Christmas in Memphis

As you might imagine, Jane has had a lot of new and exciting experiences this past week, and we have taken about a zillion pictures, so I am kind of overwhelmed as I begin this Christmas post. But I want to have somewhat of a cohesive reflection on Jane's first Christmas, so here goes...

First of all, Jane LOVED our Christmas tree. She would start panting and doing her signs for "tree" and "light" whenever we walked into the living room.

The ornaments on the bottom foot of the tree were in a constant rotation of on and off. Jane even tried to put them back on sometimes, but that was a tad bit too dexterous for her. She would just set them on the branches and look surprised when they fell off.

One of my favorite memories was when she pulled this teddy bear ornament (pictured above) off the tree and put it up to her ear. At first I thought, "Why is she using the teddy bear as a telephone?" But then I realized that she was giving it a hug! It just looked a little awkward because the teddy bear was only about two inches tall.

Now on to Christmas Day, which we got to spend with Richard's family in Memphis. Jane had a great time being with her extended family, and even got to wear her Aunt Noel's Christmas dress!

Actually, it's kind of funny how that happened... When we were in Memphis a few weeks ago, I had it in the back of my mind that I wanted to get something special for Jane to wear on Christmas. At Fancy's house there is this doll about Jane's size, and I noticed for the first time that she was wearing a Christmas dress. I thought to myself, "That is the sweetest little dress. I wonder if it would fit Jane? Is it totally weird to put doll clothes on my child?" But to my relief and delight, I discovered that Richard's mom had smocked it for his sister for her first Christmas! Her cousins were still a bit confused as to why Jane was wearing the doll's dress, but at least I knew it was originally intended for a human.

Although it did not appear under the tree Christmas morning (like Woody and Buzz Lightyear), one of the most fun things Jane did in Memphis was learn how to ride a rocking horse.

Since Jane has been taking her time with the mobility milestones, it never occurred to me that she was coordinated or strong enough to ride a toy horse. But Fancy put her on it just for fun one day, and the next thing we knew Jane was headed for the rodeo! We were equally amused and amazed by her physical feat. Not to mention the interesting vocalization that accompanies her ride...

Another big hit at Fancy's house was these singing and dancing penguins. Whenever Jane saw them she would start wiggling as a sign to "Please make them dance again!" In the video you can see her dancing while the music is on, and then she wiggles at the end as she tries to start them up again. Hilarious.

Although I knew it all along, the reality of Jane's day-after-Christmas birthday really sunk in this year. The poor thing is and probably always will be overshadowed by the holiday craziness. I've gotten a lot of good advice about making sure her birthday presents are wrapped in birthday paper and not under the tree, and baking a separate birthday cake, etc. But the reality is that it's really hard to step away from the commercialization of this holiday season. So, as I attempt to make my daughter feel celebrated in this season of Santas and shopping, I am reminded of one whose birthday has been overshadowed long before Jane's. I challenge myself to remember not one, but two birthdays at Christmas time.

"Joyful, all ye nations rise

Join the triumph of the skies

With the angelic host proclaim:

'Christ is born in Bethlehem'

Hark, the Herald Angels sing, 

'Glory to the newborn King!'"

On that note, amidst the paper and presents, Jane's sweet grandparents got her her very own birthday cake, and we paused the carols to sing Happy Birthday to our big one-year-old. Yay, Jane!

Thank you for a wonderful Christmas vacation, Fancy and Papoo!!!