What's in a Name {ing day}?

About a month ago we had a naming day for Isla. We aren't very religious, so the idea of a Christening wasn't right for us, but we still wanted to have a ceremony where we could celebrate the arrival of our little girl with family and friends.

What happens at a Naming ceremony I hear you ask? Well it was a question I was asked a number of times leading up to the day. I didn't realise they were still relatively uncommon...

A Naming Ceremony is a secular ceremony officiated by a Celebrant just like a civil ceremony at a wedding. We had a lot of input in the content and were able to tailor it to us, which I loved. 

Here's where my addiction to Pinterest has finally started to pay off: 
In place of a guestbook we had a canvas image of a cupcake which people could add thumbprint 'sprinkles' which now hangs proudly in the nursery.

We also had little containers of bubbles which everyone blew at the end of the service and made a silent wish for Isla. She adores bubbles, and I thought it was a nice way to include a bit of her in the day.

My Husband & I recited "Parents Promises" to Isla, things we committed to be and do for her. My Sister made a lovely speech also, but as always, my Husband stole the show with a truly beautiful letter he read out. 

He wrote it about a week after Isla was born and even now I get goosebumps when I read it. I thought I'd share it:

Dear Isla Mae,

I met you only just last week, although it was a bit confronting and awkward with the bright lights of the theatre, I heard the doctor say Hello to you first and then you cried out your first little sound in this world. It was a sound I'd waited quite a while to hear and I can tell you it was like an angel had arrived right there, it was only a moment later I cut your cord and held you for the first time.

I'm not sure what I thought I'd feel but I suppose, to be honest, I'd been told stories of how sometimes Dads don't feel a connection straight away and I was thinking maybe that'd be me - but I can tell you this: what I knew of the feeling of Love, all the love I'd ever felt for anyone or anything up until that point, I guess, was a rehearsal for the deepness and fullness of the love I felt for you that moment.

The coolest thing about this though, is that it gets better each and every moment - like when I watched you laying on your mummy's chest in the first hour or so of your life, I fell in love with her all over again when she caressed the back of your head and helped you find her breast so you could feed. It was a feeling of pride, and awe, watching you two get to know each other properly, outside of her tummy!

The funny thing is I felt like I already knew you as well - like we'd known each other for years, like I already had some kind of bond with you and I already knew what to do - how to hold you, how to change you, how to talk to you. It was like you were a part of me. I understood what people meant when they say they'd do anything for their children, they'd give anything up for them, and they’d give their lives to protect them. I felt in those first few hours I was holding you in my arms: if someone told me I had to give up every single dollar I had and every single possession I owned right then, just to be able to keep you, they'd have it in a second. No question. I realised mums & dads aren't kidding when they call their children precious...

I can stare at you for hours with probably what is a stupid look on my face. I hold you in my lap and watch in wonder and amazement at your little feet, your nose and ears, and every now again, a glimpse of your beautiful big blue eyes.  I just look at you.

I change your nappy and rejoice at it's contents - after all it's very exciting to know this little person you created from nothing actually works! She is actually a living, breathing person, and you and her mummy created her with nothing but love. It's pretty cool...

Getting out of bed in the darkness, when its cold and I can't find my shoes, just to check on a sound I thought I heard - I've done that a few times before like at Copeton on a camping trip in June, I can sure do it for you my girl, that's the easy part I've learned, as tired as I am and knowing I've got a day's work only a couple of hours ahead, I do it. Do it for love.

I think to myself "I can't wait until she can focus her eyes on mine, until she can hear me coming up the driveway after work, until she runs to me with arms outstretched yelling Daddy Daddy Daddy!", and then, I look at you so peacefully laying in your wrap and I think "yeah, I CAN wait. Take your time baby girl. Everyday with you is precious - we don't need to rush, take your time. I love you Isla.

Love Daddy.

SEE?!

It was a really special day for our new little family, and one we will fondly remember for years to come.



For anyone interested:
~ Isla's letters were made by the insanely talented Ruby Roo Designs (head over and 'like' them on Facebook!)

~ Our gorgeous celebrant was Clarah Luxford, I can highly recommend her and I am already looking at dates to book her for our 10 year wedding anniversary to renew our vows.

~ The park is Schuster Park at Tallebudgera (don't tell anyone though, its one of the best kept secrets on the Gold Coast).