With the arrival of Gabe right around Thanksgiving, Jason's work being hectic, and me taking on some last minute market research work at three weeks postpartum...suffice to say it didn't look a lot like Christmas around here. No tree, no lights, and no cheerfully planned holiday activities. The best of intentions just don't magically become a well decorated reality. I admit to feeling a little disappointed in myself. Thanks to all of our relatives from Virginia and Jersey, there are packages wrapped in pretty paper...but as far as what Mom and Dad had created, it was going to be a pell mell last minute affair in Santadom.
December 17...Enter Trudy, or, Nanny, as she is known to the boys. With her light touch and gentle steering, Christmas began to develop.
First, we were off to Trader Joe's for the ingredients for holiday cookies - with both hates-to-shop Brian and baby Gabe in tow. I will be doing this by myself as a regular gig soon enough, but had not yet ventured out with both babes yet, given Bri's patchy history with grocery stores. Despite the rain, the outing went beautifully, with Brian behaving merrily as though he thought he'd been transported to his usual playground. The house was later filled with the aroma of chocolate chip brownies, followed the next day by Trudy's trademark Russian teacakes, which, yum. Items got mailed that needed to be, and dinners were planned. We all even made it out to a Christmas open house on Saturday night! Trudy then spearheaded the Great Toys R Us Mission, which entailed selecting Brian's Big Present...every toddler boy's favorite train table with tracks, etc. Cousin Harrison contributed some Thomas the Tank Engine figures to start Brian off with his new toy, and we are hoping that S. Claus will bring a few more. This is going to be a very big deal at our house. Moreover, thanks to Toys R, I now have stocking stuffers, and even some special Bob the Builder wrapping paper - and the two year old in question even slept through the entire shopping trip, pushed in his stroller by his Nanny. Unbelievable. Brian has been having a lot of fun with his Nanny here too - books read, naps skipped, meals prepared, and best of all, just the extra attention that I have had some difficulty giving with a newborn around.
A lovely tree was brought home by Jason after a little nudging from the womenfolk, and it is officially trimmed as of last night. Brian is loving the ornaments, especially the Santa ones and a snowman sent to him by his Aunt Marg Sugarplum. Gabey is entranced by the twinkling lights. I've been spinning the Andrea Bocelli Christmas CD repeatedly (thanks Mom), which helps to set the mood too. And it's even cold here - cold for California - but still, it's feeling a lot more like Christmas all the time.
Thanks to Trudy.
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo to her.
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