Baby Stella's 1st Christmas

Yes, it's true.  I'm still talking about Christmas.  But I was thinking about some of the neat things Stella got for Christmas and I decided maybe it would be fun to share on here.  That way we'll always remember, too.  It was her first Christmas and what a wonderful one it turned out to be!

I found myself often thinking over the Christmas season, what traditions would we start with Stella?  Would we pick a night to get hot chocolate and drive around looking at Christmas lights?  Would we read the Christmas story on Christmas Eve?  Would we stuff stockings?  Would she be in the church Christmas play every year?  Will we bake cookies together?  Would Ryan and I wake her up on Christmas morning by saying, "He's been here!"  How would we determine how she got gifts on Christmas morning?  Would they all be from Santa?  Would some be from Santa and some be from us?  Or would she get 3 gifts from Santa to respresent the 3 gifts brought to Mary & Joseph? 

So much to think about.  But I'm pretty sure we have another Christmas to go before we really need to start figuring out which traditions are going to be Harper family traditions.  But it sure is so exciting to think about.

This year she had one Christmas shirt that was given to us from some friends, so that's what she wore on Christmas day!

We went non-stop from the weekend before Christmas right though Christmas day!

Stella got some great things that I thought were worth sharing.  We actually didn't get her anything from us.  She was too little to understand and we knew she would be blessed with so many gifts from others.  She got so many adorable outfits, which were also much needed since there are no hand-me-downs for us!  I'm sure I missed some things as I decided to do this blog after I had already put everything away, but nonetheless, I tried!  So in no particular order I give you some of her wonderful gifts!

I totally missed out by not putting these in my "Christmas Shoes" post.  Oops!  But how cute are these little booties?

Speaking of traditions, we will now definitely get this Advent calendar out every year so Stella can decorate the tree every day until the 25th!  How fun.

How beautiful is this baby sterling silver bracelet with her monogram on it?  Also engraved on the inside is "Granny Girl".  A gift that will always be very special to me and Stella.

Ryan's parents made this with Stella one day when they were babysitting her.  Such a cute idea.  Next year it will go on our tree!

In love with this growth chart that we recently hung up in Stella's room.  It's cute and even goes along with her nursery perfectly.  At her 4 month appt (12.9.12) she was 24 inches so we got to put our first mark!

Lots and lots of amazing books.

An amber necklace to help with her teething.  We actually put it on for the first time today.

Stuffed pig named "Dakin".  The crazy story behind this is growing up I had an imaginary friend named Dakin.  So random that I chose that name or even a boy as my friend, but so meaningful that my Grandparents found a real Dakin. :)

Nativity set that I can't wait for her to play with so we can tell her the story of Jesus' birth.

An awesome thermometer (Exergen Temporal) that only requires scanning the forehead to get the temperature.

Just two of her fun toys!

And this Prayer Bear actually brought tears to my eyes.  When you push the "press here" button it recites a prayer in a child's voice. 
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray the Lord my soul to keep
May angels watch me through the night
And wake me with the morning light
Amen
So now every night, I play the bear to Stella right before I put her to bed.

So I'd say Stella had an amazing first Christmas and now I can't wait to one day tell her all about it.