Christmas in January (Baby Shower Recap)...

The past few days have been nothing but busy. And everytime I try to take some time out of my lunch to write my thoughts about the shower, something comes up.

Let me start by saying I want to thank some people that helped make Sunday so special.
Alyson & Mom - for throwing the best baby shower EVER. Thank you again, I couldn't have asked for a nicer day.
Jeanne - for all your help you did with invites, favors & moral support
Chris - for being the "official" shower photographer
Kerri - the best "gift from" list writer - EVER. I have no idea how you got all the items you did and with the details you did (I'm hiring you in the future)
Dan's Mom & Carolyn - for the cutest cake. It was super cute!
Fran - for not letting me stand in trash
Tina & Elise - for taking so many pictures
Tammy - for being our very own Bob Barker
Ann - for organizing the gifts & bringing some home

Of course this is not the official thank you (those are in progress) but I just wanted to publicly thank you all.

Our baby shower was this past Sunday (January 28th) and it was so much fun and special all at the same time. It wasn't a surprise as I don't do surprises. Plus, why would you want to surprise a pregnant woman?? She may burst into tears, get pissed off, or fall down from the shock. It's better to forgo the surprise element and let her be surprised by the gifts. Okay, that's my opinion anyway.

There were 48 people there - and they were all people who mean alot to us and have always shown us their love & support. This was no different. Each and every person helped to "spoil" this child, but it's spoiled with love and not spoiled rotten which is such a nicer route.
I went to mass before the shower since I was in the neighborhood - and it's always so nice to go to St Marks. It's like my own personal focal place. I'm always relaxed there, even if there is a new priest who gives a 15 minute homily and then there are 3 announcements at the end of mass followed by the priest speaking to the congregation in Vietnamese. I know Patience is a virtue and I was in Church - but I'm telling you I was so antsy that I was going to hell because I had no patience. It's always on the days where you have somewhere to be.

I got to the shower a bit before 1p. There were about a 12 people already there so at least I didn't have to walk into a room full of people staring at me. The first half hour was just some mingling and saying Hi to everyone coming in. Then we had lunch and it was then starting to get quiet so I played EMCEE for the first small game "Guess how many mints in the baby bottle". Alyson & my mom also chose to play Baby Bingo to help keep people entertained during opening gifts. My friend Tammy volunteered to be our own Bob Barker for Bingo and it took a lot longer than I thought to get a winner (and we had 3!)

I started to open presents but I told myself that I would go quickly yet show the items because I did not want people to be bored just sitting there. And since the stack of presents were HUGE, I knew I'd be there forever if I took my time. I also tried to add some witty banter every now & then for amusement. See, Alyson I did get funny.

All of the presents were amazing, thoughtful and definitely needed for first time parents. So many people were so thoughtful to make handmade quilts or blankets. And a couple of those blankets, I'd like to take for myself, they're so warm & cozy. We are really lucky & blessed because we got so many wonderful gifts that we'll actually use. Or so I've been told. And it's amazing that the amount of duplicate gifts is a bare minimum. One thing that surprised me was the fact that we didn't get bottles or diapers, but if that's the only thing I'll have to pick up then we really are lucky!

I don't know what my favorite present is because I opened so many wonderful presents. And I'm not just saying that because you're all reading this, but I really would struggle to pick a favorite. Although the scrapbook album is fantastic and my Grover stuffed animal from Nancy is something I've picked up every night once I get home.

It was a very special day. I'm bummed my grandmother couldn't have been there but it's completely understandable. Plus, she would have had the one gift that would have made me cry, so without that it was a cry-free zone.

I unwrapped in record time because again, I really didn't want people to be bored. It's amazing that we got through them all so quickly. But I think what's more amazing is the fact that Dan was able to get 90% of the gifts, if not more, into his car. And he drives an Altima. Ann took home the stroller, carseat & swing, but we were able to take everything else home. He put some things in my car, but they were very small items and I still had PLENTY of room. Once we got it all into the house, it looked like babiesRus threw up in our living room. It was a lot of stuff, but neatly piled around the room. It wasn't until I started to take things out of bags & boxes to organize it that Dan got overwhelmed due to the clutter.

But you can bet that I had the living room spotless by the time we went to bed. Most things were actually put away too. If you didn't think I'd be able to do it - then you don't know me at all. I'm good, I'm damn good and I thrive on organizing! The only items that did not have a home in his room were shoes, hats, bibs & the little rattles & toys. Of course we still have some larger items that are still in boxes because there really is no need to take them out just yet and have them take up even more room. But overall, everything is put away.

And that's where Christmas in January comes into play. Every night has felt like Christmas Eve to me, but Christmas Eve in reverse. All the presents are opened, I know what's there, but I still can't sleep and just want to go play!

And there is your recap on our fantastic shower - it's lengthy but I tried not to go into every detail.