fig tree freedom

On Christmas Eve, five generations were present and appeared in the same picture. Lydia with her daddy, Pop-Pop, Great-Pop-Pop, and Great-Great-Grammy.

When I was in school, the week after Christmas was always a time off from school - Christmas vacation. Since Aaron's been in school up until last spring, Christmas vacation has never ceased to exist for me - though I have had to work at least a few days during it most years. This year, Aaron's mostly working from home, and I'm no longer working. Thus, Christmas vacation is still upon us! Hooray!

On another note, today is Nonna's birthday! Happy Birthday, Nonna! (In case you didn't pick up on it over the past month, three out of Lydia's four grandparents have December birthdays. Impressive.)

Nonna whispering secrets to Lydia on Christmas.

We are excited to celebrate Lydia's first Christmas with our family over the next few days.



Merry Christmas to you!

Yesterday, my dad - Big Guy - came to hang out with us in the afternoon. (My youngest brother always calls my dad "Big Guy" and decided the grandkids will, too.)





Thanks for coming to play, Big Guy! We'll see you again on Christmas!

Since it looked like this outside . . .



. . . we did some of this inside.



Yes, Lydia is wearing a Harley Davidson onesie - compliments of her Pop-Pop.

And yes, the first car in the first picture is ours. We may not be driving anywhere all winter as our road is piled high with snow from the shoveled sidewalks. A plow won't fit down our street, so there we shall sit. (Guess we should have moved it to a plowable street? Snow-in-the-city rookie mistake.)

Lydia ventured outside to help Daddy shovel.



She's obviously very excited about the snow . . .

The weather people were correct! Although at 6 this morning I was doubtful when it was still dry outside, but this is what I saw through the window by 7:30.



Woo-hoo! Of course, I do sympathize with those who had planned to host a party or Christmas shop today. Yet I am a-okay with being trapped indoors with my two favorites today!

They're predicting 18 inches . . . for real? More snow pictures to come when Lydia ventures out to welcome her first snowfall!

According to the weather people, we could see 6+ inches of snow starting tomorrow into Sunday. Thus, I did what everyone else does before a snow storm: venture out for milk and bread. It was about 21 degrees earlier when I headed out, so, of course, I had to properly bundle. (Oh, please excuse my unmade bed. I changed the sheets yesterday, though, so I'm exposing clean sheets at least.)



No, I am not nine months pregnant again. Lydia is chilling (actually very warm) in my sling underneath my fleece. Yes, I think I look completely ridiculous, and I'm sure those passing me on the street wondered what was wrong with my chest/abdomen region . . . until they heard it wimper or cackle. The baker at the bakery was caught of guard when Lydia let out a wail. "Is there a baby in there? Beautiful. I knew it couldn't be you making that noise."

Hence (hah - what a great word!), we are now ready to be snowed in for the weekend. I've got ingredients to make tomato basil soup…

Here is one of the photos Leah captured during her visit.

Today is one month from Lydia's birthday! It is crazy to think that prior to then she was still inside me and amazing to see how much she has changed since coming out.

This awesome outfit is compliments of Jessica's impressive sewing skills. (I think the fleece pants were purchased; I'm referring to the appliqued top.) She also made one with a Christmas tree on it. So festive. Thank you, Jessica!




Today is also Nana's birthday, and a few weeks ago was Pop-Pop's. For their birthdays, they both came down for a play date with Lydia. Fortunately, she woke up to play while they were still here.

This is Lydia pretending to be amused by Pop-Pop. (His words, not mine.)





Thanks for coming to play, Nana and Pop-Pop! Lydia is worn out from her play date as she has been sleeping since you left. (Well, with a few interruptions to feed.)

Today we went to Target for some much needed groceries. Then we stopped by a friend's house on the way home for lunch where her 3-1/2 year old son repeatedly acknowledged my daughter as "little Lydia." So sweet. Here is a recent favorite photo of my little Lydia.



By the way, I looked at the calendar today. I currently have no concept of days.  So Christmas is next Friday?!

Two of my favorite people came to visit! Sadly, they just left. (Hopefully that explains my blogging absence this week . . . )

Here we are making caramel popcorn and hot chocolate for dessert. (Check out the recipe posts to the right for the recipes.)


Unfortunately, this is the only photo of the three of us together as Leah usually looked like this with her new camera:


Yes, I let Leah stand on my furniture. Lydia doesn't know she won't be allowed to do that yet.

Here is Lydia talking with Rebekah one evening.


I'm looking forward to seeing Leah's 200+ photos of Lydia. Thanks for coming, sweet friends! Hope to see you again soon . . . I miss you already!

On Saturday, we got our Christmas tree. Here is Lydia enjoying picking out her first Christmas tree in the sprinkling rain at Lowe's.


If you remember my Christmas stocking dilemma, I found a great spot to hang the Christmas stockings!


There is some garland spiraling the spiral stairs, too.


This morning, Lydia enjoyed a nap by the twinkling light of the Christmas tree.


Have you put up your Christmas tree and decorations yet?

We've been blessed by various people bringing us dinners the past few weeks. On Wednesday, a box of these came as dessert.


Delicious . . . yet even more delicious: Crushed Candy Cane Joe-Joe's on top of vanilla ice cream.


Enjoyed in front of the just-put-up Christmas tree while watching Elf. What a great Saturday evening.

Lydia modeling a gift from Aunt Rachel.



Thank you, Aunt Rachel! Sorry I am never awake for a video chat. From Lydia.

I love Sandra McCracken's rewriting of hymns. I was attempting to sing this one to Lydia but realized I didn't know all the words. I looked them up and felt them resonate with my soul during this season of being at home with a two-week-old. I Boast No More was originally written by Isaac Watts. Sandra rewrote the music and recorded this on her The Builder and the Architect album. You can listen to her sing it here.

I Boast No More

No more, my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done;
I quit the hopes I held before,
To trust the merits of Thy Son

No more my God,
No more my God,
No more my God,
I boast no more.

Now for the loss I bear His name,
What was my gain I count my loss;
My former pride I call my shame,
And nail my glory to His cross.

Yes, and I must and will esteem
All things but lost for Jesus' sake
O may my soul be found Him,
And of His righteousness partake!

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne;
But faith can answer Thy deman…

Lydia is ready for the Christmas season!



And Happy Birthday to Pop-Pop!