Oh my, what a Christmas! Our 2008 Christmas Holiday was nothing short of surreal. Before I had Vincent, I had no connection with those Hallmark ornaments adorned with rocking horses that say, "Baby's First Christmas". I have no recollection of previous shopping sprees that included me thinking, "Oh, that's a cute baby ornament". In my mind, the "baby's first" department simply did not exist. Now that Vincent is here, my mind has reprogrammed to skip over the "dogs in Santa suits" department and only see the infant section. And this past Christmas taught me why.

Of course Vincent is too young to realize it' s Christmas. Poor thing lives in Houston and with this weather probably thinks its August. He only knows that for the past week someone named "Nani" sang to him in a different language as she carried him throughout the house. Another person named "Buelito" bellowed a deep voice and made him laugh. A little girl named Sierra shared his playpen for a while. He probably remembers visiting Grandpa and Nanna's house and watching lots of big people open strange boxes and smile and hug each other. And he may remember that mommy and daddy took him to a place where people sat and sang and stood and sang and kneeled and stood again.

To me, it wasn't "Baby's" first Christmas as much as it was "First-time Parent's" first Christmas. Where you realize that it's not about the eggnog or the perfect gift. It's about family and being able to give that sense of heritage and tradition to your kid.

Luckily it's only once a year cause we're friekin' tired.