Baby Jesus

Today we got out our Nativity set and Clara was instantly obsessed. We have been talking for a week or so about baby Jesus' birthday which is coming and she talks about it all the time. So as soon as we got the set out, she picked up baby Jesus and started cuddling him. After awhile she told me, "Oh! He needs his mama!" Before long she was walking around with Jesus, Mary and two lambs in her arms, along with Baby Joy. I told her it would be better to sit on the couch with them so they didn't fall and break. Next time I look, she had added Joseph, a shepherd, a camel and a donkey to the mix on the couch. She sat for a long time just holding Jesus and talking to him, and even passed up helping me make muffins (one of her favorite things!) so she could hold Jesus instead.

 

Conversations with a two-year-old about Jesus are interesting, to say the least. In addition to sharing her food with the holy family Clara had some serious questions she wanted answered. At one point she asked me, "Baby Jesus have shirt, mom?"

"No, he doesn't have a shirt on."

"His mama have shirt?"

"Yes, she has a shirt on, right here."

"We can get one of my shirts so he can wear it."

"That's very sweet of you, but I think your shirts would be too big."

"His mama need get shirt for him."

"Yes, that would be a good idea. Would you like a blanket for him?"

"No, he's okay right now."

Upon heading to the bathroom: "Baby Jesus have bum?"

At nap time: "Baby Jesus have milky from his mama? Just like I have milky from my mama?"

I didn't let her take Mary and Jesus to bed with her for nap, but they stayed next to her crib and the first thing she asked upon waking was "Where's baby Jesus? I get out and hold him?"

As she was walking through the kitchen with Jesus and Mary: "(quietly) In few weeks it will be baby Jesus' birthday. It's coming soon. (louder) I tell him Mom, I tell him 'bout his birthday!"

She has also wanted to listen to nothing but Christmas carols all day, which she calls "Jesus music." Whenever a new song comes on that she doesn't know she asks, "What they singing 'bout Mom? This song 'bout Jesus when he was born? This 'bout Jesus' birthday?"

Seeing Christmas through the simple, adoring eyes of a child is a precious treat!

A Windy Walk

It was so nice and warm out today (upper 50s!!), but very windy! Pushing Baby Joy into that wind was hard work!

Overheard (coming from the shower where Luke and Clara were showering together): "Daddy, I'm shaving!" Oh my. Think she's a little young for that yet.

Snuggles

While we miss our family, it is nice to be home in our little house and settling into our routine again. Tonight Luke and Clara enjoyed some pre-bedtime snuggles on the couch with Clara wrapped up in her snowman towel after a shower with Mama. Love our little snuggle bug!

Exhausted

After that week full of excitement and traveling, we were all exhausted! Clara and Baby Joy took a long nap today, which I had to wake them from (something I absolutely hate to do) so that Clara would go back to sleep at bedtime tonight. We will be resting and getting back into the swing of things here over the next few days before kicking the Christmas preparations into gear once December arrives on Thursday!

Things I have been most thankful for this week: the love of God, shown through dear, sweet family; time to spend with family, all too rare; sunshine and unseasonably warm weather to enjoy together; safe travels despite traffic, rain and sleepiness; good food, prepared with love and shared with joy; an adaptable little girl who was happy, cheerful and a delight to herself and others despite strange surroundings, new people and many departures from her normal routines; time spent sharing marriage advice and the faithfulness of God with five married couples (132 years of marriage, collectively! Grandparents, parents, one aunt/uncle, one brother/sister in law and ourselves) for the purpose of building up a dear cousin and his sweet fiancee; family, family, family. What a joy!

Thanksgiving Week: Aunt Lindele and "Bunny Pigs!"

On Thanksgiving night my cousin Amber was showing Clara pictures of their guinea pigs on her phone, which Clara promptly called "bunny pigs." She was enthralled with the pictures and so Saturday morning we took her over to the Elliotts' to meet their six piggies. Clara had a blast, as you can tell! Aunt Lindele loves her little pigs and I think she had just a little bit of fun showing them to Clara. We even got to see them climb steps! Our trip was filled with family and animals, can't get much better than that!

Thanksgiving Week: Grammie & Bapa

My dad's parents hosted us all and we were so blessed by their hospitality. Their home is always joyful, relaxing, open and full of love. They are always thinking of others; running to the store when they notice all the clementines are gone, selflessly doing dishes for hours on end, keeping the kitchen clean for those who are cooking (and eating!), making sure everyone is comfortable, happy and satisfied. They give continually. I have been so blessed by their example throughout my life and am more thankful for them every year.

On Wednesday morning, when Clara woke up, the first thing she said was, "Mama, where's Grammie??" She had been so excited about going to Grammie's house and she had a blast being there. Friday evening she climbed up beside them and got to join in the nightly ritual - watching Wheel of Fortune (and she would have stayed for Jeopardy too, if I hadn't carried her off to bed!). I am so thankful for these godly grandparents and for the fact that my daughter gets to know them as well!

We also made our trip to the National Zoo on Friday and it was wonderful!! We hit many of the animals at just the right time to see them playing, roaring, eating and even having a birthday party! In the next few days there will be pictures from our zoo trip up at Stirrup to Stirrup.

Thanksgiving Week: Gramma

Thanksgiving morning the cousins headed out for their traditional game of football. Luke, Clara and Aunt Kay went along to watch; after getting squash roasted, ritz crackers crushed and mixed with butter, mushrooms sliced and rolls mixed and rising, Mommy and I headed over to the field for a little while. We found Luke, Clara and Kay on the nearby playground, having grown bored of the football game (sacrilege to some, I know). Baby Joy was enjoying a cozy swing with Clara, who quickly took off for a little walk with Gramma. Love watching these two walk perfectly in step together, enjoying the gorgeous sunshine and each others' company.