Somebody Was a Good Boy This Year

A few days ago, I jokingly asked the mailman if "that was all he had for us" as he struggled to bring three large packages to our door. So, imagine my surprise when he replied, "Actually, I've got 3 more boxes in the truck."

Usually I am the one too impatient to wait for Christmas morning, but things change when there is a little one around. So I did not open one box until Christmas Eve. Except the box from Grammy...Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe was waiting patiently to be reunited with Knox.

I carefully arranged everything under the tree. Santa needs help, sometimes, you know.

Christmas morning, we had to wait for Daddy to shower and shave before we could open presents. He said he always had to wait for his Dad...

What he didn't tell us was that he'd already been under the tree. He opened one of his presents before Knox and I noticed. Santa had brought him some Royall Lyme aftershave and, in keeping with his Dad's tradition, he wanted to wear it on Christmas morning. Since he got two bottles, Santa guessed it would be OK.

There sure were fantastic and very thoughtful gifts in all those packages!

It was a pretty lean Christmas this year. But there was no shortage of the love we felt.

Even the puppies got a little something.

We enjoyed a lovely dinner with the Rawns and Estradas. Knox had his first trip to the park.

Thank you to everyone who helped make Knox's first Christmas extra special.

On the Twelfth Week of Christmas...

...My true love gave to me:

And Cooooooooper peed on the treeeeeeeee...

Bad Mommy

This is Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe. He joined our family the day we brought Knox home from the hospital. My dear friend Nikki sent him from South Carolina. He and Knox became friends instantly.

This is Knox and Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe taking a nap at Grammy's house in Pennsylvania. The last time Knox saw Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe...

What sort of rotten mother forgets Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe? He fit easily enough into our carry-on bag!

So, for the past week and 1/2, Knox has been missing his BFF (that's "Best Friend Forever" for those of you that aren't up on the lingo). I'm sure it has more to do with the disruption of his routine and jet lag, but he hasn't been sleeping as well since we've been home. THAT will teach me...

I have tried to distract him with his own reflection. But that only interests him for so long. Thankfully, Grammy has packed Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe in a box and sent him on his way home.

In the meantime, Roy Giraffe (that's short for "Corduroy") has been listening to all Knox's stories. Since Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe took that extended vacation, he's earned a spot in Knox's nice, warm crib.

At least Roy doesn't think Mommy is all that bad.

Deck the Halls

While Knox and I were in Pennsylvania, Ib was busy picking out the perfect tree for our first Christmas as a family of five (4-legged children, included). He had all the lights on it but saved the decorating for our return.

Growing up, my Grandma Clark always had the most wonderful trees...one year the tree would be decorated in red and white, the next: blue and silver. Everything matched. Our tree was always a mis-mash of random ornaments and a rainbow of colors. I vowed that when I had "my own Christmas tree" it would be like Grandma's.

And my first few trees were. Martha Stewart would have been proud...my burgundy and gold bulbs with velvet ribbon wrapping the tree...

But when I opened the crate of Christmas decorations that Ib had dragged out of the closet, I realized that some of the most important things in life aren't always color coordinated.

Save for the few glass bulbs, all our ornaments are special in some way. Grandma Clark's reindeer, that I admired as they stood proudly on the window sill every year. Ro's handmade sequined ornaments...reminiscent of those Ma made for their childhood Christmases. The ceramic Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy that were on our Christmas tree for as long as I can remember. And the stuffed Raggedy Ann and Raggedy Andy that Ma gave Ib and I the year we surprised them in New Hampshire.

So our Christmas tree is a mis-mash of ornaments and colors. It is memories. It is family. It is love. And it is perfect.

Our stockings are hung by the window with care. They are a little empty this year, but our hearts are overflowing with all the blessings 2009 has brought us. And that is what matters.

Wishing you and yours the Merriest of Christmases.

Seasoned Traveler

Last Friday morning, Ib drove us to the airport. Knox and I flew to Pennsylvania for a spur-of-the-moment visit to see Grammy and the rest of the family. As expected, he was the best behaved baby on the plane.

He slept most of the way from Tucson to Atlanta, and all the way from Atlanta to Pittsburgh. The only time he protested was when we found out our rental car was a PT Cruiser. And, really, who could blame him?

Our first stop was Groß Mommy & Groß Dodi's house, Knox's Great-Grandparents.

They spent some time getting to know Knox while Grammy, Grampy and Auntie Am were on their way. They had to stop to get diapers and pick up pizza for dinner.

But when Grammy got there, she couldn't wait to get her hands on that sweet bundle of grand-baby! Knox was pretty excited to see her, too.

It was a virtual smile-fest.

What a happy family! Grampy & Groß Dodi in the back; Auntie Am, Groß Mommy, Me, Knox and Grammy in the front.

Could Knox get those blue eyes from Grammy? Just maybe!

Then we drove to Corry to spend some time at Grammy & Grampy's house. Somebody was being a grump-o-potomous about having his picture taken, but he was enjoying playing with Knox, too.

Auntie Am and Knox, getting ready to do a little shopping.

We didn't know Santa would be there! I woke Knox up from a cozy snooze to sit on Santa's lap. His yawn says it all. Hopefully Santa will bring him that nap that he asked for.

Grammy insisted on some new PJ's. Grampy checking out Knox's reindeer feet.

Then it snowed! Gee, do you think he's an Arizona baby?

We couldn't get his arms in his coat, so we just wrapped it around him. But the way the arms stand straight out make me laugh...A Christmas Story style.

"I CAN'T PUT MY ARMS DOWN!"

Grampy put out hay to get the cows to come over, but by then Knox had fallen asleep.

Grammy's favorite boy!

We drove back to Groß Mommy & Groß Dodi's house to spend the night before our flight home. What a blessing that Knox was able to meet them!

We left for the airport Wednesday morning. And just in the nick of time! Old man winter unleashed a nasty storm. It started raining just as we were boarding our plane. They were getting hail at Grammy's house. The temperature had dropped almost 20° since we left Wellsville.

Daddy was waiting for us at the airport. He was so happy to have us home, and we were happy to be there. It was only 13° at Grammy's house today! But the love of family kept us warm. Thanks to everyone for making our trip so special.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot

Tuesday marked Mr. Knox's 2 month birthday. And that is a milestone that is celebrated with vaccinations. So, today, it was off to the Dr.'s office. He now weighs 11 lbs. 7 oz., is 23 3/4" long and his head is 16" around. Dr. Hobeich said he is very happy with his growth and development and everything looks great!

Knox was a bit on the grumpy side, since he refused to eat before we left. I managed to get through the exam with the help of the binky. But when that nurse stuck his chubby little legs, boy, did he howl! Two shots in one leg, and one shot in the other. I did much better than I thought I would.

Even the Snoopy and Bugs Bunny band-aids were no consolation. But a few minutes cuddling with Mommy and he was good as new. He fell asleep in his car seat the minute I started the engine.

When we got home he was definitely giving me the stink-eye, complete with forehead wrinkles. I figured I'd be in the doghouse the rest of the afternoon.

But the minute I grabbed the camera, that little ham started grinning at me. He's such a doll!

He had a nice brunch, got a clean diaper, changed into his PJ's and took a good, long snooze. He must have told Mr. Giraffe E. Raffe what a rotten morning he had, before he fell asleep.

He was a little cranky this evening, so I gave him another dose of Tylenol. After playing with Daddy, he was happy as a clam again. What a tough cookie!