"Over the River and Through the Woods..."

Wow! Gabe's first Christmas was a whirlwind of fun, merriment and wonder. More than anything, his Daddy and I were just so incredibly thankful to have him here and to be celebrating that joyous occasion with him.

His first Christmas was also combined with his first visit to Pa and Nana's house. Their house is 4 hours away and Daddy and I were somewhat nervous about this trip with Baby Gabe. We scrambled around the house trying to get ready while Grammy and Jessie kept Gabe entertained. Then got his little tummy full and loaded up in the truck for the long trip. Our worry was unwarranted though because Baby Gabe traveled like an angel! He slept some, but he was actually awake more than I thought he would be. He got a cute little stuffed monkey from his daycare teachers for Christmas and he had a good time talking to it during that long trip. My favorite part was that he made the whole trip in the backseat by himself. Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy sitting back there with my little man, but my back appreciates it more if I sit up front with Daddy. Especially on such a long trip!

Pa and Nana and everyone else was so happy to see Baby Gabe again. He got to meet some of his great, great aunts that he has never met too. They thought he was just something else! He also got to spend some time with his cousins Jamie and J.B. I think he really enjoyed his trip. He got rocked a lot, sang to some, and just loved almost to pieces.

He got lots of great gifts for Christmas. So many neat new toys and keepsakes; he just doesn't know how blessed he really is! My most favorite part of it all was on Christmas morning. Baby Gabe woke us up bright and early at 6:30 ready for some breakfast. After I fed him, he and I climbed back in the bed to wake up his sleeping Daddy and the three of us spent the first few moments of Christmas morning right there laughing and playing and loving on our sweet little baby. It was one of the best moments of my life.

We traveled back home on Christmas day and found out the hard way that there is NOTHING open (at least no fast food joints). Baby Gabe traveled like a champ again. He got a little fussy as we got really close to home, but I think he may have just been missing all of the fun that we left when we left Pa and Nana's house.

When we got home we saw that Santa had brought Gabe a few things so we got out the video camera while he looked at all of his neat new stuff.

That evening, we spent Christmas with my family at Grammy and Pop's house. Everyone was so excited to share Baby Gabe's first Christmas with us. Jessie and Eli helped him open his presents (and everybody else's too!!). It was a fun time and Gabe got so many neat new things that he loves to play with.

This Christmas was certainly the best one yet for us. Gabe is our little miracle that we waited so long for and now that he is here, Christmas takes on a new meaning. Heck, EVERYDAY takes on new meaning!