January 1st was an extra special day this year for our family.   In addition to being the beautiful Solemnity of Mary Mother of God, we celebrated Tomas’ baptism and Kylee’s First Holy Communion.  Godparents, relatives, and friends joined us for a wonderful day of celebration.

It didn’t occur to me until preparing this post, that it is my bonus babies that celebrated these milestones together, which I admit chokes me up a little bit.  I have never liked the term “rainbow baby” because while the rainbow does come after the storm, the rainbow in Genesis is a specific promise to never again flood the earth….and I know that one healthy baby after a loss doesn’t guarantee that the loss part will never happen again.   I remember really struggling after Kylee was born missing Kenna and wanting Kenna and then feeling guilty because having Kenna would have meant I didn’t have Kylee.  Then when I would enjoy Kylee, I would feel guilty because I felt disloyal to Kenna.

Nasty cycle, I tell you!

Then one day I realized that I did have them both and that the ONLY way I could ever have them both was for the first to die.  No way if the first baby had lived (Kenna at the time, and now Siena) I would have had the second (Kylee, and now Tomas).   I decided that for me, bonus babies was a better way to think about it than rainbow baby.  They are beauty after a storm, to be sure, but there is also something more as well.  In both cases I could write an entire post on the spiritual significance each of them has had on my own faith journey.

Before I get sucked into too much more rambling, I will resort to dumping you will an assortment of photos from the big day!  (Thanks to my brother in law for not feeling too shy to pull out the phone and take pictures for us during Mass!)

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC

Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC
Godparents
Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC
Godparents
Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC
Nice boots Lucie…not sure how she snuck those out the door.
Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC
Auntie Amy
Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC
These two cousins are double trouble!
Tomas' Baptism & Kylee's FHC
Grandma