Throughout the past year, I've had a lot of "where were we a year ago?" moments. At this time last year, I was in Pinetop with family. We were enjoying a white Christmas filled with games, movies and lots of fun. My biggest fear that week was getting the call that Brooke was in labor. We were several hours north of Phoenix, which added quite a bit of time to the drive down to Tucson. If she went into labor, we might not have made it down in time for his birth. Just to be safe, we packed our hospital bag and the car seat...and it sat in the trunk the entire time.
CJ's first Christmas was so much fun! I appreciate the fact that he is old enough to enjoy the toys (and fish tank) that he received. I may have been more excited about everything than he was, but I think that is how it's supposed to be. I was so caught up with CJ's experience that I didn't take pictures of anyone else. I need to be better about that!
In keeping with Fincke tradition, CJ received one present on Christmas Eve - a fish tank from Grandpa & Grandma Fincke. He absolutely loves it. We positioned his playpen in front of it so that he can stand there and watch the fish swim around. The rest of the gifts had to wait until Christmas Day. Christmas morning, CJ was in no rush to wake up. We weren't complaining! Working around his nap schedule, presents weren't opened until lunch time. He made out like a bandit! Here are some pictures...
I truly enjoyed watching as he examined each toy and tried to figure it out. Just as he started to understand, he would move on to the next item. After a few toys, he took a break to play with the plastic wrapping.
I look forward to future Christmases, when he runs into our bedroom to wake us up...when we can read the story of Jesus birth, and he understands what we're talking about...when we can go to the candlelight service at church (it was just a little too late for CJ this year). There is so much to look forward to! I just hope that as he gets older, we can help him to understand the true meaning of Christmas and the most amazing gift of all - the birth (and death) of Jesus.
