Holly's Baptism...

It seems like ages ago I wrote a post about the family heirlooms ( as in a 59 year old gown and petticoat and a 138 year old crocheted bonnet) that Holly would wear for her baptism. Well that all happened on November 11, so no wonder it seems ages ago.

I arrived before everyone else so I could help set up for the ceremony...especially boiling the jug in the vestry so the hot water could be added to the cold tap water in the big brass ewer jug.  Thus the water would be warm for the baby...😊

Pretty soon the 'star' arrived with her mum, dad, one of her godparents and some friends. Holly was just wearing the petticoat at this stage.

I was given the job of dressing  the baby in the gown and putting on the bonnet. Earlier, when DD2 and I were planning the christening and she was checking out the gown and bonnet, I got the distinct impression that she only wanted to borrow the gown. But something made me soak the bonnet a few days before and get to work with the iron on the crocheted flower motifs. And I took it with me to the church that day...and DD2 was very keen for Holly to wear it! Thank goodness I had got it ready and brought it with me.
 

Some photos before the ceremony...

Father B always likes to involve any other children in the congregation in the ceremony and pretty soon Holly's cousins were helping...

Father B is of aboriginal descent and since being in our parish, he has introduced a tradition of taking a newly baptised child around the church as all women and girls reach out and touch the baby gently. It is surprisingly moving.

I particularly wanted to get a photo of Holly with myself and Grandma P...as I have photos of my mother and mother in law holding DD1 at her baptism...

And a lovely photo of Anthea, Holly and DsD2

And one with grandpa!

And DD2's godmother had come along and she and I did a bit of reminiscing of DD2's christening at the same church 33 years ago.

After the ceremony and heaps of photos were taken, everyone headed off to the local hotel where quite a bit of the restaurant had been reserved for a celebratory lunch. Looking at the next photo I can understand Father B's quip about there being more people gathered for Holly's baptism than at the Sunday services. 😉

And DsD2 had made a christening cake ( well 2 actually) for all to share after lunch. 

It was a lovely day and was timed perfectly, as from November 13, I was back temporarily in the workforce,  working for DH on the state election and this time around, I found those 8.30 to 5pm days really tired me out more than ever before. I guess the years are catching up! lol

Some more old photos...

DD2 decided after Holly was born, that she would like the baby to baptised at the same church where both DD1 and her had been christened, way back in the early 1980s.
1981...family and friends who attended DD1's service...



A close up of 5 week old DD1 with her godmother...

The gown was originally worn by my younger brother in law 23 years before and the bonnet had been worn by my daughter's great grandmother, 98 years before. My mother in law was thrilled that these family heirlooms were used.
Then 3 years later, it was DD2's turn to wear them! The only photos I seem to have of this, are after the service and the bonnet has been taken off...
With her godparents with my mum in the background...

And a photo with me!

Holly's baptism is the weekend after next and I had borrowed the christening gown from my sister in law, who is the 'keeper of the family heirlooms', since my mother in law passed away in 2004. A bit of work was necessary to remove some stains and there were some tiny 'wear holes' in the bodice. Eventually I was satisfied that the dress was ready...

I didn't work on the bonnet as DD2 wants Holly to wear a more up to date style floral headband. Before I return the items, I may try cleaning the bonnet...
The one on the left is the one my girls wore...

It was crocheted 134 years ago using fine cotton...

When DD1 wore it 36 years ago, my mother in law sewed on new ribbon ties; I'm pretty sure these are the same ones.
The lining is all hand sewn with tiny stitches...

DD2 thought long and hard on who she and A would ask to be godparents and when the decision was made, these lovely friends were told/asked in a very 'sweet' way 😉.

Whatever will they think of next? Lol
So there will be a future post with photos of Holly's christening. Of course it's a perfect excuse for family and friends to gather.