Santa Baby- December 16, 2010
I’ve had little talks with my daughter since she was born six weeks ago. I promised her I’d never lie to her…except about Santa Claus. (Sorry Kiddo. I will lie about Santa. I’ll swear he’s the real deal. But, only until you’re about 9 or 10. After that it’s just sad and I don’t want you to be that kid.) I had high hopes for Charlotte’s first visit with the big guy. One of my favorite local baby boutiques, Smart Momma, was having Santa at the store Sunday. I figured this small store would spare us the long line of germy hands and croup around our newborn.
I went through Charlotte’s Christmas layette to find the perfect festive outfit for the occasion. This is ridiculous. I think I have a problem. This is what I had to choose from…
At the store I determined there are three types of kids and the parents that go with them…
- The Believer- This 5 to 8 year old kid means business. He fights his way to the front of the line, paying no mind to the toddler he just knocked over to get there. He loses his effing mind over Santa. The threats from parents don’t scare him much because he’s learned over his past six Christmases that the stock room of Toys R Us still ends up in his living room even if he hit his sister the week before. This child holds up the line explaining the exact size and color of the Zhu Zhu Pet he wants this year. His parents nervously laugh as they ask him to wrap it up, glancing behind them at other impatient parents. They have to remind him to thank Santa and give him a hug. The kid takes off, barely pausing for a picture. I mean, why be up there if you’re not rattling off your list?
- The Crier– This -1 to 3 year old wants nothing to do with Santa. She’ll look at her parents like they’ve sold her into slavery when they put her on his lap. She’ll wail like someone is shoving bamboo shoots under her fingernails. This child has forgotten all about the Elmo doll and Yo Gabba Gabba DVD she wanted as she rehearsed with her parents what she would say to Santa while standing in line. That is, if she even has the language skills to express this. Her desperate parents actually say “Smile!” over the screams. They give up, quickly getting a picture as the crocodile tears flow.
- The Sleeper– The parents of the sleeper unnecessarily dress up their little baby in a festive holiday outfit they already had to wash twice since she spit up on it the other times they tried to get her out the door to meet Santa. These parents think they’ve timed it right. They think, “She’s fed (and spit-up), she’s changed, she’ll sleep in the car seat and then wake up for Santa.” They’re right. They get her out of the seat and she wakes up. She looks adorable. All the other parents look longingly at the sweet little one, remembering when their Believer and Crier were that age. Her new parents proudly hold her and answer questions about how long she’s sleeping at night. But, the time of awake cuteness is limited. The clock ticks away as the Sleeper gets a little fussier and the parents give her a paci. Inevitably the Sleeper is out cold by the time she’s next in line.
Guess which one Charlotte was?
Spread it around:
Oh my gosh…that picture is PRICELESS! Enjoy that sleeper.
that is just precious. and what a great santa too!
Too cute!
precious! yes, enjoy the sleeper this year. who knows what next year will hold.
oh my gosh she's such a cutie!
it broke Sabrina's heart when she figured out that Santa may not be real.
I'm not sure if it's something I want to teach Damian and Natasha. On the one hand, I want them to enjoy the fun and magic of it, on the other hand, I don't want to see them cry the way Sabrina did. It's been four years and she's still trying to figure out if her last santa gift was really from Santa. I can't bare to lie to her,s o I don't answer her.
Oh I visited Smart Momma website and they said that if I order today, I'll get the cute little baby clothes before Christmas. And thank so much for sharing!
I want to wish you a Merry Christmas in advance
Scarves Scarves
Sorry for commenting on such an old entry, Amy, but I've been a lax blogger and reader lately. Once I started reading about life with Charlotte though, I couldn't stop–such a cutie pie!
I was a devilish little kid. Legend has it, I laughed maniacally at Santa and called him "the fat man."
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