Family
Baby Observations
In the Hospital Patrick: “His toes are as small as carpenter ants.” Patrick: “Kieran can open his eyes.” Finnian: “He has eyes.” First Day Home Finnian: “Kieran has arms and legs. I thought new babies just had heads and bodies. The new babies at Mass are always in blankets. All you see are their heads.…
Read MoreFirst Holy Communion
On Sunday, May 6, Patrick was delighted to receive his First Holy Communion. With Theresa’s and my help, he had been patiently preparing at home since September and in our parish’s First Communion class since January. As the day got closer, we used Preparing for My First Holy Communion and Patrick carefully contemplated what he would offer to…
Read MoreSpring Violin Recital
Bernadette participated in her second spring violin recital on Friday, May 11. She played “Two Guitars”, a Russian gypsy folk song. Photo credit goes to the father of the violin teacher
Read MoreBaptism
On Mary’s day, the first Saturday in May, after Patrick’s First Confession, Mass, and his First Holy Communion practice, our pastor baptized Kieran. Much to my joy, Kieran’s baptism was followed by our pastor consecrating him to the Blessed Virgin Mary. May Our Blessed Mother always protect and watch over Kieran! Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that…
Read MoreFirst Confession
On Saturday, May 5, Patrick went to confession for the first time. After confessing his sins to Fr. Harkins, FSSP, Patrick said to me, “Mommy, I like going to confession. It is fun!” When we arrived home, he asked me, “Do I have to sin before I can go to confession again?” “As the Father…
Read MoreWelcome Kieran!
8 lbs 12 oz 21 inches Words cannot express how happy we are to have been blessed with a baby boy. If anyone had told me a year ago that I would be holding a baby in my arms in May, I don’t know if I would have believed them. Last August 13, our pastor…
Read MoreLearning from Older Siblings
I’m trying to get the house ready for the baby. On Saturday, Elizabeth watched Theresa clean the toilet. Soon afterwards, Elizabeth was found in the bathroom with a washcloth in her hand. She was scrubbing the inside of the toilet with the cloth. I guess that since the toilet bowl brush had been put away, she decided…
Read MoreBaptism
“-Receive the sacraments soon and frequently. This cannot be emphasized enough. Baptize babies immediately. If Aunt Martha can’t make it for two months to see the baby, go ahead and throw the baptismal party when it’s convenient for her, but don’t postpone the sacrament to fit her or anyone’s schedule. It is most important that…
Read MoreEastertide Daybook
I am listening to… Bernadette is playing music from the Lord of the Rings on her violin. She spends about an hour each morning playing her violin. First, she practices and then she has fun, playing and picking out pieces that she has heard at Mass, on a CD, the radio or in a movie. Listening to…
Read MoreHoly Habits in the Home
I was very happy to read Ginny Seuffert’s Holy Habits in the Home in Seton’s January newsletter. Growing up, my parents tried to instill various “holy habits” in our home. We used to pray the family Rosary each night and at the beginning of each 30-minute or longer road trip. My parents occasionally read us…
Read MoreToo Big for Her Britches
Elizabeth: “Daddy, I want you to read St. George and the Dragon and Patapon (a.k.a. Noel for Jeanne-Marie).” Daddy: “I can only read one book. I am tired and I need to get up early in the morning.” Elizabeth: “Okay, Grandpa.”
Read More27 Weeks
Yesterday, I had another ultrasound. My doctor turned on the ultrasound’s 3-D capability at one point, and my husband and I were amazed to see our baby as though he was right there. Baby’s heartbeat was 149 and he weighs 2 lbs 10 oz. I love this little one, but that’s nothing new. Breech Position When…
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