Thomas James Davies was christened yesterday at Worthenbury parish church in front of a congregation swelled by family and friends. It was hard to believe it was only just over a year ago that Kate and I walked down the aisle at that church. So much has happened since then.
It was a very nice, friendly service during which Thomas behaved almost impeccably. He was baptised in the christening gown once worn by his Grandpa Williams, and wrapped in a white shawl from my side of the family. All his Godparents were on hand to witness the event and took their vows - my brother Richard, my friend Mark, and on Kate's side, her sister Victoria and Kate's friend Claire. Just a slight scare when we realised the service was underway and my brother had not actually turned up.
He was relying on his satellite navigation but unfortunately it didn't seem to recognise the village of Worthenbury! Anyway he got there in the end.
The vicar, the Rev Adrian Copping, did an excellent service and presented Thomas with a gift-wrapped children's bible and a card as a present from the church as well as the certificate of his baptism.
We all went back to Kate's parents' place afterwards where Thomas was, quite rightly, the star of the show and did not object to being passed from one person to another. The consensus among the guests is how much he looks like me, but despite that still looks gorgeous! Well, of course.
It was a great day during which the weather behaved and even turned warm and sunny later on. The day was a reminder in so many ways of our wedding - same church, same venue for the reception. Several times I found myself asking what I would have thought, when I tied the knot on April 29 last year, had I known we would be christening our four-month-old son 14 months on.
I would have been amazed, but delighted, particularly as Thomas has turned out to be a very well-behaved baby. He's gurgling a lot now and I can't wait for that gurgle to turn into 'mamma, dadda.'
