GLORIOUS DAY

Having been busy with fatherhood, career and personal growth, I have not been able to post much. Time flies. I cannot believe that Floppy-Headed Night Owl (FHNO) is already 7 months old. He is so much fun now. The first few months are so hard and babies then seem like wondrous little sleeping, crying and pooping alarm clocks. They are hard work but worth it. It gets better and better. (I sound like a primary care-giver when of course that credit goes to lovely Peaches).

Nowadays FHNO is blossoming with personality. Peaches spent most of May in Florida with the boys. We were apart for 10 days and when I returned he was like a different baby. He was sitting up on his own, holding his head high, giggly and smiley. He had a rough go of it for the first six months. Fortunately no allergies (in contrast to his brother Señor Frog) but he did have tummy troubles and eczema, which made him a somewhat fussy baby. We still have bouts but he has turned into such a charming little boy. He has never been an only child so he is content to entertain himself quietly. He's a big boy. He is only a few pounds short of his older brother. He is quiet and strong and does not need to be the center of attention. I can see him becoming a strong leader.

It's been a difficult week for FHNO this week and I'm glad I reread the baptism service and the hope it represents. Peaches fell and severely sprained her ankle. He fell with her and we ended up in the ER since his leg was hurting. X-rays revealed no broken bones and he is doing much better. It is hard to watch a little one in pain. Fortunately he is a trooper and generally it doesn't bother him unless it is pushed or pulled. He is a good kid.

His baptism was on June 3 and represents so many of the hopes we have for him both physically and emotionally:

"Sovereign Master, Compassionate King of All, bestow upon him also the  Seal of Your omnipotent and adorable Holy Spirit, and the Communion of the Holy Body and Most Precious Blood of Your Christ; keep him in Your sanctification; confirm him in the Orthodox Faith; deliver him from the Evil One and all his devices; preserve his soul, through Your saving fear, in purity and righteousness, that in every work and word, being acceptable before You, he may become a child and heir of Your heavenly Kingdom."

I should reread the service regularly to be reminded how to pray for my children. We are bombarded daily with messages about what we should want and wish for our kids. It's nice to pause from time to time and think about these things along a higher plane.