Callie and Jesus (Callie's First Christmas Vol. 3)

Today Callie is nine months old! It is just a few short months before she turns one and is no longer a "newborn". Just as a quick update on her development, she is not yet walking on her own but will walk holding on to something or someone. And as of this week she has really started babbling and adding new consonants to her vocabulary. She has said "Dadadada" several times but she doesn't know what she is saying yet, so it doesn't count. I am still rooting for her to say "mama" first! Callie has a cold today but she is smiling through it and thinks sneezes are hilarious.

Now on to Christmas. This Christmas was amazing. I have dreamed, for years, of what it would be like to celebrate my baby's first Christmas and the dreaming was only half as wonderful as reality was. And it is also amazing how having a baby around for Christmas helps everyone to focus even more on the reason we celebrate the season in the first place. It is hard to imagine Christ and his humanity or the emotions and struggles of Mary and Joseph, but having your own baby really helps make it real. The only thing that could have made the day better would have been if Becky and her family had been there to share it with us. Our celebration of the official event started on Christmas eve. We bundled up and went to Michelle's condo for a wonderful dinner. My favorite part was the Pear, Blue Cheese and Candied Pecan salad. Maybe I will push for that to be an American Idol viewing night tradition this winter! We opened a few gifts at Michelle's house before heading back home to await the arrival of Nana and Papa who got there around 10pm. Christmas day was spent opening presents and eating - all day! Callie had so many gifts to open that Matt and I put some of hers away for her birthday. We had a wonderful breakfast, provided by Dreama and Michelle, who brought food over for us. Lunch was the Taylor traditional Chicken Roll-ups and Pea Salad by Mom and I. And we had more sweets to conquer that we could manage. Callie had a great time opening gifts and wore herself out! Thanks to everyone for helping make the day so special. And thank you also for all the wonderful gifts to Matt and me. We all had some great surprises!

Christmas Eve at Aunt Michelle's house.

All bundled up! It was cold. Nana and Papa had to leave earlier than planned to avoid driving in more icy whether.

Getting into the presents under Aunt Michelle's tree.

First present of Christmas morning - a new crib toy!

She loved ripping the paper! Look closely at her little face.

She would even stop to read the card.

"Wow, I know I have been good, but I am not sure I was this good, Santa!"

My little angel!

Ripping so fast her hands are a blur!

The box was a bonus present!

A random photo taken by Grampie (Steve). Apparently all Papa wanted for Christmas was a cell phone like Callie's. I guess we will know what to get him next year!

She loved her vacuum from Uncle Jon and Aunt BB. Grampie might sue the company because they apparently stole his cleaning songs to use on the toy. "I'm going to clean the house today, Do-dah, Do-dah!"

She also loved what I call "The Very Needy Puppy" from Aunt Michelle.

Her drum, bell and cymbal set were a huge hit. She new just what to do with the drum, thanks to Ms. Rebekah and Kindermusik class!

Watch it, Papa! Those are my penguins!

Nana pushing her around on her favorite toy from Grammie and Grampie. Grampie is still losing sleep trying to figure out how to make the princesses on the front spin.

Her favorite toy from Nana and Papa. She starts every morning out playing with this one. She rings the doorbell constantly!