Christmas has come

Christmas Has Come

Well, settle in for a Christmas recap.
I managed to keep my sanity and get everything that I needed to get done... done. I also left what did not need to be done, undone. Which is where the sanity came in.

We had a beautiful Christmas Eve service. I love this service, because it is more intimate. I had a hard time relaxing and enjoying my family for a little running around pre service. My dad and James came and Just being all together made me happy. We went back to the house for a simple spelt pasta with raw pesto and pine nut dish. I served italian bread and had a piece of it too. Astrid and Vyk made some cookies for Santa and I made a Chai Latte with Almond Milk & Agave to warm us up. We opened one gift each.

Christmas Day
I woke up to an alarm clock since James had to leave for work and did not want to miss Christmas Morning. Santa had come and brought Heelys and a sewing machine and sewing kit for Astrid. Whirlwind gift opening followed. I ended up still feeling like we had too much. But we were closer to a rational amount of gift giving. James had his first Christmas with a real job and money to spend so he spoiled all of us. Giving Astrid a microphone and a Hanna Montana CD ;). I got a beautiful Lantern from him and a gift card. Really sweet seeing him give to his family. This was one of the brightest parts of this Christmas for me, seeing James become a man. He was so sad about working... he has been working at IHOP and so we suprised him with a visit to get breakfast. This is not an easy place for me to eat.... but since some dairy has been in my diet with the baby... it made it a little easier. The rest of the day I lazily made dinner... and enjoyed being with my family. The day was a beautiful, open the doors up and enjoy the weather kind of day. Just cold enough to feel enough like Christmas.

Christmas Dinner
Since James got off late, we waited to have Christmas Dinner with him. He arrived just as the Cornish Hens I made for the guys were ready. Astrid very rarely sees me making meat... so this kind of freaked her out. She did not want to eat it after seeing it... she said "that looks like a little baby... eww!" Ha! I had a very cooked but vegan meal for Christmas. Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans with almonds. I also made a wild rice/ tabouli dish which was good.

Relief
I have to say. I had a big feeling of relief as Christmas Day came to a close. It is the real since that I am coming into the light of Christmas now. The days of advent and waiting and anticipation are over, the light has come. And being pregnant this feeling is very hightened. Astrid was born just after the new year... so maybe I am reliving that sense. But, I actually seem to feel it much stronger this time. I feel like I am able to focus on some of the things I have not had time to focus on. Like me... and getting everything ready for the baby. Astrid's Birthday is January 15th, so that will be a small pull. For my job the focus will shift to preparing for my leave. It is all too close to ignore, and as my belly grows others are finally catching on the the inevitable reality with me. I have basically 2 months to get it all together. So, I find myself really happy to have Christmas over. I also am so excited and energized by all of this. As I am entering the third trimester and feel a little like slowing down, it is nice to have this boost of emotional energy. Plus the extra boost of it being the new year with resolutions, etc.