christmas. the new halloween.

I didn't know how Carter would react to Santa; I was 60 percent sure he'd cry if he were plopped in his lap, but the kid surprises me with some new, magical, adult characteristic every day. The type of baby who blows kisses to complete, scary, hairy strangers also has the possibility of being the type to yank on Santa's beard, giggle and steal his glasses.

Maybe?

Carter in hand, Matt approached Santa while I squatted in front to take a picture. Ho, Ho, Hold on. Before I could even look up to focus my camera, wails of horror followed by a chorus of Oh no's from the line of onlookers.

I walked up to see if I could help. ::swallows:: Wow. Santa is really big. Slightly monsterous. I just blinked, thinking, Hi Santa, I'm Meghann. Say it. SAY it.

Carter? Car-- who? I have a baby?

I have never seen Carter react like that to anything or anyone in his life. He was using my shoulder as leverage to push his body back, away from Santa. I could feel his heart thudding like mad. He never made it into his lap.

I guess he'll be finding boxes of butt paste under the tree this year.

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Strapping Cart back into his stroller, I couldn't help but wonder how much this man gets paid to make babies cry all day. what. a. job. Half the kids idolize you, the other half cast you as the murderer in their nightmares. Which direction does a guy like that take his self esteem?

These pictures confuse me. I look at them, and my heart goes out for Carter. But really, I'm sitting here laughing at that defeated Santa.

Do you have a crier, or a beard tugger? Carter and I are criers, and I'm betting Matt had to fight a small urge to tug on that beard.

I want to see your Santa photos! Link them below. This will be my first ever linkup!