Eli's Baptism

I really really wish I had more time to update this blog. Now that I am on Thanksgiving break (oh yeah, I get a WHOLE week off hehe) I may be able to do a few posts. There is so much that has happened and is happening, it is hard to keep up! One of the biggest events this last month was Elijah's baptism into the world of Catholicism! We had such an amazing ceremony and reception with friends and family. It really could not have gone any better!

 Ok. Wait. Rewind.

 I think I am forgetting about the morning before the mass. Yes.Yes I am.

I was a little flustered to say the least.

And here is why:

We woke up that Sunday pretty early knowing that it is always a challenge to get a baby ready, yourselves ready, and pets taken care of before a certain time. Everything was going smoothly until Eli got hungry right before we left, needed and diaper change and we realized we hadn't charged the camera battery. All this and before we knew it, we were already running 10 minutes late. Not great, but redeemable.

So we live about 20 minutes from our church. Finally in the car and excited for Eli's special day, we get about halfway to the church and what did we forget? THE BAPTISMAL GOWN. Are you kidding me?!??! Who forgets that on their child's BAPTISM DAY??? At that point I was just embarrassed. I had lectured everyone about being at the church no later than 11:30 and there we were, having to turn around, backtrack 10 minutes, then turn around again and drive 20 more minutes to get to church and it was already 11:15. UGH. I wanted to cry, laugh, yell, blame my husband (he did nothing wrong but he was the closest target)....just do anything to make the fact I left the gown at home, not real.

By the time we got to mass, we looked stressed, flustered, annoyed, and mad. We had to plug the camera charger into the wall in the church bathroom hoping that with it being church and all, no one would touch it. Don't worry (I know you were worried). No one touched it. We took a few deep breaths and accepted that things didn't go perfectly but that it wasn't going to ruin the rest of the day.

Anyways, the mass was beautiful. Our friends and family were amazing. Elijah was fussy but still adorable.

Then the ceremony was held at the baptismal font out in the church main lobby. Eli fell asleep in my arms which was probably for the best and everything from there on out went very smoothly. THe godparents, Mariel and Joey, were awesome and we are just so lucky to have two loving, beautiful people in our lives to play this special role in Eli's life. The amazing photos that are included in this post were also taken by them.

Mariel Garza Photography.

Yes...a shameless plug. But they are such great people. And their photography skills pretty much rock my socks off. Check them out. Like, now!

The reception was held at our house and it was loud and energetic and the house was full of such a warm, hopeful, loving energy. We are so incredibly and genuinely GRATEFUL for our families and our friends who shared this special day with us (even those who were with us in spirit). People came from near and far and spent their whole Sunday with our little family. We know how precious those weekend days are and for a whole day to be spent with us meant the world. Enjoy a few photos below by Mariel Garza Photography (there I go again) and I hope to post again sometime again this week because there is so much to share!

Beautiful, happy boy. That gown is over 150 years old. Carlos' dad wore it in his baptism and Carlos wore during his baptism. Pretty neat!

The Godparents and us. Love you guys!

Oil of the Catechumens. Very holy...very special!

Start of the baptism. First the oil on the breastbone...

Then the Holy water. And yes he did cry but only for a second :)

Fully baptized with the Godparents and Deacon Al!

My sleepy Catholic.

Gosh. My son has GORGEOUS eyes I tell you!

This was a completely candid photo but I love how we are both talking to him to try to get him to look at the camera and low and behold, he was already doing it :)