Jane's First Hanukkah (A Guest Post from Auntie Amanda)

On the first weekend of Hanukkah, Uncle Stephen and Auntie Amanda went to visit Janie in Philadelphia.

They gave Jane her first Hanukkah present, her very own menorah. At first, Jane found the present very interesting, but then she realized that it wasn't anything she could put in her mouth, so daddy's fingers became infinitely more intriguing. Later, she tried to eat the wrapping paper, and it turned her mouth and tongue a delicious shade of indigo, which made her aunt giggle and her parents a little concerned.

In addition to the menorah, Jane got eight other presents from her aunt and uncle for Hanukkah; they spoil her because she's the best niece ever.  Jane's mommy and uncle then lit the menorahs and sang a very beautiful prayer. Jane was fascinated by the jangly noises made by the animals on her Noah's Ark menorah, as well as by the flickering candles.

Jane's uncle was in turn fascinated by all the things that Jane could do now that she's so grown up.  

She can hold her head up all by herself, sit, smile, and laugh.

In fact, Jane loves to laugh.

Especially when her Auntie Amanda is playing a hilarious game of bouncy couch with her.

Other things Jane likes to do include spitting up (particularly all over Uncle Stephen),

playing with Sophie the Giraffe,

and thoughtfully engaging with the cool toys on her activity mat. 

Although it's possible that Jane is only thinking about which of the dangly, rattly things she should attempt to chew on, Aunt Amanda is convinced that her niece is contemplating the meaning of the universe and deliberating about how to bring peace and goodness to the world.

Of all the things Jane loves to do, though, her favorite activity is to snuggle, be it with her uncle,

her mommy,

or her dad.

When it was time for her aunt and uncle to fly home to Boston, they were very sad to go, because who would want to leave this face?

All in all, Jane's first Hanukkah was very eventful.  She hopes your holiday season is as fun and memorable, and that your aunt and uncle are as awesome as hers!