In case you hadn't noticed, Santa is nearly here. We have been looking forward to this a long time. This is the first year that Charlotte really has been aware about what is happening and it has been delightful.
She began to get excited in November when she saw the first television ad (I think they were using the song "It's beginning to look alot like Christmas"). It took ALOT of explaining that Christmas wasn't today, it was a few weeks away. But already she was excited.
On December 1st we put up the tree. This was such a wonderful day. Charlotte helped put all the decorations on (all on the one branch mind you) and James lifted her up to put the star on the tree. I had a bit of a teary moment when I put one particular ornament on. It is one I got made up this year that has all of our names on it. I had wanted one for years, but wanted to wait until our family is complete, which it now is.
We have done lots of other Christmas activities. We drew and painted a tree and Santa and have slowly decorated them over the weeks. We made snowflakes and stars from glitter (aah glitter, it makes me smile as it works it's shiny little spots of joy from one end of the house to the other. Poor Angus is still covered in it). And decorated a gingerbread house. We have been to one Carols in the Park which she liked, and went to a Qld Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert (which she didn't. Sat there the entire time with her hands over her head. sigh).
Unfortunately she is afraid of Santa. We tried to get the seemingly compulsory Santa photo and once she saw Santa she freaked. She wouldn't even stand near him, or sit on my lap. And then Angus started to cry so we have a picture of me and Angus with Santa. I found this whole experience quite unnerving. The parents in front of us seemed intent on getting the best shot. We then had to pay quite a bit of money for one photo. Gone are the times you can just sit on Santa's knee for a chat, it was all about the photo. I don't think we will do it again, we have got the baby photo and that is enough.
Despite being afraid of him Charlotte comes down the stairs every morning and asks has "Christmas father" been yet. I can't wait until tomorrow morning to see her face. We are then having a quiet day with just James' brother here.
But not every Christmas has been filled with such joy and anticipation. The years doing IVF were hard as we realised what we didn't have. One year we even hid away and went to New York for Christmas (which was so much fun). I know how lucky we are this year and I am treasuring every moment.
So to each and every one of you, I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and can find peace and joy, and if you can't do that, then find a good bottle of champagne to toast the day away!
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