old traditions, new traditions.

In years past, this is what we'd be doing this weekend:

(image 1, 2, 3, 4)

There is pretty much nothing better than Michigan Avenue during the holiday season, and the husband and I had made it a tradition to spend a weekend at a swanky hotel, go to a show, dine at fabulous restaurants, and enjoy a little just-us getaway before the craziness of family and gifts and all the hoopla set in. And though we are of course thrilled to have L in our lives, we both admitted to each other this week that we're a little sad about foregoing our usual romantic holiday vacation. In fact, it's hard to know when we're going to be able to get away any time soon, since L now refuses to take a bottle so I can never be gone for more than a few hours at a time.

Once L is old enough to stay awake for longer periods of time and actually know what's going on around her, I think it'll be fun to start some new holiday traditions with her -- and, who knows, maybe we'll actually be able to find someone willing to spend a night or two with her so we can still have our little getaway. Or will I come to the point where the thought of leaving her behind seems like the worse option?

Anyway, it finally snowed enough to stick (though not enough to even warrant shoveling), so maybe we'll spend the weekend introducing L to all things winter. She's got a cute new snowsuit to try out -- I've got the makings for mint hot chocolate and some holiday cookies -- and there's always the chance we'll get to watch a holiday movie once she finally falls asleep for the night, right?

Any of you have marvelous and festive plans for this weekend -- or a holiday tradition you're missing out on this year for some reason?