Saturday, December 29, 2007

KayTar's First Christmas

Nope, not this one.



Or this one.



This one.



The very first Christmas she realized anything out of the ordinary was happening around her.

The first Christmas with the words "presents" and "Santa Claus". The first Christmas with spoken words at all really.

The first Christmas she could walk.

The first Christmas she helped pass out presents (she can read names, you know) and the first Christmas she opened her own (mostly) and helped others open theirs.



The first Christmas she noticed that there was a spread of new play things in the living room.

The first Christmas she could stand up.

The first Christmas she woke up with the family. Last year we were afraid that waking her would trigger an episode. This year we know that nothing is going to trigger it unless it was going to happen in any case. Even at 5 am. (BubTar was up at 3 am, but my dad talked him in to resting a bit longer)

The first Christmas she said "Fank you." after opening each gift.



The first Christmas my sleepyhead was awakened with only the whisper of, "Do you want to open those presents now, KayTar?" From way back in her mostly sleeping brain she answered "Yes." and began to wiggle into consciousness. We had to turn every light out for a while, because it was just too bright for her, but eventually she adjusted.

The first Christmas she was excited about having company and about going to visit others.

The first Christmas we heard her sing Christmas songs.

It was our first Christmas that we enjoyed entirely as a family, and were able to see the joy of it all reflected in both our children's eyes. It was glorious.


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26 comments:

  1. GirlplustwoDecember 29, 2007 9:41 AM

    fank you very much, in fact. it's something isn't it...seeing how it becomes all about them discovering joy.

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  2. PJDecember 29, 2007 10:06 AM

    The precious "fank you". How wonderful for the entire family! SHe is just beautiful.

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  3. AnonymousDecember 29, 2007 10:22 AM

    that is about the merriest thing I've read all week!

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  4. InTheFastLaneDecember 29, 2007 11:34 AM

    Hurray for all those "firsts!" Look how far she's come!

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  5. ~aj~December 29, 2007 11:38 AM

    So, so sweet. This is truly a Christmas you will always remember.

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  6. Julie PippertDecember 29, 2007 12:52 PM

    Kyla, how movingly beautiful! Such a wonderful bunch of amazing firsts. So much joy for all of you. I could not be more glad. :)

    And let's ask Flavia when she'll host the next martini party. :)

    Julie
    Using My Words

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  7. BeckDecember 29, 2007 12:57 PM

    Oh, that GIRL! The Baby had a festive time too, although she was in a foul, foul mood for both days. That sudden dawning awareness of what it means is MAGICAL, isn't it?

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  8. Family AdventureDecember 29, 2007 1:14 PM

    Oh, Kyla! How miraculous, for all of you. My heart is all warm and fuzzy after reading this post, and seeing those lovely, lovely pictures.

    Merry Christmas, KayTar! And BubTar!

    Heidi :)

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  9. AnonymousDecember 29, 2007 2:00 PM

    Aw, that is so cool! "FANK YOU" for sharing - she is a cutie!

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  10. Ben and BennieDecember 29, 2007 2:08 PM

    Isn't it cool???!!! Now if we could only get Ben to wake up early with his sister...

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  11. Chaotic JoyDecember 29, 2007 2:21 PM

    Our little Kaytar...she sure has come many miles this year hasn't she? I am so glad it was so magical for all of you.

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  12. KristinDecember 29, 2007 2:26 PM

    That is so awesome...I can't believe how much she has changed in a year...and wow, passing out presents!!! The only way I could even get close was by putting just the first letter of each boys' name...then E would know. She's such a star!

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  13. MadDecember 29, 2007 3:36 PM

    I get this. I so get this. What a great Christmas this first real one is.

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  14. BeccaDecember 29, 2007 3:47 PM

    That sounds so wonderful!!

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  15. SDecember 29, 2007 8:00 PM

    she's come so far so fast, hasn't she? incredible.

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  16. OhTheJoysDecember 29, 2007 8:54 PM

    This post filled me with happiness.

    For real.

    I'm so glad, friend.

    xo,
    J

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  17. moplansDecember 29, 2007 10:05 PM

    oh that last shot is wonderful.
    Merry Christmas!

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  18. painted maypoleDecember 30, 2007 12:10 AM

    wow. fabulous.

    and MQ loves littlest pet shop, too! :)

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  19. metro mamaDecember 30, 2007 1:11 PM

    Sounds (and looks) like it was a magical Christmas. I'm so glad.

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  20. flutterDecember 30, 2007 2:23 PM

    fank you, she is magic.

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  21. Don Mills DivaDecember 30, 2007 2:34 PM

    What a beautifully written post - it made me heart swell for you and your little girl. Glad you had such a great time.

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  22. Redneck MommyDecember 30, 2007 5:34 PM

    How wonderful for you ... and her. I'm all misty eyed for I completely understand what this means to you.

    I was still waiting for Bug's first Christmas. It never came. But I'm so glad your daughter's did.

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  23. carrieDecember 31, 2007 2:37 AM

    That is too . . .

    I don't even have the words.

    Here's to many, many more wonderful Christmases!

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  24. Run ANCJanuary 01, 2008 3:08 AM

    How wonderful to have come so far. Merry Christmas.

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  25. dawn224January 02, 2008 8:58 PM

    sigh. that's fantastic (snif)

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  26. kittenpieJanuary 03, 2008 3:45 PM

    Aw. It is somehow so much more special when they start to really get it, isn't it? Pumpkinpie's Christmas this year was so much more fun to plan and watch because I knew she would start to anticipate more and understand more and participate in the magic of it. So wonderful.

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