Gracie's Baptism

Brien, the girlies and I traveled to NOVA this weekend to attend Baby Grace's baptism. This sacrament is a beautiful part of the Catholic faith and the first a person experiences. Brien was godfather, and Gracie's Aunt Kelly (Bob's brother Ron's wife) was godmother. The entire family gathered to help celebrate the little flirt. :o)

Yes, that baby is a flirt with a capital "F". If she catches your eye from across the room, you can guarantee Miss Baby will be making eyes at you, grinning and doing everything in her power to catch your attention. She is a doll!

Brien, the girls (it's still so strange to write that again) and I arrived Friday night. Mom, Paul and Liz arrived Saturday afternoon, as did Ron and Kelly. (Mom and Dad Gaulden live in the local area.)

Here is the Gaulden crew.

Holy Trinity is a beautiful church, much much larger and grander than our St. Olaf. But, you know what, I still adore our church and it's members, it's so warm and welcoming. :o)

I typically wear Ellie in the Ergo during Mass, but decided to hold her during the baptism. There were ten babies being baptized yesterday. In our church, baptisms occur during Mass. At Jess's church, because there are so many parishioners, they have to have separate services.

Ellie conked out in a heartbeat, slept well, awoke to stretch and then fell asleep mid-stretch. :oP Lily, meanwhile, was desperate for someone to hold her on their lap. I had Ellie, B had to stand for his role as godfather, so she was feeling left out. Siriwan (Mom Gaulden) and Lil are "sushi buddies"--Siriwan makes it for the kids when she comes to visit using sticky rice and seaweed wrappers, and Lil joined in last time--so she patted the space next to her on the pew. Lily took that as an invite and plopped herself right in Siriwan's lap! She settled right in and both seemed happy. :o)

The priest anointing Gracie with the chrism oil.

Baptizing the baby. Lily was NOT dressed up as we managed to leave her dress in Williamsburg. CRUD.


Not a single baby cried as they were baptized with the water--not a one.


The parents and the godparents.

Jessie and Bob hosted a wonderful luncheon afterward and we were able to meet so many of her neighbors. They are wonderful wonderful people and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. :o)

As I was getting ready to leave--heading for the car with my big mug of water and two water bottles--I managed to trip and fall (have I mentioned I'm the clumsiest human being alive? There was a movie many many years ago entitled "Pure Luck" and I swear I could have played the lead). I landed in the water I spilled, soaking myself, and giving myself a pretty nice case of road rash on my left forearm. Jessie, my sweet, wonderful sister, took me in hand and tended my wounds (my right palm is pretty nasty as well). My upper body and muscles are aching from the spill and I'm hoping to be recovered before the girls and I leave for Tennessee Thursday.

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Weekend Sparklies:

1. Seeing family and friends.
2. Grace's baptism.
3. Paul finally got to meet Ellie.
4. Lily and Gabriel didn't fight nearly as much as I thought they would. ;o)
5. We got a refill for Ellie's Nystatin prescription--she's been all clear, but I'm not. I didn't want to keep passing the thrush back and forth and Dr. Jen seemed to agree. Thank goodness!
6. A lovely drive up Rt. 17 and no traffic to speak of on the way home. Yay!
7. Dinner this evening with Nan and Pop. We had lovely grilled steak fajitas and rayscher 'ritas. Mm. :o)
8. Sleeping in a king size bed. I LOVE king size beds. You can touch your bed mate if you so desire, or, you can have a pocket of bed around you in which your mate's arms/elbows/hands can't intrude upon to hit you in the head.
9. Brien and Kelly finally got to meet! I still can't believe they had never met. Man.


Milestones:
This was a HUGE family event and Han wasn't with us. More memories being made without our girl.