On January 1, 2007, I felt like our Blessed Mother smiled down on us. At the first Mass after my husband and I learn that we have conceived a child, I consecrate the baby in my womb to Mary. From that day on, everytime I go to Mass, I renew my consecration of that child and all my children to Mary. When I woke up at 4:15 on January 1 with contractions, I could not help but feel that everything would be alright because it was Mary’s feast day. I also felt that our Lady was saying thank you for consecrating our little ones to her.

Thus, we celebrated the Solemnity of Mary, the Mother of God, and the first day of the New Year, with the birth of our third son (sixth child). Finnian Patrick was born at 8:55 AM, after my husband and I finished praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. Finnian weighed 9 lbs 11 oz and measured 21.5 inches. He was the first and only baby born on New Year’s Day at the hospital. Finnian is loved not only by God, but also by his mother and father, sisters and brothers, and other relatives.