BLESSED.

Adding to the Easter festivities, we combined the holiday with Maggie's baptism so family could all make the trip. We held her baptism in the log chapel on campus with just a few family members and friends. This was the same place that Henry was baptized two and a half years ago, and the same priest, Fr. Foster, who married us and baptized him performed the sacrament for Maggie. We were even able to use the same chalice from our wedding and Henry's baptism - which has now been engraved with everyone's names and dates. We hope it can be used at many more celebrations! The baptism was beautiful and Maggie was a peach, didn't even make a peep. She stirred a little when everyone made the sign of the cross on her forehead and fluttered her eyes a little when the water was poured over her head. Henry watched/played and wanted to be baptized too, but he had to wait till he took his tubby that night :)

Before some pictures, we thought we'd share a little about choosing Maggie's name. Basically, Margaret and "Maggie" just ended up being a name we liked - both the long version and the nickname we thought was so sweet. Although we liked many more girls' names than boys' name, and we were able to come up with more choice, we debated a little about a girl's name, but both liked Margaret and decided to go with that. I had a dream early in the pregnancy that was her name, but we thought about it and didn't decide till the end. As for her middle name, there is a trend in my family where the daughter's middle name is the grandmother's first name. I am Pamela Marie (Marie is my grandmother), my mom is Jane Ann (Ann is her grandmother), and now Margaret Jane. Since naming Margaret, we have found some info about other Margarets:

1. St. Margaret of Scotland - symbol is reading; patron saint of mothers, large families, learning, queens, Scotland, the death of children, and widows.

2. Margaret Wise Brown - author of Goodnight Moon, etc. (Before Maggie was born and I knew she would be a Margaret Brown, I bought some books just for her that we could read in the hospital - Goodnight Moon and Runaway Bunny were two of them - it was meant to be!)

3. Margaret Brown - otherwise known as the Unsinkable Molly Brown

and for some pictures -

reading the profession of faith - "I do"

Anointing with chrism (she smelled so good for the few days afterwards!)

Blessing the water

Receive the light of Christ

Parents and Godparents (looking serious)

Proud Mommy and Daddy

We had a lunch on campus for Maggie - her name in print!

Happy Family - hurray Maggie!

Sweet girl on her baptism day

Maggie's baptismal gown was worn by Henry, and also I wore it at my baptism, and it was also worn by my two aunts at their baptisms. It's over 50 years old, very delicate, and very sweet. Maggie looked beautiful in it, and the hat is so cute!

My happy girl!

one blessed (and tired) baby in her baptism jammies

Happy Baptism Day, Margaret Jane.

You are so blessed.

We are so blessed.