My Christmas wish: That this attitude lasts for at least a few more years

Due to many generous friends and relatives, Tyler was overloaded with gifts this Christmas. However, a comment of his early in the day made me realize how little he really needed to be happy. As he opened his stocking, he grabbed the candy cane, clutched it tightly and said, "A candy cane...just what I wished for."

"Getting Ready for Christmas" Day 2008

Last weekend, after being a tremendous help for a week, my mom returned to Chicago. So in an attempt to keep Ty in his routine and at the same time allow me some time to rest and recover, we kept Tyler in school this week even though I was home. Well, as the week went on, the drop-offs at school became increasingly difficult and teary and I began to feel increasingly guilty that I wasn't spending the time I could with Tyler.

In an effort to make the rest of the drop-offs easier for Jeff and to assuage my guilt, I announced to Ty on Tuesday that on Thursday he would be staying home with me and we would have a "Getting Ready for Christmas" day. This was in part inspired by one of my friends from work whose family celebrates the "The Days Before Christmas" with a special activity each day. Although we started small this year, I'd love to expand it next year.

Here's how our day went...

(Oh, and by the way, one of the rules of "Getting Ready for Christmas" day is that you can stay in your pajamas all day.)

Activity #1: Making the dough for the gingerbread cookies (one of Ty's favorites)

Activity #1b: Megan entertaining herself looking at the hippo on her bouncy seat (yes, there are a lot of patterns going on in this picture)

Activity #2: Decorating Christmas gifts with paint and cookie cutters

Activity #3: Decorating gingerbread cookies (you can almost see how vigorously Ty is shaking the sugar/sprinkle container--needless to say this activity was a little messy)

It was a great day that we will repeat (and hopefully expand) next year.

We wish you all a happy and peaceful holiday season!

The difference for me between #1 and #2

Okay, so maybe I'm just in new baby euphoria time, but yesterday as I was thinking about my feelings when Ty was a newborn and how they compared to my feelings right now, I realized an interesting difference. With Ty, for me, it was all about waiting for him to get to the next milestone (when's he going to roll over? when's he going to be able to eat baby food? when's he going to walk?, etc.). Not that I didn't enjoy all of those moments, but I was always focused on him making progress. This time, with Megan, all I want to do is enjoy each moment. I guess maybe I now know how fast everything goes. And to think I didn't think I liked the newborn phase...

Anyone have similar experiences?

Megan pictures--Part 2

To view some more pictures from our time in the hospital and Megan's trip home, click here.

The love of a big brother

When Megan cried in the hospital, here's how Ty responded....

(Sorry for the orientation. I forgot that I couldn't rotate videos).

Ty's new role

When Ty came to visit me and his new sister at the hospital last night, he told Jeff and me about his new role. He said "I'm going to protect her from the bad boys." Boy, does that make Daddy happy.

A couple other precious comments:

• His first night visiting, he came up to me and said, "Mommy, you were so brave."
• He followed that up with "Mommy, you're pretty." That sure was nice to hear when I was dressed in a hospital gown and after I had been awake for over 24 hours.

Megan Avery Schmidt

December 6, 2008, 6:43am

7lbs., 20 inches

To view more photos of our little girl click here...