Non-religious christenings or Baby Naming Ceremonies as they are commonly called are not just about picking a name; they are about giving a high-five to the little champion for overcoming early hurdles. These naming ceremonies for babies who’ve faced a tough start are like throwing a party with extra confetti. A naming ceremony for a baby with a bumpy start is a heartwarming celebration of life, love, and the incredible journey ahead.
Jude’s baby naming ceremony was a fantastic chance to express gratitude to everyone who stood by the couple when life threw them a curveball. It was a way to thank the incredible people who had their backs when the universe hit the fast-forward button on Mikayla and Adrian’s lives.
Mikayla’s gallstones had her checking into the hospital at 29 weeks. That’s when they found out her blood pressure was sky high because she’d developed pre-eclampsia. The hospital staff broke the news to her that she’d be staying in hospital for at least the next 8 weeks until it was safe to deliver the baby. In the following 24 hours, Mikayla’s condition took a huge turn for the worse: her kidneys and liver began to fail.
When Adrian arrived at the hospital, the team were taking Mikayla in for an emergency Cesarean. Adrian wasn’t really dressed for the operating theatre but he got scrubbed up and put the shoe covers over his tongs.
After Jude was born he was whisked away to NICU- the neonatal intensive care unit, with Dad Adrian following close behind. About 4 hours later Mum Mikayla got to look at her baby for a few minutes before being taken back to the maternity ward.
It was an agonising time but Mikayla and Adrian dug deep and found an inner strength they didn’t know they had. The next day, Mikayla + Adrian got to hold Jude in their arms for the first time and tell him how much they loved him.
Fast forward – Mikayla’s playing hospital ping-pong for three weeks, while Jude’s doing a seven-week stint in NICU. Home and hospital become a daily commute for the exhausted but determined duo.
Christmas in NICU? Not exactly how they’d imagined their first Xmas, but they rolled with the punches.
Despite his precarious start, Jude is thriving. Mikayla and Adrian feel like they’ve hit the jackpot, because their little Jude is the most precious prize of all!
Every milestone is a victory dance, and nothing beats watching him grow.
The Futterleibs brought this special jar for a sand pouring. It made it’s first appearance at Mikayla and Adrian’s wedding day. During their wedding, Adrian poured sand from Crowdy Head, his hometown, while Mikayla poured sand from Stanwell Park beach, where she grew up. This act symbolised their individual backgrounds and the merging of their lives. Afterwards, their parents, siblings, and grandparents each contributed a small amount of coloured sand to represent each side of the family.
When their first child, Kai, was named, they introduced sand from Fingal Beach, and so for Jude’s ceremony, they obviously wanted to add sand to represent their newest family member. How special!
This jar will no doubt continue to be a cherished keepsake in their home, reminding them of their roots, the importance of family, and the support networks that have helped shape them as they build their own family.
The jar is not just pretty; it’s like a love letter to the sea. This jar is their way of saying, “Hey, ocean, we feel you deep in our souls!” It’s like having a piece of the beach right in their living room, a constant reminder of good vibes and salty memories.
We had a huge laugh when Mikayla indicated that there’d be no more sand going into the bottle and that it was ready to be permanently sealed!
Hands down, this baby naming ceremony space at Pacific Palms Function Room in Medowi takes the cake as my absolute favourite venue to date. Picture this: An arbour decked out in a jungle theme, chairs set up outdoors in a shady, picturesque area.
But that’s not all – there’s this big (but not too big) adjacent room where guests were able to mingle pre-and post-ceremony. Clever Mikayla and Adrain brought a treasure trove of toys and a cubby house with tunnel that kept all the children happily occupied, without us having to worry about tiny disruptions.
There was room galore for everything: catering, the cake table, the gift stash, and even a photo display showcasing Jude’s life. It was like the Goldilocks of baby naming ceremony spaces – not too cramped, not too sparse, just right for celebrating the newest addition to the family. 🌿👶✨
Cheers to the little warrior and the epic adventure awaiting him! 🎉
If this baby naming Medowie celebration for Jude brought joy to your face, explore the Baby Naming category on my blog. You’ll discover additional heartwarming baby naming ceremonies that can serve as inspiration.
If you’re looking for a celebrant in Newcastle to add that extra touch of specialness to your baby’s naming ceremony, delve into the details of my naming day services.
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