Baptism

Happy Baptism Day, Theo

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Happy Baptism Day, Theo

This past Sunday, we Baptized our sweet Theophilus into the Church. It was a joyous day and we were surrounded by those in our parish.

When we first moved to Alameda, I struggled to find community and connection. I was so used to making friends through a shared experience of school that forming friendships outside of that environment was new and challenging. But we have since formed a wonderful young families community through our church. We started with park meet-ups after Mass where we’d share coffee and treats and then it evolved to a full-blown Young Families Ministry where we celebrate the liturgical seasons and life events.

This past Sunday was no different! Our dear friends Claire and James honored us with being Theo’s Godparents. It was an extra special day because Claire and James’s newest wee one month old babe was also getting Baptized. Father George celebrated Mass and Baptized our children and it was a completely Holy and wholly beautiful experience. We had only done private Baptisms before so this one with the Church was some thing wonderful.

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Welcome to the Church, Henry

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One month ago, we welcomed our sweet Henry Gabriel into the Catholic Church. Our families and friends surrounded us with love. 

My own Godfather honored us by being Henry's Godfather too and my sister, Mariah is Henry's AND Emma's Godmother.

Welcome Henry!

Throwback to Emma's Baptism.

 

I'm tired

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Guys. 

I'm tired. 

I'm not talking about that physical tired from general parenting or working or existing. I'm talking about that fed up with that nonsense kind of tired. 

I'm tired of needing to defend myself or explain myself or justify this or clarify that.

I should not have to justify every action or choice Paul and I make when it comes to our family or our life styles or our priorities or schedules.

Why am I so tired? Well I guess it's one too many prying questions with a judgmental undertone (or quite frequently, a plainly judgmental tone). 

So who watches your kids while you're working?
So you're still breastfeeding? 
Oh, you co-sleep? 
So how much screen time does she get?
Oh, you buy baby food instead of making it?

Most of the time, these questions are asked quite innocently or due to genuine curiosity. But sometimes, the judgment just drips off their tongues a drooling puppy. 

I have gotten so used to laughing it off and responded in some kind of defensively sarcastic way that I don't even think about it anymore. 

Oh no one, they fend for themselves.
Yup, he's addicted to the boob.
Yeah we still haven't cut the umbilical cord so co-sleeping is our only option at this point.
We have glued the iPad to her face so, a lot I'd say.
Yeah I have stock in non-GMO, pesticide-rich Gerber products so I might as well. 

It's because I'm tired. My defense and sarcasm are exponentially related to the amount of tired I have. 

But let's try this folks. Instead of prying, try connecting. Instead of judging, try relating. 

Because at the end of the day, we are all doing the best we can aren't we? I may forget to bathe the baby but he is so loved. I may offer one too many bribes in the form of ice cream, but she is so happy. I may bark at my family when I've had a long day at work, but sometimes I get emotionally invested in my patients and am tapped out come dinner time. I may forget to answer that text message, but sometimes I just have to throw my phone at the bottom of my bag and forget about it for a few hours. 

Let's lift one another up, shall we? 

 

The Holy Sprinkling

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On Sunday, Emma was Baptized surrounded by our friends and family. It was an incredibly special day. My sister and Paul’s best friend are her Godparents. I am so grateful that everyone was able to take some time out of their busy holiday vacations to celebrate this occasion with us. My best friends from college were able to come out too! We are blessed. 

Get ready for some sniffles. 

Oh what a day it was indeed. God is good!