MJM II Baptism

For some reason the planning for the arrival of the new baby got overshadowed by a lot of other things. Quite honestly, after 5 kids, we knew that it did not matter if all the little details were taken care of - the baby would still be born when he was good and ready. (Which as you all know took a while). So, little traditions were finished up later than they were with previous babies. For example the baby CD. When Annie was born, it was complete at the beginning of my pregnancy so that she could listen to it in the womb. MJ's was finished up AFTER my due date had past.

The baptism fell into this category. He was born. We struggled to keep our heads above water for the first month. Then we thought "we need to schedule a Baptism" but first "we need to choose godparents!" That part was easier than expected. Michael and I both had the same couple in mind. We asked them, they were pleased to accept. Next came the scheduling. Michael was booked every Sunday for the next 6 weeks. The baby was already a month old!

We decided that an intimate weekday Baptism at morning Mass might be just what we were looking for. However, I was concerned with asking the godparents and grandparents to take a vacation day for the event. I know that they would agree to do so - but it seemed silly to have them take off work because Michael had to work on Sundays. So, we had the idea of a Labor Day Baptism. Father agreed. It was scheduled.

What I neglected to realize (at least until it was time to do the grocery shopping) was that Labor Day follows a Sunday. Each Sunday Michael works most of the day and then I cook a easy snack/meal for the core team who arrive at 10 PM for some late night social time. This meant that after they left, I would have to re-set the house and wake up early to get the kids all in their Sunday best and prep all the food for a little reception at the house after the Baptism.

Luckily this sounds a lot more daunting than it really was. First off, the reception was breakfast, so I could get away with things that could be made ahead and served cold. Secondly, all the core members were invited to the Baptism, so they were helpful enough to do the dishes and tidy the house before they left. Thirdly, since it was a holiday, Mass was an hour later than usual.

So!

The time arrives... Everyone is dressed. We decided to wear the matching skirts that I made for Easter. Charity's was MIA, but she found a suitable coordinating dress. Mine was maternity-sized and I had only a maternity shirt to wear with it, but it was not too tent-like so it was OK. As we are leaving to walk to church (ahh... the joy of living 4 blocks away and 70 degree Sept weather!) The godparents text to say that their car was not starting and that they were working on it! (they do not have the luxury of living 4 blocks away. it is more like a 20 min drive for them). We head to church and inform the priest.

The priest asked if our family and the Niebrugge family (the godparents) could sit in the front row. I don't think he realized that would be 13 people. We sit in the front. I ask what time it is. Michael states that it is 5 after by his watch. Just then, the priests enter the sanctuary. Just as they make the opening sign of the cross the Niebrugge's walk in the side door. WHEW! They made it. There was plenty of space in the front section, so we spread out between a few rows.

The ceremony was really cute. For Cecilia's Baptism they had the font in the back of church, but they had it moved to the sanctuary for MJ. They asked our whole family to come up with the Godparents. It was then, that I got to look out and see who was actually there. I remember being surprised as I saw people in the congregation. I knew people had RSVP'd, but I guess I just expected to see the regular daily Mass crowd. They were all there, of course, but sprinkled among them were friends and family as well.

Msgr. transposed MJ's name several times, calling him "James Michael" instead of "Michael James." We just smiled. It was clear who he was talking about. He had the girls count how many times he poured water on MJ's head. They answered correctly. MJ cried just a bit at the first drops, but recovered quickly.

I was a bit concerned about the food that I had warming at the house. When we arrived all was fine and we had a nice, little reception at the house. The crowd was a unique mix with everyone casually knowing at least one other person, but no strong group making anyone feel like an outsider. Even Msgr. Meyer made an appearance.  The women spent the time exchanging babies and each trying to help out the other. The men decided to partake some celebratory cigars outside. MJ was as peaceful as could be, never without a set of arms to hold him!

Pumpkin Fun... the dirt kid shining through

     It was Oct 10th, when the first Halloween treats arrived at our house. Grandma Stacy, unaware if she would see us before the holiday, dropped off a baggie full of goodies for each of the girls. Now, in my family, if someone brought you a gift early, it was opened early. I quickly learned that is not the protocol in the Mette Family.  Cards that arrive in the mail are reserved to be opened on the occasion, and so this treat bag was properly placed above the refrigerator to be opened at a later date. 

    I made it until Oct 23rd. Michael was gone on retreat. The kids and I were stuck at home and the weather was fabulous, but we had no vehicle to go play at the park. I knew that the treat bags would be tossed aside once the Halloween candy was in tow. I also knew that grandma had gone to great lengths to include NON-candy treats that could possible provide us some entertainment. So... I gave the girls their bags. Each bag had 2 pieces of candy that were reserved for dessert. They also had a glow stick that was packed away for halloween. Each girl got a coloring page, which they decorated immediately. Lastly, each bag was weighted with a tiny pumpkin. A treasure.

   I allowed the girls to carry their pumpkins around like dolls. They loved them! Michael came home for lunch before heading to camp and explained what great decorations they make and that they should be perched properly by the flowers on the table and left untouched so they do not get broken. 

   Now, I personally think this request was a bit ridiculous. First, they are tiny, nearly solid pumpkins. For a small kid to break one would take a great effort. Even if they break, it is not like it is going to shatter pumpkin guts everywhere. Thirdly, the girls LOVE them. So, I allowed them to play with them. 

   After carrying them around the house got old, the girls took their pumpkins out to the yard and started burying them in the mulch. This was a dirty mess, but they were having fun and not arguing, so I let them be. Then the real fun started. Charity was climbing and accidentally dropped her pumpkin from the deck. Thus began "Pumpkin Rain": 

 

They were determined to test my theory about the tiny pumpkins being nearly undestructible by dropping them repeatedly from a point about 6 feet from the ground. All was fun. Annie was comical, insisting that she could tell who's pumpkin was who's when they all fell to the ground and bounced about the yard. She would hold two side by side, examine carefully, and declare that pumpkin A was Charity's and pumpkin B was hers.

Then, it happened.

Trinity's pumpkin hit the edge of the air conditioner and became cracked!

Darn. Michael was right. Those tiny pumpkins do actually break!
   At first I was concerned that this would cause a problem with 3 perfect pumpkins and one cracked pumpkins.  Little did I know that a cracked pumpkin was a GOOD thing. Suddenly everyone was excited.    "Now we can plant it!" Trinity exclaimed. Soon they were banging the pumpkins on the sidewalk trying to increase the crack and get to the seeds. Finally they succeeded.

The interesting thing about this whole process was that now, for some unknown reason, after 30 min of digging in the mulch and throwing pumpkins around - we needed to get a knife so that we did not get dirty while scraping the seeds out. So, we carefully removed all the seeds and put them in a baggie. 

Then we took the baggie to the dirt beside the driveway and poked a hole with the knife and began our planting.  Annie found an old bottle and brought out some water. They carefully used the knife to place the seeds into the ground, poured the water, and then patted the mud with their bare hands.

The task at hand was complete. I declared it bathtime!