Zelie's Baptism

Zelie was baptized on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord (at 3pm no less!). Before she was born, we'd planned to have Zelie baptized at our normal parish, St. Clare. However, after leaving a message with the parish office to set things up, Lauren, Zelie's godmother, told us that one of her priest friends had offered to do a private baptism if we wanted. Well, after not getting a call back from our parish office (which is odd) AND discovering that Lauren's friend, Father Sullivan, was free for a January 10 (Baptism of Our Lord) baptism, AND discovering that he was also going to be attending the Saints Louis and Zelie Martin canonization mass, we decided it was a sign that this was the way to go. 

Did that sentence make any sense? 

It's getting really late… I can't proofread. Just can't.

Fr. Sullivan went above and beyond, and graciously offered to hear confessions beforehand. (Don't worry, we got him a really nice bottle of liquor for his efforts. #Catholic.) Lauren, Will, and I got our souls all squeaky clean. I also had him bless a rosary gifted to Zelie from Grandpa Ned that he bought during a quick stop at Belmont Abbey. 

It was a really special ceremony. Not that all baptisms aren't really special, but you get what I'm saying. Little Will was baptized on Easter Sunday in front of a packed house, so we had to make an effort to do it up big. Will's parents were in town and some close St. Louis friends came, toddlers in tow. Little Will led the charge of getting into things he shouldn't behind the altar. Then afterwards, we had dinner across the street at a nice Italian place with didn't skimp on the cheese in its lasagna. SDG.

Smuggling out some holy water.

Indelibly marked.

Welcome to the Church, sweet Zelie Clare!

A Homecoming & an Easter Baptism

These two. 

Will finally arrived home on Good Friday! It took a couple days' adjustment---I'd gotten pretty used to having our bed all to myself (wink wink)---but I'd say we found our groove. At one point, I was worried that I'd be a control freak when Will got back, worried that he needed to change William's diapers just so, bathe him just so, hold him just so. Right. Flash forward a few weeks and I was so ready to hand that baby off . . .  not a concern. Laughable even! And Will was feeling pretty awkward that he asked how I did everything anyway. Just a few days later and he's wrangling this squirmy, bucking babe with the best of them so I'd say we're good. The other night, Will handled bath time and bed time by himself and I was just up in here like, "SO MUCH TIME FOR ACTIVITIES!!!!" I did laundry.

It was a bit of a hectic Easter weekend, with Will's homecoming and the baptism. We had grandparents and godparents in town for the blessed event. The baptism went off without a hitch. We got mad props from Sister Carolyn for our response to "What do you ask of God's church for William?"*, an old man complimented little Will's dress, and the baby did not cry nor puke on Father Jim or in the baptismal font. 

He is risen indeed.

A little glimpse of Friar William's receding hairline.

Now go ahead and try to tell me the dress is not ideal.

*I had to text Will because I couldn't remember his response. His text: "Welcome him into the church, celebrate his new life in Christ, and educate him in his faith. Holla back." Don't think he said that last part in front of the whole parish, but feeling particularly humbled that God let us become parents. 

Holla back.

Diapers, JAG School, & Running (7QT)

1. I never really expect to get a lot of page views when I link up with 7 Quick Takes because like a million people link up---because it's the best ever---and I myself only click a link for an ultrasound photo or a cute baby photo of which there are aplenty (I know I am fickle, you guys), BUT post a picture of yourself covered in puke and . . . you'll get a ton of clicks. Guaranteed. Brez Blog goes viral!

No, no one really commented, or subscribed, or wanted to become my friend, but if alls you want is some page views, I share this info with you! 

Here's another bathroom selfie, sans spit up, for good measure:

He loves it.

2. A recent conversation between my husband, who is at JAG School, immersed in continued legal education, and myself, immersed in---ehh---other things:

Me: Oh my gosh, did you get that picture I sent with me covered in puke?

Will: Yeah. Hilarious! So I have this issue for my final trial. Do you think under the Federal Rules of Evidence, I could get in this toxicity report that concludes the accused was likely to have been intoxicated?

Me: Wouldn't it be hearsay? Or maybe speculative? . . . Did I mention Will had a HUGE poop in the bathtub tonight?

Will: Um, yes. What did you think about my sentencing argument? Should I plan on discussing the toxicity report or do you think it will be excluded? 

Me: I don't know, but Will just had the biggest fart, oh my gosh! The biggest fart of his life!

Will: Every fart is the biggest fart of his life.

Me: True.

Two lives diverging. Come home, Will! Not that I'll be able to help you with your specific legal questions, but I will throw some legal jargon at the wall to see what sticks. You never know, it could inspire you and save your mock client from mock prison.

3. Related, yet unrelated: Will loves bath time. Pre-bath dance sesh:

"Too much booty in the pants."

4. I posted the cloth diapering post and I'm already getting some great feedback.

People assure me that a spray plus a rinse is not necessary, making the routine even easier. I already knew this in my heart of hearts, but I'll try it out tomorrow and see how it goes. I've also had two whole friends (hi, Elisabeth and Daija) text me that they are TOTES MCGOATS gonna do cloth when they have bebes (soon, please, both of you) and that gives me warm environmentally-friendly fuzzies. Little Will, in an effort to save me more money and not make a liar out of me, obviously, has pooped through like 57 diapers so far today. All in all, I'll go take my e-victory lap for a blog post well done.

5. I want my blog-friends to know that their blog-solicited advice is not given in vain. I went ahead and ordered this baptismal gown for little Will's baptism that will be on Easter Sunday in front of the whole parish. Closed eyes, head first, can't lose!

Yay, boys in dresses!

Now I just need to see about finding myself a dazzling British hat.

6. Marathon training is underway, if not "officially" until Easter week. Today, of course not really wanting to run, sleep deprivation and all, I went out and ran 3 miles in less than 30 minutes! I'm feeling motivated.

7. Aaaand I discovered today, when going to put in my contact lenses, that I don't have any contact lenses. So I was cruisin' around base in my coke bottles.

Sup.

And I will be doing so for the indefinite future. 

Have a happy weekend.

29 Weeks

Yesterday, we hit 29 weeks and Baby Brez is the size of a butternut squash . . . aaand we have a Christmas tree! (We got it the day after we moved into our new house. It was FREE thanks to Trees for Troops. Of course, we got last picks so it looks like our tree has scoliosis, but nothing abundant decorating can't fix.) 

(Shirt - Target, Jeans - Old Navy, Boots - Aldo (old), Necklace - J.Crew (old)) 

Linking up with FLAP! We went to Mass at our new parish yesterday and I think I am in love! I can be super picky about how I like Mass celebrated (it's a problem I take to the sin bin on the reg . . . working on it), but I reallyyyy loved it. I am looking forward to registering as parishioners, getting involved, and, last but not least, scheduling a BAPTISM! 

Speaking of baptisms, I'm taking this question to the blog . . . 

Boys in baptismal gowns . . . Yea or nay?

I have my eye on this one for the baby that is not horrendously expensive and that I can use for future kids, male or female. 

Will my son be teased for life for wearing a dress? I'd say Prince G pulled it off . . .

And he knows it. (Source.)

Baby Brez's dad wore this little number:

and will be teased for life, but not because he's wearing a dress, ya know? (But don't think I don't see those scalloped sleeves, tough guy.)

I was sneaky getting What Will Wore Sunday once again . . . Let me get a "test shot" of you to set the aperture . . .

I had to recreate.

Overall Weight Gain: As of two days ago, it was 26 pounds. Not bad after a Thanksgiving feast for the ages!

Exercise: I haven't stopped moving in a week! So much unpacking and moving of furniture on top of generally keeping the house in order and feeding ourselves. Our diets have much improved since cooking our own meals again. Also, the commissary on base is amazing! I was really pleased to find super affordable organics.

Cravings: My crazy sweet tooth as usual. I am not above a Cold Stone trip in 8 degree weather! 

Updates:

• We are almost fully unpacked! We just have a few more items of furniture to put together (read: Will has a few more items of furniture to put together) and, of course, no hanging things until we paint! But we are definitely getting comfortable in the new casa.

• SNOW!!! In our first week in the midwest.

Surprisingly, these two Florida pups are loving life (really strange considering Ace doesn't even like wet grass):

• Finally, Daisy Paws:

Just because.