Happy First Holiday Season, Baby Girl!

Dear Sonia,

Welcome to the craziness that is the American holiday season. It begins with Thanksgiving and runs right through New Year's. Six full weeks of family, travel, food, gifts, marketing madness, turkey, pie and trees.

You began your season in Dallas with your Daddy's family, to celebrate Thanksgiving. This holiday celebrates the happiness of the pilgrims making it through their first winter here on this land. There's various versions of the story, varying in truthfulness versus legend, but it comes down to us being thankful for harvest, food, and continued good will in the world. It was designated as the fourth Thursday in November. This wasn't established permanently until 1941! Personally, I think it's too close to Christmas, and would be better placed in the spring, so families could travel to see each other at two times during the year not so close together, but I digress.

Apparently, you were a little overwhelmed there in Dallas with the fam. You kept crying when someone went to hold you until you'd settled in and gotten more used to the busyness. And that wasn't until it was time to head home! You're at that age, though, so it's normal.

Just before Christmas, you'll come to Boston and stay through New Year's. So your first Christmas morning will be at Nana and Papa's house. I'm excited to wake up with you that day. I don't really think you'll know what's going on, but I'm pretty sure you'll dig playing with the wrapping paper and a box someone gives you. And I bet you'll get some pretty sweet gifts! I got you two that I know you'll like.

So have a good few weeks before I see you again. Enjoy the pretty twinkly lights that you'll see everywhere in Houston. Don't cry too much if Mom takes to sit you on Santa's lap for a photo. And give good advice when you and Mommy go shopping! And get ready, because I'm going to personally arrange for there to be snow here in Boston for when you arrive. White Christmases are the prettiest, and I figure the prettiest new girl should have the prettiest Christmas possible.

Love you,

Auntie K