Arianna's presence made our annual Wigilia — the authentic Polish Christmas Eve dinner Ania cooks every year — an even happier tradition.

She was cranky that day since she'd had trouble sleeping, and ended up getting over-tired. I took her for a ride to try to lull her to sleep while Ania finished cooking. She slept for a while, but eventually started screaming, so I stopped at Kennedy Grove to check on her.

Nothing seemed to calm her for very long, and I was worried that people wouldn't understand — she was really screaming — that this is just how it is with babies sometimes. Just as I was thinking that, an understanding mom stopped on her way out to commiserate and offer moral support, recalling how her daughter, now older, and sitting next to her, used to do the same thing. A cool thing about being in the "parent club" is that the other "members" know how it is.

She was still a bit fussy at dinner, but nothing could dampen our delight at her being with us.

Ari got lots of great gifts this Christmas -- we can already see that Uncle Dave is going to be spoiling her, and Aunt Vanessa put her in her very own book -- but two were "historically" important: Grandma Wanda (Ania's mom) sent a doll from Poland that is just like ones that Ania grew up playing with. It's a great way to pass along some of her Polish heritage. My parents found a copy of "Young Years", the storybook full of nursery rhymes and fables they read to Jene and me when we were children. I have fond memories of those stories and the times spent reading them, and look forward to creating similar memories for Arianna.

We made our traditional Christmas Day visit to the Elmgrens, followed by dinner at Vanessa & Terry's, where the family always enjoys Christmas dinner with lots of holiday cheer.

Ari enjoyed some time with Uncle Kenny, who used to hold me when I was a baby.

Milestones & Metrics

• Enjoyed her first Wigilia, our annual Polish Christmas Eve dinner.
• Celebrated her first Christmas.
• Started looking at her hands, seeming to recognize that they're part of her.
• Can hold the rattle if you put it in her hand.
• Seems to really enjoy -- and participate in -- sitting up exercises.
• Had her first shower with Mommy and really enjoyed it!
• Ania discovered something that makes Ari laugh; she thinks it's hilarious when Ania puts her toes up to her mouth. It's amazing to see our baby laugh!
• How Arianna looks this week: