vonRoeschlaub Family News

This morning Victoria was baptized. The house was bedlam getting ready, then a great rush to church. We met Rachel and Tom, fresh off the plane, just as they arrived. The ceremony itself went well and Rachel taped it. Michael and Ruth Ann Sauter have been pretty excited about being the godparents, so I hope the actual ceremony wasn’t a let-down. Victoria was her usual good self and didn’t even whimper through the whole thing, she even smiled as grandpa took hold of her (not so much when he poured water over her head — but she did stick her hand in the bowl).

After the ceremony was a nice coffee hour with bagels and cake followed by a reception at my parent’s house. Claire was a bit upset she couldn’t play outside in her dress, she got over it. Both kids were happy to see Rachel, and It was nice seeing Tom again. It’s always fun to talk with him, but I worry I monopolize conversation — a bad habit from when I was a child and everyone ignored my attempts to talk, now I tend to be persistent even when people do listen.

After the party we helped clean up and relaxed a bit before Rachel and Tom headed back to Boston. Diana had promised the kids Aqua-Dots for being good, but unfortunately the toy store was closed before we headed home. I have to figure out how to get the program complete tomorrow and still have time to rush out and get some for them. I also have a strong suspicion they will not live up to the hype on T.V.

Yesterday my parents played hooky.  In order to be sure to get home before Monday, they left Canada on Saturday and got home Saturday night (it could have taken longer).  Since they couldn’t get caught at the house on Sunday, they snuck out to the beach and we went along.

It was fun to see how things had developed since the last time we were at the beach, August of last year.  Claire was willing to get her feet wet, but Avery was afraid to even touch the water.  He did have a good time burying himself in the sand, though.  Before we left Claire had even gone with Noni out past the breakers and done a little wave jumping.  As she was returning to the beach a breaker rolled right over her and she panicked a bit, but she still felt good about the ocean once she was back on shore, so I guess she’s feeling more confident.  She is definately a better swimmer than last year.

Avery enjoyed playing in the sand, but by the time we were going back to the car the sand had heated up and he had to run to Diana and get his shoes.  I toughed it out, but only because my feet are currently rather calloused anyway.

Victoria spent most of her time under the umbrella avoiding the sun, but Diana took her out for a brief touch of the ocean with her feet, which she did not like, and letting some sand get between her toes, which she did like.

Everyone got a bath once we were home, even Victoria.

Diana came home today. I picked her up at ten from the hospital, there were no issues. Everything went smoothly and before we knew it we were home. She slept soundly in the playpen, and my father dropped by for a while (we picked up Claire at the bus stop). Grandpa, Noni and Duke came for dinner, I cooked up the ribs and some hot dogs and hamburgers. All in all, a very nice introduction to the family for Tori.

I’m in California today, and talked to Diana on the phone. She’s not feeling so hot today, but sounded much more chipper than yesterday. I also talked to Claire a bit, she was coloring with her right hand to see if she could do it while talking on the phone. Avery wasn’t so interested in talking since Avi was over for a visit.

I told my parents about the trip to China. They were pretty excited. My mother insisted I would save a fortune buying Christmas presents there. That’s my mom.