I’ve always heard that the holidays stress people out. I haven’t been too phased by them in the past but this year I finally get it. As a first time parent whose child’s birthday is shortly after the holiday, I’m experiencing anxiety over my future.

Here’s Why…

I am easily persuaded by sales.

I’ve been so frugal with what I spend on Tommy this first year. We try not to clutter the house because it’s small but all of a sudden, it’s Black Friday and I’m buying shit we don’t even need because it’s 30% off. Does Tommy need slippers? It’s like all my logic went out the window. I even bought a stupid harmonica at Whole Foods last night because it was 40% off.

In case you’re wondering, it fits perfectly in his stocking. A harmonica playing baby has YouTube potential, right?

Half of the gifts I bought to give Tommy on Christmas morning have already been opened and worn or played with.

Seeing Santa was weird. Was I supposed to hope he would have a meltdown? I didn’t. I wanted a smile. A cute darling smile or funny smirk. Here is Tommy’s…

I feel like people want their kids to cry when they see Santa. What you don’t realize unless you are a parent is that most kids cry between 7-24 months old because A) he is creepy and B) many have separation anxiety/stranger danger no matter who the person might be. It’s kind of cruel actually…

But if you have a funny picture, please share it. 🙂 I can’t stop laughing at this picture of Chase. It made my week.

The Struggle of a Holiday Birthday

It’s crazy to think that one year ago at this time, I was ready to pop. Or at least I thought I was.

Tommy was comfortable. He waited until January 12th. I didn’t mind that he came 9 days late though because I didn’t want to deal with the lifelong disappointment of being a “holiday” baby. I have many friends who have holiday birthdays and all agree it was tough. Lack of parties, no happy birthday at school, one gift instead of two from grandparents, etc… I’m being dramatic here but let’s be honest, for those of us that don’t have Holiday birthdays, we were SO GLAD we didn’t have holiday birthdays as kids.

So now, here I am. The mother of a child whose birthday is very close to Christmas and I’m stressed about what I’m going to get him.

HE IS TURNING 1. He won’t remember. He doesn’t care. He doesn’t even know it’s his birthday. If I’m this worked up at 1, what is life like at the height of birthday insanity at say 6 or 7 or 16?

How do parents with holiday babies juggle gift buying? Do you buy them all at the same time or do you hope that stores restock popular items between Christmas and the first couple weeks of January?

That being said, I loved having a baby in January and would probably opt for a fall or winter baby again if I’m lucky enough to be able to plan for it.

Finally Getting To Enjoy Christmas

Last night, I wrapped most of our presents. Tommy watched as I wrapped Santa’s gifts. He then tried to unwrap some of them. I think he may like the wrapping paper and boxes better than his gifts but we will see.

If you’re curious what I got him, I snagged this before Thanksgiving during a Target toy sale for 30% off.

He is obsessed with crawling through small spaces and loves the activity centers like this at the park we go to. It’s so ugly to look at it but I’m confident he will love it.

We are celebrating Christmas morning at our home in Boston with Nick’s immediate family. We signed up to go spinning Christmas morning at Recycle Studio and then will enjoy a yummy brunch of homemade quiche and cinnamon rolls from Flour Bakery before heading to my sister’s for dinner.

I hope you all have the most amazing holiday whatever it might be. Be thankful for your friends and family’s health. Be kind to a stranger. Smile at someone you don’t know. I think we are all ready for 2016 to be over but that doesn’t mean you don’t have time left to make some else’s year.

Thoughts on The Holidays as a 1st Time Parent