The Donoghue Family: Christmas!

Ah, finally a few moments to sit down and recap our Christmas celebrations from the week. We were very busy each day, and as expected, Maggie got sick again. She was a total trooper everywhere we went, but I think fewer naps and an irregular schedule made for an exhausted little girl. Warning: this post has an excessive amount of photos!

Brace yourself, it's a long one!

On Christmas Eve, we made our traditional visit to Frankenmuth to visit Santa, shop for ornaments at Bronner's and eat a delicious "chicken dinner" lunch at Bavarian Inn. Maggie was absolutely traumatized by Santa this year. She first met him at Bronner's and started screaming the second I put her on Santa's lap. Then Aunt Amy and Uncle Rex thoughtfully ordered a very special stocking to be delivered to Maggie at lunch... she liked the stocking which had toys and a personalized ornament, but was very upset that Santa delivered it! Every time he came into the dining room to give another kid a stocking, Maggie cowered and whined. We'll try to prepare her better next year!

Why are you doing this to me!?

Waiting in line with Uncle Justin

Get out of my face, it's cuddle time!

This isn't an old-timey photo, Maggie,
you can actually smile

Being a stinker for her godmother

That's a little better!

All the Donoghue kids

Hanging out with Grammer at lunch

The Donoghue siblings

We went to the children's mass at Guardian Angels, making sure to get there 30 minutes early... the church was already full! The only spot left was the first row, so we took our seats there. Maggie was rather fussy during mass, and I kept trying to get her to eat something. I brought those squeeze-packs of food for her, but she wanted nothing more than the cap. So I let her play with the cap and set the food down... but did not really think about what I was doing. In the middle of the homily, we realized that Jamie had sat on the food and it squeezed out everywhere! I was able to get most of cleaned up (thank goodness for baby wipes!), but Jamie still had a big spot of Mango Delight on his booty - good thing we were in the front row for all to see! I'm still waiting to be forgiven for this one...

Christmas Day was very busy for us - we woke up around 7am and opened a couple gifts at home. Daddy made our traditional bread pudding, and then we scrambled to get everything packed up and ready for the day ahead. We went to the Donoghue house to open gifts - Maggie got some special new toys, including a new scooter from Grandma and Grandpa! She did pretty well tearing the wrapping paper too! We had a really hard time getting Maggie to nap, so she was pretty cranky towards the afternoon.

I love playing with Grandma!

Daddy will help me

Let's open it right now!!

We drove to my Aunt Marleen's for Christmas dinner, and decided to keep driving around so that Maggie could sleep in the car a little longer. We drove through my old subdivision to look at my old house - it was actually rather emotional, I really miss that place. The current owners only made a few minor changes - though they got rid of the holly bushes! I'm very offended!

Tylenol please

Snuggles with Aunt Allison

Luke knows all about opening presents this year!

My brother Bobby with an
important message

Christmas night Maggie started to run a fever. It got up to 102 degrees, and we were getting really nervous. At one point she just started babbling non-stop for 10 minutes, and I couldn't get her to look at me or react to anything. I was ready to take her to the ER, but then her fever finally broke. We took her to the doctor the following day, and got more antibiotics for another ear infection. This is her third infection in the past few months, and the doctor mentioned the possibility of tubes if this keeps occurring. On a gross side note, our doctor recommended the NoseFrida to suck out Maggie's nose because we just can't get the bulb aspirators to work - it looks really gross, but is a total lifesaver. I recommend it for anyone with a baby!

Waiting for the doctor...

Yesterday we celebrated with my side of the family at my parents house. My brother and sister were both in town, which was really great! Most of my nieces and nephews were there too! The annual foosball tournament was held, and I was absolutely useless to my partner Alex... Uncle Jamie and Gilly crushed it in the final match, winning the hollowed Peg-Leg trophy!

Fierce competition

Zach, enthusiastic as ever!

Winners!

Family photo

Hanging out before dinner

Our photo with Grace-the-Great!

All four siblings together!

The original six

Most of the grandchildren

Maggie received some beautiful gifts this Christmas, but I think the most special was her rocking chair. I remember this chair so well, and I'm so happy to have it here at home: