Our first Christmas

Yes, this is a bit late, but like most things since I've become a Mom, I severely underestimated the amount of time and energy preparing for Christmas would take! That being said, it would seem that RP had a WONDERFUL holiday!

Christmas Eve was especially wonderful because it marked exactly 10 months since RP and I walked out of the orphanage in St. Petersburg as a family. Ever since sitting on Santa's lap at her Winter concert at school, all RP could talk about was Santa coming to her house, and this year Nana and Papa spent Christmas Eve with us so Santa could make an appearance on Christmas Eve AND they could be here to watch Christmas through her eyes (and help Mommy survive it) as she opened presents right after he left.

Like most two-year olds it didn't take her long to get the hang of opening presents, and not only did she rip her own open, but also "helped" Nana, Papa, and Mommy open theirs. Seems that little RP figured every present under the tree was for her, and we had to stop her from ripping open the gifts that Mommy had purchased for other family members and friends - if it was under the tree, it was fair game! After presents she spent 20 minutes arguing "no night-night Mommy," with me before grabbing my hand (and her pillow) and leading me upstairs where she promptly crashed.

Opening all these presents is hard work...

Christmas Day was spent at a family friend's house, again with Nana and Papa, and of course more presents. This was followed by Christmas Day - Part II with Aunt Sarah, Uncle Chris, and all our cousins at Nana and Papa's house - with more presents. Watching all the kids open their presents together, let alone see their faces when Nana announced their big present - a trip to Disney World in March - was priceless.

We're going to Disney World!!!

I'm pretty sure RP was slightly disappointed this morning to wake up and find that, for the first time in three days, there were no special celebrations to get ready for, nor any gifts to open. We're working on getting back to some sense of normalcy, since nap and eating times have gone out the window these last few days, but already I miss the hubbub of the holiday, only in that it was such a special time for us this year. While in some ways I feel that I actually missed some of the holiday because I was so busy trying to make sure everything was perfect for RP's first, I am comforted in that she had such a great time, surrounded by people who love, adore, and yes, spoil her rotten, and that this was the first of only a lifetime of holidays to come.


I can't wait.

Santa's workshop

Despite my best efforts my basement now looks like Santa has relocated his workshop from the North Pole to just outside of Chicago. I swore I wasn't going to go crazy with Christmas, and even set a budget to stick to when shopping - the problem is that I got SUCH good deals (for whatever reason) this year that I was able to get WAY more than I fathomed I could while using that budget, so Santa and Mommy are going to be VERY good to RP this Christmas.

I might be the only one, but I'm not sure where the year went. The beginning of the year was all a blur to me - the waiting and prepping for my court date, flying back and forth to Russia, then bringing my little RP home. The next few months were a blur as well as we got settled at home and established a routine, which was followed by summer months of school and work. I have NO idea where summer went, and I barely remember fall, but it is freezing cold here, snowing, and we are a mere 17 days away from Christmas, which I can hardly believe.

With all the craziness holidays (and holiday scheduling!) brings I'm not sure when I'll be able to update this again, so please consider this an early holiday blessing to each of you - I hope you all have safe and happy holidays with your loved ones, and that the new year is great for each of you!

Happy Holidays!