Baptized!

Little Greyson was welcomed into God's family on Sunday. He did great and the ceremony was just awesome. I love the priest at our new church. He holds my attention at mass on Sunday and he does a really special baptism. Greyson was fully immersed in the baptismal font during the 10:30 a.m. mass on Sunday so there was a great big crowd to witness this important event. Father Mike got in the font with him and immersed Greyson up to his shoulders three times in front of him (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The first time Greyson was a little alarmed. He didn't quite cry but I definitely heard a whimper. By the last time he calmed down a bit didn't make a peep. Then Father handed him off to an assisting Priest who then held him high above him and walked him around for the whole congregation to see. Everyone applauded our little Simba! It was definitely a Lion King moment. I cried. After Father blessed everyone with (lots of) water we were called up in front for the chrism blessing. Hunter, Tyler & Brody joined us. Father Mike used the oil very liberally, spreading it all over Greyson's head. He smelled soooooo good!! Finally, John held Greyson up for the final welcoming into the church. (More applause)

My mom flew in from AZ to be a part of it and thanks to her, we have these photos to share!! Thanks Mom!! She also helped bring up the gifts (bread, wine and monetary donations) during mass, along with my mother-in-law, brother, Hunter, and cousin Dolores. It was really great to have those closest to us witnessing and being a part of this celebration. My best friend Becky and John's Uncle are Greyson's sponsors. They were a big part of the celebration as well. Becky held up his white garment and Uncle Hank lit the baptismal candle. I'll carry all of these memories with me forever. It truly was such a special day. After mass we lined up outside in the narnex for those attending mass that day to stop by and congratulate us. It reminded me of the receiving line when we got married almost 12 years ago. I teach at the church's school so many of my students and their families came up to wish us well. After taking many pictures we headed back to our house for lunch and cake. I made ham and cheese empanadas, hummus with pita chips, and spinach salad for everyone and my mom made mini-caprese salads on toothpicks and some delicious fruit dip for the strawberries. Laura (John's mom) made a beautiful seven-layered ribbon jello that the kids thought was really cool and then we ate cake. What a beautiful day I will cherish forever.

Too bright!!!

What do you think of our new shades?

On the move!

Greyson officially started crawling yesterday. He is on a mission to at least try to keep up with his big brothers. It happened in the kitchen. He was on all fours rocking near the oven and made a break for it toward the open dishwasher door. He made the smallest movements but he was making forward progress instead of moving backward, which is the direction in which he has been moving for the last few weeks. I know it has only been a day since that happened but he has already gotten much better at it! It's amazing how fast they learn. I think he's pretty proud of himself!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Our friend Becky's daughter was born on St. Patrick's Day and she had a themed birthday party. She requested that everyone get in the spirit so The Collins Clan played along!

First food!

A few days ago I gave Greyson his first "food" if you can even call it that. In the beginning it's pretty much 95% breast milk and 5% cereal, which makes it pretty tough to even get on a spoon. At one point while I was feeding it to him I thought I should just put it in a bottle. It would have been easier I'll tell ya. Most of it ended up on his bib. Speaking of his bib, he was wearing one that was mine when I was a baby for extra sentiment.

When I mentioned to Tyler and Brody that Greyson was going to have his first cereal Brody said, "Ooo...Lucky Charms?" I'm ashamed to admit that they even know what Lucky Charms are but I only let them have two marshmallows per bowl so don't judge me!

Here are some pictures of the occasion. At first little Greyson was confused...then came the tongue...then more of the tongue...then Brody came over and was trying to make him laugh, and finally he was more interested in eating the bib than eating the cereal. I think all in all he may have actually eaten about a half a tablespoon. However, thinking of how my other boys eat (and eat and eat) I'm not concerned in the least that this stage will last. Before long he will be eating mass amounts like the rest of them. I think we should open up a grocery store. Honestly!

Slow down there buddy!

As of about a week ago (maybe even longer) Greyson is trying to crawl. He just better slow down here a bit. I am NOT ready for that. I don't know if he realizes it or not but he is JUST A BABY!!! Babies don't crawl!! Right around the corner from that is walking and babies certainly do not walk. Toddlers walk...well, they toddle. So someone better clue him in that he is not allowed to start down that path. He is clearly not listening to me. I thought it was bad enough that he had learned how to roll over and is now rolling all over the place. Five months old is several months earlier than I had anticipated this to happen. Hunter learned how to crawl at 7 months. And since that first year of the twin's lives is just a blur to me I assume they crawled about the same time or later. He is getting his knees up under himself and rocking back and forth. NOT GOOD!!! And he is actually making progress...moving backwards. ALSO NOT GOOD!!! I have set him down on the floor on one place, left the room for a few minutes to finish preparing breakfast for the rest of the gang and come back to find him six feet from where I had left him. And one time I came back in the room and he wasn't even there!!! Then after a near heart attack I found him under the chair. This Momma is not prepared for this.

Toothless

Hunter lost his other front tooth a few days ago. He looks pretty cute as a toothless little guy. He was very excited that it happened at school. It was a classmate's birthday and he lost it while biting into the cupcake that she brought in for everyone to celebrate. That night he made a sign for the tooth fairy that read, "Tooth costs $3.00" with an arrow pointing to the pillow where he had placed his "Twinkle Toof" (storage container for his tooth).