Dear Kate,
What a wonderful first Christmas and holiday season you just celebrated with family and friends galore! While you may not remember or even know what all this fuss is about in regards to the holidays, one day you will know and know how truly blessed you are. Here's the low down on your first Christmas season...
On your 1st Day of Christmas we got Christopher! (December 16th)
All week long we had been wondering if we were going to be able to celebrate Christmas this year with our Clark family. Aunt Amy and Uncle Martin and the kiddos are heading to England on Sunday until the new year, and, we're kind of doing a similar trip, except we're headed to Munford on Sunday. I'd say England and Munford are pretty similar, right? Anyway, so we're out of town the week of Christmas, the Ings are out, and Aunt Steph is major preggo with Christopher, and was due December 14th. We've known for a while now about everyone going out of town so we planned ahead and decided we'd do our family Christmas on December 16th. Totally assuming Christopher would be here. And, unfortunately our house isn't ready, so Uncle Jaybee said we'd just do it at their house, because we all assumed Christopher would be here. Has anyone ever told you what happens when you assume??? Well, it makes for a hectic week. So C's not here, it's Wednesday, the party is supposed to be Friday and we don't know what to do. So, we just decide to just go with the flow, you know, last minute decide where 18 people are going to get together to eat/celebrate Christmas. SO - Friday comes and there is no Christopher, so we're having a party at Aunt Steph - yes, the one who was due 2 days ago. Of course, she calls that morning and says she's having contractions but not to really tell anyone because we just want to see what happens. Time goes by, the contractions slow up a bit as she moves around and prepares for a party at her house, and we arrive around 4:00. Within, oh, I'd say 20 minutes, I had NO DOUBT we were going to meet Christopher that night. Aunt Steph seemed calm and collect, as she always is, playing it down, just taking a knee when a contraction would come, or just sit down quietly, hoping no one was looking. Thankfully (and kind of unthankfully) the rest of the family was really late, so they didn't bug her too much, but once everyone got there, we immediately went straight to eating. Well, most of us did. About this time the contractions were 5 minutes apart and we were all getting a little concerned. We all kind of piece mealed our meal, between checking on Steph, checking on the kiddos, just getting things loaded in the car, etc. Finally, she called the doc and immediately got in the car. I wasn't in the car, but have been told they've never made it to that hospital in better time. Apparently Christopher wanted to join our family celebration. They arrived at the hospital and 45 minutes later, a beautiful baby boy was born!
Unfortunately, Aunt Steph didn't make in time for all the good drugs, but, as expected, she rocked it out (or rather him) with no problem. Meantime, we're all on pins and needles, waiting waiting waiting, thinking they'd get there, get her situated, maybe another couple hours, etc. We got a text from Uncle Jaybee that said "We made it" and 45 minutes later we got a text that said "He's here!" along with a picture!! To say the least, we were all in complete shock!!!
We're so excited to have a new baby in our family, especially a boy after all these girls lately!!! We owe baby Christopher a special thanks for holding out until we all were together (and maybe a little thanks to Aunt Steph, too!)
She may never speak to me for posting this, but just to have some evidence that she truly was in labor, and her 'coach' was right there supporting her!!
And when Auntie Jill wasn't counting, she was making sure her sweet Kate was well fed...
And your cousin Alexis was on constant watch, ensuring no one (i.e. your sister and cousins!) were harming you...
While we waited on any news regarding Aunt Steph, we decided to open presents and you got your first diamond, a diamond rattle at that. Yes, it's plastic, but it's so glamorous :)
Everyone but Mommy and you kidddos ventured to the hospital to meet Christopher, but we were forced to wait until the next day - boo!!! All in all, not our typical Clark Christmas, but what a great Christmas present!!
On your 2nd Day of Christmas we celebrated with our own little family!
On Saturday, we woke up and had breakfast with Nona and Papa and headed back to our house to get spiffed up for our little family Christmas. Since we don't get to wake up in our house or even have a few moments alone during Christmas, we do our own little Christmas, regardless of the fact it's a week before the big day!! This year, we decided to go to Maggiano's, the yummy Italian restaurant in Nashville. First things first, we HAD to go meet Christopher!
He's just 3 months younger, but he's got some catching up to do, huh!
After the meet and greet, we headed to the restaurant where you slept for a few minutes but then you ate dinner, too! And you were so good, both my girls were so good. I couldn't have been prouder!
After dinner, we headed home to open presents. You of course were a little limited on opening presents, so your big sis stepped in...
You did pretty darn good, if I do say so myself, including matching outfits for you and your sister, which she was super pumped about and you got a lovely book from Abs, it was her fave when she was a baby like you - Lullabye, Lullabye. And you were sweet to give your sister a snow globe with a picture of you and her on the day you were born. So thoughtful sweet Kate...
And, Mommy and Daddy didn't do too bad either, with new bikes and a new tool box thing and I even got pj's for Christmas morning! Your enthusiasm wasn't quite like your sister's, but I bet in a year or 2, you will be just as excited about matching outfits :) We headed to bed soon after and were ready to head to Munford by that next morning...
On your 3rd Day of Christmas we saw Papa Rob in a play!
Sunday morning we woke up and started some major duty packing. We were headed to Munford (i.e. Mimi's) for nine days - that's right - NINE days! We've got all kinds of stuff planned, but first on the list is to see a play that your very own Papa Rob starred in. For the last couple of years, Papa Rob has been involved in his church Christmas program, with last year being the main star. This year he had a pretty decent part, too, and so I decided to let your sister watch it, rather than go to the nursery. What was I thinking you ask? One answer - Aunt G! Aunt G took you straight from my arms the second she sat down and didn't give you back until the end of the show!! She fed you and burped you and held you, all while you sat peacefully in her arms! Such a sweet baby, and clearly a sweet aunt, huh!
After the show we went to a little reception and Papa Rob showed you off to all his friends. Mommy even got to introduce you to her first grade teacher, Mrs. Brown. She's Mommy's all time favorite teacher, but I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that she was our next door neighbor growing up. And she had the Pac-man arcade game! She's a super sweet lady and was very eager to meet you, as she had heard lots of sweet things about you, from Papa Rob, of course. Soon enough, we headed to Mimi's, who was VERY excited to have both you and Abs for 9 days!!!
On your 4th Day of Christmas the Sawyers came to town!!!
On Monday, we (you, me, Mimi and Abs) had the intentions of getting out early, running to Costcos, and heading back to Mimi's to relax before heading to Mammaws to see all our cousins. All that happened, minus the relaxing part! We got out early, but on our way to Mammaws I realized that Costco didn't open until 10, and it was 8:30! So, we helped Mammaw with a few things around the house and you played with Pawpaw. Finally we headed out, making a quick stop at Target, and made it to Costco just when it opened. Now, let me just tell you. I have never spent this much time in Costco! We did have 3 different people shopping (me, Mimi, and Mammaw) and 3 different shopping carts, but man alive, it just took forever. You did great the entire time, but a big part of that was because Mimi fed you right when we got there. Unfortunately, you weren't happy at first because Mommy THOUGHT she had a bottle in the bag but it was an empty bottle!!! Ahhh! Thankfully we were at a super warehouse where they have PLENTY of your milk, so I ran and bought some, went to the concession stand, asked for 'luke warm water', got a very large glass of pretty hot water, and mixed you up a concoction that apparently quenched your thirst perfectly! After Costco, we headed to drop Mammaw off (after a small panic of almost running out of gas - totally my fault) and then dropped our stuff off at Mimi's and got a little cleaned up just to head back to Mammaws. Why you ask, because the Sawyers were in from Houston AND it was Sarah's big 1-0 birthday! What a party we had! Everyone, and I mean everyone was there to celebrate. We had tons of fun catching up with everyone and Mimi did a good job babysitting you while Mommy was 'on vacation'! I deserved it after the stressful day at Costco :) Sarah and Emery and Lizzy were eager to meet you and Sarah was so nervous to hold you. She tried, but you didn't care for her holding position, so you whined a little and it totally scared her!! And Emery, well, he's Emery. I saw him sneaking a peek at you here an there, when he wasn't being Emery!!! A fun, fun, fun (and late) night, but we were ALL ready for bed!
On your 5th Day of Christmas you got a rather slow, relaxing day...
But at the expense of Mommy's dear friend's little girl getting strep throat. Oh man, I was so sad. On Tuesday, we were supposed to meet Mommy's good, good friend, Erin and her 3 little girls and hang out with them all day. We've had this planned since your Sip n' See (so like November) and Mimi even had her doctor's appointment and errands to run scheduled for that day. It was going to be so much fun, catching up with my friend, watching you play with the girls, or rather the girls playing with you, but on Monday afternoon, Miss Erin called from the doctor's office saying that poor Elizabeth had strep. She said we were more than welcome, but I quickly declined! The last thing I needed was any one of us getting strep, and she, of course, understood. I did tell her I was making her take a rain check though. So, with Mimi running errands, we were stuck at home by ourselves, oh and it was raining. And at the last minute, Ash-ash had a hair appointment she remembered so she brought Clara Lee over. So, me, you, Clara Lee and Abs. At Mimi's. It got interesting, no doubt. But was relaxing for you. You just chilled all day long, well, other than avoiding the falls and jumps and screamings in your face by your sister and cousin!!! Sarah did stop by, to get her some Kate lovin'...
And Mimi finally made it home and Ash-ash took the big girls, so Mommy darted out of there, I mean, took the opportunity to visit a friend. All in all, a VERY low key day considering the rest of the days of the week! We needed it. It's only getting crazier!
On the 6th Day of Christmas we had a baking day!!!
This wasn't as exciting for you as it was for your sister and 7 other cousins, but you still had a good time watching it all go down. So every year, we all get together at Mimi's to bake, bake, bake. Okay, not exactly bake, but the kiddos decorate, while we make a few yummy sweets to eat over the next couple of days. Mimi made her fudge, and Lizzy her toffee and we had LOTS of brownies and cookies decorated to a T! You did a little sleeping...
And a little watching...
And Sarah finally felt comfortable enough to hold you!
You showed off your underpants! 
And got some bonding time with Uncle Bubba :) 
Your cousins had a blast and I'm gonna guess next year you will too!
Oh, and this little rascal was sweet enough to turn your music on, constantly...
A great first 6 days of Christmas baby girl! It's so exciting introducing you to all our family tradition, and our family craziness! You're gonna love it sweet girl!!! There's lots more to come... Love you!
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