Rowan's Second Christmas - Jillian Eversole

How have I been a mom to Rowan for two Christmases already!? Looking back on photos from Rowan’s first Christmas (plus, a fun video here!), I’m in absolute disbelief about how much he has grown in a year from a little 3-month-old to an active 15-month-old. Rowan’s Second Christmas felt really special! He is so engaged in the world around him so he was curious about opening gifts under the tree (aka he liked ripping the wrapping paper and playing with/in boxes) and was immediately excited about the new gifts he received! The gifts Rowan received that were the biggest hits were this toy shopping cart, this wooden activity cube, and this patriotic toy race car.

It was a blast having him sit at the table with us and participate in Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas morning breakfast, and Christmas dinner. He’s becoming such a big little boy and my heart can hardly handle it! I’ve talked to numerous mom friends who say that the Christmas between 2 and 3 years of age is the first when they start to have an understanding of what is gone on so I’m already excited for Rowan’s third Christmas next December. Each and every holiday season holds something new, which makes each one that much more exciting for us as parents.

For Christmas Eve, we mixed it up and had a traditional New England lobster boil as some of my parents’ friends sent them a dozen Maine lobsters. It was a complete change for us but one we all loved and had a blast with! We finished the day by reading The Night Before Christmas at home with Rowan before snuggling in for the night.

On Christmas morning, Edwin, Rowan, and had I our own opening of stockings and gifts at our house and a first go at Christmas morning breakfast. After Rowan’s morning nap, we walked over to my parents’ house and had a big Christmas brunch and opened presents with our family of 3, my parents, my sister and her fiancé, and my brother. Everyone enjoyed some new gifts over mimosas before we all took an hour to rest so Rowan could squeeze in his afternoon nap. The whole gang walked over to our neighborhood pickle ball courts next for some round robin pickle, which was a blast! Needless to say, my brother had everyone’s number on the court!

Everyone freshened up and then we had a big Christmas dinner at my parents’ house with caviar to start and then lamb shank, chunky mashed potatoes, veggies, salad, baked bread, and coconut cake + peppermint ice cream for dessert. Lots of gin rummy and dominoes were played throughout the day, Christmas music trickled through the house, bellies were full, and cheer was had all around. It was a relaxing yet busy day and very full of Christmas spirit!

On the day after Christmas, Charleston was a warm 74 degrees so we enjoyed a long neighborhood stroll downtown before going out to the beach for the afternoon and an early Mexican food dinner. I really couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas weekend!

Rowan’s Second Christmas

Below is a mini photo diary of sorts with tons of photos from the past month (plus links!). Like last year’s recap of Rowan’s first Christmas (plus, a fun video here!), this post is a selfish one for me because I love having a place to go back to and see my son from this magical time of year and time of his life.

I hope each and every one of you had a blessed, happy, healthy, and safe Christmas with family and friends! Warm holiday and New Years wishes from our family to yours!