There is something about having a baby in the house during the holidays that is simply magical. I love how Cam’s presence in our family makes us (yes, makes) slow down a little. Her schedule rules the family and it’s a blessing, actually. I’m prone to the syndrome of going-crazy-during-the-holidays and I hate the feeling of rushing, rushing, rushing. This year is special. We spend a lot of time sitting around watching Miss C roll around and try to grab the Christmas tree. When I’m feeding her peas in her high chair, the boys sit at the counter and recite their Christmas lists out loud to her. She waves her arms in approval and they giggle. She snuggles with us at night when we turn the house lights off and listen to Josh Groban’s Silent Night over and over with the glow of the Christmas tree lights. It’s heartwarming to see how my boys’ eyes light up when she gets excited about something new (i.e. the first time she saw the Christmas tree or the first time she heard the boys screeching their lungs out to Alvin and the Chipmunks – perhaps excitement was replaced by fear in that moment, actually).

Yes, of course it’s still a crazy busy time of year. Yes, I think there are way too many holiday parties in a 3-week span, and yes, it can be stressful fitting in all the shopping, cooking, wrapping, and who knows what else, especially when there are other particular stresses in financial and family life.

But I feel that those worries are muted with our own little babe. She reminds us that family is what matters. That love grows strong in small spaces. Her sweet, innocent presence helps us remember another baby born long, long ago. We are so very blessed.

It truly is the most wonderful time of the year! We are looking forward to some of our favorite holiday traditions: decorating Gingerbread sleds, listening to Christmas music at night (like mentioned above, although I’m hiding Alvin and the Chipmunks far, far away) and unwrapping Christmas books recycled from past years to read each night. I hope you are able to step back from the frenetic pace of the holidays and enjoy what matters most to you. Let the holiday season begin! (Ok, so actually, we’ve been going strong since the day after Thanksgiving, but now that it’s finally December, I feel like I can acknowledge it officially.)

If you’d like to check out past Snapshot Saturdays, click HERE.