The Big Reveal (UPDATED 12/28)

12/28 Update:  This post was rushed and does not do the stocking justice.  I am now adding more pictures to show off some customization she did,  and to highlight some of my favorite details.  The new pictures are at the end.

Remember "Sneak Peak" from way back in April?  Well, it turns out Dominic's Aunt Emmy made him a stocking!! That is, made from scratch using thread and needle. And since these pictures were take, it has been transported to San Diego where it is awaiting our arrival and the big night.  This will be the first time Santa has been to the Gerow house in several years!  (He cut us off when Robert grew up).

Here's the finished product:

She's so talented! Thanks, Em! This is definitely something I would try to grab if I was running out of my burning house.  I think that says it all.

Here are some close-ups:

We bought metallic thread for the dog's collar as well as the garland on the tree.

Emmy custom-designed the wrapping paper, including miniature holly and snowflakes (on the blue paper).

She also customized two picture frames on the mantle.  One contains an old-fashioned silhouette and the other has Dominic's initial.

We bought blue satin for the lining.  It will feel nice on his hands when he goes in for his treats.

Emmy sewed red cord piping all the way around the edge.

And we picked out this manly plaid for the back.

You better watch out, you better not cry...

I took Dominic to see Santa today.  I was a little worried about going because: 1) it's less than a week until Christmas and 2) it was raining all day and the mall near us is outdoors.  I think the rain worked to my advantage because there was no line. 

Dominic must have sensed I was going to hand him over to the big guy, because he got nervous immediately.  Seeing Dominic's trepidation, Santa asked if I wanted to be in the picture.  I said we could see how it goes at first, and then I can get in the picture.  Santa said, "No, we better do it the other way around.  Once it's over, it's over."  That Santa is a smart guy.  He was so right.  I sat for the first several pictures, during which the photographer was jumping around and playing peek-a-boo.  Dominic was slightly amused, but she said he only half-smiled once and she missed it.  Next, I got up and handed him to Santa.  He cried immediately and did not calm completely until we left the "workshop".  Santa knew there would be no recovery if we had reversed the order.  I guess he's done this a few times.  

Here are the three pictures I got on CD (for the outrageous price of $30, eek)

 That last one is my favorite.  I can't help it, I think he's so cute when he cries.

It's December!

(Pretend like I posted this like 2 weeks ago) My favorite month of the year.  Dominic, Marcos, Emmy and I will be spending Christmas in San Diego.  We still wanted to decorate the house, however.  I did my usual thing in the fireplace and mantle area, and we went shopping for a Christmas tree.

These pictures are from my phone and are bit over-exposed.

 

 Look how different the little dude looked last year! (And the weather was way warmer last year).

I warned Emmy and Marcos that the tree we picked was going to be huge in our living room, but they insisted that we get it.  It's a good looking tree, but it could not be any bigger without blocking the walk way to my bedroom.

Here are some pictures of the mantle area.

And here are the tree lights and me having fun with the camera.

The boy always looks up when I talk to him about the star at the top.