Our 2014 Christmas

This Christmas was spent with Ian's mom at the mountain house in Boone, NC. We alternate families for the holidays, and as much as I missed seeing everyone on my side of the family, it was also nice to have a low-key mountain escape and get in a lot of rest.

We drove up Christmas Eve morning in separate cars, and I was feeling miserable. I was exhausted and a little nauseated. It was raining and gray and my whole body just hurt. As soon as we made it to the house, I fed the baby and then took a two-hour nap in the basement. After waking up and checking in on everything, I went back to sleep for another hour. If you know me in real life, you know I am NOT a napper, so this just shows how badly I felt. Luckily, my mother-in-law and husband were rockstars and took care of the baby beautifully, allowing me to recuperate.

One of the holiday traditions Ian wanted to start with Camille was a reading of Twas The Night Before Christmas before she went to sleep. We took turns and read the pages to her, and my mother-in-law snapped some photos which I really treasure.

That night Ian's mom cooked a great dinner of filet mignon, mashed potatoes, broccoli casserole and salad, and I ate as much as I could muster. Then Ian gave me the best Christmas present of all ... a night of good sleep. He and his mom got me settled in a bedroom upstairs and he was on daddy duty in a different room with Camille. I felt badly not sleeping with them, but I woke up feeling a lot better and ready to have a great Christmas with the family.

..... Can we even talk about Camille's outfit.

A very sweet friend gave us this little number. Can you even? I could just eat that baby up, she's so delectable.

Ian got a fire going, and we took turns opening gifts from under the tree.

Oh, and taking more photos of the baby, course. 

Camille just loved this silver rattle, a gift from her Great Grammie. 

And Ian started her with an add-a-pearl necklace. Throughout the years, he can give her pearls for Christmas, birthdays, good grades, or "just because" -- resulting in a full necklace that she can wear for special events like her high school and college graduations. 

We had an experience that resulted in a major outfit change for Camille -- and new pants for me -- and a couch cushion cleaning -- but I'll leave it at that. 

The tap-a-tune piano was a hit, as was the sit-to-stand walker and the banana toothbrush. My heavens, she goes crazy over that banana. Cracks. Us. Up.

I got some fun items including the baby's first Christmas ornament I wanted, a Fitbit Flex, and a cozy full-length robe.

We cooked a big dinner that night with turkey, ham, and all the fixins. I made the cranberry sauce and Paula Deen's green bean casserole ... always a hit.

Ian had to leave after dinner Christmas night to drive back to Charlotte and work the whole next day. Camille and I had a great girls day with "Mimi" (her grandma name) and I scored some great finds at Old Navy and TJ Maxx. That night it was just the gals, but Ian and I cooked up a plan for him to drive up the next morning -- the day Ian's mom thought Camille and I were leaving -- and surprise her. So we all stayed Saturday night in the mountains, too, and Ian and I even were able to get out for a date nite to The Gamekeeper, our favorite restaurant. His mom was just overjoyed to have an extra night with Camille, who she loves to pieces. 

Camille's first Christmas was a very special one, and I love starting new and meaningful traditions. From our family to yours, happy holidays!