Disclaimer: the following is shameless gushing from a momma who just wanted to record these thoughts for herself. Read on if you like, but no apologies for the sentimentality.
I never had too much difficulty seeing the Christmas season go. It always returns, and it's somewhat rejuvenating to be 'done' with the gifts, the traffic, the busy nights. But this year, it's a little more challenging to wrap up the ornaments and put them away. The stockings were just a tad more painful to pull down.
It is my son's third Christmas. The first Christmas he was barely three months old and he slept through it...though I have some darling photos of him in red and white onesies and hats. He was a bit more interested in Christmas Day at 15 months old...though he had no concept that he was in a 'season' laden with tradition, anticipation and uniqueness.
He is now 27 months old, and this year, he got it.
Thus, I will miss Christmas more this year. This Christmas brought out many "firsts" for my son. And his awe allowed me and my husband to experience the holidays as 'children' for the first time in probably over 20 years.
This year I will remember how my son memorized his first whole song and would sing it throughout the day - Jingle Bells. He also picked up on saying "Merry Kissmas" and "Happy Noo Year!"
He quickly caught on to the Santa character who waltzes through the month of December - from the decoration in people's lawns to the television specials featuring Santa to the Veggie Tales' fantastic rendition of the story of St. Nicholas. I love that his first time meeting Santa was at a holiday food drive where he presented Santa with donated food items. Afterward he kept saying, "Give. Santa. FOOD!" His first Santa encounter went so well I thought we should take him to visit the mall Santa for the first time...and actually purchase the overpriced "classic" American family Santa photo. He was NOT enthused. The only reason for the half-amused smirk on his face is thanks to the enthusiastic elf photographer shaking jingle bells above the camera. It was not a true Christmas moment.
This year also brought his first taste of hot cocoa, whipped cream and a sugar cookie. He still tries to pull the whipped cream can out of the fridge and asks us if he can "Bite this thing??"
He of course understands what gift are now. He doesn't really care if the gift is for him or not, though if anything Thomas happens to be under the wrapping paper...game over. He really just enjoys pulling the paper off of all the gifts and then letting the true recipient tackle the box.
Finally, he discovered how to identify and say "Christmas lights!" I will miss this the most. He first noticed them on our little Christmas tree. Though he truly tried to be obedient in not touching the lights, he'd often relegate to awe and give them a nice tug. But his favorite activity was driving around with us at night and seeking out the lights. "LOOK! Kissmas lights!!" he'd exclaim from his carseat, pointing vigorously. We took him several times to a neighborhood that has competitively been displaying lights and Christmas decorations for over 20 years. For this, we allowed him to sit on our lap, roll down the windows, blast Christmas music from the stereo and gaze. I MISS these nights.
I know every Christmas will bring another nuance, traditions will carry on, and some aspects will move on as our children grow up and we parents grow older. But 2011 will remain quite special.
