September 19, 2004: Baptism of Lara
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The No-W sticker reallys works well on the white bug. Colors, design, lines, everything.
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Marcus and Ute, Charlotte and Charlie. The bumper sticker reads: "Save the Environment / Plant a Bush back in Texas."
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Kathi dresses Lara in her little white dress.
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The only time Lara isn't smiling at it is when you point the camera at her.
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Lara all dressed and ready to go.
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Lara attracts all eyes.
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And all arms.
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There's something about Helena. I call her Helena of Troy.
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All dressed up and ready to go.
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Fr. Cairns gives us instruction before the baptism.
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Finlay introduces himself again, just in case Lara forgot.
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The parents.
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We wait while Fr. Cairns brings the two other families up to speed.
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The baptismal font is expansive.
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The font has stairs down to a large pool, presumably for adult converts who want to do the ceremony the old way.
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Three baptismal candles, one for each baby, wait at the base of lit candle.
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The reading from the New Testament.
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The moment of the baptism. Christian, holding Helena, is godfather; I'm godmother.
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Godparents and parents wait at the back of the church for a bit.
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I'm mugging for the camera.
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Kathi is smarter and smiles at Lara.
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Not sure why I would be rolling up my sleeve.
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Fr. asked me to be one of the two people who bring up the gifts.
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Maybe it was bad of me to take pictures during the service; I wanted to get Fr. at the sparse minimalist altar.
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Now I am cutting off heads. I had accused Mom of doing this.
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Quintessential Lara.
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I (somewhat) embarrass the altar girl. I told her when I was her age I wanted to be an altar girl but the bishop said no girls.
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All the family, but we're missing a couple kids! Where are Finlay and Agnes?
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Agnes reappears.
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Lara is forever moving her head, yanking it to one side or the other, looking around, so it's just a matter of luck if you catch her looking your way. I was not lucky.
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Before the party starts.
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A very sweet picture of Ute holding Lara.
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From time to time, Dad or Grandpa take over nursing duty.
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Softly out of focus.
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Gill may never forgive me.
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(To me) The younger set.
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Encore.
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Sandwiches and wine oder bier on the back porch.
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Another in the series of the two sleeping.
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I really have to learn how to use the camera in close shots and avoid that red eye.
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I don't understand how it's physically possible to get red eye in two people looking in completely different directions.
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Pasquale and Finlay.
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Silk.
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Lara wakes.
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Babies relaxing.
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Lara is teething, it seems, and she is happy to gnaw on friendly fingers as well as her own.
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Grandma and Lara pull out signature smiles.
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It's been a long day, but Lara is wide awake.
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Lara chomps down. At times, it looks like she's trying to get her fist inside - doesn't look like that's possible any more.
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Helena of Troy takes a nap.
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Lara joins her.
Marianne Mueller
Last modified: September 27, 2004