Christmas according to Emma

I know I literally JUST posted another note, but I couldn't resist sharing....

It's been amusing to listen closely as Emma's been singing Christmas songs this year. Here's some of her best lyrics:

"Oh Christmas Eve, Oh Christmas Eve, how lovely are your branches."

"On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me, three French kids."

And my favorite...

"Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose. And if you ever saw him, make sure that you say, 'hello.'"

Though she has her mother's gift for butchering song lyrics, she's heard the story of Christmas loud and clear. We were sitting on the couch one night when she piped up out of the blue: "It's not about the tree. It's not about the presents. It's all about Jesus' birthday."

At least she's kept the most important things straight.

Best Christmas ever and postpartum advice from Emma

**Note** I wrote this one week ago today, but apparently fell asleep before I posted. :)
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Today, Christmas Day, we returned home from the hospital as a family of four. Jackson Robert Day entered this world with the most beautiful cry I've ever heard on December 23, 2011 -- his daddy's 33rd birthday. For those keeping score, he was 8 lbs, 0 oz, 20 1/2 inches long and had a full head of coal black hair.

There's so much to say about that experience in itself, but I'll save that tale for some other time. Let me summarize by saying that God continued to remind me of His promises found in Isaiah 40. The Great Shepherd gathered me in His arms, keeping me close to His heart. Time and again, the One who has "with the breadth of His hand marked off the heavens" renewed my strength when I was weary. (Read this passage next time you're discouraged!!!)

At any rate, we were ecstatic when both Jackson's pediatrician and my OB cleared us for take-off. We scooped up Emma from Aunt Nana's house and came home to find Santa had raided our cookies in return for a blue baby stocking and a slew of gifts for our wide-eyed 5 year-old. To be sure, Emma was thrilled with every present she opened. But her excitement this year seemed to surpass all the normal Christmas giddiness. Yesterday, when she hung out with us in the hospital, she told Robert, "All I want for Christmas is for us to be home as a family."

I'm so glad her Christmas wish came true.

On a lighter note....

Tonight, as I was laying in bed trying to nurse Jackson to sleep, Emma crawled under the covers beside us. She cuddled up next to me and said with the honesty of a five year old, "Mommy, your tummy is still big." I laughed and then explained that it will take some time before I lose that.

"Well," she said, "There is a vitamin you can take that makes your tummy go away."

"Oh really?" I asked "Where did you learn about that?"

"On a commercial. It's for women over 40."