Jean-Margaret's Baptism

If I was tech-savvy enough to create an online slide show for these photos and set it to some sweet, soft music--I would! This day was nearly as joyful as our wedding day. Watching family and friends congregate and pledge to support our child is one of the most beautiful feelings to experience.

Jeanie did very well through the service. She gave a few cries here and there but was mostly surprised by the water and captivated by the large crowd in front of her. I don't want to forget the minister's closing benediction today. The sermon was about passionate worship and while describing examples of passion during worship, he mentioned "how amazing is it that Jean-Margaret stopped fussing while she was baptized and stopped fussing when I handed her back to her mother." :) That melts my heart.

I am so grateful for amazing Aunties: Aunt Mary Beth who served as the elder in the baptism
Auntie Snags who SURPRISED me completely and showed up on our doorstep this morning ready to partake in the day ahead. It was so amazing to see her and have her here on this special day.

G-Mommy and Granny Rhombus hosted a delicious luncheon. I am deeply appreciative of Jean-Margaret's godparents, Mary Rob and Jack, who attended despite a due date only 1 week away! Their commitment means so much to us. And thank you to all of the family and cousins who came--it was such a meaningful day. 

We are planting Jeanie's azalea bush tomorrow, right beside Van's roses, to commemorate the occasion. I hope this post captures all the peace, joy, and love circulating around this little girl. We love you Jean-Margaret!

SKATERS!

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Eye Candy

Hello! I am so excited about this week. Jean-Margaret will be baptized on Sunday. We had our practice last night and she did well. (Well=She made it until the very end before poking out her bottom lip and whimpering pitifully at us!) Van enjoyed walking up and down the aisle with our minister and telling him about "skaters" (he wants roller skates and is fixated on them). Van is also excited about the Olympics--we each picked a country to follow (Van is team USA!) and made posters.

Somewhere down the line Jeanie has learned to sit up, roll over, commando crawl, eat, and bounce in her Johnny-Jump-Up. I am probably late on discovering Ella's Kitchen pouches for babies, but they are awesome...she holds them in her sweet little hands and brings it right to her mouth by herself. Our pediatrician says they are fine so long as we continue to teach and practice eating with a spoon. Each time Van, Evans, and I enjoy a meal together--we buckle her up in the high chair, hand her a pouch, and she is content to join us. She is a sensitive and gorgeous little lady.

I was under the impression that once we were sleeping well, life with two kids would just get easier! While chatting with a new mom yesterday, I found myself answering her question [Does this get easier?] with "well...um...you start to adjust, but its never easy." I cannot believe Van will be three years old in less than 3 months and Jeanie will be half a year next month. WOW, life is scooting right on by. Hope you are having a great week!

Lake Gaston 2012

Thanks to the Morisey family, we enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing weekend at the lake with great friends. Their cozy, kid-friendly home comfortably accommodated all 10 adults + 7 children. It is so much fun to watch all of our friends' families grow and to witness all of the emerging personalities of their children. Jeanie and Van are quite the little vacation bums. They enjoy playing hard and then sleeping it off. Between jumping off the deck and napping in the hammock all stress was forgotten. Evans experienced his first wedding band casualty--which now rests in peace at the bottom of Lake Gaston.  I still have water in my ears! We enjoyed so much good food and fun company.What a great time.