We finally did it.
Our son, now over three, had not yet been baptized and this was something that both we (and our parents) really wanted to do (and that I had been stressing about for some time). (That or when asking my in-laws for how we could properly thank them for watching our son on our last trip to Mexico, they responded: "Baptize your son." Or maybe the subtle encouragement was when my parents suggested that my son and his cousin have a double baptism. Hints taken. :)
We found a great church (really the biggest factor that held us back when we lived in PA, well one of them at least) and decided that with child number two on the way (who arrived exactly one week later in fact) and with lil man being over three, that the time was now. (Also, knowing that he would only get taller and older, the time had to be now to avoid visions of him being alongside newborns from becoming a reality). (Also, not knowing what a three year old would do at a baptism, being much more vocal, completely unscripted and completely mobile compared to a newborn - we knew that there was the potential for adventure or impeding disaster.)
The big day...
The big day was finally here. We had carefully planned - selecting the most laid back pastor and casual service, hoping that this would ensure that even if a pre-school meltdown erupted, the damage would be minimal - and we could still show our faces again at church.) The wild card was that the baptism was a part of a regular church service. Yes, risky, but we were up for the challenge. A positive though (pushing the odds slightly into our favor) was the fact that our lil man who had sworn off naps (only on the weekends, of course) did decide to take a nap that day.
We all met in the church parking lot and this is where we learned that our niece, a 5 year old 'spirited' little girl, decided to make a fashion statement that day. On the car ride to the church she informed her family that "she wasn't wearing any underwear!" (And important to note, she was wearing a dress!!). They took immediate measures and coaxed her 7 year old sister (under protest) to give up her pair, as she was wearing jeans that day. A move that would prove to be a very good one...
Upon entering the church, we were ushered to the front (a place that as a parent you never, never, never sit with kids (unless you are very brave, which we are not). We met the pastor and then waited for the big moment - which would come about midway through the church service.
We pulled out toys, snacks and every gadget we could come up with to hold our lil man's attention and keep him as quiet as possible. Worked for about 10 min, and then we were saved by the children's sermon...
I wish I could say that our lil man had been to church hundreds of times before his baptism, but that was not the case - so this was his first children's sermon. His niece (the one with the 'new' paid of underwear just acquired in the car) took him by the hand and they were on the alter). The pastor began talking - and so did our son! Lil man (and this was sooo sweet, only something a mom could love) started saying (in his outside voice), "Hi Mommy!" He said it again and again. And in between, he got up a time or two and ran part way back to us and then back on the alter. He was certainly the star of the sermon. And while this went on, we constantly gave thanks that our 5 year old niece didn't spring the "I'm not wearing any underwear" surprise on us at that time. (Especially as she was flipping her dress around. I could only imagine if the congregation would have become real-time reality viewers and if the moment turned into 'Basic Instincts.') Thank goodness we would NEVER have to find that out. I mean, would they escort us out of church? Would we go on the outlaw list for people not to let back in? Would they still baptise our lil man? (Glad we never had to find out the answers to those questions.)
We tried to quietly contain our laughter so not to draw additional attention to ourselves. Then at the end, when the pastor quieted down to say 'Amen' our lil man let out a loud, "Hocus Pocus!!", as he grinned from ear to ear. Yes, it sounded like he was completing a midevil or warlock chant. Only our lil guy! But, truth be told (it was so cute) (and now some trivia) - "Hocus Pocus" was actually something he had been saying (as a kind of joke only a 3 year old and his family would enjoy) as it was the name of the magician's rabbit in "Frosty the Snowman". Come on, doesn't every house watch Frosty the Snowman in summer?? :) If not, you're missing out.
After the children's service, and seeing that no armed guards were going to escort us out, we waited for the baptism to start. A few minutes before it began, the Godfather stepped out. I thought he was going to get his 5 year old who had left a few minutes earlier to explore the church. Then the pastor motioned for us to come up. As we were one Godfather short, we motioned for the entire family to come up. They did and then after the baptism began, the
5 year old ran in and onto the alter. About 30 seconds later, the Godfather could be seen running into the church up the aisle to the alter. Nothing like making an entrance at a baptism! We had told him that it would be more casual, but never thought that it would be this casual!!!
I give the pastor lots of credit, he had his game face on and didn't skip a beat. Then came the water and lil man did a fantastic job!!! We had told him (over and over) what would happen at the service in the hopes that this would prepare him and help to contain any outbursts - and it worked! He was so proud and did a fantastic job through the entire baptism. No "Hocus Pocus", and no, "Hi Mommy". He was a proud lil man and we were very proud parents.
Definitely an experience that we would never forget - due to the spiritual significance it had to all of us (as well as the other moments that you don't plan for, but will never forget).
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