Just after turning 9 months old, Brielle enjoyed celebrating her first Christmas with numerous gifts and fun family visits.
Granddad Scott was the first to arrive, all the way from Florida. It only took Brielle a few minutes to start to warm up to him.
Then she expressed her love for him by grabbing onto his hands and dancing.
Uncle Kevin, Aunt Anoosh, and Cousin Sylvia arrived next from Los Angeles. Sylvia is almost 20 months old now. The last time she and Brielle saw each other, Brielle was only 5 weeks old and didn't seem too aware of her. We were looking forward to seeing how the two would get along now.
Being a mom herself (and a wonderful person), Aunt Anoosh was a natural for entertaining Brielle and knowing exactly how to make her happy.
Brielle expressed her approval by dancing again.
This was the first time in our 14 years together that Kraig and I got to stay home for Christmas and host the family visits at our house...and decorate!
With our new tree, we were finally able to put up ornaments we've received as gifts over the years, including new ones honoring Brielle's first Christmas.
For the first celebration, we put up stockings for everyone.
We began Christmas morning with opening our stockings. 
Brielle received several types of food, little stuffed toys, and teething toys...all of which went straight from the stocking into her mouth.
Brielle did well with opening gifts - she would often happily play on the floor with the most recent gift given to her while she awaited her turn to open her next gift. Here's how the process went for each gift: She would tear a little at the wrapping...good job so far, Brielle!...
...Then the wrapping paper would go into her mouth!...Oh well.
Brielle did well with opening gifts - she would often happily play on the floor with the most recent gift given to her while she awaited her turn to open her next gift. Here's how the process went for each gift: She would tear a little at the wrapping...good job so far, Brielle!...
...Then the wrapping paper would go into her mouth!...Oh well.
Cousin Sylvia enjoyed opening a lot of fun gifts, too. She was full of energy and enjoyed running back and forth to the Christmas tree to touch the branches and tell everyone how prickly they were.
Despite her busy eating, sleeping, and playing schedule, Brielle somehow managed to purchase and wrap gifts for other family members. She gave Granddad a deck of playing cards with her photo on them.
And every family member received a Brielle 2010 calendar. She enjoyed looking at her photos as they flipped through the months.
Unfortunately, Sujata wasn't able to make it up to Portland from Florida to celebrate with us in person this year. But we did enjoy a nice Christmas Skype session with her to tell her how much Brielle liked her gifts from her.
Brielle sends a big "thank you!" to the family members and friends who sent her gifts for this first opening - Granddad Scott, Sujata, Uncle Kevin, Aunt Anoosh, Cousin Sylvia, Mommy, Daddy, Icarus, Papa Duane, Nana Karen, Aunt Amy, Uncle Todd, Uncle Chris, Aunt Carolyn, Aunt Maxine, Fran & Mark (in Los Angeles), and Barbara & Kurt (in Albuquerque).
Daddies and daughters...
Brielle was VERY fascinated by Sylvia - I'm going to devote a separate blog entry to their visit together.
Merry Christmas everyone!
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