Our Baby Blessed Christmas 2013

 

Merry Christmas!

What a holly jolly Christmas we had at the Zellner home. Again baby girl had a bit of a difficult, off schedule night. After waking up several times, Aubrey slept in until 8:30. After a morning on her play mat with her new pup, Penelope, (why we name our toys, I do not know but it does make for figuring out which one we are talking about that much easier;) little girl was out again.

With little Miss sleeping so soundly, it gave the husband and I an opportunity to make snowy pancakes for Christmas breakfast. This year he went with the classic winter snowman... next year, I'm thinking snowflakes;) Ray did such a great job. They were absolutely adorable and super delicious. I will have to say that some adjustments did have to be made. Our first snowman was made with red hot eyes and it did seem a little evil and not so appetizing. ha.

 

This was our Christmas of firsts. From celebrating at home, enjoying our Christmas with our new baby girl and family of three, making a breakfast of snowy pancakes and a snack of Grinch kabobs, it was a great day. After breakfast and a cup of hot chocolate/coffee, it was time to open presents.

 

Thank you to our families for all of our special goodies. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful families. Thank you for Aubrey's gifts. I know she doesn't understand, but she will sure be enjoying these sweet gifts for years to come.

 

Merry Christmas! 

Love,

Ray, Alicia, and Aubrey

The Night Before Christmas... 2013

The night before Christmas came on a Tuesday this year. The husband was officially off work, the presents were wrapped, and our home was filled with holiday spirit. Little babe hadn't been sleeping too well as of late, which made for a bit of an early morning. Sadly my days old cough and sore throat had become a bit worse and knowing that I would be loving on my two (almost three) month old pretty much at all times had me worried. So on Christmas Eve morning, I quickly got ready and was at Carenow upon its opening at 8AM. When I arrived, so many people filled the chairs in the waiting room. It was actually kind of sad to think that these people were sick this Christmas. I checked in and after being told there would be a 2-3 hour wait, I decided to spend my Christmas Eve wait time at home. That morning, we decided to watch a favorite Christmas Classic, Diehard. I still haven't wrapped my brain around the fact that Diehard is considered a Christmas movie, but it was good regardless. I got the call a bit before its ending and made my way back to Carenow. It was quickly confirmed that it was NOT strep (thank goodness) and I made my way back home. As a new mommy you can't be too careful.

That afternoon Ray and I decided to go Christmas PJ shopping. But first we made a stop at The Shops in Allen for lunch. We chose a Zellner favorite, Freebirds. These two pictures were a couple I took while Ray got mommy and daddy's food. Baby girl was a bit tired. The paci helped. (She will occasionally take the paci, but doesn't prefer it anymore.) But I love these peek-a-boo pictures from under the blanket. Too cute!

 

After lunch and a quick trip to Old Navy and Target for PJs, we realized that we would not be making our 4PM Christmas Eve Service. We decided to attend the 6PM service instead and hope for the best as little miss usually has her fussy time around then. Don't you just love her outfit? Sadly the little outfit that we had purchased was a bit small for our ever growing lady and this 3-6 month outfit that was purchased by my previous team leader was adorable and fit like a charm.

 A True Holy Night

I have to say she did so well. She did get a bit hungry at the beginning of service which we quickly fixed with a bottle. We kept her out of her carrier so she could see. She really did seem to enjoy the music and lights. She only fussed a few small times but did great! The service was wonderful of course. I am so thankful we were able to share it with her. 

After the service and a quick change into her pjs, we made our way to Starbucks for a hot drink and drove to Deerfield for a night of Christmas lights. This will have been our second or third year in Deerfield. The lights and decorations are absolutely beautiful. The streets were packed. Family members were standing outside of their houses passing out candy canes in 40 degree weather. It was perfect! I can't wait until Aubrey's old enough to remember these sweet traditions, but oh how I loved this sweet night of lights.

After a few hours at Deerfield, we made our way home. Ray wanted to give me a present to open on Christmas Eve. Now typically I'm not a person who opens a gift unless it's pjs, a movie, or something small... but this was one gift Ray said I wouldn't want to miss.

Ray gave me a tripod and camera remote so that we can have pictures that are not selfies. He was right. I loved it and am so glad I opened it up. So of course I had to play with my new toy while we finished our Christmas Eve night.

After taking several family pictures and playing with my new present, we read Goodnight Baby Jesus. It was a special way to end our night. This year has truly been an absolute blessing and I couldn't be more thankful for this little growing family. In the morning, we would celebrate our first Christmas of three!

 ...Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Our Little Sugar Plum and a Waldrup Christmas!

Christmas came a little early this year at the Zellner home. As our Christmas card reads, it was Pure Joy! So... sit back, grab a hot cup of coco, and enjoy a large picture post of  

 Auby's first Christmas with our Waldrup family.

This Christmas season has been exceptionally special. Celebrating with our little girl has made for so many melt your heart moments and fun little traditions for our little family of three. The most important will be to teach her the true reason for the season. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men. Luke 2: 13-14.

This year, our Waldrup family came to Dallas to celebrate an early Christmas. They arrived Thursday afternoon and stayed until early morning Monday. This truly was a special visit, filled with Christmas tradition, baby cuddles, and many family firsts. I am so thankful for this special time and so thankful we were able to share this time together, capture these moments on film, and create memories to last a lifetime. 

 

One of the most memorable moments was when my mother, Oma, gave me a few very special gifts. Oma, as her mother was known before her, is German for grandmother. The name has so much more significance than that. My Oma passed away from cancer when I was four years old. While my memory of her is very limited, she truly holds such a special place in my heart. Among the gifts my mother brought, she gave me my baby book, a handmade Christmas pillow from my Oma made in 1985, and her very first letter she ever wrote me.

The card was in perfect condition. The words read,

Dear Alicia,

I shopped and shopped- many stores- with the list your mommy gave me. This was the very nearest to your size and similar to what she wanted you to have. Hope you and your mommy like them. I love you!

Oma

P.S. This is the first letter I have written to you.

Running my fingers over her writing brings tears to my eyes knowing that her very hands wrote these words... Knowing that she took the time, the thought, the care, to send a baby this beautiful letter. The fact that this letter is now in my hands almost 30 years later. I can only imagine the love that she had for that little baby she spoke of. I know she would absolutely love this little girl and I'm so proud she can celebrate her great Oma and share her name. I know that Aubrey will share such a special relationship with her Oma as I had with mine and am so thankful that they will continue to make so many wonderful memories together for years to come.

....

Saturday morning, stockings were hung by the chimney with care and it looked like St. Nicholas had already been there. Our little family of three had gotten up with our little sugar plum and began our morning. Oma came downstairs for baby girl's playtime and some baby cuddles with her granddaughter. After a few hours of conversation and catch up, it was time to begin our Waldrup family Christmas.

One of the most adorable moments was with Aubrey's new Christmas bear (thank you Grammy and Papa Z). It sings Jesus Loves Me. Aubrey LOVED this little bear and gave so many big baby smiles with it. This picture absolutely cracks me up. I think Mattie loved the bear as much as Auby did. (And no my dog is not this huge... you just gotta love puppy photo bombs).

I've learned that everything is more fun with a baby. This was Auby's first stocking. She had lots of wonderful goodies from mama, daddy, and my family. While she has absolutely no clue what's going on, it is so fun to have her share in the celebration.

Enjoy some pictures of our Waldrup family Christmas. From opening up gifts, baby kisses, reindeer socks, playing peek-a-boo, family traditions of lottery scratch offs and bow wearing, this was a fun filled family Christmas in the making!

 

 {Waldrup Christmas Family Fun}

{Opa and Auby}

 {Sweet Reindeer Socks}

 {Bubba and Auby}

 {Oma and Auby}

 {Oma and Opa playing peek-a-boo}

 

 {Christmas scratch offs, a Waldrup family tradition}

 {Auby's Bedtime Story- Good Night Baby Jesus}

 {Gift Time}

 

{Auby's gifts to the family}

  {Daddy Daughter time}

{Gig 'em Aggies... WHOOP!}

 {Our Sugar Plum Angel}

{The Gents}

 

 {Opening gifts with Oma and Opa}

 {Cuddling with Bubba}

One of our traditions is to wear Christmas bows that you unwrap. This is how our family gets decorated!

From Christmas firsts, baby cuddles, conversation and catch up, and a belated birthday dinner, this has been a great visit. Our little Sugar Plum is so loved and had a wonderful first Christmas. Thank you to Oma, Opa, and Bubba for making it truly special.
  

 

 ...sending loves and smiles...
We wish you a blessed Christmas season and a happy New Year!