Molly's First Christmas

I know it's been AGES since I've posted a new blog entry, but I was trying to soak up every second of the Christmas season with family and friends. And as soon as I felt that I had recovered from Christmas, it was time to go back to school!

Christmas was busy, but absolutely wonderful this year. It's always been my favorite holiday, and not because of the presents. I love Christmas because it brings people together that may not necessarily see each other at any other point during the year. Once all the family members are gathered under one roof, you're granted these few magical hours filled with amazing food, laughter, good conversation, and just the joy of being together. This joy was multiplied many times over this year as I got to watch grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins shower Molly with love. We are truly blessed with a wonderful extended family.

Since Eric had to work until midnight on Christmas Eve, we got on the road to Pittsburgh at about 12:30am and arrived at Eric's parents' house at about 9am on Christmas morning, just in time for presents and breakfast. This is the second year in a row that we've done this and one of my favorite things to do is to look out the car window as we're driving past houses in Virginia, West Virginia and Pennsylvania to see how late "Santa" is staying up and how early the kids are getting up Christmas morning. There's always a few houses that we pass with all the lights on at about 5:30 or 6:00am and I know that there are children in these houses at that very moment drinking in the magic of Christmas morning.

We spent a few days with Eric's family and were able to enjoy good food and fellowship with almost all of the extended family, including Molly's second-cousin, Lillian, who is only 2 weeks younger than her. Molly was showered with lots of new toys, books, and clothes, but I think her favorite gift was the giant caterpillar that her GG and Pop got for her. She loves to have some tummy time on her caterpillar while chewing on his antennae. She even let Poppy Schillinger play along too.

While in Pittsburgh, Eric and I also had a chance to go to the Steelers vs. Ravens game at Heinz Field with Eric's brothers. Neither of us had ever been to a Steelers game, so it was definitely a very cool experience. But what made it even greater was that the Steelers BEAT the Ravens. YAY!!! Too bad it wasn't enough to put them in the playoffs :-(

Once back in NC, we got to spend the week leading up to New Year's with my family, who came to visit from New York. EVERYONE was together, including the soon-to-be newest member of our family, Joy's fiance Phil. The next time we're all together again will be in June for Joy and Phil's wedding. Hard to believe that the youngest Schillinger is tying the knot.

This Christmas was also the first time that all the grandkids were together in one place since Isaiah and Molly were born. Six kids under the age of five made for some crazy times. It seemed like there was always someone crying, laughing, sleeping, hungry, or in need of a diaper change. As special as it was to have all the cousins together, I have to admit it made me thankful we weren't blessed with sextuplets ;-)

Here's Molly with her cousin, Isaiah. They are only 3 months apart.With great times to be had with both sides of the family, it was definitely a special first Christmas for our little girl. It was a Christmas that Molly probably won't even remember, but it was a Christmas that I'll never forget.