As I watch our little girl, Molly, now 8 months old, roll around on the floor, I think of how special Christmas will be this year with a baby in the house again.

She's so jolly and cute anyway, with her little throaty laugh and her dimples everywhere.

I love Christmas with all of my kids in different ways, because they are all at very different stages of loving Christmas themselves. But there is just something about Christmas with a baby.

After all, isn't Christmas all about that one special Baby?

I look forward to shopping with Molly. Granted, I'll have to schlepp her and her 2 year old brother through the malls in that monster double stroller. Granted, there will be meltdowns and hunger cries in the middle of negotiating with store clerks. Granted I'll get those dirty looks from the ladies who look like they've just stepped off the manequin stands, who have probably never taken a baby anywhere, much less shopping.

All of that aside, I've always loved shopping when my kids were babies. I can take them everywhere and get everything we need, and all of the fun secrets of Christmas are safe.

I've always dressed my babies in little Santa suits, complete with the hat, when we go out. We have the complete line of Christmas bibs, bottles, cups, rattles, chewy toys, and other accessories. We have more Christmas clothes than my boys ever had time to wear.

This year we get to add dresses and bows and ruffled Christmas socks, that we've never gotten to play with before. Having Molly after 3 boys is like having my own brand new baby doll. I deck the kids as much as I deck the halls.

My husband used to argue with me, "Please don't do that to our kids". But, it's the only time in their lives I CAN do this "to" them. When they start to have opinions, I can no longer deck them out. So, I dress them up when they're babies, because they don't know any better. Anymore, my husband just looks and sighs.

I guess, though, that my ultimate favorite thing about having a baby around for Christmas is their total wonder and joy in all things. I love the way they watch the lights on the tree, their pleasure with wrapping paper and ribbons. We have to be on guard so that the Christmas tree doesn't get pulled over (it's happened with all three boys, and I know Molly will make a grab as well) and that she doesn't swallow tape or paper.

It will be worth it, though, to watch as she explores this new experience. She enjoys life so much, and there is such a beautiful innocence about her that only babies seem to have. This Christmas will be full of the wonder of the Season. We once again have a baby in our midst, a living reminder of what Christmas is all about.