Jingle bell sleep.

Me:Ok, perfect. Ummm...maybe a little to the left. Yep, that's it.

Husband: You do realize it's the third weekend in November and we're putting up our Christmas tree, right?

*I tilt head and look at husband questioningly.

Me: Your point?

Now that baby is in the picture, I can finally fulfill my lifetime dream of putting up Christmas decorations way before it's socially acceptable to do so. What won't us mothers do for our wee little ones anyway? Alright, I have to admit that baby isn't the sole reason for my holiday eagerness; I am a Christmas junkie. I love everything about this time of year, so you can understand my enthusiasm when baby seems to show just as much appreciation for the season as I do.

Just a couple of weeks ago, baby began pointing and yelling "danta" at nearly every passing man with a 5 o'clock shadow. He is amazed with the lights, the ornaments, the tree and of course, all things Santa. I have found my perfect little Christmas mate.

Tonight it was just baby and I as we cruised the mall. There were crowds of people, but the two of us nearly skipped through the aisles (well, I nearly skipped through the mall. Baby was firmly strapped in his stroller, but I sensed he would have skipped if he could). We were giddy and for all the years I have contained myself and shown restraint, I now have an excuse to oooh and ahhh over the twinkling lights, the overly decorated trees, and the Santa display.

Our local mall has given up on the age old torture of placing unwilling babies on Santa's lap. Instead, kids who have registered can sit in an assigned area and listen to Santa sing and read stories for 15 minutes. Tonight, baby and I sat on the sidelines and watched. And as he watched with all his baby gusto, grunting "ho ho ho" right along with the bearded guy, I watched him. And as I watched, I teared up. And then I cursed myself for being such a sap. And then I looked around at all the moms and dads showing just as much vigor as I (minus the tears) and I didn't care. Children have this amazing gift of getting you to see everything is an entirely new way; albeit a sappy, teary-eyed, gooey kind of way. Good lord. What will baby and I do come January?