We started our Christmas festivities the week before Christmas with celebrating on the Joyce-side. Ayden was able to meet, snuggle, and even spit up on many cousins/aunts that he's never met before.
Before things got super crazy, we visisted and exhanged gifts with Ayden's namesake, Ayden. He is such a special kid that will always hold a place in our heart and I can already tell he adores Little Ayden. Little Ayden will definitely look up to Big Ayden as he gets older. Big Ayden got little Ayden the most precious book, I wish you more. (Yes, I cried when I read it).There's no one else I'd rather my kid model after and look up to than Big Ayden.
We also visited with Cindy and exchanged gifts. I can't say enough how blessed Ayden is to have so many influential people in his life at such an early age.
Every year, my mom has her annual Christmas party on Christmas Eve Eve. We weren't sure how Ayden would do with being out semi-late, but we ate (too much) food, mingled, Ayden was the center of attention, and then we left. No major crying sessions = success!
On Christmas Eve morning, I was SO excited. It just hit me that it was his first. I knew it was, but I guess emotions hit too.
We got up early, got dressed, and went to have breakfast with Santa in my hometown. Ayden had met Santa before and did wonderful, this time, not so much. (Santa's beard color change must have confused Ayden). I managed to get my epic crying picture with Santa and we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast with my mom and aunt. It is definitely a tradition I think we will continue, just maybe not at that restaurant on Christmas Eve.
That afternoon, we went to our church candlelight service and Ayden did wonderful! This is my most favorite part of Christmas. It is just something so special about being with your family at church, celebrating the true reason for Christmas, on Christmas Eve. Last year, as we were signing Silent Night with the candles lit and lights out, I got really emotional, thinking that I was carrying something so precious inside of me and knew that the next Christmas would be so different. This year, my heart felt SO FULL as I held Ayden during his first experience with Silent Night and candle light; as I reminisced on my emotions from last year. We are so abundantly blessed by that boy. We had many scares along the way, but through the power of prayer and God, he blessed us with a perfectly healthy and happy baby boy. He just brings so much joy I never thought one could experience.
After the church service, my family gathered at my house for dinner. We always have the tradition of having BBQ on Christmas eve; along with all the appetizers left over from the party. My mom stayed with us on Christmas Eve. It is a new tradition, I hope that we will do every year. It was so special to have my mom wake up with us Christmas morning. I enjoyed cuddling with my mom on our couch Christmas EVE and watching christmas movies together. Such a sweet moment.
Christmas morning came early and we eagerly awoke to see what Santa brought Ayden. It is safe to say that Santa thought Ayden was a really good boy this year. As a new parent, it is really difficult for me to figure out how to teach my child the true reason for Christmas, while still incorporating Santa into it.
Next year, I plan to incorporate the advent calendar, many Jesus bed time stories, and a Jesus birthday cake so that Ayden understands from early on the importance and reason for the holiday.
My grandmother always does an amazing Southern Christmas Brunch at her house. It is something we all look forward to all year. The food is so so good! Once again, Ayden met more family he has not met before. He was definitely the center and the joy of the festivities this year.
Rob and I hosted our family on Christmas Night. We did something non-traditional and had baked spaghetti casserole, salad, bread, and birthday cake for my brother in law. It was such a special night. This was the first Christmas in our new home and the first Christmas with our child. As I reflected on that day, once again, my heart felt so happy and blessed. We are truly blessed by the life and family God has blessed us with. We know this all year long, but on special days like Christmas, we experience it even more.
We had an amazing Christmas and we were definitely spoiled by our families and we can't wait for next Christmas when our little one is wild and running around. I hope that you all had amazing Christmas' with your loved ones and are ready to embrace a healthy, happy New Year!
