first day at Saint A's!

Today we brought Monroe to church for the first time! It was really wonderful to introduce Monroe to her "family" at St. Augustine's. We spent most of our time in the back of the narthex in an area behind a window reserved for babies and their families, except for when we were unexpectedly called to the front for a nice blessing from our priests. Monroe slept peacefully the whole time!

For her big debut, Monroe wore a vintage baby dress
given to her by Shareen (a stylist/designer /fashion guru
with whom I have been shopping for years.) We couldn't
get over how much like a little doll she was!

Here's one of the blessings that was said today which I thought was especially nice. It pertains more to the parents and I think is also often used on wedding anniversaries. The words were really nice to hear again at the beginning of a new phase in our lives!

"Almighty God, giver of life and love, bless Melissa and Eben. Grant them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. And so knit their wills together in y9our will and their spirits in your spirit that they may live together in love and peace all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

So far, the "companion in joy" bit has described 90% of our baby experience, with a little "counselor in perplexity" and just a touch of "strength in need" thrown in for good measure. :-)