Don't Worry, We Are Still Alive. And We're Baptised.

We've been awfully quiet here in the past few weeks. That's entirely because it has been nothing but chaotic around the house and I haven't had the chance to sit down and write about our life events. But, between packing, cleaning and completing my monthly Industrial Hygiene questions, I actually have a moment to stop and tell you about Rowan's baptism that happened this past Sunday...

My family arrived very late on Friday night. We had been out to Saryu and Beejal's wedding but made it home before everyone pulled in. Addison and Landon didn't sleep like their parents had hoped they would. They were in good spirits but that changed drastically the following day. Poor Addison looked like she stuck her head in the toilet and someone flushed it by lunch time on Saturday. Her hair was on end, her eyes were puffy and she couldn't eat. She insisted she wasn't tired and was a little demon when Margo tried to get her to nap, but, with a lot of persistence and patience on Margo's part, the little one gave in and slept the afternoon away. She was so much happier when she got up and we had a wonderful time playing at the park together. I felt bad for dragging everyone out to see our new house that morning because the kids really needed to rest. Anyway, we got all of our running around done and had a nice dinner and then we all went to bed.

Sunday morning came early for us. My mother and I went to the hall to decorate while the others did stuff. I am not quite sure what that stuff was. It probaby involved feeding the kids and drinking a lot of coffee. We were done at the hall by 9:30 and came home to get changed. John and I had originally planned to only bring Rowan to the baptism at 12:15 but because he woke up from his nap right before we were leaving for mass, we changed our minds and brought him with us. That was a VERY bad move. Mass lasted an hour and then it took over 30 minutes for the deacon to get organized to start the baptism. By the time we got going, I was sweating, Rowan was soaked and squirming because he had had enough, Addison was ready to have another melt down,and Landon was starving. Put all of this together with a Deacon who talks at a snail's pace and you have, yes, that's right--the recipe for a disaster. Addison had to be removed from the church (Margo kept saying to me "Embarassing!" in a funny voice which made it really hard not to laugh) right as the main baptismal stuff started. I wanted to take Rowan's clothes off but rather than worry about what others would think I chose to torture my child a little more by keeping him fully dressed. We got up to the holy water and Rowan got cooled off a little. I loved this part of the ceremony because the deacon raised him up just like the father does in the Lion King when the little cub is born. Rowan's foul mood instantly changed and he gave this little coy smile while raised up in the air. It was the cutest thing ever. As soon as we sat down Landon couldn't wait to eat any longer and Margo had to leave. We weren't done the ceremony but luckily we didn't have any papers to sign. She only missed the lighting of the candle and standing on the alter for the blessings.

Sadly, no one really enjoyed the baptism itself. It was far too long for little kids and although the ceremonial components were nice and more elaborate than what I have seen at other baptisms, it was just too much for everyone. Anyway, it doesn't matter. Rowan has been claimed for God and it's done.

The party was good. As usual we had a large number of people drop out at the last minute. You'd think that after throwing so many parties in my life that I would learn that at least 10% of the people who said they would come, won't. But, I haven't. I should have insisted that the caterer only bring enough food for 80 people (instead of 100) because we had way too much left over and I felt guilty about the waste. It was tasty food though. I think everyone enjoyed themselves in the airconditioned environment. Rowan and I like the balloons the best. He also liked having all of his clothing off and eating a big Kafta all on his own (he's had enough of the pureed mush and baby foods for good now). He held up really well for a baby who didn't nap. We are truly blessed with an easy going good natured son.

Packing

Sucks. There is just no other way to put it. But, it is made a little easier when you have a toothy little smile looking up at you between the boxes. He brightens up the most tedious and awful task...

And We're Back

We got home on Saturday and I think everyone was relieved to sleep in their own beds. Even the dogs took up their usual spots (although Jackson's bed was missing and he searched for it forgetting that it had been packed away. I felt a little bad but then he found his place in the closet). Rowan's sleep was absolutely horrible the entire 2 weeks that we were away. It didn't seem to matter whether he was in a crib or in a play pen. He was miserable and woke up at least twice a night and had to be fed to be consoled. I am sure most mothers will understand when I say that feeding him at night was bittersweet. On one hand: I love being able to rock him and feed him and make him happy. On the other hand: I know that by mothering him I am potentially teaching him bad habits and that is really not what I want at all. I have a little angel and a little devil sitting on my shoulders all the time and sometimes, I wish they would just shut the hell up and let me be! Anyway, Rowan's sleeping improved immediately upon our return. He might still get up twice a night, but the duration between each waking has increased and he seems better able to soothe himself back to sleep.

I guess he loves his crib. Or maybe it's the drugs?

Who knows really? All I know is that he now has 4 new teeth (2 are fully in and 2 others are almost through), he is crawling, talking (making crazy "o" and "a" sounds and pursing his mouth in amazement incessantly), pulling himself up to stand and walking around everything, and discovering the world at an alarming pace. All of that combined with a long period of being away from his home and off routine couldn't have been easy. I guess a little mothering (or a lot of mothering) was needed and rather than worry too much about what is *right* and what is *wrong*, I should just flick that little devil and angel right off my shoulder and go with my instinct from now on.

HA! Easier said than done.

Anyway, as you can imagine, I am extremely proud of my baby boy for all that he has accomplished and survived these past 2 weeks. He doesn't know it yet, but he is in for even more chaos before the summer is out. We've started packing up the house and it is completely upside down. In less than 3 weeks we'll be out of here and living in our new place which is both exciting and nerve racking. I absolutely abhor moving and packing but I absolutely love the idea of settling in a place that is open, spacious, bright and fresh. On that note--remember the photos of the house I said we bought? Well, it turns out that we bought a different place. I wish I had recorded the trials and tribulations that were our house hunting experience, but to be honest, during the process I was so tired and discouraged I really didn't feel like talking about it. Imagine, it was harder to buy a house with a sizable budget than it was to buy this place! I honestly was not prepared for the craziness that happened. But, 4 offers later and a LOT of psychotic nonsense on the part of the agents representing the people who bought our current home, we are proud owners of a 3300+ square foot home, located within walking distance of a Startbucks (for John), shopping mall (for me), YMCA and swimming pool (for Chubby), and many beautiful parks (for the dogs). The neighbourhood isn't exactly what we wanted but it is only a bike ride to Westboro (and we live steps away from the bike trail that will take us there) and you know what, being 1-2km away saved us a truck load of money. I mean-TRUCK LOAD. So, that makes both John and I really happy because we get everything we wanted but for less. Who wouldn't be happy with that?

I will describe the new house and post pictures later on.