A few Sundays ago, the Guinn family drank of the communal wine (just grape juice, unfortunately) :) and joined Highland Park Methodist Church! l absolutely love this church! What's not to love? For starters, it's gorgeous - which makes going to church a much more holy experience - sorry I'm not sorry, I totally judge books (and churches) by their cover! Secondly, the preacher is amazing, sprinkling in lots of humor throughout the sermon, my kinda guy! And last but most importantly to us, they have a fantastic children's program. Whether Hadley decides to become an active member of the church later in life is her decision, but we want to at least give her a Christian foundation.
We've only just now entered a somewhat predictable routine where we feel well-rested and can wake up, chug some caffeine, and be presentable enough to make it to church on a Sunday morning! For me, it's hard enough finding an outfit that's dressy, but not too tight, not too short, and looks conservative paired with 4 inch heels! Not an easy feat. Throw a baby in the mix and getting church-ready can take foooorrreeevvvverrrrr! But my mom was in town and we were feeling confident, so we went for it!
We've only just now entered a somewhat predictable routine where we feel well-rested and can wake up, chug some caffeine, and be presentable enough to make it to church on a Sunday morning! For me, it's hard enough finding an outfit that's dressy, but not too tight, not too short, and looks conservative paired with 4 inch heels! Not an easy feat. Throw a baby in the mix and getting church-ready can take foooorrreeevvvverrrrr! But my mom was in town and we were feeling confident, so we went for it!
Going to church also allows us to break out the adorable, fancy baby church clothes! Ugh, I just die! :)
For Hadley's first church experience, we decided to test out the baby nursery while we attended the service in the sanctuary. As first timers, we got her all checked in and left her in a room with approximately 3-4 other babies and plenty of reliable-looking nursery volunteers. I mean I didn't run a full background check or anything, but they seemed pretty legit. We dropped her of with all the major necessities - a bottle, diapers, her paci, the latest copy of US Weekly... everything she could possibly need in one hour's time! This church is pretty fancy too... they give you a pager to take with you in case they need to reach you for any reason during the service. So I filled out some basic paperwork and traded in my baby for a pager and then... I cried!
For Hadley's first church experience, we decided to test out the baby nursery while we attended the service in the sanctuary. As first timers, we got her all checked in and left her in a room with approximately 3-4 other babies and plenty of reliable-looking nursery volunteers. I mean I didn't run a full background check or anything, but they seemed pretty legit. We dropped her of with all the major necessities - a bottle, diapers, her paci, the latest copy of US Weekly... everything she could possibly need in one hour's time! This church is pretty fancy too... they give you a pager to take with you in case they need to reach you for any reason during the service. So I filled out some basic paperwork and traded in my baby for a pager and then... I cried!
Not really, but I seriously teared up! Why is it so hard to leave your baby down the hall from you for just an hour? Maybe because it was the first time to leave her in the care of a non-family member. Maybe because she is growing up. Maybe because she is my little sidekick and I have forgotten what life is like without her attached at my hip! Who knows... but it was definitely harder than I ever imagined it would be. Ughhhh such a helicopter mom, I know! I can't help it, I'm completely obsessed with my baby girl! The entire time I secretly hoped they would page me to come rescue my sweet baby! That page never came. Our angel baby took a nap, had a bottle, and was peacefully rocking in the rocking chair with one of the church ladies when we came to pick her up! Being abandoned for the hour didn't phase her one bit.
It was a great first church experience and a routine we will try to keep up so that Hadley gets used to being in a new environment away from Mommy & Daddy! And more importantly so that Mommy gets used to being away from Hadley too!
Hadley, today as we sat in church for the very first time since your birth, I thanked God for the great blessing of being your parents! You are the greatest gift we have ever received! Thanks be to God! We love you! XOXO
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