Quick (?) Recap
So, Nathan’s birthday.
It was a great day. Probably because it started with sleeping late and a bath. Any Sunday morning when Daddy doesn’t have to be at church by 7:30am and Mama doesn’t have to get herself + baby + loads of baby stuff to church all on her own (I know, I know, plenty of moms do that every week – just not me) promises to be a good day. And who doesn’t love a birthday bath?
Somehow we felt pretty low key and relaxed about having 20 family members descending on our bowling alley sized apartment for an afternoon of presents and cake. Nathan was initially not a huge fan of present opening because it interrupted his crawling, but once the floor was full of wrapping paper to play with, he was happy. Highlights were the many many many books and a 23 year old riding horse (like a rocking horse, but with wheels?) that was originally given to my cousin Michael on his first birthday by my Grandma & Grandpa Booth.
After presents we had cake. Again, being asked to sit still made for a grumpy baby, but as soon as we all started singing happy birthday he was happy again. The big green birthday candle was a hit, as was the cake, once Mama took charge. Why should a birthday boy have to feed himself? But after a few bites of cake Nathan was ready for cheerios. We have a strange kid. Somehow we don’t have any photographic evidence of party guests, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t there!
Eventually we had to kick everyone out so we could get ready for church. Nathan was baptized at our church’s 5pm service so that our friends and family could attend, but we were reminded of why we usually attend the 9am service – while 5pm is no longer bed time or nap time, it’s still not a great time to have Nathan in church because it’s now race around the house time. In spite of that fact, it all went well. When the pastor started talking about him, Nathan babbled at the congregation; he was sweet and quiet as he was baptized and blessed, and while I’m sure he thought about it, he did not cause any mischief with the holy water. At his baptism reception (yes, party #2) Nathan was having too much fun with his family and friends to eat anything, but even so, as we headed home at 8:30pm he was giggling away in the back seat. Maybe he was getting punchy. A long fun day was had by all.
I think we’ll do it again next year; maybe skip the baptism.