Christening Day

 

When families are spread across the country, a christening is a grand reason for everyone to get together. All of us. That's a rare occurrance. Baby Girl had her special day last weekend. She wore the dress I made when Little Sister was christened a few years back. And the cap? It has been in our family for generations. What a precious keepsake for us. As precious as the memories of the day.

Baby Girl was good through the entire service. You never know how that is going to go. No tears or shrieking, thankfully. The only crying we know about was from the lady right behind us who told us she cried when Mommy and Big Sister sang the beautiful christening song.

It was a quick trip for us, but we did squeeze in a trip to the Crystal Bridges museum for their current art exhibit, "State of the Art" just minutes after we arrived. It was amazing, even though we were pulled through it at a fast pace by a four-year-old who didn't understand "gazing." The art was wide-ranging in style. I was particularly interested in their fiber-related exhibits—like this tunnel of handmade afghans.

There was another installation of crocheted pieces put together into a sculpture. I love that artists see the world through different eyes than most of us and then share that vision.

There were a few granite sculptures, too. Love the detail in this sculpted sewing machine.

There was a collection of knitted birds, too.

Our race through the museum only gave me time to snap a very few photos.

The weather was cool enough last weekend that Baby Girl got to wear the cap and sweater I had sent to her a couple of weeks earlier. I love seeing these girls in things that I made just for them. (Waiting for a photo of Big Sister in her new gray cowl. ~hint hint~) Baby Girl is too little to know about "handmade" but I hope she appreciated that it was soft and it was warm.

There was a little grandmother time, too. Big Sister was there, but being the typical teen, she was busy with her own things. On Sunday we did get to hear her sing (along with Mommy) for the baby's christening. And I had an email from her yesterday telling me that she had a good audition and made it into all-region choir! Congratulations to her!

Then our couple of days passed and it was time to turn around and drive nearly 1,000 miles back home.  Bless Daddy-O who had to drive all the way there AND back in the rain!

It was so bad coming home that we stopped for the night when we weren't so very far from home. But driving in the dark, and in the rain, and in the fog was more than he felt like doing. Plus, we got to enjoy the fall colors for a bit from our hotel window the next morning.

Now we are home and unpacked. The laundry is nearly done. It's time for me to check the gown before I hand wash it and pack it away for another time.

Portrait

Baby Sister's christening gown portraits.

Taking a baby in for a portrait was quite an experience. Baby Sister was cooperative--as cooperative as a baby can be. There is only admiration for the photographers who are so patient and watchful, making sure that baby didn't hit the floor when she leaned way forward off the seat. No toppling over allowed!

When we saw the proofs, it was so hard to choose. They were all beautiful. Mommy likes the one on the bottom best. She likes the smile. I like the top one best, the one with the big eyes. (That's her Gerber Baby pose.) What do you think?

Peaceful Easy Feeling

Here is "the dress." Finished on Saturday afternoon for Sunday morning's christening. If there had been more time I would have added hand feather stitching, but maybe it's nicer that I stopped when I did. Sometimes less is more. I was happy that Jessica was home to make photographs.

Today will be a very slow day around here. Or at least a "no stress" day. Last week was a rush to make a gown that Mommy wants to save forever. No pressure there. I had not done this kind of sewing in 20 years. But a couple of phone calls to my friend Doris  and four phone calls to Gail at the Bernina dealer and I was on my way.  

 

The best help was remembering that many years ago I had purchased Martha Pullen's book on French sewing by machine. The book, untouched for years, was high on a shelf and covered with dust but on the inside was treasure! There were drawings and instructions for everything I needed to know. As I began to work, my hands began to fall into old rhythms, remembering how this was done. I made dresses using these techniques for my own daughters when they were little.

Remember the beautiful old cap in yesterday's post? Last night a cousin read the blog and then emailed me a photo of her mother (my aunt) wearing that same cap. Her mother, born in 1914, was about two years old in the photo. My cousin had never seen the cap (don't think she knew it still existed) but recognized it from the photo. How very special for both of us.

And yesterday, after the beautiful christening, we enjoyed wonderful family time as all the grandparents and aunts went to lunch with Baby Sister and her family to celebrate baby's day and Father's Day. Then afternoon storms blew through bringing much needed rain.

As the rain slowed and the wind died down, Granddaddy called for me to hurry. He wanted me to see the rainbow. Peaceful sky after the storm. Peaceful time after a busy weekend.

I Have Called You By Your Name

A christening is always a special service in our church. This morning was even more special to me because it was Baby Sister who was being christened.  Our pastor--the same pastor who married Mommy and Daddy--retires next Sunday so this was his last baptism before his retirement, even more reason to mark this Sunday as special.

This cap belonged to my grandmother -- Baby Sister's great-great grandmother -- and it was one she used for her babies. Would she have ever thought it would be used again in another century?

The sewing project I mentioned? It was the christening gown for Baby Sister. 

I think she and I both relaxed when the serious part was finished.

A dear lady who passed on many years ago used to make a banner for every baby who was christened in our church. She did this until she was well into her 90s. She had no children herself but doing this for every baby made it feel like they were all connected to her in a way. Her banners gave the child's name and then this Bible verse, "I have called you by your name. You are mine. ~Isaiah 43:1."  So, Baby Sister, today you were called by your name.