Christmas December 28, 2009

Blazey had a great Christmas and it’s not even close to being over yet! We each opened one gift on Christmas eve. He thought that was fun, but wasn’t overly thrilled about it. He did enjoy helping us open our gifts. Christmas morning when he woke up, he was surprised to see all the Christmas lights on. Then we pointed out the stockings had stuff in them. He was so excited to open it up. His sock had several Sesame Street Books, a small round palm-sized Elmo and Count, and a Cookie Monster ornament. He was happy to put his ornament on the tree. We had breakfast and slowed things down a bit. Once breakfast was done, we read the Christmas story from Blaze’s Bible. We had his toddler nativity out, and pointed out Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. Blaze did the sign language sign for “baby”. I was pleased he made the connection. Then he got to open up his gifts. He was happy with his gifts, then we took him to the other side of the room where something was covered up by a red throw. He helped me pull it off, and just stood there in shock. Elmo’s Restaurant was there before him. Tim quickly turned it on and all these voices came to life. For the next hour, we watched Blaze cook and play with his “restaurant” while we exchanged gifts. He loves the cash register, hides the fake food, throws money in the air, and loves to hear Cookie monster phrases from his oven. It was definitely a “hit.” He also received a toddler digital camera (he looks at it and smiles really big), pjs, a pirate ship ornament (since he and Daddy were pirates on Halloween), magic Bubble stuff, sidewalk chalk and lots of other fun stuff. Tim and I had a wonderful Christmas day with our little boy. He was so stinking cute! He said our names so sweetly when we were with him at home. I think he’s figured out we’ll get things for him faster if he sweetly asks us, rather than yelling! I can hope anyway.

Saturday my mom, grandmother and younger brother came to visit. Blaze hugged his new little stuffed animals to him, a baby Tigger and a dog. It was love at first sight. The dog was from Uncle Steve, Aunt Sherrie, Megan and Layton. It was perfect. From his great-grandma Blaze got a matching sweater, mittens and hat set (very cute.) Grandma Cathy got him a portable dvd player for those long car trips to her house and a leap frog learning frog. When he’s not with his Elmo’s Restaurant, he’s making the sunshine song sing on the frog! Uncle John gave him a Farmer Says SeeandSay. His Uncle Gary, Aunt Barb and the cousins got him lots of nice clothes and a fun wooden shape puzzle. He loves the puzzle! I loved the clothes! We had such a nice visit with them. We were afraid they wouldn’t be able to make it. Their town got ice and snow dumped on them, but they found a way to get here, and I was grateful.

We’ll do our Christmas celebration with Melissa tomorrow. We didn’t want to open gifts without her. Tim’s parents come on Friday, his grandparents come on Saturday. I’m so glad we get to spread things out a bit. Blaze likes to look at and play with each thing individually. It makes it fun.

Thanks for all the cards and prayers. We were grateful for all of them. We are so blessed!

Joy Gilzow