A Cute Video for a Gloomy Day

I'm done with winter. The month of January always makes me wish I lived somewhere else. It has been so cold and cloudy all week. We don't want to take Alaina out in such cold temperatures so we've spent a lot of time at home lately. This video is from a few nights ago after dinner. Alaina was playing in her highchair and she discovered how to make clicking noises with her tongue. There's nothing special about the video, I just think it's cute. Alaina is fascinated with a plug-in candle that I have on the wall behind her highchair... that's what she keeps turning around to see. We can't wait for spring and summer! It will be so much fun enjoying the outdoors with Alaina. She was too young last summer to enjoy going to parks and playing outside. She has so much to look forward to this summer! Only four more months of school and then Alaina and I can hang out and play together all day, every day. :)

More From Greek Music Nights...

Here's another video from Greek Music nights. I love this video, Alaina looks so happy! If you're wondering why Alaina's hair looks greasy, it's because the video was taken a few hours after her baptism. She was still a little oily! :)

Greek Music Nights

Kathryn and Yanni left to go back home to Greece last week. We had a great visit with them and wish they could have stayed longer. While they were here we did a lot of shopping, eating (of course), and just hanging out. My mom bought Yanni a guitar for Christmas. We discovered that Alaina loves to listen to music. She especially enjoyed watching Yanni play the guitar and sing Greek songs! We spent several nights together at my parents' house listening to Yanni play Greek music. Alaina would clap her hands and smile while Yanni played. Above is one of the many short videos we took of our Greek music nights.

Alaina's Baptism

Alaina was baptized last Saturday, January 9th. We had a traditional Orthodox ceremony at our church. My sister and her husband were Alaina's godparents. About 25 people came to celebrate this special day with Alaina. Below are a few pictures from the baptism. Hopefully the captions will retell the events of the day. Overall, it was a really great celebration. Alaina did so well, she only cried for her three dunks in the water. We pray that God will keep Alaina happy and healthy her entire life! Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers.

Family picture before the ceremony began.

John, Uncle Nick, My Mom, Dad, Kathryn, Yanni, Alaina, Kalli, Nate

Alaina enjoying a few quiet moments before the ceremony

The priest gets Alaina ready to be placed in the baptismal font.

Alaina was submerged in the water three times!

After three dips in the water Kathryn held Alaina in a white sheet while the priest read a blessing. He also cut a little of Alaina's hair at that time. This symbolizes her sacrifice for Christ.

My mom took Alaina into another room to get dried off and dressed in her white gown.

Alaina smiled as she got dressed in her pretty clothes.

All dressed and ready to go back into church to complete the ceremony. A few sips of milk was all she needed to stay in a good mood.

At the end of the ceremony, Kathryn and Yanni walked around the baptismal font with Alaina. She was fascinated by the preist's sensor and her big baptismal candle.

Holding Alaina in the receiving line after the ceremony

After the ceremony our guests were invited to the church hall for brunch. Kathryn, Yanni, and I set up the tables the day before the baptism. I think they looked pretty nice!
We spent time with friends and family after brunch. In this picture, I am standing with my godmother and her daughter, Maria. The last baptism I attended was Maria's baptism almost 7 years ago!