Sophia's Baptism!

This year, I became a godmother for the first time - twice!  Chris and I became godparents of my brother's daughter in January, and this fall, my best friend from high school, Karen, asked me to be their new baby's godmother!

They live in Jacksonville, Florida, and we had visited them briefly in August when we were there at the beach, but we'd not yet met Sophia, as she was just a few weeks old and still in the NICU since she'd been born about eight weeks premature.  

The baptism began in the narthex after Sunday Mass - October 21st.  An old friend of Jason's (Karen's husband) was the godfather.

Here we are at the baptismal font.

Caroline was excited that father asked her to hold the book for him!

Anointing Sophia with chrism... such a wonderful scent it has!!  I just love baptisms!

Happy mommy and baby!

We ended the ceremony by walking up to the altar, and afterwards, we took some photos... Jason, Karen, and Sophia

Godparent photo

Reception time!!!  There was lots of yummy food - dips and chips and crackers, lunch meats and cheeses and rolls, punch, and of course... 

the baptism cake from Publix!!  Yum.  If I have any more babies myself, there is *supposed* to be a Publix in town by then, ha ha!!

Our family was staying at a nearby hotel... we visited my grandparents on Saturday and had dinner with Karen and other out of town family on Friday and Saturday evenings.  On Sunday, Lucy and I helped get some of the food prep done before Mass.

Here's Lucy with one of Sophia's stuffed animals

Caroline with her godmother, and now her "godsister" as well!

Look at all those girls, ha ha!!

God bless you, Sophia Vivian!!!

Caroline's "Lucky Seven" Birthday Party!

We celebrated Caroline's 7th birthday on St. Patrick's Day, which was actually her due date, although she was born four days later.  So we themed it her "Lucky Seven" St. Patrick's Day birthday party!

Here's a sign I made using a Celtic/Irish style font found free online somewhere.

Caroline decorated the table with this St. Patrick craft she'd made. Cecilia made one as well.  

This shamrock sign greeted guests at the door.

We decided to have a whole day of the Irish theme, beginning with...

~Breakfast~

Irish Oatmeal (the maple cream, while far from being Irish, makes this soooo good!)

Shamrock Eggs

Caroline enjoys her special breakfast!

After everyone had arrived...

~Lunch~

Shamrock Punch (just chilled Sierra Mist and lime sherbet)

Cabbage Salad, brought by my mom (she also brought corned beef, but I don't have a photo)

Irish Flag veggie tray

Irish Fruit Salad, in the colors of the flag

and for the adults, Irish Stout

Yummy!

Cecilia eating... we used St. Patrick's Day plates and birthday cups!

Caroline made herself the crown - golden with green accents

~The Cake~

I made, at her request, a mint chocolate cake using a Wilton shamrock cake pan.  The frosting is just whipped cream, so edging the cake in green M&Ms defined the shape better.  I was lucky to have had about half a bag of leftover Christmas M&Ms; otherwise I never would have had enough greens!

~The Guests~

(who I'm sure appreciated being photographed while eating)

My mom and dad

Chris with his dad and mom

My brother Mike and his wife and their baby, Chloe (missing the elusive Julianne; maybe that's who Mike is looking at!)

See how everyone wore green?

Lucy was in attendance, of course, even in a green carrier at times.

Here's Caroline about to blow out the candles!

She wanted the seven candles to be stuck on top of the number 7 at the bottom of the cake.

Here's Julianne, still for the few minutes it takes to have a little cake!  She was a few days away from turning two here - her birthday is the day after Caroline's.

~The Gifts~

We gave Caroline a little pair of purple glasses for her doll.

We also gave her a nightgown, which she'd been wanting.  I found a handmade one that is a pioneer style... she's into Little House on the Prairie!

Cecilia wearing some ribbons

Caroline received many other nice gifts from her extended family.  Thank you!

Lucy with a bit of sticky-uppy hair

Her onesie says "Made in America with Irish Parts."  I like it because she can continue to wear it all spring/summer because it's not just for St. Patrick's Day!

And what would an Irish party be without a good old-fashioned brawl?

Those red-headed Irish babies can get pretty violent when they've been drinking too much! ;)

(of course, you know I did not let my baby drink beer.  exclusive breastfeeding, virgin gut and so forth)

Happy St. Patrick's Day, and Happy Birthday, Caroline!!!

A bit late... next goal, Easter photos!