Shower the People We Love

Ah, relief. I am so totally exhausted. The baby shower is over and I think it was a success. 23 of about 40 invited were able to come, so it was a nice big group. It was a brunch shower so I scrambled around this morning getting things done. Doug was a big help getting things ready and by taking the boys away during the shower. As people showed up I had them write their names and addresses on address labels for Chris to use on her thank yous and to use for a random door prize. I also had them write on a big poster their guesses for when Chris will deliver and the weight of the baby. For decorations I had a clothesline that doubled as a gift for Chris, I painted Oh Baby letters for the mantle and had Chris bring a picture of her and her husband when they were babies to put up there too. I made 3 herb gardens (i found boxes at Michael's and painted them white and filled them with scented geranium, rosemary, thyme and oregano)--one for the mantle and the other 2 for my end tables. I sent one home with Chris and another home with Angela and i kept the third.

I made way too much food. Since I wasn't sure how many people I could expect I really overdid it. But that seems to be my way anyway...I made quiche, hashbrown casserole, mini-muffins, bread and dip, chocolate-covered strawberries. Some friends brought a fruit salad, fried polenta, banana bread, brownie bites and jalepeno/bacon appetizers. Yum. WAY too much.

Very rich. This is the only picture of the food table we got. I was very happy with the tablecloth Angela helped me make.

Onto gifts and all that fun stuff. She got lots and lots of clothes and other useful items. Hopefully it will help as it really can be a lot of "stuff" you need for your first baby. I handed out door prizes as she opened gifts--Bath & Body body butter. One for the first to arrive, another that was a random pick, and the last to the guest with a birthday closest to Chris' due date. Whomever makes the closest guess on the delivery date/weight gets a little basket with more Bath & Body goodies (can you tell I hit the Bath & Body after Christmas clearance??!).

Angela and Chris--such a pretty pregnant lady, don't you think?

After gifts, those who had to leave did and those who could stay and chat did that too. I like that people stayed and hung out (although they didn't eat nearly enough food!! Wimps!). We were down to 5 left, then it was just me, Chris and Angela for awhile til my boys got home. I really enjoyed having my house full of people. I enjoyed it and hope everyone else did too.