Can you imagine being 9 months old and seeing Santa for the first time? I wonder what my little guy was thinking. He seemed particularly fascinated by all that hair on Santa’s face. He just kept looking at him. I think I was more excited. Some of this mommy stuff is still so surreal to me. Waiting in line with James to see Santa, I’m realizing that I’m taking my baby to see Santa?! When it was our turn, I just held James and made the introductions. Our Santa was so nice!! Since it wasn’t busy, there was no rush and when I thought James was comfortable, I handed him over and stepped back. My heart swelled seeing my little guy sitting on Santa’s lap holding his hand! I seriously almost cried, but I had to get it together so I could get James’ attention for another picture.
Afterwards, Santa gave me some tips for next year, when James is older and more likely to get freaked out:
Come early in the season, just after Thanksgiving, when it’s not busy and you can take more time with Santa (he said one day he had only a handful of visitors at that time);
It’s also less busy during the week and earlier in the day; and
Be prepared to get in the picture too!
In retrospect, I wish I would’ve brought Santa a gift. He was just so genuinely kind. Maybe I can still go back . . .
And after browsing around for a unique “Baby’s First Christmas” ornament, I finally found one at Bering’s Hardware last week.
I’m fond of how it says “baby’s first Christmas” without actually saying it:) And a ‘paci’ is particularly appropriate for our little guy since he’s hooked on them for sleeping. The ornament is made by OWC and sold many places online, including here.
I’m unusually relaxed for still not being any closer to having things ready for Christmas- maybe taking some time off for Santa yesterday did mama some good too! I’m sure you moms have lots of stories of pictures with Santa. Wouldn’t that be a funny link party idea?!
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i wish i took our own little guy when he was smaller (where he has no choice but to sit on his lap)…took him 2 wks ago and he's fine watching him from afar but when it was his turn – he thinks he's way too cool to be sitting on this old man's lap! ugh!
baby james is too cute!
Awww, what a great picture! I remember our oldest daughter's 1st picture with Santa…she is sitting on his lap with a paci in each hand and one in her mouth, don't know how she kept it in as she was SCREAMING! We laught about it now.
My grand daughter is just turning 3 and she is so freaked out by Santa….no picture again this year….I have to say that is really one of the best Santa pictures I have ever seen, James is a total doll! PS loved your nativity set too
Yeah, we totally need that binky ornament!! My boy gave Santa a giant grin as soon as he sat down, but unfortunately the "photographers" (more like camera-operating people!) waited until he looked at the camera to take the picture, so he's got this blank look on his face! Oh well.
So cute! My daughter was about 9 months when she met Santa for the first time & she loved him! The next year, not so much! This year, she was ready and was a chatterbox the whole time she was on his lap. I am with you…those little moments make your heart swell with love!
So adorable and he is smiling so nicely! I don't know how many pictures I have seen of my friends' kids and one if not both of their kids on his lap screaming 🙂
That's one of the best photos with Santa I've seen- usually little ones cry and scream- your little guy looks quite pleased with the whole thing and adorable of course. That Santa was fantastic- so realistic. xo
Great photo! Santa gave you some good tips. That second year is a tough one. I think Natalie had just turned a year old when I took her for the second time. That year, the photo is of her screaming bloody murder. Funny now, but not then. 😉
My little guy is 10 months old, oh I hope he does this good when we see Santa…fingers crossed!!!!!
Paula
P.S. ADORABLE picture : )
That pic of the two of them looking at each other is priceless! I love how he is holding Santa's hand. My little guy is 15 months and I was in the Santa picture this year. 🙂 He about crawled over my shoulder when I went to set him down in Santa's lap. 🙂
What precious pictures! I would have cried. And what a nice Santa!! He does deserve a little something. Enjoy the holidays!
That second picture is to die for… It is perfect!!! What a little sweetheart…
I can't believe he took such a fabulous picture- that second one is perfect!!! I'm sure you guys had so much fun! 🙂
Both of those pictures are so great! 🙂 I actually seriously love the one of your little man and Santa looking at each other, so adorable!
He is so precious!!!
He is so cute! My little girl (she is 2 years old) she didn't want to be near to Santa! So no pictures with Santa this year! My little boy (he is 4 years old) he was very cool about it! He took pictures with the Santa and tell him what he wants for present! 🙂
Oh I love these pictures! James is so sweet holding Santas hand! This is our second year of not going to see Santa…our little loves him but doesn't like the idea of sitting on his lap. I'm a little sad…
great pictures and awesome Santa! My daughter is 4 1/2 years old and we have ONE picture of her with santa at 9 months old. My son is 18 months and he sat with Santa last year, we weren't able to go last weekend…so we will see what happens this year. Mia still won't sit on his lap!
So cute! James is being so good, and what an awesome Santa. I've yet to take our little guy to sit on Santa's lap. It's always such a long line that I just can't take it…sounds like you went at a great time! Thankfully we saw Santa when cutting down our Christmas tree though. Phew!
That photo is great! Cute ornament too.
That is such a great picture! You're lucky…at 9 months my son was crying during his picture and this year, he made it known that he did not want to get near Santa! Ha ha
Your photos are precious! I especially love the one with James staring at Santa. James is adorable dressed in his cute little plaid shirt, red sweater and socks. I think I've said it before but what a happy little boy he is! What a special day you had with your son and his first meeting with Santa! Those are wonderful memories!
How exciting! I wish my little guy wasn't so freaked out by him, we didn't even try this year {oh, and my friend HAD to get in the pic. with her little one}. It will be a truly wonderful Christmas for you all, you are very blessed!
Oh, and that is an awesome first Christmas ornament 🙂
Oh my gosh, I have a story about Santa from just the other day. I took Wilson (2 1/2) early in December to see Santa and he received a really hokey little book with barely any pictures that pretty much immediately ended up in the trash. Then Tuesday we went to a different mall and happened to walk past Santa. A little boy was sitting on his lap and as we watched, Santa presented him with a candy cane. Little Wilson's eyes welled up with tears and asked me where his candy cane from Santa was. Heartbreaking! So my advice is to pick your mall carefully, as not all Santas are created equally!
PS – James looks awfully cute!
what a great picture!!! fun! love the ornament!
I love the first picture! It definitely makes you wonder what he's thinking. The ornament is sooo pretty!
So precious!! Thurgood has..had those sweet little socks too. I love that pic of him gazing at Santa. Christmas only gets better with your little man. 🙂
Cheers~
e
What a perfect picture! and a precious memory you'll have with you forever! 🙂 So sweet…thanks for sharing!
The photos came out stellar! No tears, no fuss — good job!!!!
He's so handsome in his little collard shirt/sweater! love it!
xo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
So precious. I still get teary eyed when we take ours. It's so magical . . and funny all at the same time. He looks so adorable. What a great photo. And the ornament is precious. I was just looking today for the kids but couldn't find the right thing yet. The search continues.
Oh how adorable! The photo turned out great!
I remember when I took my little guy to see Santa for his first Christmas. He was 10months old. I was back up north visiting family and when it was our turn to go see Santa, J's cheeks and nose were still red from the cold outside. I made a funny face, he started giggling and it just made the photo that much more adorable 🙂
Love these pics!!! Jackson and I both had to sit in santas lap last year to get Sloan with him!! I'm not sure who was more mortified! 🙂
I frame a pic of each kid in a dated photo frame ornament each year. Before you know it, you're pulling out 9 ornaments of your son! Talk about tearing up! Gulp
What cute photos! Sounds like you found the perfect Santa who was kind and gave you some helpful tips! Where did you go?
Your little guy is so adorable and the second picture is just precious!