Christmas for new parents

There are like a million books for the first year but none that I've seen (okay, so I haven't looked either) for the first holidays, especially Christmas. 

Maybe it is just us because we celebrate Christmas 3 times but it feels totally crazy. So fun, drama free (most of the time), exciting, but crazy. I wish I had known some of this before this all started so here's a little list. 

1. Take pictures of your entire family. Sounds really obvious but we never got one of all of us. When we were doing Santa, I was filming, Philip was taking pictures, and this theme seemed to go on all weekend. We never got a picture of all 3 of us and I hate that.

2. If possible, do gifts later in the day. On Christmas Eve we celebrated with my family and they didn't come over until 9:30. Austin was able to get up, nap etc. and we were able to get stuff done before people came over. On Christmas morning we were supposed to be over at the Pratt's at 7-7:15 (we were 30 minutes late.. of 7:15). We were all so exhausted.

3. Maybe I was so exhausted because I sang a midnight church service. The service is beautiful but I didn't go to sleep until 2 and we got up at 6. I mean yes when you are in the thick of not sleeping early baby land this is normal (actually this would have been a great night toward the beginning) but when you're also hosting Christmas, etc. that is not enough sleep. I finally realized something has to give. Presents have to start later, I have to not sing the midnight service... something. We had a wonderful time but I was so exhausted, a lot of Christmas morning felt like a haze and I don't want to feel that way every Christmas. 

4. If you enjoy cooking, great.. but if it doesn't work out, you just don't want to, or it doesn't happen. No big deal. We cooked for my family and I planned a very simple breakfast casserole, biscuits, and of course mimosas. For lunch Philip smoked prime rib and I roasted asparagus, potatoes and carrots. That's it. I ran out of time for dessert but I mean I need another Christmas dessert like a hole in my head. I brought leftovers for the Christmas Eve party and brought literally nothing to the Pratt's. It has always kind of bothered me that I don't have anything I bring anywhere that I'm "known for". I thought about making another breakfast casserole after the Christmas Eve service but finally just let go. I really do enjoy cooking and usually stress out about making something "memorable" but this year I really just ran out of time and no one cared whatsoever. 

5. Nothing is really worth all the extra stress. Austin's sweet smile made the day and everything else feel extraordinary. 

I'm sure there is more... but overall the amount of presents, food, outfits, etc. do not matter. Precious moments with friends and family are the best presents of all. As cheesy as it sounds, I truly believe this! 

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne. 

Christmas!

Christmas with a little one was so different and amazing. I cannot get over how everything has changed, this year for the better. Since Mom died I haven't felt like any holidays felt "real" and although things still feel totally different, having a little one to share the holiday joy with really felt magical. 

I bought this Santa suit on zulily. Sometimes you can really luck out with this website... not this time. The suit was 6-12 months and the pants were HUGE... this babe is not small and they were hanging off him and the shirt was super tight. I planned for him to wear this on Christmas morning but there was no way that would work so I just tucked his pants into the diaper (super gross) and took a couple of pics. 

His little bump on his eye is the remnant from a huge fall last week with his babysitter. He fell and well, the floor won. 

Santa came! 

For some reason the boys decided the champagne for mimoas needed to be opened "saber style". I kept thinking "you're gonna poke an eye out".. luckily no one did. 

Ugh, didn't realize this was on manual focus... I'm not organized enough to do manual focus with a baby. I can still blame everything on him still, right?

We always go to the same Christmas eve party. Not only were Knox and Austin celebrating their first Christmases, they wore the same outfit. Totally not planned :) We attempted to take pictures with the boys together, but Austin was way too interested in roughly touching 7 week Knox. Austin was really interested in Knox but attempted to show his interest by punching him in the eye. Knox was a good sport, totally laid back and didn't care whatsoever. Thank God. 

Santa has started stopping by this party every year. Olivia has always loved seeing him. Austin on the other hand only loved seeing Olivia. I think my boy might have his first real crush. She was a good sport at first but then when Austin began biting all of her toys, she had other ideas :) 

I wish I could say I had pictures of Austin but he was so scared I had to put my camera down and save my baby from the apparently evil, scary, Santa. 

Christmas at Grandma's. Yes, he is playing with the box. Opening presents here was a bit stressful for Mommy because for some reason we hung out for 2 hours in a room with white carpet and breakables everywhere. He really did a great job and although this child is anything but calm, we managed to keep him in the same room (for the most part) without breaking anything, so I'd say it was a success. 

Already taking my cash. 

After Christmas at the Pratt's and a great nap for Austin, Dad and Ben came back over. We were trying to see Ben as much as possible... his trip was way too short!

Hate that there is a shadow in the background but this sweet face sums up Christmas. Our little boy had so much fun with presents, parties, family and friends! We feel so blessed to be gifted this precious little boy.

Merry Christmas 

Santa

This weekend we went and saw Santa. Austin is very scared of strangers right now but we hoped for the best. We attempted to go last week and waited for 45 minutes and then some gawky teenager came out and said, "Santa's gotta nap for like an hour or so...so like just come back". W.T.F. I realize not everyone has kids and I'm pretty thankful this "elf" did not have experience with his own child, however everyone should kind of know that kids don't exactly have patience for waiting for hours. Apparently you are supposed to purchase a "fast pass" prior to going to see the big man. My liberal, everyone should be equal, self hates, no loathes this. I mean, how rude...shouldn't we all wait the same time? But since so many other people buy the fast pass the wait time is just ridiculous. We decided to come back the next week and buy the unfair fast pass. I'm so glad I let go of my prissy beliefs because cutting in line was so. awesome. The next week we went back and waited literally 3 minutes. The whole time Austin seemed really interested in Santa. I thought I might be wrong and he might really love playing with his beard or something like that. 

Started out happy!

Interested in Santa! 

And then this happened...

Yeah, it was a huge failure but I can't lie I love his hands. Instead of panic over Santa I like to think about it as Christmas jazz hands. Yes, this is pitiful but won't this be a great picture for senior ad? Look out class of 2031. 

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne. 

Meagan and Jason Tidwell...maybe someday :)

I think I am one of the lucky few who actually still talks to friends from high school.. and isn't all lame about it. I love this time of year becaue people come in from all over (literally all around the world) and we all get to pick up right where we left off. Recently we had a very last minute get together at our house. A lot of people were out of town for Christmas family stuff but a few of us got together and had a lot of fun.

Things started off innocently enough, everyone catching up and asking each other questions about work, friends, and then of course relationships.

The lovely ladies earlier in the night.

Getting into the serious convos...

 After a lot of talking (and maybe some liquid convidence) we all collectively decided that Jason and Meagan will get married if he is not married by 40 and she is not married by 38...a new My Best Friend's Wedding. (I love that in that movie they are not married by 28!!! OMG? Seriously? Like 28 is sooooooo old.) Anyway, they agreed and Linz was the witness so it's final and legit.

 Shaking hands is so lame and obviously the pinky promise the preferred method  for a life changing decision like prearranged/back burner marriage.

 The pinky promise was followed by the customary victory dance.

They are registered at Bass Pro Shops for Jason and Meagan is registered at Chanel.

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Christmas with the Pratts

Christmas day we spent the day at the Pratt's house. They will be moving next year and this will be the last Christmas in the old family home. We had a really fun morning spending time and opening presents with P's aunts, Mom and sis. Later P's brother, sis-in-law, and nephew came over and the marathon of eating, drinking, and opening presents continued.

The Pratt's tree in the sun room.

the stockings

The table set for lunch.

Sharon always has everything really fancy and beautiful. The first Christmas I went over to the Pratt's house P and I were just dating and I wore jeans and a nice sweater and considering that we rarely get out of Christmas pajamas, I thought I was dressed up....nope. I missed the memo on being dressy that year but now I've caught on. It's actually pretty nice because when you wear something fitted you can't constantly over eat like the elastic pajamas allow...

Probably the funnest part of the day (well one of them!) was opening Christmas crackers. (yeah I linked to wiki, all of you educational snobs just get over it) I've never heard of this but it is an English tradition. We all opened our crackers or bonbon and out popped a cute present, hat, and jokes.

I used the camera self timer without a tripod...what what photog class.

Fun times!

Merry Christmas.. again!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we went to our annual Christmas party hosted by the Presleys. Every year we really enjoy hanging with close friends, drinking and eating, and playing dirty Santa. This year the discrepancies between Dirty Santa rules got a little heated and I was really surprised with how seriously some people took the entire stealing situation but overall we all had a fabulous time. I guess gift giving (and receiving) is a serious topic and I would probably take it more seriously too if I didn't always scheme to get my own gift. (I may or may not have brought my own Wilton and Armatelle pattern chip and dip bowl and platter. They say it is better to give than receive and I did both so Christmas you just got served)

 So fun to see this year's newest addition Ms. Olivia at her first Christmas.

 The three amigas at Christmas looking very festive.

 Santa! I know him! (I know Elf is over quoted but I couldn't help it!) Santa showed up at this party and surprised all the kids. In other news, Patrick might win father of the year in a totally unrelated story.

 All the ladies (minus little Sara)! We thought it was a fab idea to do this sorority style pic and 1,000 pictures later, I realized my stacking the door days have not been utilized in many, many days and my legs were shaking like wet noodles. I still put my drink down though.. some things never change.

 All the boys outside in the.freezing.cold. Unfortunately none of the pictures have all the guys looking at the camera all at the same time but this will just have to do!

Merry Christmas!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.



Christmas with the family :)

On Christmas Eve day we celebrated Christmas with my family. It was the first year in my entire life that we woke up and actually showered and put on clothes! It totally became official... I am an adult. However Santa still came and was way too generous.

 The beautiful tree and all the loot.

 Santa's stash!

In order to obtain the coolest in-laws ever award, my gun-less parents bought P a rifle. OMG, welcome to the South. 

After opening our presents Mom cooked an amazing breakfast complete with English bacon P bought at the international food market. After breakfast we hung out all day just relaxing, watching television and enjoying each other's company. It was almost perfect... only improvement would have been if it was twice as long :)

Merry Christmas!

For Natalie's News this has been, Natalie-Corinne.