Baptized in Ernest

Rev. Kate Welcomes Sawyer

The Godparents

Madeira Moms

Dueling Aunts

Addie and Sawyer

Nobody saw it coming. The weathermen even stopped tracking Hurricane Ernesto – now a tropical depression – once it hit the Chesapeake Bay. But as dawn struck the shores of Glebe Creek Friday morning it soon became apparent that we were in for a whopper of a storm. At 6 a.m. Scott woke me up to inform me that if he wasn't back in 10 minutes, something had gone wrong – he was headed out to save his boat. The lines had snapped in the wind and surf. I, of course, got up and watched through the window to make sure he didn't get swept away. Oak trees were bending in the wind like palms in a hurricane; and five foot waves were crashing over the dock, which was buried under two feet of water at high tide. By 6 p.m., Scott had been swimming five times trying to save his boat and the dock. Each time the lines had snapped. 60 mph winds knocked down trees all over the Northern Neck and our power went out before noon. Meanwhile, 16 people arrived at our door for Sawyer's baptism. As folks showed up two by two, we all sat in Florida room gazing out the window in awe. There was nothing else to do. Hopes of a Club Med weekend playing croquet and boating were soon dashed. Without power, plumbing or water, we were roughing it. Nothing left to do but crack open the beer and wine. My biggest fear was losing the 35 bags of breastmilk I had frozen at home. That stuff is like liquid gold. All that work – I wasn't about to lose it. I sent Scott and Brian out in the worst of the storm to retrieve the generator, ice and the precious breastmilk. Our house guests braved the wind and rain to dip water out of the swimming pool with buckets so they could flush the toilets. We brushed our teeth en mass by the kitchen sink with a jug of water. We ate cold cuts for dinner and passed away the evening hours talking by candlelight. My poor parents were on the verge of short circuiting, but – to their credit – held it together. I was not about to call the baptism off. Six people had flown in from California for the event and Jen, Johnny and their two toddlers had driven SIX HOURS (on what should have been a two hour drive) to get here. It was Baptism or Bust! For some reason, Armstrong events are never without a crisis. I like to think it makes them memorable. With the help of our good friend Betsy Woods who lent her showers and oven when her power turned back on before ours, and Susan Faulkner who also let us come take showers and baths, we made it through a long weekend in the dark. We still managed to have a crab feast on a lovely and clear evening Saturday. Sunday morning arrived and we were still without power. The priest and my godparents left at dawn from DC for the ceremony. People shaved their faces and legs on the dock by the river before slipping on their fancy duds. Scott drove Sawyer's godparents to the ceremony in his boat – which didn't sink (the dock, however, was looking a little worse for the wear.) We set up a makeshift alter by the water. Sawyer was a perfect angel through the baptism. He slept through the whole thing. He was baptized with river water and welcomed into the world by a group of the most dedicated friends and family anybody could ask for. He's a lucky young man. Godmother Sarah Q. said on Sunday that she had noticed a change in Sawyer in only four days, and I think she's right. He smiles and coos and laughs now. He's more alert and interactive. He can entertain himself under the playgym for an hour now. It's like somebody flipped a switch and suddenly he's interesting and interested. He realizes I'm more than just a boob, and he can chill out with his dad without crying. He's sleeping for five hour stints (and that has been going on for almost a week now). I believe that all the interaction with his grandparents, aunts, uncles, godparents and future wife (Addie) helped. My little tree frog is clinging to me right now as I type this. We miss everyone already, and for those who couldn't make the trip: just be glad you had working toilets!
See More Photos