4 months later

Oct: At one month old she is already smiling.
I guess we must smile at her a lot because she is
the first baby to smile so soon. :D

November: Her hair has grown into a cute little pixie style.
I often call her "Ladybird" because she is so small and cute.

Not happy, but she did it!

Nov: Getting ready to roll

Dec: Merry Christmas Baby

Jan. 2014: 4 month old cuteness
She smiles, she laughs, she drools
We call her "Feathers" because her
hair is so light and fluffy like goose down.

Claimed for Christ

Nov. 3, 2013
Lydia is made a Child of God by Uncle Fr. Chrysostom

Funny story about Lydia's baptism. As Chrysostom was preparing, our pastor asked which form he was going to use. Chrysostom was going to use the Extraordinary Form but in English as he had for Dominic but Msgr. demurred. The EF could only be done in Latin, he was sure, and a called to the diocese confirmed it. However, Msgr. pointed out, parts of the rite could be said in English...like in the movie The Godfather.

Lydia Pilar

One day old: The siblings arrive home

All they wanted to do was put this bow in your hair. 

Every time it fell out, they put it back in. 

It's purple because the Biblical Lydia was a purveyor of purple cloth.

They took tons of pictures because they were so excited to have a new baby and a SISTER!!!!

Dear Lydia, On the day you were born...

On the day you were born:

I wasn't surprised to find myself in labor. Your due date was Sept. 8, the Nativity of Mary, and I knew she would guide my labor and pick your birthday. You were born on the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Mary. We wanted you to have a Marian name, and Pilar is from the title, "Our Lady of the Pillar." Did we have a boy name chosen? I don't remember.

Sept. 8

On the day you were born:

It wasn't a great day for Dad to miss work. He had an important meeting to go to and no one to cover for him. Of course, when you made it clear that this was going to be your special day, Dad came home immediately and was my pillar of strength.

On the day you were born:

The midwife and I were texting from breakfast time until she called me and told me not to get into the bath because she was on her way. She didn't want me to deliver you without her.

On the day you were born:

I remember fearing a painful labor, especially transition. I worried and prayed for weeks that Mary would help me bear the pain gracefully. I hardly remember any pain and I don't think I ever had transitional labor.

On the day you were born:

I was standing and holding onto Daddy during contractions when the midwife asked me if I wanted have you in the tub. She had me sit down and showed me that you were only inches away from being born, even though I couldn't tell! She told me to just push you out, and three minutes later, you were here!

On the day you were born:

I was so excited to see if you were a girl, I didn't wait to let Daddy see first. I pulled away the towel and was so excited! We both were. Daddy had a huge smile on his face, but please remember that the midwife is not a photographer.

On the day you were born:

You and Daddy and I snuggled into bed and had a good night's sleep.

We love you, Little One.

Lydia Pilar May

Sept. 12, 2014, 7:16 pm

9 lbs 2 oz

40 and 40

40 weeks and 40 years old

Overheard as I was checking birth supplies:

Maria: Is it labor of body more than of the mind?

Bill: Giving birth is not servile work!