Over the past few years we've tried several different ways of celebrating our Christmas baby in the hopes of landing on a few traditions that honor the privilege of having such a special birthday, as well as give her day to call the shots like the rest of us get throughout the year. We've tried a few things that have worked well (having a combined daddy/Caroline birthday celebration on the 26th or 27th) and some things that have not worked so well (sweeping everything Christmas to the side and having a birthday party in the evening on the 25th), and this year I think we've settled on a few traditions that give Caroline the chance to fully enjoy Christmas and still feel special for her birthday.

My favorite new tradition for her that we added this year is her birthday tree from Maw Maw. With seven special ornaments on it and the promise of a new one each year, I think it's a really special way to celebrate who she was in that previous year. So far her ornaments include everything from a ball made from newspaper clippings from the day of her birth, to a tea cup (a nod to her tea party birthday last year), to a little "Chesty" ornament for this year. I know that she'll look forward to decorating her own tree every year and will love her collection of ornaments as she grows.

People are quick to feel sorry for our Christmas baby assuming that she'll get a raw deal, but I hope she always knows how special and wonderful it is to have been born on the day that we celebrate the birth of our Lord. I really can't imagine a sweeter birthday.

Birthday tree joy...