Mother's Day & Reese's Baptism

Back when Reese was first born, we knew we were going to wait a few months to baptize her, so that she would be a little older and more alert. As we were looking at the calendar, we thought Mother's Day would be the perfect day to do so! What better way to spend Mother's Day (and my first Mother's Day) than with our family?

Reese was baptized at College Hill United Methodist Church. This is the same church I grew up in and got married in. Rev. Kent Little gave a beautiful sermon on mothers and how everyone has different experiences from their childhood that shaped their adult lives. During the sermon, I thought about how wonderful my childhood was and how amazing of a mother my mom was to us when we were growing up. I also thought about what big shoes I have to fill to be half the mother to Reese that my mom was/is to me. What an awesome and overwhelming responsibility! I can think back to specific things that made my mom so wonderful, such as the amazing birthday cakes she made for us every year, the patience she had for us, the way she taught me to love reading by reading to us, and the morals she instilled in us by being someone of great moral character and faith. However, the main feeling I get when I think of my mom is love. She loves us at our best and at our worst. Her love was and is constant and unending. That is what makes her such an amazing mom. I'm still learning how to be a mom, but I already have the love thing figured out. I'm sure I'm going to make mistakes along this path, but at the end of each day, Reese will know that I love her more than anything else in this world. And that to me is what being a mom is all about. 


Back to the baptism (*wipe away the tears*)... Reese did wonderfully throughout the whole service. She fell asleep about halfway through and we had to wake her up for the baptism. Rev. Little was great with her. She smiled at the congregation and loved being the center of attention as he paraded her up and down the aisle. Several people commented on the way out of the service that she was such a happy baby! We get that a lot. She definitely knows how to turn it on for a crowd and she saves the crazy baby moments for home. I guess I would prefer that if I had to have one or the other. Maybe she'll be a politician someday (I hope not!!). 

*The pictures are a little out of order...dang blog! 

Baptism certificate and cross from the church

Our whole family after the baptism!

Rev. Kent Little and our little family.

I think Reese is over taking pictures!

My mom decorated the alter for us. The skirt around the alter is a tutu table skirt that my sister made for my baby shower. It was so special to see it up there. See, my mom really is amazing! We planted the hydrangea (our wedding flower...by the way...) in our yard. We'll see if we can keep it alive!

I love this picture! I know my dad will hate it, but that's true love written on his face.

Elliott's mom with her granddaughter.

Reese loves her aunt Alice!

Cousins!

Mother and daughter!

Our family

The baptism

Wake up, sleepy head! We're talking about you!

Oh, I have an audience!

This is fun!

Brrr...

Checking out her fans

I like this guy!

We invited our family over for lunch after the baptism. We decided to make it easy on ourselves and get Hog Wild Barbeque (Elliott's choice) and a Strawberry Chantilly cake from Bagatelle Bakery (my choice). It was all delicious and I am so glad we decided not to cook! We did make a champagne punch (courtesy of Pinterest). It was delicious, but we should have made more. I think there was enough for everyone to have one glass. After lunch we just spent some time talking and catching up with everyone. It's nice to have everyone you love most in one room (except my brother, who wasn't able to be there).  My sister pushed Reese in the tree swing and that just made her day. I could hear her giggling from inside. Our family was so sweet and got Reese gifts, too! That was totally unexpected, but they will be such great reminders of this special day for years to come. I can't wait to tell Reese all the stories behind all her special things. I am so glad everyone was able to come and support us and especially Reese. I know she will look back on this day and know just how loved she is.

Delicious cake!

R is for Reese!

I used the "famous" chalkboard to decorate for the party.

Reese loves her swing...

and her aunt!

Opening presents!

Baptism frame from Grandma Tilda

Baptism frame from Grandma Tilda, cross and lamb from Uncle Patrick, and Reese Cross from Grandma and Grandpa Lewis (not pictured: Babies R Us gift card from The Stuarts).

Swimsuit from Aunt Alice.