finn's first christmas day

we woke up bright and early and in accordance with tradition, traveled to napa in our jam jam's. this year we had one more participant in our christmas morning pajama rama - hello finn!

when we got to casa de awesome, we quickly saw that santa had been there! spoiled. completely. yet again. and i nearly fainted when i saw those stockings - stuffed and hung with care - such an eclectic, darling collection

brand new little family in front of my parent's beautiful tree - it's a stunner every year, and this one was no exception.

big christmas breakfast - abernethy style.

and with mimosas! ooh-la-la!

after breakfast we gathered for a christmas morning walk. my favorite part. and this might be my new favorite picture of my mama.

finn is so loved by his tantes. it melts my heart.

in the afternoon, we went to grandma and grandpa great's house. sadly, i have no pictures - something about having too much fun. too much good food and egg nog. i did catch a picture of finn in his new polar bear outfit...


and one at the end of the night - baby finn asleep on uncle joe's shoulder. isn't that tender.

what a holly, jolly day finn's first christmas was.

finn's first christmas eve

it all started with a trip to the mailbox to find a letter from santa!!


and then...a little look under the tree to see that santa had left this little gem!

all dressed in our christmas best....

and off to mimi and pops for holiday fun. mimi never disapoints with silly hats and accessories...this year it was light-up rudolph noses!

finn visited with great grandma, and uncle richard, found his his look-a-like (a.k.a. daddy as a baby) on an ornament and admired his stocking-made by mimi.

he was introduced to mrs. claus...

and then he was pretty tired, so he relaxed.

santa came! and we were all completely spoiled.

and then we feasted...on prime rib and potatoes and green beans - it was all amaaaazing.

we left mimi and pops' feeling very merry and very bright. and we decided that on the way home we should drive through the fab 40's to see the light display...finn may have been sleeping but the mister and i were giddy for him. his first christmas eve. it doesn't get much better than that.

merry and bright.

bake day

the day before christmas eve eve, finn and i ventured to casa de awesome for my mom's annual bake day... that was one busy kitchen! and these women churned out some real delectables. my favorite is the cranberry orange cookie. it's crunchy and chewy at the same time. who knew that was possible?

oma took a couple cuddle breaks.

while the cookies cooled, we took a walk up the hill...it was a beautiful (and hard!) little hike.

later, papa came home! finn was delighted.

and have you ever seen such a picturesque clothesline?

from our little elf...

to yours...

it's beginning to look a lot like christmas...

and the halls are decked.

finn has been wearing his festive hat all week and tante em and oma visited.

we have been enjoying chilly afternoon walks with scarves. giggling at the neighbor's weird holiday decorations. did a little baking. and pops made lemon drops!

each morning i wake up, note the date and find that i am more excited than the day before.

finn may not know what is going on but it's so true what they say: baby's first christmas is nothing short of pure magic.

birthday boy

my mister had a birthday this week. and i am so happy to celebrate another year with him. he said that finn was his favorite present, but he also got an iphone (!), some new duds, and sunglasses and everytime he puts them on he says "i'll be back" in his best terminator voice.

we celebrated with mimi and pops the night before the big day with steak and potatoes - ryan's favorite combo. on the morning of his birthday, finn and i thought we would take him out to breakfast before he headed to work, but he said that he would prefer french toast at home with a tall glass (or three) of milk. this man is so easy to please.

and we love him so.

happy birthday husband.

p.s. i am sorry that i didn't get around to making your cheesecake, darling. i bought all the ingridients, but found that baking isn't as easy as used to be...something about a sweet little baby who loooooooooves to be on his mother's hip all day. i promise to make it for you next week. we just may need to arrange for a sitter ;)

four months

four months! is it true, finn?! we just can't believe it.

this month has brought so many changes:

you can grab, hold and bring things to your mouth. its like a whole new world for you. you play with toys like its your job, furrowed brow and pursed lips.

somewhere in the last month you discovered the television and became obsessed. now the tv has to stay off until you go to bed at night otherwise you are straining your neck all day to catch a glimpse.

you have a few new nicknames: baby boy, finnegan, finnie, finner, butter cup, boos, baby boos.

you laugh! but only for your two tantes. i guess daddy and i just aren't that funny. its ok, we are working on it.

you can roll from your tummy to your back.

you are a thumbsucker! and sometimes a finger sucker. and sometimes a multiple finger sucker.

you looooooove to stand up with a lot of help...its makes you so proud.

the ergo is your new best friend. and mama's too. but you and sophie the giraffe are still pretty tight.

at times you go up to four hours in between meals...such a big boy. while it does offer us a little more freedom, a part of me misses you nursing every hour and a half. i just love having you so close to me.

we are so excited to celebrate our first christmas with you...

and we love you, baby finn. every little bit of you.

even your super serious face.

lately.

finn's first christmas tree

we took our boy to a parking lot to get his first little christmas tree. i was worried it wouldn't be the picturesque outing i had imagined...you know, driving to a tree farm, all decked out in flannel and plaid, picking out a tree, cutting it down and leaving with a candy cane and sap on our hands....but actually it was pretty fun.

finn also met santa. it was so darling. this was the holiday activity i was most exited for. as we waited in line, i felt so giddy. i kept giggling and bouncing around. i realized that my baby had brought back the magic of christmas. how wonderful it is to have the chance to re-live it all...

p.s. please note that i did not shave the sides of my baby's head. he is losing hair like crazy! but just on the sides and the back. the mohawk just keeps growing longer. its pretty funny. after this picture, we gave finn his first hair cut. at the ripe old age of four months.

insta dump

:: finn thinks he is a big boy now. it is hilarious.

:: our neighbors decorate their christmas tree every year. and each night some of the ornaments fall off with the wind and so they patiently re-decorate it each day. i love that.

:: cuties are back. my man and i can't get enough.
:: my work space sure has changed a lot in the last year. it is so much messier. crowded. loud. and fun. mostly fun.

:: daddy and his mini-me


:: first christmas movie of the season. my favorite part of the movie is cousin eddie. that guy and his wardrobe lead to fits of my crazy laugh. you know the one.

:: christy and i, and the babies, headed down to vacaville to visit sara.

:: we have dined over many a chips and salsa in our day, but never with babes. its a new kind of fiesta.

:: it isn't mexican without a little tequila. just a scosche.

:: these boys were made for roadtrips. such troupers they were. and dylan generously loaned finn his hand to chew on. which happens to be finn's new favorite thing. every.thing.goes.straight.to.the.mouth.

:: finn got a new hat.

:: i may love christmas vacation a lot. but home alone will always be number one. ryan and i love to see who can quote more of it. and we are pretty evenly matched. reason number 561 of why i said "yes".

:: re-reading laura ingalls wilder. each volume is so gripping-the same page-turners they were when i read them for the first time as a little girl. and i always felt like "pa" was my dad, from another life or something. turns out, i still think that.

:: the tantes came up for a visit. they turned an ordinary sunday into a sunday funday. finn was just as tickled as i was. we were out on a walk and from down the street, we saw them parked in front of the house. we all ran a block to meet each other, laughing. what a sight we must have been. i wish i had it on video.

:: three sisters at starbucks.

:: and to all a good night.

****

p.s. if you are wondering why there is a plethora of iphone pics as of late it is because my trusty camera was stolen. i made the horrible mistake of leaving it in a car...and just like that, it was gone. first, i felt heartbreak. then, i felt sickening regret. and then i was ok. of course, still regretful: it was after all a big gift from my ryan and i was careless. that black beauty was like my right arm, almost always with me, but if there is one thing motherhood has taught me its to never mourn that which is replaceable. and my camera, although beloved, was just that - replaceable. and i am sooooo very thankful that i didn't lose any precious baby pics and videos. that i would have a hard time stomaching. it's a hard lesson to learn, it still stings and i still find myself reaching for it, but at the end of the day, all is well. and that, i remind myself, you can't buy.