Christmas this year felt like two weeks away, until suddenly it was two days away and my kitchen wasn't clean, laundry wasn't washed, I still didn't have a stocking for K and we didn't even have a tree. Turns out working full time, commuting 2+ hours a day and having a small one is a lot to take on.
It all came together the way things do and was such a beautiful holiday. We got our tree on the night of the 23rd - cut from my parent's side yard. They were going to clear it out this summer but then my mom thought to save it for us. I insisted we wouldn't take it, but I am so glad we did. I love this wild little tree with its unpruned sprawling branches and space between perfectly sized for my large felt ornaments. I have loved every Christmas tree we've ever had, but this one has a special magic to it, just perfect for our first Christmas with this untamed new soul.
The felt ornaments were made from the ornament kits by Alicia Paulson of Posie gets Cozy / Rosy Little Things. I have this one, this one and this one. Each ornament has been altered from the pattern in some way to incorporate the year in which it was made. Since most of them bridge two or more years, they are dated with the year they are most representative of to me, which is either the year the majority of the work was done in, or the year in which it was finished. I also used different ribbon from the kits - mostly thin velvet ribbon from the local crafts store. The ribbon pinecones were a gift from a dear friend.
My mom and I made a stocking for K on Christmas eve night using the fabric I intended for the lining of the one I want to make for her someday. I'll just turn this one inside out and stich it in when that project is realized. I did order another stocking for her from West Elm's holiday sale too since I decided to be realistic and think maybe I will not finish it this year either. I am so glad I did since the one I ordered was on clearance for only $6 and it is beautiful - a soft pink velvet embroidered with sequins and tiny bells in a honeycomb pattern. I wish now that I had ordered the silver one for me - if they bring these back again next year I think I will! I also got a white felt tree skirt that matches my garland - only $12, love it.
We spent Christmas Eve night at my parents. I expected K and I would get up around 5 or 6 per usual and Geoff would sleep in while we had coffee with my dad, but she gave me the gift of sleeping in until 8:30. My family typically does stockings only and we all play Santa for each other, but this year we went somewhat bigger. I still only did small gifts for K, since we mostly have what we need for her already. From us, she got these Matryoshka teethers, this ornament, Bear Stays Up for Christmas, and some soothies. From my parents, she got this lamb teether, a beautiful block set in Northwest native art style like her favorite book (they found it at the Hurricane Ridge gift shop), Dream Animals, The Lion and the Mouse, and this local flora and fauna book. From my dad, she got a Sounders jersey. From my brother, she got this little fox.
On Christmas morning, my mom spoiled us with eggs benedict (even with gluten free English muffins!), gluten free cinnamon raisin bagel French toast, bacon, pork sausage and turkey sausage. Breakfast was amazing. I probably ate my calories for the day in one sitting. I have no regrets. It took us all day to open presents, slowly the way we do. Even the dogs got presents, which they open themselves. We went for a walk before dinner, then heated up frozen Chinese food.
This first Christmas with our little one was exactly as we wished it would be. I am already looking forward to next Christmas (and have already bought her two presents for next year!). Wishing peace and happiness to all.
