Let me start by saying baby showers in general aren’t really my thing. Come to think of it, they aren’t most people’s thing. It’s pretty rare that women looove going to baby showers – they go because they love their friends and want to support them, but let’s be honest – eating baby food from a jar and guessing what it is is gross! Having to look at a diaper smeared with some type of chocolate candy bar and then trying to guess the candy bar = gross!
I was a little hesitant when our kind, supportive, loving friends said – “Hey! We want to throw you a baby shower! Now go register for anything you will want/need for Baby B”. It’s hard to tell someone who loves you so much that you feel awkward registering for things, but I did as I can’t help but speak my mind. Kelly & Karla took it like a champ!! The result was an incredible baby shower that was so laid back, relaxing, and fun that if every shower was that way, I’d love going to showers.
Our shower day was set for April 15th from 1:00-4:00. That gave me plenty of time in the morning to book a prenatal massage that my darling friend had gifted me. The massage was MAGICAL!! They had a prenatal table with a hole cut for your belly so I was able to lay on my stomach for the first time in months! I spent an hour being pampered, relaxing, and being rubbed down. I believe my exact words afterwards were “I’d become a lesbian for that masseuse if she promised to do that every night!!!” I don’t know if the massage was really the best one I’d ever had in my life, but after gaining 15 pounds all in boobs and belly which pulls me forward which makes my back muscles spasm from the extra weight on my frame, and dealing with SLC (Spontaneous Leg Cramps) I felt amazing!
After the massage, Brice and I met at the local grocery market, grabbed lunch, and walked home enjoying the warmth of the Tacoma sun on our faces. As I got ready for the baby shower, my mind was consumed with comfort as I thought about the people I love preparing a shower to celebrate a new life being brought into our community. There were so many people who wanted to help with the shower that Kelly & Karla were able to have a “baby shower team”. This is what living communally really is. As Brice and I walked in, we couldn’t help but feel the love from the moment we pulled up to the building. Signage was everywhere, the stage was set, and the “team” was there putting the final touches on everything. It was awesome!
I looked around at the different stations and focused really hard on not crying haha 🙂 There was handmade mountain garland at least 60 feet long. Handmade wooden building blocks for people to decorate so our baby girl could play and let her imagination flow while design a masterpiece. A book for people to sign with well wishes for our little nugget, candles for people to take with them to light while I’m in labor to remind them to send good thoughts and prayers for us, a basket of goodies to cover many needs we would have along the way, diapers for people to write us encouraging notes on when we start thinking we just can’t change another diaper, a globe to show baby girl all the places in this world she can adventure in, and more!
Brice stayed and chatted with friends for a little bit, but as more women started coming in he headed out for a relaxing man day by himself 🙂 He loved it! Before I knew it, the room was full with all of the women in Washington that I love, respect, admire, and hope that our daughter shares their characteristics. We played a few games, one of which was a relay race where you had to pin cloth diapers on stuffed animals… everyone knows how competitive I am, so I was stoked to race everyone! Our team won!! I wish I could post a video but it won’t upload on the blog 😦 I’ll have to send it out if you want to see – it was great!
I shared answers to questions about the pregnancy such as what foods I’ve been craving (watermelon and pickles), whats the best part of being pregnant (big boobs), and what was the first thing we bought our baby girl (apparently it was the answer shocked some. It was nothing. We haven’t bought her anything yet lol she’ll be fine!). We were showered with gifts that we are stoked for baby girl to get here so we can start using them. I have to admit – some of the items I pulled out of bags or unwrapped puzzled me as I was totally not sure if someone was playing a joke or if you really use that on babies… I.E. SNOT SUCKER – you stick a tub in your baby’s nose and literally suck the snot out of it! *I gagged a bit, but all the moms in the room said it was awesome. I’ll take your word on it*
Anywho – here are a few photos from the shower! A huge thank you to Kelly, Travis, Karla, Maria, Emily, Steph, Taylor, Jimmy John, Erin, Kayla, and more who made this day so special for us. When I think about all of the work you put in to having things perfect, my eyes fill with mini-waterfalls just waiting for a blink to pour down on my cheeks. Thank you so much and we love you more than you will ever know!
B ³ Adventures 