BMT: Isolation (Day +130)

After having our non-traditional Christmas at UCSF, we decided to do a “Christmas Redux” so we could finally exchange our gifts and eat all the yummy Christmas food that had so patiently waited for us in the fridge.

After getting out of the hospital on the 26th, we decided to take an entire day to prepare for Christmas Redux.  So we spent the 27th as we would any other Christmas Eve. Patrick took the boys out for a nice long walk while I filled the stockings and wrapped the last of the gifts. We ate chocolates and watched Christmas movies. Connor helped me leave out cookies and milk for Santa, and carrots for the reindeer. And once the boys were tucked in their beds, dreaming of sugar plums, Mommy and Daddy snuck all of the gifts under the tree, set out the stockings, and made our favorite Christmas morning breakfast, Holiday Strata.  Strata is the only way to do Christmas breakfast.  I love the fact that I only need to place the strata in the oven Christmas morning, drink a cup of coffee and eat a pound of chocolate, and then faster than you can say “Jingle BAM!!” – breakfast is served.

Christmas Redux morning (the 28th) was full of excitement! Connor was the first one up (thankfully just after 7am)! Climbed into our bed (for a little cuddle) and then practically dragged us out to look at his gifts! Being the realistic parents we are, we decided that anticipation is the best part of Christmas.  So instead of letting the boys tear open their gifts, we first enjoyed our stockings (tons of goodies in there!), followed by breakfast. Next, we had our ritual Christmas morning walk. In California, you never know how hot it is going to get. However, in December, it is usually quite a bit cooler…. especially in the morning. With the morning fog and the cool air, it almost feels like our Canadian Winter Wonderland.  This is the season I miss home the most.

Around 10:30am, it was FINALLY time for gifts! The boys spent 3 hours savoring every moment. Open one toy, play with it for a bit, then open the next. Connor was having so much fun, he kept asking to open up every one else’s gifts! Clark on the other hand was content opening 2 gifts, and then playing the rest of the time. He also managed to climb into some of the bigger boxes and attempted to drive them around the block.

The rest of the day was spent PLAYING! So much to play with! We also finished off most of our cookies, squares and chocolates, as well as a cheese ball before dinner. :) Thankfully dinner was mostly veggies with a side of tri-tip steak. We had such a wonderful Christmas. I was a little worried it wouldn’t feel like the real thing, but it did! And even though we weren’t able to spend the holidays with our family and friends, you were all in our hearts.