Poof...

and December has disappeared.  But boy, was it packed with fun and fa-la-la-la-la!  We managed to throw Finley's first road trip into the mix with Christmas and SPK spending the majority of his spare time building cornhole boards about a 30 minute drive from home.  A quick synopsis of December will have to do:
December 3
Finley was four months old...He weighed 16 pounds 4 ounces with a length of 25.75 inches.  His head circumference was 16.75 inches.  These measurements put him in the 75%ile.  During the office visit, his favorite part continues to be the wax paper roll under his feet.  I'm considering buying a roll to use at home.  I hold him up while he pounds out a beat with his feet.  Not-so-favorite part?  Yea.  Shots.  He is having none of it. 
December 16-22
Our first road trip with baby boy?  Hilton Head Island.  Hey, go big or go home, right?  Why not try a 7 hour car ride, while nursing a baby who tends to dislike, no despise, anytime in his carseat!?  :)  As awful as it could have been, he did an amazing job for a baby who hadn't been in the car longer than 25 minutes in one trip.  Mapquest suggested a time of 7 hours and 2 minutes, while our GPS gloated 6 hours and 41 minutes.  We floored both technological devices with a whopping 9 hour and 20 minute trip.  I'm suggesting both companies add an App which suggests the travel time for parents with nursing babies or toddlers or simply, traveling with children. Along the same lines, packing for a week long trip to the beach?  Holy.cow.it.was.crazy.really.really.crazy.and.TONS.of.stuff.TONS.
Our home for the week was the Marriott Harbour Town Resort.  From our front door, we overlooked the Sound and the candy-striped lighthouse, which was fitting for the time of year.  While there, we took long walks under the moss-covered South Carolina trees in 75 degree weather, strolled out on the pier to watch dolphins play, snoozed through long morning naps, and most of all, spent time as a family of three.  It was a bit surreal to be on vacation with our baby, our new family of three.  A few times we drove further inland to get our fill of outlet shopping and to eat at a restaurant or two.  Most nights we stayed in our villa, cooked dinner, and ended the night relaxing on the couch. 
By definition, vacation is normally quiet time for us.  Lots of book reading, long runs, bike rides, mornings with coffee and newspapers.  It reminded me of the word tranquil.  We have acquired a new vacation which consists of short spans of quiet.  Instead, babbling, cooing, crying, giggling, sometimes screaming sounds filled our every moment.  Even with the lack of quiet, I have to say, it's my new favorite kind of vacation. 
December 24
We celebrated Christmas with SPK's family with an early visit to Grandma's, the church Christmas Eve service, and we ended the night at Nana's. 
December 25
Our morning started with opening presents at home, just the three of us.  We purposely went small with Finley's gifts this year.  He received his stocking and a new winter hat (thanks, outlet shopping!). After opening gifts under our tree, we went to spend the day with the Kiers. 

December 2012 was full of firsts and family moments and fun and fa-la-la-la-la and finally, Finley...:)