The Christmas of Over Stimulation, or When Christmas Attacks

This is pretty much how we all felt after Christmas. Even though Kendall is only a few months old, Christmas still took over our lives and left us in the wake, tired and confused.

We spent Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa Gorman (or as Grandpa likes to be called, Grandpa Kahuna). Turkey and all the fixings were served, and I have to say it turned out lovely. Then we got to the presents. Kendall got some awesome new clothes from Gymboree, but if you have ever seen the multi-color box of Gymboree, you will know why she was enthralled by the boxes. She just stared at them, and they kept her entertained as we opened other people's gifts.

Then came the big one. Kendall got the gift she loved the most, the Rain forest Play Gym. Nate held Kendall as I opened the gift in front of her, and I have never seen her instantly light up like that in all her 2 and 1/2 months. She even started leaning towards it and grabbing for it. I have no idea how she knew she liked it, not like she has been out test driving toys.

Then, we set it up, put the batteries in, and turned it on.

(This is post Christmas, but it does capture the pure joy this toy brings)

Now she spends hours playing with it every day. Kicking her legs in the air to hit the toys. Smiling and "singing" and "dancing" along with the songs. Grabbing at the toys. Essentially, Kendall now eats, sleeps, and plays with the play gym.

Nate and I had our first Christmas of putting toys together. It wasn't that bad, but I can only imagine when we get to the Barbie dream house or the bike, things will get a little more complicated.

Christmas morning was not nearly as exciting as Christmas Eve. Santa brought a jumperoo. Although Kendall thought it was pretty cool, it was a little overwhelming. She tried to bounce a little, but her legs don't reach the ground, and she can't reach far enough for the toys. But she did give it a smile and looks relatively pleased in it. She will definitely grow into it.

Everything under the tree Christmas morning was for Kendall (Nate and I opened our gifts after she went to bed the night before). Kendall had quite the haul. And our living room looked like Christmas threw up.

So we gave all the presents to Kendall, and she laid in them like a pile of cash. Turns out the Winkle is pretty cool too, and Kendall now keeps a tight grasp on that all day (it is the crazy looking toy on top of her head in the picture).

After this Christmas morning extravaganza, we went to Grandma and Grandpa Greaney's to spend Christmas with all the Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins. By then, Kendall had a lot of excitement, and was a little beyond pooped, and therefore not her usual happy self. But she still had a lot of fun opening more gifts (an awesome sweater Grandma Greaney made for her, a skull and cross bones sweater from Aunt Lis and Uncle Matt, some awesome onsies and sleepers from Aunt Sarah and Uncle Paul, and a cool walker toy from Aunt Michelle and Uncle Andrew). So much excitement, and a Very Merry First Christmas!