Uncle, Aunt and Cousin McGruder!
At the beginning of December, we had the fabulous pleasure of hosting my sister- and brother-in-law to NYC. They in turn had the pleasure of being tourists and staying at a hotel down the street because we were SICK WITH THE FLU.
Thursday the 1st - World AIDS Day if anyone's wondering - my boss' boss came to the lab complaining that he was up all night with food poisoning. I stayed away from him, self-righteously proclaiming low immunity and also washing my hands at every opportunity. I wasn't convinced it was food poisoning. That night, Doug and I had a little spat, then kissed and made up over Five Guys bacon cheeseburgers.
Around 9pm I decided to go to bed as my stomach wasn't feeling so hot. At 10 the first wave of 'mit and 'rrhea came and couldn't be contained until around 3pm the next afternoon. I was a mess - up all night, laying alternately on the bathroom floor and the bedroom floor while Doug - who started getting sick around 2am - made his zone of terror the living room. He slept next to a bucket and my bucket sat right next to the toilet and clorox wipes. Our house the next day smelled exactly like how I imagine the pits of hell to smell. It was AWFUL. Five Guys is on hiatus at our house. But we can count our blessings. Oliver a) didn't get sick at all and b) slept through Thursday night and Friday night - even though the bathroom is located directly next to his nursery. And you know that shit ain't quiet. Friday Doug could actually move to take O to and from daycare. It wasn't until Saturday when we were able to spend some time with Heather and Ross. Heather, who is pregnant, didn't get sick. By Sunday we were all feeling much better!
Which was a fabulous thing since Oliver had his dedication on Sunday!
When we got pregnant, Doug, a "recovering Catholic," told me that he would like to have the baby baptized so that if anything were to happen to him, we were assured that he would go to Heaven. I'm sure Doug's current employment adds a little insistence to this request. I'm a Baptist and firmly believe that one should be able to choose when and in what faith they would like to get baptized or confirmed...whatever. Therefore, we compromised and chose to give Oliver a dedication. This is what many parents do in order to "secure" a little space in Heaven for the little one while not pushing him into any specific faith. And you get to choose his godparents!
As a Baptist, I am new to the whole godparent idea, so I was pretty excited about this. My only education comes solely from Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. After doing a little research, apparently godfathers AREN'T just the people who take a hit out on your life. A godparent, in the view of the church, is the child's religious sponsor. Godparents are called on to support and encourage the child on his religious path. While the church has no power to appoint guardians, in Doug's view they are also the people who, in case something were to happen to the parents, raise the child as their very own. Zoinks. That's a lot of responsibility!
Doug's co-worker, Jessica, has a friend who is a Reverend at a fabulous Episcopal church in Brooklyn. Priest Michael Sniffen agreed to perform the dedication and Heather and Ross agreed to serve their lives as Oliver's godparents. Sewn UP.
Sunday we all got dressed up, went out to brunch, got some cupcakes for the hungry masses (praising works up the appetite...and we had a little time to kill) and walked to the church. PS. Let me tell you a little about this church and Michael:
The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew was the one of the first buildings in Brooklyn to be lit by electricity. The architect worked with Tiffany's on many stained glass windows, including a round window that is as wide as a brownstone. They have a homeless shelter and a food kitchen. The congregation is led by Michael, Jessica's friend, who is young, fun and eager. He was interviewed by Westminster Abbey who, at the last minute, decided not to hire him. There are theories surrounding the reasoning, but one of them is because Prince William's wedding was coming up and maybe they couldn't rationalize having an American wed the royal family on television. That would NOT say "Keep Calm and Carry On." However, he's definitely on their short list for new hires. At some point, we may be able to say that Oliver was blessed by the same hands that may bless the future King of England. Hey, "maybe" is good enough for this proud Mama!
It's a beautiful church. You can view it here: http://stlukeandstmatthew.org/.
In order to accommodate us with Heather and Ross in town, Michael stayed behind after long Advent services to perform the dedication. He put on his collar, explained why we were there, lit a candle and said a few words. Doug held Oliver while we prayed and Jessica took some photos.
Like I said, Michael is a fun person. When walking into the sanctuary, I spied a long glass box off to the side. Michael explained that while some of the crew were cleaning downstairs, they found it and brought it up. Well, what is it? I asked. Oh, it's Jesus, he replied. In a coffin. Oh...I thought it was Snow White, I admitted. He laughed and said out the side of his mouth, "Well, if you kiss the coffin, Jesus IS resurrected."
Oh, Christian humor, you slay me!
Anyway, it was a beautiful service, Heather and Ross were fabulous and Oliver was a very good boy. He even prayed the Lord's Prayer with us. He knows it by heart because I pray it with him every night. I'm actually a little surprised he didn't fall asleep - I think I'm subconsciously getting him to pass out in church because I sing him "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children" before bed. Whoops.
Afterwards Doug gave Michael a donation for the church and I thrust some afterthought cupcakes in his hands. We went home, made tuna casserole, gave probably a bit too much child-bearing advice to Heather and Ross and went to bed. Heather and Ross left the next day and so ended a wonderful weekend that could've turned out horribly!
All in all - praise the Lord for the McGruders coming to Brooklyn, for us being able to get healthy while they were here, Oliver not getting sick and sleeping throughout our horkfest, O being blessed in the church...and for it being a wonderful weekend!
Thursday the 1st - World AIDS Day if anyone's wondering - my boss' boss came to the lab complaining that he was up all night with food poisoning. I stayed away from him, self-righteously proclaiming low immunity and also washing my hands at every opportunity. I wasn't convinced it was food poisoning. That night, Doug and I had a little spat, then kissed and made up over Five Guys bacon cheeseburgers.
Around 9pm I decided to go to bed as my stomach wasn't feeling so hot. At 10 the first wave of 'mit and 'rrhea came and couldn't be contained until around 3pm the next afternoon. I was a mess - up all night, laying alternately on the bathroom floor and the bedroom floor while Doug - who started getting sick around 2am - made his zone of terror the living room. He slept next to a bucket and my bucket sat right next to the toilet and clorox wipes. Our house the next day smelled exactly like how I imagine the pits of hell to smell. It was AWFUL. Five Guys is on hiatus at our house. But we can count our blessings. Oliver a) didn't get sick at all and b) slept through Thursday night and Friday night - even though the bathroom is located directly next to his nursery. And you know that shit ain't quiet. Friday Doug could actually move to take O to and from daycare. It wasn't until Saturday when we were able to spend some time with Heather and Ross. Heather, who is pregnant, didn't get sick. By Sunday we were all feeling much better!
Which was a fabulous thing since Oliver had his dedication on Sunday!
When we got pregnant, Doug, a "recovering Catholic," told me that he would like to have the baby baptized so that if anything were to happen to him, we were assured that he would go to Heaven. I'm sure Doug's current employment adds a little insistence to this request. I'm a Baptist and firmly believe that one should be able to choose when and in what faith they would like to get baptized or confirmed...whatever. Therefore, we compromised and chose to give Oliver a dedication. This is what many parents do in order to "secure" a little space in Heaven for the little one while not pushing him into any specific faith. And you get to choose his godparents!
As a Baptist, I am new to the whole godparent idea, so I was pretty excited about this. My only education comes solely from Mario Puzo and Francis Ford Coppola. After doing a little research, apparently godfathers AREN'T just the people who take a hit out on your life. A godparent, in the view of the church, is the child's religious sponsor. Godparents are called on to support and encourage the child on his religious path. While the church has no power to appoint guardians, in Doug's view they are also the people who, in case something were to happen to the parents, raise the child as their very own. Zoinks. That's a lot of responsibility!
Doug's co-worker, Jessica, has a friend who is a Reverend at a fabulous Episcopal church in Brooklyn. Priest Michael Sniffen agreed to perform the dedication and Heather and Ross agreed to serve their lives as Oliver's godparents. Sewn UP.
Sunday we all got dressed up, went out to brunch, got some cupcakes for the hungry masses (praising works up the appetite...and we had a little time to kill) and walked to the church. PS. Let me tell you a little about this church and Michael:
The Church of St. Luke and St. Matthew was the one of the first buildings in Brooklyn to be lit by electricity. The architect worked with Tiffany's on many stained glass windows, including a round window that is as wide as a brownstone. They have a homeless shelter and a food kitchen. The congregation is led by Michael, Jessica's friend, who is young, fun and eager. He was interviewed by Westminster Abbey who, at the last minute, decided not to hire him. There are theories surrounding the reasoning, but one of them is because Prince William's wedding was coming up and maybe they couldn't rationalize having an American wed the royal family on television. That would NOT say "Keep Calm and Carry On." However, he's definitely on their short list for new hires. At some point, we may be able to say that Oliver was blessed by the same hands that may bless the future King of England. Hey, "maybe" is good enough for this proud Mama!
It's a beautiful church. You can view it here: http://stlukeandstmatthew.org/.
In order to accommodate us with Heather and Ross in town, Michael stayed behind after long Advent services to perform the dedication. He put on his collar, explained why we were there, lit a candle and said a few words. Doug held Oliver while we prayed and Jessica took some photos.
Like I said, Michael is a fun person. When walking into the sanctuary, I spied a long glass box off to the side. Michael explained that while some of the crew were cleaning downstairs, they found it and brought it up. Well, what is it? I asked. Oh, it's Jesus, he replied. In a coffin. Oh...I thought it was Snow White, I admitted. He laughed and said out the side of his mouth, "Well, if you kiss the coffin, Jesus IS resurrected."
Oh, Christian humor, you slay me!
Anyway, it was a beautiful service, Heather and Ross were fabulous and Oliver was a very good boy. He even prayed the Lord's Prayer with us. He knows it by heart because I pray it with him every night. I'm actually a little surprised he didn't fall asleep - I think I'm subconsciously getting him to pass out in church because I sing him "Jesus Loves Me" and "Jesus Loves the Little Children" before bed. Whoops.
Afterwards Doug gave Michael a donation for the church and I thrust some afterthought cupcakes in his hands. We went home, made tuna casserole, gave probably a bit too much child-bearing advice to Heather and Ross and went to bed. Heather and Ross left the next day and so ended a wonderful weekend that could've turned out horribly!
All in all - praise the Lord for the McGruders coming to Brooklyn, for us being able to get healthy while they were here, Oliver not getting sick and sleeping throughout our horkfest, O being blessed in the church...and for it being a wonderful weekend!
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