Christmas For Elle

Elle’s first Christmas was full of great food and family at every turn. Although she can not yet appreciate the season or the spirit of Christmas, she still seemed to make milestones and smile at just the right times. Elle was asked to participate in the Christmas Mass at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church as the baby in the Manger. As the children answered questions about Jesus, Elle was still in her manger. Although she was a tad too big for the small wooden box and her leg was swinging off the side. She made it through the main event and we decided to take her out of the box before she fell out. The only hitch was in the pewsletter it said, “Ellenora Ann Smith, Baby in the Manager”. Ah well, close enough.

This year was the first ever Christmas dinner in my own house, but I could not have done it without all the help from Mom & Dad! We were all praying that Harry would feel much better now that he was released from the hospital. We found out that everything is just fine and even though plans would change a bit, everyone was healthy. Katherine, Elle and myself decided to visit Hickory the day after Christmas since they could not make the journey to Raleitheham to see little Elle-Jesus in the manager. And we were welcomed by a very happy Grandma & Grandpa. The next day they threw a dinner party and invited a slew of family members who we had not seen in a while. It was wonderful to see all those folks and how the kids had grown since we had last been to Hickory. We are very blessed with the families to which we belong! Elle awoke to several shining faces looking down upon her every time she was ready to get up.

Right now we are going through sleep schedules and feeding schedules and changing schedules! It is very confusing at times and hard to deal with for the grandparents who just want to hold the precious little baby. It is tough to decided which holds priority, the baby’s sleep or the grandparents love. And both are so valuable that I do not want to miss either for a minute. But the grandparents seem to understand and Elle is sleeping more and more every night. It is great to watch the progression of this life we have created even though we do so through half open eyes. As I write this, Elle slept the most she has ever managed of 6 and a half hours! Hurray! She is close to 11 pounds if I weigh her before I change her diaper. 10.5 after she is changed, yes she is our child.

Please check back as I hope to post more frequently, as does everyone. Have a happy new year!