June | 2014 | Judah Anthony

Judah’s first days are a blur.

When we counted his age in minutes, then hours, then days. When night and day were interchangeable. When the GDP and I became Dad and Momma.

It was completely unforgettable, and yet I find that I have a hard time remembering all of the details. I’m so grateful for these pictures, and others that I’ll post later, because they capture our first moments as a family of three (+ 1 dog). And when I look at them I remember how things that now feel normal (holding this baby, seeing my parents as grandparents, admiring the way the GDP has jumped into fathering), felt in those first few days. Absolutely, completely life-changing.

Hours-old Judah.

GDP, now Dad, running on very little sleep.

Bopa

Mimi

Judah Anthony

March 11, 2014

post-birth endorphins were great.

I think this is my first picture as a momma.

Judah was baptized last weekend (3 weeks ago)*. It was beautiful, and meaningful, and fun.

The GDP and I sometimes feel a bit disconnected from the ones we love. Our parents do not live in Boston, and extended family is spread across the country. But celebrating Judah’s baptism last weekend you wouldn’t have known that.

Judah was baptized by Father Rick, our priest, and someone the GDP and I have gotten to know pretty well since moving here. All of our siblings and their significant others made it, as well as Judah’s cousins, grandparents, and even great grandparents. And we also had many friends who joined us. It’s really amazing to see such a wonderful village surrounding this baby.

Though we had this amazing group of people, near and far, to celebrate with, we also felt a missing piece as we all gathered because Judah’s great grandpa Jones had passed away earlier that week. He was a great man, and a wonderful grandpa, and we will miss him. He lived a great life, and his absence made us even more aware and appreciative of the wonderful families that surround us.

Baptisms are steeped in tradition and ceremony, and it only seemed fitting that Judah wore a gown made by his great grandma and worn by the GDP for his baptism. It now has both of their names embroidered in it.

We attended mass and then gathered with family and friends for a private ceremony afterward. Judah, who loves bath time, was totally into the whole submersion in water part of the Baptism, and really the only time he fussed was during pictures. So if you look you’ll often find a hidden pacifier in the photos, sort of like less-fun Where’s Waldo.

Having never attended another baptism, the GDP and I didn’t really know how to prepare for this one. We attended a baptism class at The Paulist Center before Judah was born, and I read this book while I was pregnant. Both we’re very informative and helped to clear up some of the questions and misunderstandings that I had about Baptism.

All in all it was a great way to celebrate this new little boy and the wonderful people in our lives who love us and this baby so well.

Judah’s crazy eyes

Uncle Steven!

Yaya, GDP, Judah, and Baby Closet

The Great Grandma who made GDP’s (and now Judah’s) gown.

procession

Godparents

Mimi & Bopa

Cousins

Where’s Judah’s puppy pacifier?

Father Rick and Judah

*It’s true. Finding balance and time as a mom is difficult. Would you rather update a blog or enjoy some baby smiles? Clearly, I’ve been enjoying a lot of smiles lately! (But we will work to keep the blog updated too.)