Jackson Cooper Stell is Baptised! 1/15/12

Cooper was Baptised this past Sunday by Father Francois at our church, St. Elizabeth's. We were overjoyed to have so many friends and family come and join us on such a beautiful and important day in Cooper's life. The Mass was absolutely perfect, presided over by our friend Fr. Francois. Cooper's Godparents could not have been more caring or loving toward him, and I know that they will always be there for him, love him, and guide him. As many of you know, Scott plays piano for the St. Elizabeth gospel choir, so we were able to pick and choose the very best songs for this special day. Scott even sang a solo: "Pass Me Not" and I honestly can not think of anything more touching than for Daddy singing at Cooper's Baptism. It is yet another reminder, amongst the daily reminders, of what a wonderful person Scott is, what an incredible and loving father, and how in love I am with him, still. The following are just a few pictures from the Mass, and the Repast at our home.

                                                                   Scott at the Piano

                                          Parents, Godparents, Grandparents, and Fr. Francois

                                                                    Being Baptised!!!

                                                                    The Presentation

                                                                      Fr. and Cooper

                                                         Congratulations, Jackson Cooper

                               The presentation of Cooper's Baptismal Stole, draped on him by Mommy

                                      Mommy holding Cooper's Pascal Candle, his Baptismal Light

                                                                          Applause

                                                                                    Us

                                                                            So happy!

                                                                           So proud!

                                                                 Beautiful, and BAPTISED!

        That China Bible was on the cake at my Baptismal Repast, too! Passing on tradition to Cooper!

                        Southern Living Iced Coffee- (gasp- delish), Mimosa, Champagne, Iced Tea

Strawberry Blueberry Walnut Parfaits, Fruit Salad, Assorted Muffins, Assorted Donuts, Hash browns, Tomato Basil Mozzarella kabobs, sausage patties, sausage links, bacon, crousants, egg salad, sliced ham, shrimp. Thanks to Scott and Amy who stayed up with me until 4 in the MORNING preparing. Thanks to the both of you, my loves, this Repast was gorgeous and tasty!

                                                                                   Mom

                                                               Parfaits a la Amy, fruit salad

                                                               Impossible to pick a fav

                                                                 Dad (Pop) and Bruce

                                                  Cooper having a nosh on Papa's tie

                                                                            nosh

                                                                     The Stells

                                Two incredibly attractive men, who happen to be the loves of my life!

                                                                 Stells and Abernathys

                                                                       My Universe

                                                Cooper meets Cousin Ellie for the 1st time!

                                                 3 of my favorite people, pretty much of all time

                                                  My Uncle Jimmy, Cooper's Godfather!

                                                          Cooper receives his first Rosary

              Truly our dearest friends, Amy and Ian, incredible people, these two. Cooper's Godparents!!

                                                         Lovely! Loved the peacock feathers.

                                              Scott gettin' a little artsy with the camera ;)

                                        My nephew, Buddy. Wish I could kiss this face every day.

More Peas Please!

Cooper had just finished all of his peas, shocker, and wanted more. By the time he had done the cutest stuff, I hadn't yet grabbed my phone. What I did catch by phone camera is Cooper reaching for his spoon for more peas, his bowl, and even putting the spoon in his mouth. Big boy loves his peas.

So Much for a Sandwich

Typically, I use the "play yard" to "babysit" Cooper if I need to walk away briefly to make a sandwich and so forth. Today, as I am spreading the mustard, I hear a commotion, a happy one, so I just kept on spreading, not running to investigate. He was just in the corner of my vision and I felt he was okay. So as I pieced together my sandwich, finally I glanced over to see Cooper staring at me with a huge smile, though, not on his back swatting at his toys in the play yard, rather on his stomach and wiggling to see me. He had rolled over by himself, without any encouragement from Mommy, toys, or sounds. Well the pictures below capture that he CONTINUED to do this on his play mat as I ate that sandwich. He did it 3 more times, unassisted! I suppose this means the "play yard" is no longer a safe and reliable "baby sitter"! Growing up so fast, I can't stand it!