Christmas at home in San Francisco was pretty anti-climatic. We didn't put up a tree this year because we aren't going to be home for Christmas. I did play a lot of Christmas music until I realized that it wore on my nerves. It finally dawned on me after hearing 6 different versions of "Joy to the World" in a row thanks to internet radio.
Last Friday was spent as a whirlwind shopping day and Saturday afternoon was spent wrapping and getting the remaining few items on our lists that weren't covered on Friday. We celebrated gift giving on Saturday night since this week will be full of late nights finishing up work and packing for the trip.
It was fun opening gifts for Dexter while he sat on my lap. He doesn't understand what the big fuss is about, but he liked the brightly colored wrapping paper. He almost seemed sad when I ripped up the paper to open the box. He liked the experience though and watched my every move. He put everything in his mouth; the paper, the tissue, the boxes and his presents. Mike and I took turns opening gifts for him. We didn't wrap them all because it's just silly to waste so much paper on him if he can't open them. He did, however, still have the most gifts. He received a few outfits of hip baby clothes and a bunch books to read to him before bedtime. He has a lot of toys already and more are coming from Kansas, so we didn't get him any toys for his first Christmas. (Jeez, no tree, and no toys - I'm glad he won't remember this one.)
Kansas will be more eventful. Dexter will have a Christmas tree at his grandparents' house along with the full traditional Christmas dinner and gifts (wrapped ones), that will inevitably happen BEFORE Christmas. I honestly can't remember the last time I actually waited until Christmas to open gifts. That's a Christmas tradition in and of itself.
Next year I'm sure we'll be more Christmas crazy. Dexter will probably be walking and talking and we'll get his picture taken with Santa, put up a tree, eat turkey, and spoil him with toys and he might even be able to open wrapped gifts by himself. Now I know why parents go a little nuts over the holidays. He's just a little too young this year to enjoy it.
I will post the pictures tomorrow since my camera has a dead battery at the moment.
