Eight Months Old!

Collin's Baptism

This past Sunday we finally had Collin baptized at People of Hope in Rochester.  While the weather wasn't very cooperative, the service was beautiful.  Many things were different this time around.  We've changed churches since Will's baptism and the outfit that Will wore (which was also worn by all the Sharpe kids) was too small for Collin, but we were able to get a copy of the music played at Will's baptism.  Spirit of Joy, the music group at People of Hope, played "Walk as a Child of the Light," a song by Cathy Nelson, the music director at our former church, Holy Spirit.  It is so beautiful, I find it hard to keep it together when it is sung! 

Collin before baptism.  He is so cute even with original sin! ;) 

Collin being baptized by Pastor Jason

After baptism with Pastor Jason

Grandma and Grandpa Sharpe

Grandpa Repede and Grandma Kim

Grandparents

The Winters-Collin's Godfamily!  

The Buckmeiers with Collin (Amy and Jon are Will's godparents)

Allie and Collin

It was a very special day for Collin.  As you can see, his strict organic diet went right out the window when the grandmas came! 

Grandma Kim giving Collin frosting

Grandma Sharpe giving Collin carrot cake

It was also a special day for our entire family, celebrating our special blessing and miracle baby, Collin, with our family and friends. 

Not Glenn Beck

Here at the Repede Family Blog we welcome feedback! Apparently Grandma Sharpe didn't like seeing Glenn Beck's picture on the msnbc video every time she went on our site. So here are a few pictures that aren't Glenn Beck!

I heart MSNBC

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Rochester School News

Teacher Lay-offs. 

This is a link to the local newspaper article on our district's latest round of lay-offs.  Sad news for everyone.  Of the 47 elementary teachers let go, 10 were from my building.  I have been so fortunate.  I was contracted with the district in 2002, the year after the last big lay-off and long enough ago that I have a decent spot on the seniority list.  My second grade class is projected to have 31 students next year, which will be an interesting challenge, but I'm very blessed to have that challenge.  

Happy Easter from the House of Headcold!

Will comes down to see what the Easter Bunny (and Grandma and Grandpa Sharpe!) brought for Easter. 

Collin has a bit of bed head and has no idea what is going on! 

Will's favorite gift was a Star Wars Lego game for Wii. 

Both of the boys' baskets had a swimming theme-they are set for summer!  Collin is wearing his new hat from the bunny and sitting by his Eeyore from Uncle Kevin. 

Collin takes a snooze while the boys play their new game. 

As you may have noticed there aren't any cute Easter outfit/dressed up for church pictures.  We've been passing a cold around the house this week.  Everyone was doing well yesterday so we took advantage of the nice weather and apparent good health by playing outside and cleaning the garage most of the day.  We're paying for today.  So we've spent the day in our jammies and had homemade chicken soup for lunch (Will let us know he prefers soup from a can!).  We think the people at church would prefer we kept our germs at home and hope God understands!  

Collin and solids

Because of Will's eczema and food sensitivities, we'd been putting off starting solids with Collin.  When we went to his 6 month check-up, he's grown an inch but hadn't gained much weight (apparently he is long and lean, I'll let you decide which end of the gene pool that is!) so Dr. McCoy recommended we start solid foods.  

Here are Collin's first bites of rice cereal...

We then moved on to sweet peas...

My latest crunchy adventures is making my own purees.  Fearing another battle with eczema, I wanted to know exactly what Collin was eating to identify any sensitivities.  I also felt that baby food is packaged in such a way that it creates a lot of waste.  I picked up a cookbook at Williams Sonoma and am amazed at how easy it is!  Most foods are steamed, pureed in the food processor and poured into ice cube trays.  Once they are frozen I pop them out into a freezer bag and defrost one or two cubes each day! 

Collin has learned quickly that the high chair means food and isn't very patient while I'm warming it up for him.  To distract him the other day I gave him small pieces of banana.  It was funny to watch him try to get his hands to pick up the slimy pieces of food!  Once he did grab it he couldn't figure out where it went or how to get it in his mouth! 

As I said, Collin isn't very patient once he figures out it is meal time.  I was holding him while I mixed some rice cereal.  He was ready to dig in! 

Happy Birthday Mike!

On Saturday we celebrated Mike's 32nd birthday! 

Will thought we should make a cake for Mike.  The tradition is Sam's Club cake and while I was sad to break that tradition, this cake only lasted until lunch on Sunday.  Usually I'd be eating Sam's cake for two meals a day for the next week.  My jeans aren't complaining about the break in tradition. 

Andrew and Collin

Allie and Collin, still friends despite the fact that Collin spit up on Allie's face a few months ago!

Mike opening gifts!  Treats from the Winters, A lululemon gift card, Wii points and Night at the Museum from the Sharpes and more treats and a new yoga shirt from the boys! 

We also dyed Easter eggs with the Winters that night!