Joining the club - Jakob's christening

The past weekend was a very big one for Jakob as Thursday night the first family members arrived in Vienna from Vorarlberg for our son's christening. By the time the big day came not only we had full house with Kerstin's mom and dad as well as her aunt Renate and uncle Werner staying in our place, but godmother Sandra and Flo stayed with godfather Stefan and Viki and Anja & Gian-Luca stayed in a hotel. On Saturday morning we all met for brunch in our flat at 1000 and one could tell, that it was not a normal day as everyone was a little bit nervous. Markus parents and sister joined us around lunchtime just as well as our neighbors Stefan and Andrea.

The sun was shining and heated the air to mild 20 degrees when we got on our way at 1300 towards the 19th district where the Jakob's christening was scheduled in the Weinbergkirche and once we have reached our destination the first thing on the agenda was to change Jakob's diapers as also he had to pay tribute to the nervousness and filled it on the way in the car. Once he was fresh again, Markus uncle and godfather has arrived and when the priest, one of Markus' teachers back at school, was ready the ceremony got under way. Jakob, neatly dressed in a white shirt and dark blue trousers, was very calm and focused when we the organ was playing and we were all singing but was talking and active whenever the pastor was preaching. Luckily Werner was filming so both Kerstin and Markus can re-visit the sermon as the parts that we could pick up were very nice and moving.

A large group gathered for Jakob's second big day after his birthday

When the highlight of the ceremony was approaching Jakob got a little bit more unsettled as it seemd that he wanted to play with the water rather than only having it poured over his head. Sandra almost struggled to hold him steady and as soon as the first drop of water touched Jakobs still hairless head he started complaining loudly. Somehow we were not really surprised about the scope of the reaction, even though we were optimistic that he would not mind the water as he loves babyswimming and bathing. But quite obviously its something completely different.

The moment of truth

Lateron there were a few more very moving moments in the ceremony like when Heidi wanted to recite a short poem for our sunshine but choked and had to ask her sister Renate to step in for her or when Sandra, Ines, Stefan, Markus' dad and Markus recited their intercessions. At the end of the service Jakob was all delighted again and was very pleased once the worship was over and he was allowed to "play" with the water while Flo took some pictures.

Finally allowed to have some fun!

After the Agape in the foyer of the church we made our way to nearby Heuriger Kroiss, which is run by one of our friend's brother where we had booked the back room for food and drinks. While Jakob slept for more than an hour after the exertion of the christening the rest of us enjoyed the delicious homemade food, wine and grapejuice. Once Jakob was awake he received lots of presents from all the guests - some for right now (various toys) and others for later in his life (cutlery or a savings plan for his first iPhone) - he was in a good mood and had a lot of fun with the gifts and guests. The early dinner was rounded up with delicate cakes prepared by Markus's mom and Andrea before we headed back home where the big day was concluded with a large bottle of champagne we had on the health of our little sunshine.

Jakob, Kerstin & Markus