Silent Night. ..

**I started this on Christmas Day right before midnight, but sadly fell asleep and didn't trust myself without a more awake proof-reading. ..so a few days later, here you go!**

Christmas Day is coming to a close once again. ..Philip and Addie are tucked in bed, and I'm waiting to start her overnight feeding (Philip is usually sweet and waiting up with me, but since they were both snoozing on the couch, he agreed to go on to bed this once). The tree is still not so alive sparkling and twinkling at me from across the room, the mantle still has on its coat of greenery and the stockings are still dancing above the fireplace.. .I love Christmas precisely because of moments like this when peace and contentment flood our hearts. Don't get me wrong, I love the moments of sheer joy, the happiness and glee that permeates the season, but I just love the peace and quiet magic of it all. Call me simple (or boring), but I just love these beautiful, quiet moments when you can sense the magic and promise in the air. My family is warm and safe and sleeping soundly (I hope) right now. ..I can hear the rain running down the gutters, and all I can think about is what a great day we've had.

We didn't have the usual craziness of running from house to house to celebrate with family in Greeneville, and we didn't have the crowd over for lunch that we used to have in our pre-Addie days again this year. ..but, you know, that's ok. Call me selfish, but I loved having my sweet, small family tucked safely in our house all day today. We actually relaxed on this 4th day of a 4 day weekend. We're usually so busy on the weekend that we relax in shifts. I sleep in, Philip naps later in the day. ..Addie sticks to her schedule of 1 - 2 naps, and it works. But, today, on Christmas, we all got up, opened presents, cleaned up and we just relaxed. ..all day. No where to be, no activity to do, no bathrooms to clean. ..we were just together. We talked to friends and family via text, Facetime, and good old fashioned phone calls, so we were still connected to everyone, but at the end of the day it was just us. No huge mess to clean up, no disaster in the kitchen, and we both enjoyed Addie all day long. I kind of think that's part of what Christmas is all about.. ..not just keeping up with social obligations and family expectations, but taking time to simply be together as a smaller family unit. We all get so busy trying to entertain or be entertained that we lose track of what really matters at the heart of it all. ..simply being together.

Addie enjoyed her day. She got tons of toys and gifts from friends and family, which she loved! She got a precious, super soft teddy bear from her great grandparents in Jackson, lots of noisy toys (No complaints! She loves them all!), a spinning top (she's obsessed with it!), and so much more. Our big treat for her was a "patchless day". She doesn't quite "get" Christmas yet, and gifts and new toys don't mean much to her yet. She's just as excited about the tissue paper in the bags as the toys themselves, and we wanted to do something for her that she would really find joy in. ..and with her doctor's blessing, a patchless day seemed to be just what she would choose if she could tell us what she wanted. She couldn't tell us that she appreciated it or that it made any difference in her day, but I like to think that she really enjoyed it, even if she didn't know why it was happening. I know she enjoyed having my and Philip's undivided attention all day long, and we enjoyed the luxury of being able to focus on her and do just that.

Please don't misunderstand. I missed spending more time with family and friends this holiday season, just like I did last year, and I know that next year there will be more holiday gatherings and parties and events that we will gladly attend. I enjoy the "usual" holiday hustle and bustle as much as the next person. ..but I can't help but think that a Christmas Day like this is more like what that first Christmas was like. Quiet. Peaceful. Restful. A time to regroup for the mission ahead. A time of quiet celebration for one small family, not so different from ours. So, yes, for the second year in a row we celebrated quietly and not with the rest of our family that we love so very much.. .but I would be lying if I said it was any less special, any less "Christmas-y" than in years past. Maybe it's age and wisdom, maybe it's just embracing my inner-boringness, but I have thoroughly enjoyed our quiet first Christmases with Addie more than any ever before.  Christmas truly is most wonderful through the eyes of a child.

I hope your Christmas was as wonderful and special as ours was and that if you couldn't spend it with your family that you still felt the love and peace of the season.

Wishing you a new year full of life, love and blessings!

Opening Presents with Grandad and Grandma Austin on Christmas Eve.

The top and Pillow Pet were hits!

Making cookies for Santa (before bath time!).

We got Philip to help out for a few pictures.

Fun with sugar / candy!!

She loved her new drum. ..thanks, G-ma. ..

Blocks are always fun and her therapists will love what they help teach her.

Come on, Santa!!! I'm ready!!!

Who needs the man in the big red suit. ..Our girl just wants the pot rack (too bad mommy is short..).

Christmas morning is here at last!!!

Family photo! I love the look on her face. ..

She still didn't quite "get" Christmas. ..but she knows it was a fun-filled day. 

Finished product on Santa's special plate.

I just love this one..

I have to illustrate our Christmas gift. ..cruising her way from one toy to another. :)