Sophie's Baptism

We welcomed Sophie Rose to the Church yesterday, February 1.  I don't think I'll bathe Sophie (or at least the crown of her head) for a few more days just so I can bask in the beautiful smell of the Chrism oil and the reminder it is of the incredible Sacrament Sophie received yesterday.  So many graces and all traces of original sin wiped away; we are living with a little saint, people!

it's blurry, but I had to put it in here because she is looking straight at the camera and smiling!

We planned this a bit at the last minute, so we were very surprised when we were able to secure a baptism date that was only about a week and a half away...then we realized it was Superbowl Sunday.  Fortunately neither of us cared at all about the teams this year, so we weren't worried about missing most or all of the game with a baptism set at 2:30pm.  

We did have some out-of-town guests, so we decided a pre-Baptism party would work out better for those who needed to get on the road and head the 3 1/2 -- 4 hours home after the baptism.  Both my parents and my brother Kevin and his family were able to be here for Sophie's big day.  It was the first time we got to meet baby Lucy and it was the first time my brother's family got to meet Sophie. 

 

Benji loved holding his baby cousin Sophie

This picture reminded us of another picture we took of two little baby girl cousins about 5 years ago in these same two car seats (they were a little less worn then...)

Awwwww

Seems like just yesterday that Kayla and Lily were the babies!

Back to the baptism...we were all late because we hit a pocket of traffic due to some random road construction block offs (even though they weren't doing road construction on Sunday...) Luckily the other family who was having their daughter baptized and our pastor were really understanding about it all.  So we arrived and got settled a few minutes late, and Father began.  

During the part when he asks the parents what name they give their child, Elise piped up, "Our baby's name is Sophie Rose just like my cat!"  Everyone in the church started cracking up including Father Brendan.  Father did a great job with the baptism.  He engaged the siblings and cousin explaining so they could understand what was going on and encouraging them to help Sophie learn about Jesus as she grew up.  

Sophie's godparents are "Uncle" Paul and "Auntie" Agnes.  Paul is my mom's cousin and he is also my godfather.  They live near by and are some of the holiest people I know.  They were unable to have children of their own, which is a huge cross to bear, but they emerged on the other side of their struggle and pain as the most amazing couple who have been so selfless with their time and have put any bitterness they could have had aside to embrace the children that have come into their lives through other means.  Agnes comes over when she can after work and watches the girls for a few hours just so I can go shopping without the kids every once in awhile.  Sometimes when she comes over we just talk.  They have both watched the girls for me so that I could get to doctor's appointments and so that Chris and I can go out on a date every so often.  And Agnes takes the girls to the park sometimes in the morning so I can go to Mass. By myself! They are prayerful and genuine and we love them so much.  We know that Sophie will be well prayed for.  :)

So precious!

Another funny story from the baptism was when Father blessed Sophie with the oil on her chest.  Kayla, who was sitting next to me, whispered loudly, "What's that?"  Father answered that it was a special oil that they put on the baby to bless them, and Kayla replied, "Oil? Ewwww!"  Everyone in the church got another chuckle.  

After the Baptism we took a few pictures with Father and the godparents

And then my mom wanted to put every combination of groupings of people together for pictures...

 Cousins

Benji (4), Lily (5), Kayla (5), Ava (2), and Elise (3)

Dominic (2) was asleep in Kevin's arms and the babies were in car seats or being held

 The whole group (minus me)

Kevin and his wife Sara and their kids, Lily, Benji, Dominic, and Lucy + my parents + "Uncle" Paul and "Auntie" Agnes + us

We could never get everyone to look at the camera at the same time. 

 

A few of my family + my brother's family

Then add in my parents....

And lastly, just our family

Chris and Laura

Kayla, Elise, Ava, and Sophie

It was a blessed, blessed day! A huge thank you to everyone who was able to make it!  A big thanks to those who were praying from afar, and a big "I'm sorry!" to those who didn't even know it was happening because I forgot to inform most people beforehand.   It was a crazy/busy/fun week prior to the baptism with Chris' brother being in town (more on that in the next several posts!)