Luisa Fernanda's Baptism

Last week we returned to Tres Valles for Octavio's adorable niece's baptism.  We were supposed to be the godparents together buuuut since according to the priest we're living in sin (quite possibly the harshest sounding thing anyone has ever said to me! We're engaged, I wanted to say, soon we'll be married & not living in sin, doesn't that count in our favor??  No, it does not is the answer.) one of us had to drop out.  I volunteered since Octavio is pretty much obsessed with his pelona (little baldy, as he affectionately calls her even though she's steadily growing more and more hair) and one of his sisters friends got to be the godmother.  (Small world: I found out after the baptism that the newly instated godmother went to Shawnee Mission South...who would have thought!?) We went down to the church for the baptism and Luisa Fernanda did marvelously.  She rarely ever cries unless she's hungry (she's a girl after my own heart, don't get in the way of her and food) and she barely fussed during the ceremony even though she was being passed around and was covered in layers upon layers of white baptism dress in the sweltering heat.  Then we headed back to the house for a little party to celebrate.  Apparently it's tradition for the godfather to throw coins to the little kids so Octavio was in charge of that. 

Waiting for the baptism to start.  Octavio with his nieces, Irani & Luisa Fernanda (aka Pelona)

still waiting..

the church in Tres Valles

she thought we should focus on her more, it was her day after all.

changing into her baptismal gear.

waiting patiently as her godmother and mom changed her

blessings and all that good stuff.

the cool water probably felt good on her hot little head.  And her cousin Irani, peering close by, also wanting to be part of the action.

more parts of the ceremony

godparents holding her

lighting the candle

Afterwards with Octavio's Grandma, Dad, and sister Estella

Not sure why I'm laughing but us with Octavio's dad.

Luisa Fernanda with her mom, Estella, and cousin, Irani

It's official!

Luisa Fernanda watching everyone afterwards.

Everyone waiting for the throwing of the coins.

The coins

Octavio egging people on before he threw the coins.

the "kids" scrambling for the coins.  Octavio's dad & sister were fierce competitors also.

counting up their winnings.

Octavio's dad had the most so he kept the fun going by throwing it back to the kids again.

more kids scrambling

and how could I forget that Lola has little brothers and sisters!  Her mom had kittens the day before we got there!  I don't know how much the mama appreciated me pulling her kittens out repeatedly but they were so cute, I couldn't help it!