Christmas, a welcome respite from sickness, part 1

Better late than never, let's talk about Christmas 2013. As is something of a tradition, we'll break this into two posts.

First off, let's recap where we stand. This is LG's fourth Christmas and G2's first. G2 is six months older than his sister was for her first Christmas, so he was at least nominally aware of the changes to his environment and slightly less lumpy. LG knows the deal this time around: decorate house, select Christmas tree, decorate tree, watch Christmas movies, see the Dickens Village and Macy's Light Show, get dressed up, visit Santa, visit grandparents, open presents. Traditions are being built and memories made. So let's tackle each signifier one at a time and compare LG and G2's experience.

1. Decorate house
As previously mentioned, November took the Griffatolos down a peg. Coupled with the fact that Thanksgiving was so late, we didn't even get outdoor Christmas decorations up this year. We did manage to get the interior suitably set for the holidays, if a little bit late. As with many things, LG is actually sorta-kinda helpful at this point. Or at least not completely unhelpful.

G2, on the other hand, is somewhat less capable. So we decorated him instead.

He's clearly more useful as festive inspiration.

2. Select Christmas tree
It was an open question this year whether we were all healthy enough to go tromping through a field of trees at all, but late one Saturday afternoon, we just went for it. I'm quite glad we did.

I'm pretty sure we didn't take LG to get a tree for her first Christmas. Considering she was only three months old at the time, I think we just picked up a tree in a pharmacy parking lot. It was far less exciting. So G2 was already having a better first Christmas just by virtue of seeing the tree farm.

Regardless of age, there was much carrying of children.

LG is even at the point that she can help pick the tree.

Though her enthusiasm still outpaces her skills in this area.

3. Decorate tree

LG was pretty good at this part last year. So no surprise that she was a big help this year, too. 

Though it's altogether possible she's only in it for the cookies.

And if you're wondering about the differences between a three-month-old LG and a nine-month-old G2 when it came to decorating, then here you go.

Pretty sure she couldn't have grabbed an ornament if she wanted to.

4. Watch Christmas movies

We didn't make the connection until we watched a few Christmas specials this year, but LG has been doing something for a while now that initially struck me as strange. 

LG's favorite part of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? The Abominable Snow Monster. 

Favorite part of How the Grinch Stole Christmas? The Grinch and the moment he's just about to chuck the presents off Mount Crumpit. 

Favorite bit of A Muppet Christmas Carol? The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

It took a holiday full of fun and joy for us to realize that LG loves things that scare the bejesus out of her. But it sort of makes sense. What's the best way to take the power away from something that frightens you? Embrace it. I'm not the sort of person who sees a great deal of wisdom in the actions of children, but there's a kind of innocent cleverness in that.

Next time: Visiting Santa, Christmas Eve, and our first Christmas morning in our own house.