Little Izzy Lou and Mae Beth Too: Izzy's First Christmas

We spent Christmas Eve at Grandma Patty Lou's and feasted on turkey, shrimp, and pumpernickel and dip. Griffin had fun showing her the presents under the tree and how to play Nintendo the correct way. Then we watched Christmas Eve on Sesame Street, a family tradition since 1978. Izzy was most fascinated by a new jingle bell that matched her pj's a little too perfectly. (unfortunately I took those photos with Grandma's camera. oops!)

Izzy went to bed a little late but not too late and woke up a little early just like any good cherub on Christmas morning and joined Mommy and Daddy downstairs to open stockings. Santa Claus must have had Izzy Lou on his very nice list this year. She made out like a bandit. Of course, she was a bit slow at actually opening anything. On her first present she ripped the paper a little bit then smoothed it back down. Oh, Izzy! So we had to help her along a little bit.

Once she opened her Christmas Weebles, she was pretty much done. It was like she had gotten THE toy of the season. I missed catching the squeals on video. She was ready for a nap after all of that excitement and didn't even get to her main packages. She started to cover herself up with the stockings and sucking that thumb. Daddy had her open her Totoro doll which was the laziest display of present opening I had ever witnessed.

So we delayed package opening until after a nap. And then delayed it again to go over to Grandma Patty Lou's to celebrate Santa's visit there. Santa left a lot there, too. She got a train with a cool popping top and a big Little People playhouse. Griffin was good about showing her how to properly rip off the paper (with abandon, Izzy!) and showed her how to use her top. Then it was time to rush home to put the roast in the oven and a tired Izzy back into her crib for a nap.

At 5 o'clock, the roast was still too cold but Izzy was too hot. A 102.5 fever that Tylenol barely touched. A call to the doctor let us know to up the dose and try Motrin instead. It was most likely a virus. Fortunately, Izzy prefers to sleep through sickness and went back down to bed. Daddy still managed to pull together a Christmas feast with help from Grandma and Aunt Laura who made a fabulous cheese sauce to cover up the cauliflower. Dinner was served promptly at 9 o'clock. Griffin was quite the trooper and though he didn't eat much, he did appreciate the gravy and cheese sauce.

So Christmas is still going on and it is now New Year's Eve. It may really be twelve days of Christmas this year. Izzy is feeling much better after seeing the doctor Monday and having her Motrin dose upped to every 4 hrs. We've managed to open a present or two a day and she's got a couple left under the tree. We hear Griffin may be around tonight if the weather doesn't keep him away. Maybe he can help her with those last couple packages.

It's CHRISTMAS!!