Outside it's cold, dark, gray, blue, windy, rainy, and wet. Inside we are warm and dry and happy. Andy's mom has been here visiting from Chicago since late Sunday night. Amelia has spent the past two days pretty much completely wrapped in her grandma's loving arms. It's been so nice to have her here.

I can see now from the photos that there has been a lot of tea drinking and napping in quilts and baby-cuddling around here. Ahhhhhhh. Yes, please.

I did make soup. And biscuits. And wrapped a lot of presents. And went out with my niece for Moonstruck chocolate milkshakes. We had a great time at the calendar store. I sewed a bit, and watched some Christmas movies, and tried to write some Christmas cards, though I didn't get too far.

Early this morning I woke up before everyone else. I crept around downstairs and started the coffee maker. I turned on the Christmas tree and let the cat out into the dark. I washed my face and brushed my teeth then made my coffee and took it back to my sofa-nest. I had on my new white nightgown, made out of the softest cotton lawn and trimmed with a pale blue ribbon, the sweetest gift from Andy's mom. The sky was just starting to get light. Tiny dark birds flitted from the branches down to the bird feeders and back up to the branches. I sat and watched my neighbors getting up and going to school and work in the blue-gray half-light. Whispy white smoke came out chimneys across the street. I thought about Amelia going to school in a few years. I got so happy and excited for her. It was a really great morning.

Comments

[Monique]

Amelia..I want your mommy to make my clothes too:)

You are such a little Christmas treat!
I love polka dots since my mom and Pretty Woman..home made sweaters since my best manager ever..and quilts since my daughters were born..
Happy Christmas Amelia:)
God Bless You..you bring us smiles!

[Abbey]

You know what else you have to look forward to? Packing her lunch in a cute lunchbox and then having a snack ready for her when she gets home, and talking about her day. That's pretty great, too. :)

[Michelle]

Little tiny sleeping baby fists, and pouty little lips, there is nothing sweeter.
I love that you live everyday knowing, that these are the best days of your lives.
Reading your posts make me slow down and really appretiate all of the joys in my life!
Michelle

[leanne]

You bring sweet tears to my eyes a LOT lately....happy little drips. She is so lovely...created perfectly for two very special people. xoxo love from muskoka xoxo

[Christine]

Love all these photos especially the first one of Amelia under the polka dot quilt. She looks so sweet! And those curled up little hands...mwah! Did you make that quilt? Love polka dots, so cheery.

[gloria g.]

always checking your blog....your pictures are so heartfelt......makes me sad that my babies, are no longer babies.....but very big adults living far far away......so I love looking and dreaming in and through your pictures. Thanks again for sharing. Your baby girl is just breathless......for me.

gloria g. Hemingway, SC

[Natalie, the Chickenblogger]

Alicia,
it would be a goofy comment, indeed,
if I were to list back everything
I love in this post: but, I. do.
love. everything. in. this. post.
Maybe most especially Amelia asleep,
awake, asleep, awake! Such a beauty.
Oh-my.

[nicole]

AH! I get so excited for new Amelia pictures!

[Nan]

So very happy for you guys, such wonderful magic has entered your lives after a long wait. Thank you for sharing such sweet glimpses of it all!

[Linda]

It is so much fun to see how fast she is growing and changing! Thank you!

[AshleyM]

Oh man...I have such overwhelming feelings of happiness when I read your blog. I am filled to the brink with joy for you + Andy + Amelia. I love the story of your early morning and I almost FEEL the content and bliss in your voice. So so happy for you.

Also, I am just so happy for Amelia. I feel there is no doubt that you two will have a wonderful relationship forever. I don't have a great relationship with my mom because she doesn't give but only takes. While I am sad about this, it also gives me a chance to really see good relationships and I now understand the importance of the mother/daughter relationship and I know when I become a parent, I will breathe in every moment and make the very best of everything. I guess that was all to say, Amelia is a lucky girl that her mama loves her so much!

[rachel]

it made me so happy to read this. all of it. i especially loved the ending. 'excited for her' - i love it! i love that perspective.

[jeanne e.]

i don't have children and while i am okay with this choice, i have been lately finding myself getting my parenting/maternal thrill vicariously through a handful of my favorite blogs. yours is pretty much at the top of my list! amelia is so sweet and your pictures are so warm and cozy and comforting and full of love. i am so happy you and andy and amelia all found each other and that you are happy to share this with us. thank you. :)

[corinna]

warmth
love
growth
beautiful
my heart is so happy for each person in your lives

[Lynne]

I love your photos, tea musings, MIL visit, beautiful tree shot, and most of all, Little Amelia . . . she is growing and looks so cuddly and snugly. . . I love your writing too!

[Amanda]

I never get to writing out Christmas cards - though they are pretty to look at and the thought is always there.
Sounds like a lovely morning and so special to spend these days with your mother in-law.

[blackbird]

Each day I anticipate more lovely photos of that baby.
She never disappoints.
You've made me remember those wonderful early baby-days...cocooned, warm, snuggled in our cozy home.

[Rhonda Jean]

What a beautiful Christmas this will be for you and Andy. A late congratulations on Amelia's arrival. She is such a cute baby. There are changes to be seen in her already. You're becoming a wonderful mother. ♥

[jenna]

beautiful, beautiful girl, and beautiful family - i'm so, so happy for all of you.

[sharon from sharon stanley writes]

oh my goodness she is such a little muff. just beautiful and those little fists! oh. you have such a lovely way of making the ordinary extraordinary...such a gift for us all to enjoy. amelia is such a style maven already in her beautiful handknitted frocks. oh and send some of that wet rain our way. ..we are dry.

[Christina Aiton]

My son is long grown and gone from home - he has his own home and hearth - but I so love seeing sweet little Amelia - it brings back such fond memories.

[Cheryl Doran-Girard]

As many other of your "fans" I find myself checking in more and more to view your wonderful images and your lovely daughter. Thank you for taking the time to share your happiness, it wraps us all in bliss.

[Alessandra]

lovely great moments and thinkings!!!
xxx Alessandra

[JB]

I stumbled upon your blog via another blog that I can't remember. I get the feeling that your home is so quiet. Like everyone whispers and walks softly. In my house there are loud teenagers playing guitar, three dogs running about, the tv blaring. I visit your blog for a little peace.

[LisaAnn]

Beautiful post, as always.

I just read the comment above my own..the one from JB who wrote about the peace that seems to be all around in your photos. I, too, love it and visit for a little quiet time. My home is full with my family of musicians, teenagers, their friends, puppies playing. It is so nice to have this quiet time. Your home seems truly very blessed with your sweet girl, Amelia. She is a beauty.

I really like your shiny kettle.