Luna had an amazing first Christmas and I am soo sad it is over now :(
So, I hate to start this post on a negative note, but if you have not heard, things have been kind of stressful in the Hartgrove household. We have been stressed all week as Todd has had to work 11 days in a row! Yes, 11 days in a row. That means the poor guy was way too tired to help me cook or clean or Christmas shop a week and a half before the big holiday. So with both of us not getting sleep because we have a baby in the home, and me averaging still about 4-5 hours a night since she was born, and running around town shopping for groceries and gifts, cleaning my house for the upcoming guests and holiday and taking care of a 7 month old- I was flat out exhausted. It was enough to send any sane person to the insane asylum, seriously! It is just too much for one person to handle.
So luckily my mom stepped in to help. I was starting to think I would have to just have the Christmas dinner at my mom's house, even though it was Todd's year to have his family in town for Christmas, I just didn't think I was going to be able to handle it. But Todd and I were really looking forward to having Luna's first Christmas at our home. So my mom came over a few days before to help clean and watch Luna so I could run errands and shop. It definitely helped a lot and can see now why life is much easier with a maid. :)
Now on to the fun part!!!!!!
Luna had a very memorable first Christmas! It started with having her grandfather, Abuelo Richard, cousins, Aunt and Uncle arriving at our home on Christmas Eve. Her Auntie Bao and family also stopped by to say hello. We then all headed out to eat Christmas Eve dinner at Bolla at the Stoneleigh Hotel. It is a long tradition in Todd's family to eat a nice dinner during Christmas Eve. Bolla had a festive atmosphere and were surprisingly accommodating for a baby, they had a high chair strategically placed when we arrived! The dinner was very nice, with a 5 course meal and it ended with my favorite course, dessert! A yummy banana bread pudding. My second favorite course was the parsnip soup- it sounds awful but it was very melt in your mouth good. Luna did exceptionally well and barely made a whimper. I think she was having such a good time being entertained by her cousins.
So, I hate to start this post on a negative note, but if you have not heard, things have been kind of stressful in the Hartgrove household. We have been stressed all week as Todd has had to work 11 days in a row! Yes, 11 days in a row. That means the poor guy was way too tired to help me cook or clean or Christmas shop a week and a half before the big holiday. So with both of us not getting sleep because we have a baby in the home, and me averaging still about 4-5 hours a night since she was born, and running around town shopping for groceries and gifts, cleaning my house for the upcoming guests and holiday and taking care of a 7 month old- I was flat out exhausted. It was enough to send any sane person to the insane asylum, seriously! It is just too much for one person to handle.
So luckily my mom stepped in to help. I was starting to think I would have to just have the Christmas dinner at my mom's house, even though it was Todd's year to have his family in town for Christmas, I just didn't think I was going to be able to handle it. But Todd and I were really looking forward to having Luna's first Christmas at our home. So my mom came over a few days before to help clean and watch Luna so I could run errands and shop. It definitely helped a lot and can see now why life is much easier with a maid. :)
Now on to the fun part!!!!!!
Luna had a very memorable first Christmas! It started with having her grandfather, Abuelo Richard, cousins, Aunt and Uncle arriving at our home on Christmas Eve. Her Auntie Bao and family also stopped by to say hello. We then all headed out to eat Christmas Eve dinner at Bolla at the Stoneleigh Hotel. It is a long tradition in Todd's family to eat a nice dinner during Christmas Eve. Bolla had a festive atmosphere and were surprisingly accommodating for a baby, they had a high chair strategically placed when we arrived! The dinner was very nice, with a 5 course meal and it ended with my favorite course, dessert! A yummy banana bread pudding. My second favorite course was the parsnip soup- it sounds awful but it was very melt in your mouth good. Luna did exceptionally well and barely made a whimper. I think she was having such a good time being entertained by her cousins.
Cousin Carolyn
Cousin Rey
After dinner, we hung out and the kids opened 1 gift each before Christmas Day. We were also very excited that Heather, Rey and the kids were spending the night with us for the holidays. We watched fun Christmas movies, Elf and White Christmas, had had chocolate and then got ready for bed. Todd and I set out a few of our gifts for Luna to see the next morning. I know she is a little young but I was so excited to get them set up for her and I a really looking forward to the next few years and being Santa!!
Christmas morning we woke up and took Luna into the living room. She was amazed at all of her new toys and could not wait to start playing with them. Her Aunt had bought her some matching Christmas PJ's and she looked adorable in them with her cousins!
She loved her Taggie cell phone, Lotsa stuffed bear, and her new Leap frog pal Violet. As the rest of the family started waking up, we had a lot of goodies for breakfast. The kids then opened all of their presents. My mom, Raul, Erika, Meghan, Grayson and Jeff then showed up and we all had an awesome Christmas breakfast- 2 egg casseroles, french toast casseroles, Croissants from Williams Sonoma, fruit, coffee cake and coffee. We put Luna down for a short nap and we were hoping she would sleep longer to make her day easier but not so much. I stressed about it but figured hey, it was Christmas and her schedule was bound to get disrupted today!
So next came our favorite part, presents! We all started to open presents and the kids helped play "Santa" and hand them out. Luna definitely had the most by far and we all agreed a baby needed to be spoiled for sure! She got a lot of really amazing presents and is very blessed to have such amazing family that is very giving.
She loved her Taggie cell phone, Lotsa stuffed bear, and her new Leap frog pal Violet. As the rest of the family started waking up, we had a lot of goodies for breakfast. The kids then opened all of their presents. My mom, Raul, Erika, Meghan, Grayson and Jeff then showed up and we all had an awesome Christmas breakfast- 2 egg casseroles, french toast casseroles, Croissants from Williams Sonoma, fruit, coffee cake and coffee. We put Luna down for a short nap and we were hoping she would sleep longer to make her day easier but not so much. I stressed about it but figured hey, it was Christmas and her schedule was bound to get disrupted today!
So next came our favorite part, presents! We all started to open presents and the kids helped play "Santa" and hand them out. Luna definitely had the most by far and we all agreed a baby needed to be spoiled for sure! She got a lot of really amazing presents and is very blessed to have such amazing family that is very giving.
Cousin Meghan
Uncle Jeff
Then off to the kitchen us women went. We cooked and slaved and I have no idea why. I was only supposed to do the green beans because I was advocating for a catered meal from Lubys- no cooking this time so we could all relax and enjoy Luna's Christmas. But I guess my 1956 oven was causing slowness and drama, and dishes were not getting cooked and everything was taking forever. I tried to get Luna to sleep for her usual 2 hour afternoon nap- but not happening. She started crying and I ran back to get her and try to get her to sleep after 45 minutes, but no- she was too excited I guess to sleep. Which meant she would be cranky and tired but oh well. I was glad we had family there to help play with her and watch her while we prepared for dinner. I fed her a great meal of Peas and Carrots, and then it was time for the grown-ups to eat.
I finally sat down at our table and I was at the head of the table. When did that happen? Me a hostess at the head of a table?? That is a first! To have my mom sitting to my right and me at the head, and also having a baby playing on the floor for Christmas, things sure are different than last year!!
I then realized I did not have any wine, got up to serve myself and then realized, I was just way too tired to even be drinking in the first place and passed on that! I almost fell asleep at the table, I don't even remember what the conversation was about!! lol.. Next time, Luby's is getting my business- the same argument for the maid- makes life a whole lot easier during the holidays! And I was so tired I forgot to snap pictures of our table setting AND most importantly I did NOT take any pictures of the rest of her family! I can't believe, me the crazy picture taking lady, forgot to take pictures of family today!! I have to say I was just not myself today.
I finally sat down at our table and I was at the head of the table. When did that happen? Me a hostess at the head of a table?? That is a first! To have my mom sitting to my right and me at the head, and also having a baby playing on the floor for Christmas, things sure are different than last year!!
I then realized I did not have any wine, got up to serve myself and then realized, I was just way too tired to even be drinking in the first place and passed on that! I almost fell asleep at the table, I don't even remember what the conversation was about!! lol.. Next time, Luby's is getting my business- the same argument for the maid- makes life a whole lot easier during the holidays! And I was so tired I forgot to snap pictures of our table setting AND most importantly I did NOT take any pictures of the rest of her family! I can't believe, me the crazy picture taking lady, forgot to take pictures of family today!! I have to say I was just not myself today.
We had amazing desserts too, pies baked by Heather and Jeff and some Oreo cake balls. And both Heather and Jeff were great cleaners and cleaned up everything after our meals, thanks to you both!!
Then several people told me I needed to go and lay down. Was it that obvious? :) So we all laid down and took naps at 5pm! Including Luna who was very tuckered out from her long day. After we woke up, we all piled in the car to go and look at Christmas lights in Highland Park and Hunters Glen. Then returned to have some hot chocolate and play with all of our new fun toys.
Then several people told me I needed to go and lay down. Was it that obvious? :) So we all laid down and took naps at 5pm! Including Luna who was very tuckered out from her long day. After we woke up, we all piled in the car to go and look at Christmas lights in Highland Park and Hunters Glen. Then returned to have some hot chocolate and play with all of our new fun toys.
Aunt Heather
Hunter's Glen Home
The next day, we went over to Todd's cousin's house- Jeff and Angie and their 3 kids, Jefferson, Fletcher and Evelyn. Luna loved seeing the kids and was giggling at all of their playfulness!
Jefferson, Fletcher and Evelyn
