I never thought it would be so nice to have a December baby.
Growing up in southern California, I had no idea I’d end up living my adult life in snowy Michigan. When I was pregnant the first time, with my son, I was so happy to be expecting in the summer. I love summer–warm breezes, sunny days, time outside. Happiness!
When I got pregnant with our second, I was slightly dismayed to realize I would be expecting in December.
Cold, snowy, dark December.
I worried about whether postpartum depression was more common at that time of year. I worried about driving to the hospital in a snow storm. I worried about the dangers of having a newborn to tote around during the coldest months of the year. I worried about all the fools who said things like, “Oh, it’ll be hard to have a birthday so close to Christmas.” I worried about having a baby in December and I didn’t like it.
Turns out, I worried in vain.
My daughter came on a snowy weeknight. But I didn’t worry about the snow or darkness, only about making it to the hospital in time as she was MUCH quicker than her brother. My two day stay in the hospital at Christmas time was–dare I say it?–peaceful. The hospital was decorated beautifully for Christmas. The demeanor of the nurses was happy. Besides the swearing and cursing that accompanied my labor, the remaining time in the hospital was spent listening to a Christmas album as we cuddled with our newborn. (Remember how most newborns are out of it the first day and really wake up and scream the next 3 months after you drive home from the hospital?!) My husband found our daughter’s name on a Christmas tree ornament in the gift shop and it is still so special to me.
We drove home on a dark, snowy night. But again, it was peaceful. There was no one else was on the road and I didn’t have the first-time jitters that marked the ride home with my firstborn.
The next few weeks of caring for my newborn during the Christmas season went by sweetly. I nursed by Christmas lights. I ate good food that other people cooked. I had the greatest excuse for skipping Christmas busywork and just enjoying the season.
Having a baby in December? It was everything I did not realize it could be.
If you liked this post about having a baby in December, you may like these:
Happy birthday Sydney!! My Grandma was a Christmas baby. I grew up think that Christmas only lasted until lunch time, because after that was Grandma’s birthday!! lol
Rabia @ TheLiebers recently posted…Wordless Wednesday: Verizon edition
Good for grandma! Thanks for the well wishes!
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…Christmas With My Baby
I am having an X’mas baby , which I considered poor planning. But the way you made it sound is nice. Happy bday to your (not so) little one – best Xmas present ever.
Not Winning Mom of the Year recently posted…Bring On The Water Works
I have a December baby too. He was born on the 27th, so he gets to have a lot of fun during that week. Since we have so many family December Bdays, I think everyone is especially sensitive in making sure to celebrate the season AND celebrate the birthdays. It makes for an expensive and busy month, and sometimes it’s hard to find the optimal time to throw a party, but we’re making it work. 🙂
Kerry recently posted…Just Text Me
I have a December baby myself! I remember the day being totally peaceful, too! It’s a good time of year!
Happy birthday to your girl!
Stopping by from SITS.
Kacie recently posted…Obsessed.
And happy birthday to your December baby!
What a great story of your daughters birth! Happy Birthday to her!
I live in Maine and my first is also a little boy who was born in the middle of the summer (on his Dad’s birthday) and when I found out I was due in February, one of my first thoughts was how am I going to do birthday parties in the winter! We have always done BBQ’s for my son. Since she is just about to have her first birthday I am still struggling with that one but the more I look for ideas the more excited I get. Thank you for sharing your story 🙂
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We’re having the party tomorrow in the basement. It is what it is and they’ll still have fun! Thanks for coming by. 🙂
This is very sweet. I was expecting a December baby in 2006 and was nervous about it. I was concerned about her birthdays being so close to Christmas and all kinds of stuff. Then just when I was used to the idea of having my little Santa baby, she came prematurely in October. Babies are blessings in any month. Now I’m sad that they grow so fast. All those cute December outfits were my favorite. Have a wonderful holiday season.
Tonia recently posted…My "Top 10 Items for Holiday Road Trips" #KiaHoliday
Yes, a blessing in any month AND they grow too fast!! Thanks for visiting!
My daughter’s birthday is December 28… She was due on Christmas Eve. While I was pregnant with her someone asked what my due date was and when I told them they looked at me horrified and said “You didn’t plan that well at all!” Actually, she was the best Christmas gift ever, even if she was s few days late. Now her sister’s birthday is September 10, and I’m a 5th grade teacher… Didn’t plan her so well either.
Something I didn’t say in my post, but could’ve, is that my birthday is the day after my daughter’s. People seemed so concerned that -gasp- we might have the same birthday and wouldn’t that be bad. Pshah, people! Congrats and enjoy your best Christmas present ever and your back to school baby!
I always dreamed of having a girl at Xmas time! Lucky you, I wanted to call her Noelle. Yep, it’s true. She would have killed me. Well here’s hoping! P.S Is that your husband? A handsome little nugget, well done.
Lou Lou recently posted…A Very Swedish Christmas – part 2
Yes, that’s my husband, and thank you! Did I ever tell you that Sydney is named after the great city in Australia? So she can never visit there as all the Aussies will poke fun. But it’s true. I spent my junior year of college there and had a great time.
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom recently posted…More Rage Against the Kindergarten Machine
I’m from Sydney!!!!!!! It’s such a great city!!!!!! Oh I love the name Sydney for a girl! That is fabulous that you loved the city so, I’m happy to hear that. I actually thought about calling one of my girls Sydney but thought the, same thing, she is totally cop it if we move back.
Lou Lou recently posted…A Very Swedish Christmas – part 2
Oh this tugged on my heart strings! I’m getting ready to celebrate my youngest’s birthday. He’ll be nine. NINE! I have a special memory of nursing my little guy in my mother-in-law’s room on Christmas day. It was so peaceful and quiet and the whole the world stopped in that moment.
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We just found out that we are due with our first child on December 19. I never really cared for my own December birthday (the 15th) as a kid, so I was concerned about it for our baby. But you make having a baby in December sound so lovely. Thanks.
Congratulations! I’m excited for you! And, thanks for the compliment on my post.
We are expecting our third in December (due date it 12-40-15 but having a repeat c-section) our nephew’s is the 26th. At first I was a little upset, we got pregnant a little sooner then we really wanted. But then we realized my husband might get to be home for Christmas because of the birth. He is getting ready to leave on deployment.
Congrats! And it looks like all things are leading to a magical time of year to have your husband home, celebrate the baby’s birth, and enjoy the season. 🙂
Me and my siblings are born 21,21, and 28th of December. People always comment about our birthdays being so close to each other and close to Christmas but it only makes the holiday season so much more special. My sisters kids are all born in the beginning of January so we like to keep it around that time of year. I never thought of having a baby during the Christmas season as a bad thing, but I really enjoyed reading this article. Made me think about what my mom must have been feeling when she was told she would have a third baby in December 🙂
Thank you for taking the time to comment! I’m glad that your family has so many reasons to celebrate December each year. That makes it extremely special I think!
Sorry we are born the 21st, 22nd, and 28th.
Thank you so much for this post. I’m a first time mom expecting a week before Christmas and super anxious about the New England winters. But now I am looking forward to later this year.
Congratulations! I’m so happy that I helped you look forward to it. I must say, too, after having 1 baby in the summer and 1 in December that I found it easier to stay home and cuddle/feed a baby in the winter. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything (i.e. summer fun!) when I was home with a newborn 1-2 months in winter. Good luck!!