The First Noel

I did the math. Yes, I had to count on my fingers, and, yes, it took three hands. Jason and I celebrated our our 13th Christmas together this year. In our long and storied past, our Christmas traditions always involved traveling...making the "tri-state tour" to Ohio, Kentucky, and back home again. Some years we even made the "quad-state tour" to Chicago for Jason's annual music director convention. Our traditions used to involve driving through blizzards. Playing Car-Packing Tetris to make sure our clothes and gifts made it to all of their respective destinations. Listening to the same episode of Car Talk three times. Eating Christmas day lunches at Waffle Houses and gas stations. But this year was different - we didn't leave the house for three days. Oh yeah, and a certain little baby boy changed everything.

We started new traditions. Christmas Eve church was the 5:00 Kids' Service this year instead of Midnight Mass. Miles got all gussied up for the occasion - the tie only lasted for an hour, so the only picture we got was on my phone.



We each opened one gift that night. Miles was just as excited about eating the wrapping paper as he was about eating the Harry Belafonte CD we got him. Then, we put out cookies and milk for Santa.

We woke up before dark on Christmas morning. Jason thinks Miles was just hungry, but I'm pretty sure Miles knew Santa had come. We sat him in front of the tree, and he surveyed his booty (like that flashback?).



We opened up gifts together. Miles particularly enjoyed the taste of Santa's wrapping paper selection. Penguins in Santa hats are a particularly delectible choice of fowl for Christmas day.



Finally, we opened stockings. Miles enjoyed the books, socks, and binkies but wasn't a big fan of the sunglasses.



Later that day, Grandpa and Grandma came to visit and brought with them a mountain of gifts. Good thing Miles didn't know any better, because they totally showed up Santa!



They also provided Miles' very own Santa suit, complete with black boots. Miles already had the rosy cheeks and bowl-full-of-jelly belly to add to the ensemble. The only thing missing was a tiny white beard...nah, that would have just been an extra step towards creepy, right?



Miles had his third Christmas on Friday when Grandpa, Granny, and Aunt Ashley came to visit. He loved his new activity table and immediately gravitated towards the piano part of it. Think we have a budding prodigy on our hands?



All in all, it was a great holiday season. Can't wait to ring in 2009 with our boy!

Oh, and this isn't Christmas related, but it's a cute video. Daddy thinks Miles is saying his first word...basketball. Enjoy!