Heathen no more

"Graciously hear our prayers, we beseech Thee, O Lord, and by Thy unfailing might protect this soul of Thy choice, Leopold Michael, now marked with the sign of Our Lord's holy cross. Preserving inviolate this first impress of Thy great glory, may he keep Thy commandments and thus deserve to attain the glory of baptismal rebirth."

"Leopold Michael, I baptize you in the + Father, and of the + Son, and of the + Holy Spirit."

"Receive this white garment and see that you wear it without stain to the judgement seat of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you may enjoy life everlasting."

"Receive this burning light and safeguard your Baptism by a blameless life: keep God's commandments so that when our Lord comes to the marriage feast you may be worthy to greet Him with all the saints in the heavenly court, and live forever and ever."

My St. Nicholas Day Gift

Leopold Michael
Natus 12.6.08 at 11:14pm
10 lbs. 10 oz.
22 3/4 inches long

Little Leopold was born at home after only 2 hours of labor and 20 minutes of pushing, with no injuries to mother or child. (Well, minus a little shoulder dystocia.) God has great timing, has been so merciful, and His Providence is unsurpassable.

Deo Gratia!!

(for name explanations: click Leopold and click Michael)

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Instant Gratification Denied -------- Advent Embraced

In the age of scheduled C-sections and labor induction on-demand, it’s no surprise to me that, starting a solid 2 weeks before my due date, the phone calls and well-intentioned e-mails start pouring in. And since I am traditionally (and as of yesterday) officially (*cringe*) overdue (*cringe*), my nature has, in the past, inclined me to be annoyed by this vocalization of expectation.
But I’ve learned my lesson, and it’s different this time around.

I enjoy these inquiries into my state and the baby’s, and love bragging about the easy progress I’ve made in the last few days or hours before the true onset of labor.* I love those who call, and I know they call me out of that mutual love. But, more often than not, this on-edged-ness of those surrounding me teaches me a great lesson. And it’s not just one of patience or politeness. No. It goes beyond that.

All of my children have been birthed during the liturgical seasons of either Advent or Lent. Times of waiting. Times of preparation for the coming of Him Who is Life Itself. And most of them have been born a bit late-ish. Which only reinforces the fact that we are – dare I say it? – keeping constant vigil.

We’re watching and waiting and preparing for a new life – an imago Dei.
Listening, hoping, observing every little twinge and movement of the one whom we await.

And now I ask myself and you – are we watching and waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ – at Christmas, at the Resurrection, at the Final Judgment – with the same intensity and vigilance and hope with which we await the birth of this child in my womb? If not, we need to start.

It is Advent, after all. And the Church, in Her ancient wisdom, gives us this time as an opportune gift. Pregnancy, I have learned, is a mere shadow – a symbol - of this time of preparation for our encounter with “Him Who Was, Who Is, and Who Is To Come.”

Today, as I prepare in so many ways to behold the face of my child who is yet a beautiful mystery to me, I ought also be learning how to prepare my soul to behold that splendid, perfectly mysterious face of the One Who made us all and beckons us to Himself. I’m going to do just that.

So, “Maranatha!”
Come, Lord Jesus!
And, of course, come on out, little baby!!!!!


(*At the time of blogication, blogger was 5cm dilated, and over 50% effaced with a ‘bulging bag of waters’ and one very engaged baby. And no painful contractions yet. Excellent.)

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Incase you feel entitled to an explanation

I've received a few panicked phone calls lately, and thought it might be an act of charity on my part to set all hearts at ease by posting a quick note to let anyone who cares know that i've not yet delivered a baby. ;)

And to be perfectly honest, i am totally okay with that! I mean, my due date isn't even here yet. By past experience, that often comes and goes without event, so i'm not expecting too much at the moment. I was, however, consoled to know that as of last Friday, i was already 3cm and 50%. Typical for me to hang out here for a week and a half before D-day, so the consolation lies in knowing that the more work i do now, the less HARD work i'll have to do on the day of delivery.

So for those who are panic-stricken, be aware that i've been given numerous ultimatums about when i CAN and CAN'T have the baby, all of which, i am sure, somehow affect my psyche. These include:

-"You can't have the baby on the 26th, b/c i'm already off work and need to get a bunch of work done outside." (Joe)

-"You can't have the baby on the 27th, b/c that's Thanksgiving Day." (Joe)

-"You can't have the baby on the 28th, b/c i'm already off work AGAIN and need to get a bunch of Kairos work done incase the baby comes late." (Joe)

-"Great Grandma's vieweing is on the 25th and her funeral is on the 26th, so you can't have the baby then, either." (May she rest in peace.) (Joe)

-"You're kids are going to come down with the flu on the 29th, so you better put off having the baby another day. Oh, and on the 30th, which would otherwise be a great day to have a baby, YOU are going to get slammed with a sore throat, stuffy nose, nausea, and trouble-from-the-other-end. No sense in delivering then." (God)

So you see, i really had no options anyway. I dont know why you people who expect early deliveries and then make ulitmatums don't see the folly of your ways.

To be sure, i will keep everyone posted (no pun intended). So keep doing me the favor of resisting the temptation to call and see if i'm in labor yet... cause i'm not. Too many demands to meet, and some recovering to do yet from my fight with the flu.