Sookie's 1st Christmas

I feel like we spent so much time running around, getting everything ready for Sookie's 1st Christmas and it is all over and done with already. Where does it go?

{Christmas Eve with Great Grandpa Jerry}

What made this year so special was looking for goodies to wrap under the tree for our sweet angel, baking a lot with my mom while we both made sure Sookie wasn't getting into too much trouble and that we weren't ruining the various yummy treats we were working on. We made a myriad of things but my favorites had to be the gingerbread cookies and these festive dipped marshmallows.

If I started to get stressed about making it to see family and friends on time, shopping, wrapping, hunting for the perfect gift, I reminded myself how much better this year was than last year. How much HOPE is all around; in every move Sookie makes and every breath we all take in and out.

{Note to self: email Dr. P and tell him that YES, he was right. This Christmas was much better than last year.}

She cracked us up on Christmas morning. She didn't really want to open anything, but then once I helped her, she wanted to play with that particular present and would get frustrated when we tried to entice her with the next present.

My parents gave her this little ride on car and she loves it to pieces!

I gave R these guitar pick fishing lures when he thought would make some mighty fancy earrings.

Sookie received some gorgeous Stella & Dot pearls from Glamma and Poppa.

...because really, what more does a girl need in life than her teacup and pearls?!

I adore this photo of our family, even though it was beyond nap time for Miss S.

Love those teeth!

This was a house across the street from my Grandma's and Sookie was obsessed with these giant blow up decorations. She kept putting her arm out and making noises toward them until I finally went over there.

I get a kick out of taking photos of everyone taking photos of Sookie. :)

Reading with Aunt Liz.

The aftermath...can you spot Jack, the wiener dog?

Sookie is so loved, so special, and such a light for a lot of people who know her. I was on cloud nine this year because I wasn't on bed rest or worrying about her heart. It was such a simple bliss to be able to pick her up and kiss her a thousand times whenever I wanted to!

Joy & Light

 

{Our family: Christmas 2010}

 

{Happy Christmas!}

There is so much to document about these precious, busy, and memorable days. I could write until my fingers fall off. I am tickled pink to see all of this through Sookie's sweet and innocent eyes; she doesn't worry about what she's going to wear or if a hair is out of place, she doesn't stress over being exactly on time, she is able to be fully present in the moment and see explosive joy in everything and everyone.

Things are chaotic around here; we are spending time with family, trying to meet up with them all before they make their way back home, making sweet and yummy treats to give away, running around, delivering gifts, trying to catch a few rushed but still important words with each other, all while trying to keep up on laundry and have some cherished seconds as our family of three. Our house looks like the north pole was hit by a tornado, but my heart reminds me that is all part of the crazy Christmas dance. And we are beyond soaring with the knowledge of how lucky we are that we get to celebrate this all with a healthy girl and a momma with a functioning kidney.