December 22, 2007 | Mama Smith

the family has descended

Eight people are now packed between our walls with another one on the way tomorrow. Brighton has been running circles around the crew, dashing from person to person, to whomever will give him the most attention at any given moment. He is worn out, but refuses to give in to his exhaustion for fear that he might miss out on someone tossing him up in the air or sneaking him a cookie when I’m not looking. His naps have been quickly diminishing and he has officially learned how to sneak out of his room and cozy up with one of his grandparents on the couch before I can drag him back to bed.

We have been trying to capture as many moments as possible on the video camera, but Brighton prefers to video tape himself for the better part of our attempts.

One thing I realize today is just how miserable it would be to have some sort of reputation. A reputation worthy of a host of paparazzi following you to any sort of common venue. My grandmother and mother thought the obnoxious double-wide shopping cart at Publix was worthy of full photograph documentation. Snapping our pictures continually throughout the store as we picked up apples, milk and butter. Granted, we were going to see Santa who had come to Publix, but the pre-Santa visit is actually what tallied up the most pictures.

This was Brighton’s first introduction to Santa, whom he preferred to ignore the entire time…until he had finished the candy cane he’d been given and then, of course, wanted to go back to see Santa.

Levi has also thoroughly been enjoying the extra coos and cuddles. He seems amazingly chill compared to the spastic attention-getting measures Brighton is going to.

Tomorrow Dad preaches at our church, and John arrives from NYC. More fun and insanity is bound to ensue. We are missing our Callie sorely though.