GOD BLESS JAMES HENRY

Gearing up for the big day, we took some portraits of James with his special blanket that his Grand Aunt Sara made for him, with and without his fancy christening outfit: James loves when his Daddy gives him raspberries! He's learning to make the noise himself, though he mostly just spits. Here are the boys getting some good ones in after the photo shoot:My turn for a smooch:

We had James baptized at the church where we were married, by the pastor who married us. This was a big deal to us and we're so glad we were able to have the ceremony at "home". Here is James getting ready for his big moment:

The Willis Family took a break from their vacation in St. Augustine and joined us for the festivities. We were so happy to see them, and James just LOVED Julia (she had him laughing and squealing better than we've ever heard)!

Apparently, 4-months-old is the "perfect" age for a baptism, according to Gabe. Regardless, many babies cry during the blessing (cold water on the head is a bit of a shock), no matter what their age. His trick to get them to stop crying is to whip them back upright quickly, really quickly! We heard that in the 25 years Gabe's been at Community Presbyterian, his trick has only failed him once. That's pretty good odds, and yes, it worked for James. Thanks to Jill, Julia, and Jean for taking these photos: I had to collect my boys from outside when the ceremony started, where Jay had retreated to calm James, since he was getting noisy (in need of his normally scheduled nap). I joked later that James must have used up all his quiet time the day before! Here we are at the start of the ceremony: Gabe performing the blessing:

Two very proud parents:

One sleepy little boy (he stayed that way through the end of the service):

For those of you who want more than photos, and were unable to attend James' baptism, here is the entire thing on video (3 minutes 45 seconds long), if you're interested:

After the ceremony, we took a couple family portraits. I'd like to point out my beautiful necklace - Jay surprised me upon our arrival in Florida with a gift to celebrate James' birth, Mother's Day, and the Baptism, which he designed with the same jeweler (Jay Lubeck) he enlisted to design my wedding bands 5.5 years ago. It is a white gold pendant with James' calendar birthstone (aquamarine): After the ceremony, James surprised me in the car with a silly new smile. Rather than just the big gummy grin we're used to, he now also sports this little squinty-eyed bubble smile:

Jean hosted a party at her house after the ceremony, where we enjoyed a delicious refreshing lunch (with some of our favorites: chicken salad on croissants, chilled asparagus, and fruit salad) and cake with buttercream frosting. And no, James didn't get any cake (not directly, anyway)! Here is Julia entertaining the little man after his costume change (the fancy outfit we bought him for the ceremony was non-stretch, and his chubby little legs were looking a bit squished): After everyone left we changed too, and took a "proud parents" photo:

And also a proud grandma photo:

Later that evening the Birdsongs returned (they attended the ceremony and thought it was cute that James cried when Gabe doused him with holy water, especially since years ago when Jackson was baptized, in a group of babies, he was the only one that DIDN'T cry). Betsy finally got some one-on-one time with James, and he really enjoyed her airplane skills and singing voice (mommies are never off-key you know):

After a yummy grilled steak dinner, Jay taught Jackson how to spit watermelon seeds. We all enjoyed some of Mississippi's finest (Smith County watermelons are the best) out on the lawn where it's easy to hose off the mess. Jackson was sweet enough to share with his Daddy while he held James (who looked pretty interested in the whole process):

And that's a wrap. Big day. Big weekend. Good times! Thanks everyone, we love you!