Mama in the City

This was the first year we celebrated Christmas without my extended family, and the first year we didn't leave town during the holiday rush. There was no mad dash of packing up all the presents to bring. There was no stress of traveling or paying extreme prices to rent a car during peak times.

Instead, we stayed nestled in the city tucked away in our little apartment. I ended up having some false labour on Christmas eve day and am so glad that I made the decision to stay home. Luckily, I was able to 'triage' myself and know that it was only discomfort and not the start of true labour. It's fun being your own nurse sometimes!

Of course we missed all of the traditions that come with being with family at Christmastime. This year I didn't miss the usual hustle and bustle but I did feel sad about Ben not celebrating with his cousins on Christmas morning, or my dad making up Christmas stories for the grandchildren. We miss the smorgasbord of treats and cheese and usual holiday items.

We had visitors over for Christmas eve and they brought us freshly baked sugar cookies and presents! As the sun went down, more friends came over for a feast of Chinese food and cheer. It was low key and lovely and I mostly sat on the couch and lounged. Which is perfect for a very pregnant mama who feels like the baby is truly about to fall on out.

It was nice to spend the day together as a family of 3. Especially as it included sleeping in (for me!) and a slow paced morning of opening presents and spending time together.







Ben picked out a special necklace for me and was so tickled when it was time to give it to me.


Ben got a cash register and the boy digs it!



There was a pancake breakfast made by my husband and an early afternoon bath for Ben. He was totally excited about testing out his new shaving set and the hilarity that ensued with watching him was priceless.







We lounged around in our living room all afternoon and watched purposefully bad Christmas movies. We ate treats and salty snacks and played with all of our new toys. Including the very cool potato clock that my sister gave to my husband. My two boys took up the science action and Ben was more than impressed when the clock started to work.






Ben went off to bed at 7 PM, meantime my husband was in the kitchen whipping up a gourmet feast for the two of us. It was divine and delicious and totally not traditional. We spent the evening dining on the most perfect Beef Wellington with homemade horseradish and outstanding side dishes. My husband is a top chef and my hips don't lie!