My Baby Shower!

What a weekend Baby and I had – it was my baby shower!!! I was completely surprised (shocked is as close as you can get to describe it) and overwhelmed! I was supposed to be watching my three nephews on Saturday so that my Michele and Jay could go to a family party. She texted me at noon and said she was running late (not unusual) and she’d bring them by closer to one. At 12:30 she called, in tears, and said, “Can you please come get me? My car won’t start at Home Goods and the boys are going nuts!” I left the house like a lunatic, rushing there, so stressed that she was going to cry and then go into labor! When I was about halfway there (dressed, mind you, in a not-so-nice sweater, jeans and boots) she texted me that she was walking – walking – to my aunt’s who lives close by (but not close enough). I freaked out even more and told her NOT to do that! I could picture her walking down Route 347 with the three boys, nine months pregnant – I was pissed! I swear to you, I almost got diarrhea on the way there, I was so stressed. Then she texted that she made it there safely and to meet them at the clubhouse where the boys were now having fun playing pool with our uncle. I pulled up like a crazy person (after calling my mother’s cell phone, her car phone, Jay’s house and cell phone and anyone else I could think of to yell at on repeat) only to look up and see close to fifty people that I know and love standing on the porch of the clubhouse. I thought, “Oh dear God, this is happening.” I then cried for a few minutes because I was so relieved my stupid sister didn’t walk down Route 347 with three kids and then because I was so overcome with emotions – surprise, appreciation, nervousness – you get the idea. Plus the hormones. Always blame the hormones.

My mom and two sisters created the most stunning, classy baby shower I could ever have asked for: Panera iced green tea (my fave!) in mason jars, yellow and green balloons, yellow flowers on every table next to cream-colored stuffed animals – it was beautiful and my description will do it no justice. The dessert table looked like a professional company had come in and created it – but my two sisters did it. (Gotta love Pinterest!) When they managed to do all of this, I don’t know, because I am always around! What a beautiful afternoon – I had friends there from my first teaching job and from law school and also, of course, every female representative from my huge, extended, loud, crazy family.

When I got home that night, after F and his parents left (they came back to my parents’ after the shower to help unload the gifts and eat leftovers), I couldn’t stop smiling. Looking around my living room, overflowing with gifts for Baby, I was the happiest girl in the world. I feel so blessed. I am surrounded with people that love and support me and, better yet, people that already love this baby. As my friend Amanda said the following day, “It looked like Babies R Us threw up!” And it did. It still does. I will spend some time today, with Michele and my mom’s help, going through everything and starting to organize it. I received everything I could possible need to get this baby off to a great start. How lucky am I? How grateful? I can’t tell you. The shower was so…me. My sisters and mom nailed it – when Michele handed me the green tea in the mason jar when I walked in, I swear my heart swelled. I thought, “this is PERFECT.”

My cup runneth over…

79 days to go!!! (We’re in the seventies!!!)