In my attempts to catch up on posts, here's an overdue one from Christmas this year...
Well, suffice to say that our Christmas this year was a little different than last year. Last year, we had just gotten home after spending roughly a week in the NICU with Maia, and we were almost in a daze at being home. This year, it feels like the daze is the result of trying to decompress from all the activity.
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| The Fort Wayne Santa, near Coney Island. |
In some respects, we celebrated 4 Christmases - first with Jackie's family (parents, brother/sister-in-law), then with some extended family on Jackie's side, then just our little nuclear family, and then with my family (parents, sister, nephew & niece) - between Christmas Eve afternoon to Christmas day early evening. What a whirlwind. It always leaves us in the same place at the end - exhausted, but feeling so incredibly grateful for the wonderful family we have and that we can spend time with them.
But, even though last year was Maia's first Christmas, this year felt like the first time we celebrated the holiday with her as part of our lives, due to the chaotic nature of last year. On the day before Christmas Eve, while in Fort Wayne, we took Maia to Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island, hopefully the first of many trips (and perhaps an annual tradition this time of year). Maia seemed to enjoy the experience, as she actually ate an entire hot dog (sans coney sauce).
As for Christmas at home, Jackie got an idea from a friend of how they do Christmas gifts, and how to keep it somewhat under control, and we stole it for use in our family. Everyone gets four things - something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. Its fits our practicality, and of course, my love of reading. Next year, when Maia is two, I imagine the Christmas experience will be even more special, as the magic of Santa will be real for Maia, and we will have a Christmas Eve ritual to add.
Still, seeing this on Christmas morning was definitely worth it.
We also hosted a holiday dinner for the first time, having my parents, sister, nephew, and niece down for Christmas day. Pulled off the traditional ham dinner pretty well (if I do say so myself), with the ham tasting very good. If there is a next time we host, I'd like to go a little non-traditional with the food (possibly some ribs, or something similar), but we'll see. For this time, it was nice to go the traditional route, and it was nice to be able to serve and share good food (along with good wine) with family.
We wrapped up our holiday festivities with dinner with our group of friends in the Fort Wayne area a couple days later. We visited Tucanos, a brazilian restaurant. Great food (especially if you like a variety of meat, like I do), unique and memorable atmosphere, and good conversations catching up and relaxing with friends. We ended the night at DeBrand's, a local Fort Wayne fine chocolate maker for dessert. All in all, the evening was great, and I am thankful that we still make time for these types of get togethers.
But, even though last year was Maia's first Christmas, this year felt like the first time we celebrated the holiday with her as part of our lives, due to the chaotic nature of last year. On the day before Christmas Eve, while in Fort Wayne, we took Maia to Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island, hopefully the first of many trips (and perhaps an annual tradition this time of year). Maia seemed to enjoy the experience, as she actually ate an entire hot dog (sans coney sauce).
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| Maia, thinking the Santa guy looks pretty cool. |
As for Christmas at home, Jackie got an idea from a friend of how they do Christmas gifts, and how to keep it somewhat under control, and we stole it for use in our family. Everyone gets four things - something you want, something you need, something to wear, and something to read. Its fits our practicality, and of course, my love of reading. Next year, when Maia is two, I imagine the Christmas experience will be even more special, as the magic of Santa will be real for Maia, and we will have a Christmas Eve ritual to add.
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| The tree, after Santa's visit. |
Still, seeing this on Christmas morning was definitely worth it.
We also hosted a holiday dinner for the first time, having my parents, sister, nephew, and niece down for Christmas day. Pulled off the traditional ham dinner pretty well (if I do say so myself), with the ham tasting very good. If there is a next time we host, I'd like to go a little non-traditional with the food (possibly some ribs, or something similar), but we'll see. For this time, it was nice to go the traditional route, and it was nice to be able to serve and share good food (along with good wine) with family.
We wrapped up our holiday festivities with dinner with our group of friends in the Fort Wayne area a couple days later. We visited Tucanos, a brazilian restaurant. Great food (especially if you like a variety of meat, like I do), unique and memorable atmosphere, and good conversations catching up and relaxing with friends. We ended the night at DeBrand's, a local Fort Wayne fine chocolate maker for dessert. All in all, the evening was great, and I am thankful that we still make time for these types of get togethers.
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