We had decided early on that we wanted to have Arabella baptized at Toby’s church in Kentucky, so when we decided we were going to go to Kentucky for Thanksgiving, it seemed like the perfect time.

My family was able to come, too, which was awesome because we were all together for the ceremony.

Arabella did really well and only got upset when I wouldn’t let her tear pages out of the Book of Prayer. The water didn’t seem to bother her!

My mom got Arabella this gorgeous christening gown from a boutique at the mall in Ft. Lauderdale, where they live now. We had a little trouble finding one that would fit properly because she’s a bit wide through the chest and has big baby biceps. We wanted this long kind and they don’t make larger sizes in that style, since most babies are walking by the time they are 18-24 months! So we ended up having the sleeves taken out a little.

Since the ceremony was in the morning, we did a brunch party afterward at my mother-in-law’s house. She did most of the work, but I did make the desserts!

For the cupcakes, I used my go-to white cake recipe and normal buttercream, which I tinted light pink. The cupcake wrappers are available here. For the cookies, I used my regular sugar cookie recipe and royal icing recipe.

We also got to take these photos of multiple generations—and everyone in the picture above has used that high chair as a baby! So glad we were able to fly back to the U.S. for this.

Outfit details: My dress: Kate Spade (same dress in a darker pink, or this one is similar), Sweater: J.Crew (old but this is very similar and this is also close), Shoes: J.Crew (these and these are also similar, and these are similar in a more muted pink)

Arabella’s dress is from a boutique in Ft. Lauderdale, but this one and this one look similar. I also used this white swim diaper over her regular diaper, just in case.