Alyssa's first Easter

What a beautiful day Easter was! In fact, the few days leading up to Easter were just amazing. We attended Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter vigil masses all in preparation for Easter and my confirmation. At the Holy Thursday mass, the Last Supper was celebrated and parishioners were able to wash the feet of others and have their feet washed a well; while we didn't participate in the feet washing, it brought home the way Jesus served others and how we should humble ourselves to serve others as well. And at the Good Friday service we take nails up to the cross, as a symbol of our role in the crucifixion. Very powerful to say the least.

My confirmation evening began with a beautiful banquet put on by the church. The social hall never looked so good. Each table had a different theme, with centerpieces, place mats, candles, napkins, and glassware that were all coordinated. Those who were "working" the banquet wore black pants, white shirts, and bow ties. The menu included a citrus pecan salad, Mediterranean stuffed chicken breasts with beans and seasoned potatoes, and a lemon parfait dessert - wow! The mass itself started outside with the burning of last year's palm branches and lighting the Paschal candle from that fire. We (those of us to be baptized and confirmed) led everyone into a darkened church, at which time our candles were lit and then we passed the light on to others. The readings began with creation and went through Easter. We all renewed our baptismal vows and then we were confirmed and made our first communion. They had a reception after for everyone to congratulate and welcome us. I think we were home between 10:30 and 11 that night.

Alyssa of course was the perfect baby. She slept through part of dinner, ate right before the mass began, and then after a few hiccups and a little bit of "singing", she went to sleep and slept through the rest of the mass. When we got her home, she didn't even open her eyes as we transferred her to her crib, sleeping until 6:30 the next morning when the Easter bunny came.

The Easter bunny was pretty good to all of us, bringing us each some of our favorite treats - Cadbury eggs, peanut butter cups, and new lounge pants for Aaron; Craisins, jelly beans, and chocolate for me, and a lawn chair, Veggie Tales CD, Fuzzy bee book, Twins outfit, and Easter eggs for Alyssa. She really likes her book, enjoyed playing with the eggs, and listening to Aaron & I sing along with Eggplant and Tomato on the CD. I'm super excited about this CD as it has a lot of songs we sang in Sunday School on it, some of which I had forgotten!

We spent Easter day down at Stacy's. Aaron's parents and Uncle Bob celebrated with us. We had a super yummy brunch, played with Alyssa at the playground, went for a short walk, and just visited. Stacy got to feed Alyssa cereal for the first time and did a great job, she was laughing at how fast Alyssa likes to be fed though. Spring is definitely here now. Alyssa is loving her walks outside; we got her some sunglasses for when we're walking. The first few times she didn't fuss with them, now she's pulling them off - grrr! She has been in the swing and gone down the slide, and I think she likes the swing better, but we'll see what she prefers as the summer continues.

We think she may be starting to get some teeth as you can see a few little nubs on her bottom gums, but I guess we'll have to wait and see. And while she still can't get off her stomach, she's definitely pushing herself backwards while on her tummy. She loves to be sitting and she's now figured out if she holds on to our fingers she can pull herself to standing. She's so strong, it's kind of scary. And she's getting so independent already, I'm so glad we have the video of when she was just a blob because I can hardly remember it; it's going by so quickly.

Here's sending you some of our sunshine and blue skies!