Baptism

Our girl got baptized this past Saturday and we had a big pink party day to celebrate. It was a really special day to celebrate her first sacrament. One of the things I love about the church is that each celebration is full of biblical symbolism and tradition. Call me an Old Soul, I guess. I love being a part of something that is thousands of years old. The priest was 30 minutes late, though, due to traffic, which served as a great reminder that we do, in fact, live in 2015. =) Thankfully it was a beautiful day and the extra time allowed the kids to run around on the church lawn before the ceremony. I dare say we couldn't have planned that any better!

We had a small celebration with friends and family in a private baptism ceremony at the church. It helped that it was not part of a longer Sunday mass. Keeping my three boys quiet for an entire mass is challenge enough, without adding a special celebration for their sister. Save the huge toot my three year old let out during the ceremony, all went well. I suppose such is life in a family with three boys! Anna did wonderfully during the ceremony. She didn't fuss the entire time and was happy in Daddy's arms. Then we had a quaint little party at home with friends, family, good food and buttercream white cupcakes - perfection!

Her dress was handmade in Rome, which made a very special gift from her godparents, Quincy and Wendy. Quincy is a friend from my Istanbul days and his wife, Wendy has become a very dear friend to me and our family. We felt so blessed to have them join us in this special part of Anna's life. 

Here are some photos from the day - enjoy!

 Her sweet little dress had lots of hand stitching and embroidery. I made her put it on a day later for a short portrait session.

 Sweet girl and her daddy.

 The back of the dress as she crawled away from her portrait session. 

  Lovely white bow - yay for girly stuff!

Baptism.

Nothing sweeter than the cross + white buttercream icing.

The party table.

 Her candle and a great reminder to "walk in the light as HE is in the light" (1 John 4:7)

What's a party without a favor? Again, I am an Old Soul. I went out on a limb and assumed that SOME people still read real books these days. ;)