The Adventures of GG: GG Get's Baptized

On Sunday, June 15 (Father's Day), we baptized GG at St. Monica's Church in Santa Monica. Our dear friends, Peggy & Jimmy, are GG's godparents. A few days before the baptism, we started talking to GG about what would be happening and that the priest would put water on her forehead. When she woke up the morning of the baptism, the first thing she said was, "Peggy, Jimmy, water!” She was very excited.

That morning the three of us meet Peggy & Jimmy for Sunday brunch at the Lobster. GG was so well behaved the entire time! After brunch we all went back to our house so that GG could take a nap before the big event. When GG woke up, Peggy & Jimmy gave her a little present to open. It was a beautiful white gold necklace with a cross. We got GG dressed and off to the church we went. I have to say that GG looked beautiful in her white dress and sandals.

There were seven or so other families baptizing their children that day. A Deacon of the church and his wife performed the ceremony. The Deacon read and few scriptures and than his wife went up to the podium and led us in a few songs. When the lady sang, she lifted her arms up to the sky and would shake her hips (a bit strange). I can't remember the song, but I do remember GG standing, singing, raising her arms to the sky and moving her body - just like the lady! The family in the pews across from us was looking at GG with big smiles on their faces. I thought to myself, that's my precious baby girl singing in church!

Our family was seated in the first few pews, which meant we had a great view of where the baptisms took place. We were the last family to be called, which was good and bad. Good in that we watched and knew what would happen - Bad in that GG watched 5 young ones scream their heads off when they were baptized. The entire time, she sat quietly on my lap and watched everything that was happening.

Our names were finally called.....it was the moment we all had been waiting for! I was sweating bullets, and not because it was warm in the church. I was so worried about my baby girl! Peggy held GG and the entire family walked to the alter. Peggy sat GG on the ledge and leaned her back over the small pool of water. The Deacon did his thing and poured water over GG's head, ALOT of water! The first pour of water scared GG and she immediately said "No water, stop it, Mmmmoooommmmyyyy! Peggy held onto her tight has he poured water over her head two more times. By this time, she had enough and was screaming her little head off. Peggy lifted her up and the entire front of her hair was dripping with water. She immediately lunged for me, I grabbed her and she held onto me tightly. So tight that I could feel her heart beating! The Deacon wanted to hold GG up and announced her to the congregation, but there was no way GG was going to the man who just dunked her in water! He realized that and announced her name and pointed to the screaming girl glued to my chest. Everyone clapped. We all sat down and I tried to dry her off. The ceremony ended and we tried taking a few family pictures by the alter, but she was ready to go home. We walked out to the courtyard and tried talking to some friends of ours who just happened to be baptizing their baby boy on the same day. GG was not up for chit chat. She was so grumpy and was yelling, "Stop it, car, home!” So we said our goodbyes and off we went. She was not happy the rest of the day. She even woke up that night and said she was scared (first time she has ever said that!).

Here are a few pictures of the joyous occasion!

Beautiful girl