Oh, Bonnet!

C's baptism was last weekend. It was so nice to have family and friend's spend part of their Valentine's weekend with us. The day went really well, with very little crying on C's part (just a minute when the not-so-warm water hit his head). There were so many details that went into the day, it was a whirlwind. First, just getting the baptism date set took us months. Then we were coordinating out-of-town visitors, overnight at the house visitors, after-party get together not at our house, cake, getting us all ready and out the door (which is and of itself is a big enough challenge). And of course, getting C dressed.

It seems as if overnight C has gotten REALLY big. We are moving clothes into the attic nonstop. So when my sister-in-law bought C a baptism outfit, we were a little worried that it wouldn't fit on the bit day. But we took a chance and didn't get a backup outfit. We didn't trust that the white duds would last the whole 45 minute drive, so we had to dress him on the backseat of the car 10 minutes before hand (he was remarkably well behaved, considering the chilly breeze that was wafting into the car on his bare legs!) He looked great, especially with his little Fleur-de-lis bib.

So, about the bonnet.

In these pictures, one has a bonnet and the other doesn't. Early in the week, Matt said to me, "by the way, you know where the bonnet/handkerchief is that my mom gave you.?"

This is when I had a moment of panic. While I am the go to person of "where are things" in the house, I don't know where this is.

Let me explain.

I had never heard of this tradition prior...but there is a baby bonnet that it worn at the baptism. For the boy baby, the bonnet is then turned into a handkerchief to be given to their bride on their wedding day. My mother-in-law rushed up to hand it to me during our first dance.

So I know I have it, I just don't know where. To be fair, I don't know exactly where my wedding dress is either...I am sure that I can find both, they just aren't in my house.

My sister-in-law gave us a bonnet for C at my New Orleans baby shower this summer, and I knew where this was. But Matt and I were confused...do we use this one, or his old one. After tearing apart our place, the answer was clear...we are using the new baby bonnet because that is all we can do. I felt a little bad that 'bonnet" was not on my list of things to figure out, but we just had to deal.

So cut to baptism morning. We put the bonnet on him at church and start to take photos. A couple minutes later, my dad mumbles to me, "I could do without the bonnet, personally."

Great, I think. I've got one grandparent not liking a sentimental item from the other grandparent.

Before I could let myself get too worked up about, "do I leave it on? do I figure out a way to have it on sometimes and not others, and do I care?" I heard my mother-in-law say, "This is kind of small, we can take it off."

Problem solved. Hard to believe how much energy something like a bonnet can take up, huh?