Aubrey's First Christmas!

I have been so excited for Aubrey's First Christmas. This is my favorite time of year and I couldn't wait to see her reactions. I know it will be better next year, but she actually did more than I expected.

We went to my mom's in Arkansas the weekend before Christmas. Since it is such a long drive, we decided to fly. I found a good deal on tickets, so it was just a matter of trying to get all our stuff and presents in suitecases. Plus, I had no idea how Aubrey would react. She was GREAT! She slept the whole drive to the airport, ate while we waited to get on the plane and went back to sleep almost as soon as we got in the air. I was so relieved! And everywhere we go, including on the plane, people just smile at her and say she is so cute. She really is adorable! Even I am amazed! She keeps us laughing. She is always making a funny face or doing something adorable. I don't know how she'll get in trouble because you just can't get mad at her!

At my mom's we had dinner and Christmas with her side of the family and Aubrey learned to open presents. I may not have mentioned this, but Aubrey LOVES paper. She will play with a napkin, a postcard or whatever I can find. So presents were right up her alley. She would put her mouth on them first and then after I tore a piece for her, she'd start tearing the rest. I really didn't think she would be so involved this year. These last couple of months she has really become more aware of everything and wants to be involved. Anyway, then we went to visit my dad's family, ate dinner, opened more presents and stopped by his gravesite to put some flowers. Then we had Christmas with my mom, sister, Aaron (Sally's husband) and us. Aubrey got MANY more presents and had such fun. She was really good on this trip and we all had fun playing with her.

We got home on the 22nd. I had a lot to do before everyone came to our house on Christmas eve. I made my husband go with me (again) to the super Walmart to get groceries. He really hates this place and I've talked him into going there at least 5 times in the last couple of months. Chad's mom and her husband always come and spend Christmas with us, then we go to his grandparents house in Brenham on Christmas afternoon. Well, his grandparents decided that it is now tradition (because we did it last year) for them to come up to our house on Christmas eve for appetizers and dessert. So, I had to find some food and get it cooked. Not to mention cleaning and laundry and, oh yeah, I have a baby to care for as well. It was a little crazy, but we pulled it off.

They finally went home and it was time for Santa. I really had a lot of fun stuffing stockings and putting out gifts. We shot video on Christmas morning, but I haven't edited any video yet. I also got some good pictures, but my memory card was full and some of them got deleted. Aubrey got a rocking horse, lots of new toys and new clothes. She is outgrowing everything! She had fun opening presents, but I think she was a little overwhelmed. She didn't know what to do first. But she's had a lot of fun playing with her new toys! We went to Brenham that afternoon for dinner and presents with Chad's family. Aubrey got a rocking chair from her great-grandparents. It was nice, but Aubrey gets tired of so many people. After all this, I have decided we will not be travelling anywhere for at least a month. Her schedule was so screwed up that she would stay up until 2 or 3 am! We've had time to calm down now and she's sorta back on a routine. At least she goes to bed and wakes up at the same times!


--Amy