Griffin's Holiday Adventures Part I
Like millions of other Americans, we made a great trek to be with family this holiday. In our case, we went to Clear Lake, which depending on route, traffic, baby screaming level, amount of fluids consumed coupled with bladder-hold-out-ability (you get the idea), can take from 3.5 hours to 8 hours. This time our Christmas Eve trip took just over 3 hours. Darrell thought I was kidding when I said I wasn't going to stop for anything on our way there; we didn't and Griff slept most of the way. It was so refreshing to have a great trip, especially compared to our first one with Griff at 2 months which took 8 hours with all of the screaming and nursing stops and traffic. Our destination, Grandma Pam and Grandpa Big's house, was warm and inviting and festively decorated, and Griff was greeted with lots of hugs and kisses. Auntie Kelley and Uncle Adam arrived around noon on Christmas, rounding out the group.
Everyone was anxious to start opening stockings and presents, particularly to see Griff in his first attempts to open presents, but he was ready for a nap by that time and our riotous antics did not rouse him. He slept like a baby.
Nothing was going to stop this Christmas party and we opened gifts from each other with delight. Griff got his pop a new helmet and one for himself to wear when his pop takes him in the bike trailer.
Darrell and I made books of Griff's first six months for everyone. Here is Uncle Adam opening his.
Darrell really got into the spirit with this gold lamae headband.
After everyone had opened their presents, shared stories, and laughed loads, Griff decided to awake from his nap and share in the fun. He opened the knitted crab I finished for him that morning (a crab it turns out, that has gotten into a fight and lost two legs, since I got really tired of making them!)
Barley and Bubba got into the spirit and shared a bed (although note Barley's slight dominance with her body on one and her head on the other...you haven't lost it, old girl!)
Griff had fun snuggling and laughing with Grandpa Big.
No first Christmas would be complete without matching father-son outfits (thanks Grandma Pam!)
Griff playing "Row Row Row Your Boat" with Grandma Pam.
In the afternoon, Darrell, Griff, and I decided to take a hike in beautiful Clear Lake State Park, just 5 minutes away from the house. It is primarily oak woodland with lots of California buckeye and manzanita. We saw a rather large western pond turtle, loads of coots, and a great blue heron in a tributary.
A rare photo with the three of us.
Griff had fallen back to sleep for a second nap with Darrell in his carrier, and at the end of the hike, when I looked at them, it looked like Griff had been splatted onto Darrell with his arms and legs extended. Ha!
Thanks to my gift from Darrell, some of Griff's favorite holiday activities have been recorded including chewing on boxes, tearing paper, dancing like a maniac, and getting anything into his mouth he possibly can! It was a very successful first Christmas for him! If you are reading this from an email, visit the blog to see some video footage of Griff's first Christmas (click on the link in the email).
But that isn't the end of the 2009 Holiday adventure. Stay tuned for the next installment!
Everyone was anxious to start opening stockings and presents, particularly to see Griff in his first attempts to open presents, but he was ready for a nap by that time and our riotous antics did not rouse him. He slept like a baby.
Nothing was going to stop this Christmas party and we opened gifts from each other with delight. Griff got his pop a new helmet and one for himself to wear when his pop takes him in the bike trailer.
Darrell and I made books of Griff's first six months for everyone. Here is Uncle Adam opening his.
Darrell really got into the spirit with this gold lamae headband.
After everyone had opened their presents, shared stories, and laughed loads, Griff decided to awake from his nap and share in the fun. He opened the knitted crab I finished for him that morning (a crab it turns out, that has gotten into a fight and lost two legs, since I got really tired of making them!)
Barley and Bubba got into the spirit and shared a bed (although note Barley's slight dominance with her body on one and her head on the other...you haven't lost it, old girl!)
Griff had fun snuggling and laughing with Grandpa Big.
No first Christmas would be complete without matching father-son outfits (thanks Grandma Pam!)
Griff playing "Row Row Row Your Boat" with Grandma Pam.
In the afternoon, Darrell, Griff, and I decided to take a hike in beautiful Clear Lake State Park, just 5 minutes away from the house. It is primarily oak woodland with lots of California buckeye and manzanita. We saw a rather large western pond turtle, loads of coots, and a great blue heron in a tributary.
A rare photo with the three of us.
Griff had fallen back to sleep for a second nap with Darrell in his carrier, and at the end of the hike, when I looked at them, it looked like Griff had been splatted onto Darrell with his arms and legs extended. Ha!
Thanks to my gift from Darrell, some of Griff's favorite holiday activities have been recorded including chewing on boxes, tearing paper, dancing like a maniac, and getting anything into his mouth he possibly can! It was a very successful first Christmas for him! If you are reading this from an email, visit the blog to see some video footage of Griff's first Christmas (click on the link in the email).
But that isn't the end of the 2009 Holiday adventure. Stay tuned for the next installment!
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Love the bug splat, the cranky pants and the belligerent crab -- you got some mad craft-making skillz, mama!
Happy New Year to all of you...