4 months and counting...

Yesterday the bear turned 4 months. It was also her Baptism (see photos here). We decided to have the baptism after mass (instead of during mass), but halfway through mass, Fr. Reyes asked Lynn, Claire and me to come to the front of the church and Fr. Reyes, took Claire and went around the church and introduced her to everyone. She didn't cry at all. After mass, Fr. Reyes invited the congregation to stick around for the baptism. About 20 people did. More importantly, Paul and Taya were there as Claire's godparents, and our good friends from Shelbyville, TN (John and Pam Mattox - and kids) were also there. Claire did not let out a peep when Fr. Reyes poured water on her head or when he annointed her with scented oil. Afterwards we all went out of lunch and then over to the pool, for an afternoon of relaxation. A special thank you to the Riches in Dallas, TX for sending us clothes and accessories for Claire's baptism.

Ok, let's back up a few days... Paul and Taya arrived on Tuesday night. They finally got to meet their niece. Our friends Tommy and Laura came over for dinner on July 2 and we made Sushi. Claire had breast milk. The next day we went shopping and I got a Playstation 3 for my birthday. Now before you give me a hard time, I got the PS3 for its blu-ray capabilities, not for games. Paul and Taya did buy me Rock Band though. We also picked up a keg of beer and a margarita machine, which we used for my party on July 5. Of course, we had to test it out on July 3, and invited the neighbors over (16 all together) for drinks. We hooked up the PS3 to our TV and played and sang until 3am, when I had to kick out the remaining neighbors (Wendall and Nick). Claire slept through all of our singing and playing.

On July 4, Nick decided to buy a guitar for Rock Band - even though he does not own the game. He claimed he wanted to play the bass guitar while someone else plays the lead guitar. That evening, the neighbors (the Tinsleys and the Samsons) bought fire works, which we set up outside. We provided the beer and margaritas. Paul held Claire during the fireworks and she didn't wake up during the festivities. One of neighbors went to Florida for the long weekend, so we got a video projector, stereo and my PS3 and hooked everything up in their driveway. We used the side of their house to play Rock Band. We wanted to crank up the volume, but some people just moved in a couple of houses up the road, and we thought it would be a rude welcoming to the neighborhood. Anyway, we played until 1am and then decided we would get serious about the game and challenge other neighborhoods in our subdivision to a Rock Band competition.

On July 5, Robbie got serious and bought his own Rock Band game (it was his birthday). That evening was my birthday party. We had about 50 people over to the house to put a dent in the keg and margaritas. Strangely, but greatly appreciated by us, the party ended by 11pm. There would be no Rock Band this night.

On July 6, the neighbors whose house we used to project Rock Band, came home. They saw the photos and videos of their house being used and the good time we had. So, they went out and bought Rock Band too. This just leaves the Samson (Wendall) without the game. I wonder how long it will take for Wendall to go buy the game.

It's now July 7 and Claire has had her fill of rock and roll music. I am not sure when our next practice is.

Until the next posting, keep playing your guitar...