Two Months Old...

(a little late, I know!)

A Member of Her Church Family...

Casey was Baptized into the Catholic faith today, and we loved watching every minute of it! (Her Mommy even teared up - it was beautiful.)

These are just a couple of the shots from our own camera, but because we were the busy parents of the guest-of-honor, I'm hoping that some friends and family members have more pictures to share with us (*hint* *hint*!).

Here you are, folks!


Ready for the ceremony to begin, Casey was only happy with a binky in her mouth!

Father Donia and Casey's Godparents, Auntie Erin and Uncle Shawn...

A shot of the back of her gown (and you can see that I was hot - it was 90 degrees today!)...

Her parents and Godparents in beautiful St. Timothy Church...

Casey was pooped out for her luncheon following the Baptism!

Happy Earth Day!...

When Tee Jay and I were planning our wedding, a friend heard a piece on NPR called "Trash the Dress."

It was explaining a new fad where brides (and sometimes grooms are involved, too) schedule a post-wedding session with a professional photographer to don their gown and hop into the ocean, wade through mud, ride a horse, etc.

Basically, they "trash" their wedding dress and have the gorgeous portraits to prove it.

I liked the idea a lot (some of the pictures are so beautiful, and because many are "Lady of Shallot"-ish, I always think of my sister Erin and hope she considers this someday!). I knew that my daughters probably wouldn't want to wear my gown to their own weddings, and it would be dry-cleaned and placed in a closet, forever forgotten.

But...another idea formed shortly thereafter. So, in honor of Earth and Arbor Days taking place this week, these pics pose the question: "Why Trash When You Can Recycle??"

My wedding gown, worn with pride on June 9, 2007...



My wedding gown now...



And here's where that material went...





Now all of my children will be able to wear (a portion of) my wedding gown. It's exciting, because it's what I wore on the first day that Tee Jay and I started our own family.

Please keep Casey in your prayers on Sunday, as she is Baptized in the Catholic Church (and in this gorgeous little dress)!

Back in Black...

I know that when she is a teenager, early adult, and onward, Casey will probably find black to be a great outfit color. It's sleek, chic, and slimming.

But at the tender age of two months, I was a little dismayed to be dressing her in it already... dang you, Mysterio!


(And notice that it's not so slimming on our chubby bunny?)

The Reason Why...

Longwood Gardens...

the reason why we live here in PA today. The reason that Casey is not a native-West Virginian (like her Mommy) or -Rhode Islander (like Daddy). The (round-about) reason that we moved to Woodbury - and then to Princeton - and then to Philly.

And really, the reason Casey is here to begin with. If we weren't waiting for Tee Jay to get his Master's degree through the Longwood Graduate Program, we wouldn't have gotten pregnant at the exact time that we did, and this gorgeous angel wouldn't be here.


So yesterday, in the absolutely amazing weather that arrived, we headed out to Longwood with friends - Casey's first trip to a place that is a big "reason why." She seemed to enjoy her time!

A Big Revelation...

Our friends Chris and Mary visited from Baltimore for Easter, and they brought baby presents with them when meeting Miss Casey.

One was a little linen sack ("Uncanny! Almost Scary!") with a t-shirt predicting Casey's future occupation. It was a ton of fun to experience the present, which read on the back:

"What will the future hold? WHY WAIT TO FIND OUT!? A talented physician? A skilled actor? Perhaps your child will reap fame and riches beyond all earthly measure. Using the astonishing mental powers of his mind, and the delicate sewing skills acquired from his mother, Mysterio has already predicted your child's future (on a nice tee shirt). Unseal this bag to realize your child's destiny!"

Tee Jay and I excitedly opened Mysterio's sack, and... squealed in delight at what we found!


It must have been because I bowled when pregnant... and because I won my league's championship (yea, Fireballs!) the first year I joined up.

Happy Easter!

Casey colored eggs yesterday and woke this morning to find that the Easter Bunny left her a basket of goodies (mostly for Mommy and Daddy) and a Grover!

And this Grover is special - he has stitching for his eyes, so he's safe and cuddly for Baby. She loves him already!

Blessed Easter to all...