Thursday, December 15, 2011

On Family

Gingerbread image from here.

I was a grump last night.  What I posted is probably more than a little selfish, but I think it boils down to a couple of things:
1. I need a night out, preferably with a grown-up beverage in my hand.
2. Brad and I need to develop some holiday traditions and lay some groundwork.

I feel that my first point is pretty self-explanatory to anyone under the age of 35 who works.  Now and then, you just need to get out.  Normally, Brad and I are in bed by 9:30 PM.  We work hard throughout the day, eat an early dinner, and try to relax.  We are still settling into married life and have the additional fun of redoing the living room.  We're busy people.  However, that doesn't negate the need to sometimes go out and act our ages.

My second point gets more at my frustration, though I'm not sure frustration is the word I want.  My father is a huge grump and I don't think he'll want to do anything for Christmas this year.  If he does, he'll come over one night for a couple hours and we'll exchange gifts.  Not a big deal.  On Christmas, my mom, sister (family), and brother will come over to our apartment for gifts and dinner.  We are celebrating with Brad's immediate family this Friday, extended maternal family on Christmas Eve, and extended paternal family on New Year's Eve.  All combined, that is a lot of Christmases and not something that I will necessarily want to drag a kid (or two. or three.) around to all December.  I want Brad and I to really talk about what is important to us and what we envision for the future.

I'm trying to be careful here because my mom checks in on this blog now and then, along with some members of Brad's family.  I'm not saying that I don't enjoy getting together with any of my family members (in-law or blood) because I love them and I love hanging out and eating too much food.  There are babies to hold and newlywed cousins to catch up with and all the aunts and uncles and grandparents.  They are wonderful, but we are devoting ourselves to FIVE Christmases, FIVE get-togethers and that is a lot. 

I want my (future) babies to wake up on Christmas in their own beds.  I want them to see their grandparents on or near Christmas.  I adore large family gatherings and would love for our (future) children to grow up running around with cousins and declaring favorite aunts and uncles.  I just don't know if I want all of this in December.

How did you split up holidays?  What new traditions have you put in place?  How do you think it all changes when you add children?

3 comments:

Justine said...

Ok, this has NOTHING to do with this post, but I didn't see anywhere else to comment on it. I don't know why it took me so long to notice this, but we wore the same dress for our weddings.

That makes us awesome. *high five!*

melanieandbrad said...

*high five!*

I love the necklace you wore with your dress! I adored the bow and my friend threatened me if I removed the bling, so I love how we wore the same dress differently.

alesha said...

Hi Melanie!
My name is Alesha, and Brad and I worked together at the Y for.....ummm.....many years. He just sent me the link to your wedding photos and this blog, and I must say, you looked stunning, and Brad looked incredibly happy. I am so happy for the two of you! I hope one day in the near future I can catch up with the two of you!
As far as your frustrations for today, two comments: 1. I am having many adult drinks tomorrow evening because it is my last day at the Y. I have been working there for more than 12 years, and I am leaving to go back to school to get my Masters, so it is a huge change for me. If you two get finished with family stuff early, I'd love for the two of you to join myself and a lot of fun Y people! Brad has my #!
2. My daughter will be 2 in February. This year I decided to host Thanksgiving because we typically go 2-3 places, and I did not want to do that this year. It was SOOOOO nice being home, cooking at my leisure, and letting her nap when she was tired. My husband agreed. I am planning on doing somewhat of the same for Christmas. The holiday are for her now, and I do not want to make her stressed or have any less fun because we have to visit 10 different places.
Hope you have a great holiday!