This little fella traveled across the pond to be baptized stateside.  What a gift to meet him today!  He was such a trooper, watching me photograph him...up until the end of Mass, and then he. was. done.  :)  I should back up though...I never know when I arrive to a new parish, what the church set up will be like, the lighting, etc.  I typically visit the parish to get the lay of the land, so to speak, however, since this was out of town, and since the Baptism was during Mass, I knew I would just roll with it anyway.  :) This cute little parish was so traditional: small and quaint and the Baptismal font was awesome and symbolic...and tucked up and in a corner.  :)  It was tricky to capture the moment, while not standing on chairs or be obtrusive.  Nevertheless, I just loved being back.  You see, it has actually been 20+ years since I've been to St. John's.  The first Easter Vigil I ever attended was at St. John the Evangelist with my Youth Ministry mentor, Fr. Francisco Ramirez, OFM, Cap. It was providential setting foot into the parish again, to join in celebrating the Baptism of one of my former student's baby!!  To see her and husband today as parents--beautiful.  I just loved how they both got him dressed, both changed his diaper, both were hands-on, and just reminisced that nostalgic time when Dan and I became 3, and how we relied so much on each other because we too were away from family and making it on our own.  And baby T...he was enamored with his mom and dad.

There were 2 different gowns that were tried on:  mom's and dad's.  :)  What a gift to have a choice!  Tradition.

Mommy and Daddy getting baby T dressed in the family gown.

The way these 2 are like 1 working together to take care of baby T was so sweet.

I sure do love the little shell Fr. Jeff used to Baptize baby T!

Baby T snuggles during Mass.

Those eyes!

THIS is the soap in the sacristy.  Fr. Jeff talked about it in his homily.  Reconciliation in a bottle. :) 

I love that I can look at that chrism oil on his hair and smell it.  Can't you?

 I am so proud of how Mom and Dad are doing, how baby T is thriving, and it was so great seeing both sides of the family gushing all over him.  Thank you for the opportunity, H Family, to join you in celebrating today!