God Bless Clara Rose

With one big hiccup, Clara Rose's Family Dedication and Baptism went without a hitch! Both girls were amazingly quiet and good for the entire church service. Clara Rose cried twice, just before she was Baptised when I took her hearing aid off and when the Vicar poured water on her head.

The hiccup, Uncle Earl-- Ye Ye to the girls (Mandarin for Grandpa) was not able to make the actual church ceremony because his flight was cancelled. We were all very sad he was unable to make the actual event, but we know he was with us in spirit and he is here now bringing lot of fun and joy to our family.

For those not aware, the Episcopal Church (and likely other religons) have a special liturgy for welcoming an adopted child to a family. Our church performed this ceremony for our family before we proceeded with the Baptism. This same type of service was also performed when we adopted Josie.

Some of the pictures are not great due to poor lighting in the church and we don't have the greatest camera-- we tend to lose or break them frequently yadda yadda.

Here are the pictures:

The best pose I could get before we left the house. Clara Rose loves her Baptism dress-- we bought it and the silk shoes while we were in China.

Our family before the congregation for the Family ceremony to welcome a child through adoption.

The Baptism

At the front of the church again where Clara Rose was anointed with oil.

Our family outside the church doors after the service.

After the church service, we invited all our family and friends to our home for a Red Egg and Ginger party.

This party is a tradition in some parts of China for babies, usually when they are 30-days old.

Red is the color of life and good fortune and eggs are a symbol for fertility and wholeness. Ginger is a prized spice beleived to be good for mothers who recently gave birth to restore the balance of their yin and yang.

We had lots of other tasty treats for our guests as well.

It was quite warm in the church and everyone, especially the kids were happy to jump in the pool and cool off. Wim, being one of the biggest kids (at heart) found himself pool side with Clara Rose and one of her friends, Clair.

Many of the adults sought a shady refuge under a tree near the swing set.

Clara Rose in the middle swinging with her friends, Clair to the left and Carly to the right.

The party was breaking-up and little Josie Dong Dong had passed out in her crib-- well past her naptime (Clara Rose went sans nap) when Uncle Earl called that his plane had landed. I rushed to the airport and swept him up for our home.

Soon, Josie was up and Clara Rose was curious-- just us three girls and their Yay Yay (as Clara Rose and Josie call him).  We were very happy that he arrived safe and sound.

Yay Yay opening his gift that we brought him from Tianjin-- it is a clay sculpture of a dragon that serves as an ashtray.  Yay Yay likes it very much.

Josie Dong Dong thinks Yay Yay is a super silly goose with his jokes and tickles.

Clara Rose getting to know him and making sure he knows how to use his phone.

It is going to be a GREAT week with Yay Yay!