weeks off and on, I really thought we wouldn't have the time, energy or health to do this. I wanted my son to experience Christmas from beginning to end. It just seemed unfair, I had missed the autumn photograph because we really didn't put a real effort to get it done. Halloween came by and Carr had his vaccines on that day! I didn't want to miss this, I wanted him to have these photos and live these memories. OK, I know he won't remember but I will and I'll tell them to him.

I love my husband dearly, he and Ricky did most of the decorating. I apologize I am a terrible photographer, the tree turned out gorgeous!

I like to theme my trees, this year I decided to go golden. Just like the year we have had, its been hard economically but by the grace of God, we have managed to have everything and then some for Carr, go to Sand bridge beach for summer vacation, Disney world and now Atlanta. My child has traveled more than some people do in a lifetime. Everything I have wanted to give my child and have him experience, I ended up doing. Funny how things just work out and if you stop and appreciate those moments somehow everything else seems to take care of itself.

wrapping and wrapping of Christmas presents...I really do not understand how it has turned into something very significant, sometimes more than the present itself. Every year, I go into this with feverish resolve, they (the wrapping) will be unique, standout and even represent something of myself. And ultimately at the end, I always promise myself that next year I won't get caught up in this again.

Did I say gifts? There were plenty of them, and we stayed within budget! I was surprised of how smart I was this year. I managed to buy everyone something important and heartfelt. I even bought most of my co-workers gifts. Some gingerbread cookies, some Thailand coin purses, some Christmas candy. It wasn't much but everyone was very surprised and touched. Token of appreciation aren't supposed to be expensive, they are supposed to be thought out.

My son's beloved Elmo. I swear I don't understand it. My son loves puppets and live action characters. He is turned off by cartoons. I even had to buy him a Barney DVD, it had his favorite songs.

When we decided to go to Atlanta, I thought it would be a good idea to buy everyone Christmas PJ's. At home, it is tradition to open gifts on Christmas Eve, I had already decided to start this tradition with Carr, allowing him to open 1 gift on Christmas Eve. When we decided to go to Aunt Holly's, I didn't want to lose something I wanted to do with my small family but I didn't want to impose. I thought the PJ idea was both subtle and thoughtful, my child opened his present and everyone else had a chance to do the same.
I also think everyone should have Christmas PJ's.

to be continued...

Christmas re-visited

Many Christmas' ago, I was published in Highlights magazine. I think I was in the 5th grade, during 1980's. I wrote a small letter about Christmas. How it was submitted, and all that process escapes my mind. My mother was crazy proud, and she should have the clipping.

FYI, I was born in New York. Like most New Yorkers, I can go on and on about how wonderful our city is but seriously... New York during Christmas is the best! As a child, my most vivid memories are about situations and mental pictures that have somehow or another left lasting impressions in my physique. I went to Macy's and enjoyed their Christmas showcase every year. It almost always snowed. At first, to my recollection, my family had big parties. My house was where all the Argentines would hang out. Their families were far away and they missed home. This only fueled my ideas about Christmas.


My mom would make such an effort to make every Christmas magical for me. We would go to Rockefeller Center to see the giant Christmas tree. We would go every year to Macy's to see their Christmas display, take photos with Santa and buy ornaments and gifts.

What I was trying to get at, is that I have always had this romanticized notion of Christmas, which some years ago I had come to the conclusion that it was mostly television propaganda and I had lost faith in my "Christmas idea" all together. I would go through the motions, decorate, sing carols in the car, bake, etc. But thought that this kind of celebration, the real kind, the one I aspired to have would be simply unattainable for me.

Funny how things work out. My perfect Christmas, or so I thought, was having a very calm and peaceful celebration with my husband & son. My mom and grandmother in Argentina, unable to travel. My in-laws away for the holidays. Everything going as planned, wait a minute did I just say that? well to make a long story short, my company decided to give off Dec 26th, which meant that we could go to Atlanta for the holiday. Why Atlanta? In-laws there, spending Christmas at Aunt Holly's.

Mom, Aunt Holly, Uncle Mark and cousin Megan

My husband found out about the extra day off and the rest you can imagine. But the kicker is, I got my wish for a family traditional Christmas. You know, like the ones you see on TV, yes they exist!

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas. I wish all the same fortune I have. I am blessed with a loving family, this is all I need.


Just some random Christmas photos of our trip:

Carr and his Papa

He is so exhausted after the trip and meeting new people, he just passes out.




Christmas morning with Dada, doesn't my hubby look great in his Christmas PJ's? Getting him to wear them was a small Christmas miracle.


Look what Santa brought! He is soo excited and happy. I didn't think that my heart could hold so much love, gratitude, and joy. I spent most of the day crying out of shear joy.


More presents, this one has balls and a truck...total baby bliss!

He loves his Elmo! Unbelievable!

The famous opening of stockings, interesting and fun. I never had stockings before other than decorative. Some presents but not this big production! Thank you aunt Holly for including my family!

Cutest baby ever! Best Christmas ever! My life is blessed.

Until next weekend, have a safe and joyful New year!

My little man

How can I explain how he changed my life. My outlook and my goals all have been changed, modified and tweaked. My awareness and focus are totally intuned to him. I feel rejuvenated and with purpose like never before.
So this is what true love is. That kind of love that expects nothing back, and gives it all. My son takes my breath away, he fills my heart with joy and hope. No longer sarcastic, pessimestic.
I was priveldged to witness when he lifted his head for the first time, when he started walking by himself grabbing on things and when he learned how to wave bye bye.
He is growing up so fast!
I strain my memory to remember his firsts: his bath, his solid food, words, etc. This is why I write, to remember, to witness.

Start of a new hobby

This is my first try at blogging. For those who are experts at this I am sorry for any mistakes I might make.
My intention is to stop and pause my crazy busy life and take a moment to enjoy and reflect on all the good things happening around me.
I have a beautiful 10 month old, a loving husband and a rewarding job. I live in a small apartment with them and two cats (Jinx and Jax).
As I write I am very aware of the long "to do list" I have for today. But this is more important, in the long run I am hoping that it will allow me to stop and smell the roses!
My son and I woke up at 6 am. This is our routine, we get out of bed (yes, he sleeps with me!), and have a ba of milk and watch the Sprout channel.
Today is special, I know that weare planning to go to Atlanta for Christmas! I finished our Christmas shopping and I finally finished a work project that my boss was very interested in. I suddenly feel relieved but at the same time secretly guilty that I can do much more but lack the energy. I should be making Christmas cookies, I should be sending out Christmas cards, etc.
I am going to put my baby down for a nap (crossing my fingers) and start wrapping presents, cleaning the kitchen, tidying up and doing laundry. It never ends!