Baby Shower # 3! Are we lucky to know so many great people, or what?

On Saturday, Steve and I had plans to go to his coworker Isaac’s house for a game night. These were long standing plans, although I had warned Steve when the plans were first made that it was after my travel window (I had declared a few months prior that I would not be traveling farther than work after Valentine’s Day).  The bad news is I woke up feeling awful that morning. I was aching EVERYWHERE and was completely exhausted. The good news is that Steve waited on me hand and foot until I felt better. I am talking breakfast in bed, getting me Tylenol and anything else I requested, making me a milkshake, making me lunch, working in the nursery as I sat on the couch in there and told him what I wanted done, and taking a nap with me (ok I took a nap, he watched I-robot). Since I felt better, I agreed to go to game night.

When we got there, I discovered why Steve wanted me to go to Isaac’s so badly. We walked in, and everyone yelled SURPRISE! I stood there like an idiot, looking confused, and said “surprise what?” Of course at that point, they let me know it was a baby shower for us.

You know, I thought something weird was going on when Steve called Isaac to tell him we were going to be 15 minutes late. I even asked him about it, saying that I didn’t think that you had to be at a game night at a specific time. I chalked it up to Steve just being weird, because I really didn’t even consider that Steve’s coworkers would have a shower that was a surprise for me!

The food was good, the conversation was good, and Penguin had a great time playing with Sam and Derby. I can’t believe how generous Steve’s coworkers were! They gave us such nice gifts – many of which were things that we need that we never would have thought to buy (yay mothers of young children who have learned from experience!)  We also got some of the cutest toys and clothes ever. Our boys are going to be living in style! We are so appreciative of everything everyone did for us! It was so kind of them! (I even had a peanut butter cheesecake made especially for me!) 

Baby Shower - a man's perspective

So by now you’ve read about how the grandmothers-to-be threw us a baby shower in NJ back at the end of January. It was the first time that I’ve ever been to a baby or wedding shower in my life, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Carrie wanted me to be there, though, so I braved the room full of 40-some women to help open presents and load the car.

And you know what? I had a great time.

We got to see a lot of people that we haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time with since the wedding. Not only that, but we finally got to meet Natalie’s little girl, Dahlia. She’s 10 months old now, and we hadn’t gotten to see her yet. Needless to say, when placed in my arms, she immediately started crying. Not really a great omen for me, but she did eventually warm up to me.

Still not sure what to think of me...

I also got to spend time with my nephew, Alex. It’s been a while since we got to hang out, and I’m glad he wanted to hang around and help me out with boxes and things. Besides, I think it’s hard for a growing boy to turn down prime rib sandwiches and cake.

One of the few issues we had was the arrangement of the tables. Between people talking and the servers working their way around, Carrie had a bit of a problem maneuvering her belly in the tight spaces. I’m a bit more used to having to keep my stomach out of the way, so I got to walk around and talk with everyone. I can’t say enough how great it was to see all of our friends and family come out to see us.

A few more pics:

Not sure this one's gonna fit me...

Showing off our non-overly-feminine diaper bag.

Yeah, Chris, we get it. I've heard women think babysitting is sexy.

I should also thank everyone at Boyertown JHE who managed to surprise Carrie with even more cake! I’m glad I was able to make it to that shower, too. The amount of support we’ve gotten while getting ready for Riley and Logan’s grand entrance has been unbelievable.

And in less than 2 months, we’ll all finally get to meet them.

- Steve

P.S. – for those of you who are asking for nursery photos, I still have a little bit of work to do before we post those. All the painting’s done, though, and it looks fantastic! Stay tuned!

Baby Shower

     Sorry this took so long… I was hoping to get pictures from other people since every picture on our camera is of Steve and/or me.  I finally decided that instead of waiting any longer, I should just post, since I can always post more pictures later.

     On January 28^th we had a baby shower thrown by the grandmas to be. Riley and Logan are lucky to have such wonderful grandmas and so many fantastic family members and friends that already care so much about them!

     The shower was at a restaurant in my home town and my super creative mom did a great job decorating. It was a monkey twin theme and was absolutely adorable.

The favors, filled with homemade cookies and lollipops!

We had baby lottery tickets in our goody bags, which I found hilarious. You scratch off a bottle to see what you put inside. Mine had a rubber ducky in it and said “That goes in the bath!” Steve got the winning ticket because he had a carton of milk in the bottle. I may not be a mom yet, but I’m pretty sure you are not supposed to put milk in a baby bottle…

     I think my favorite shower item was the mat of the babies’ ultrasound pictures that was sent around for everyone to write notes to Riley and Logan. It was a really cute idea and I bet they will love it when they are elementary school age. My mom also decorated an advice book which I can’t wait to read – she said she flipped through and some of the guests wrote really funny things!

This is really cool! Now we just need a frame to hang it in the boys' room.

     Steve and I really enjoyed seeing some family members and friends that we have not seen in a long time – some of them since the wedding! I wish I got to talk to everyone more, but my giant belly kept getting in the way of the servers.  I do think, however, that we scored ourselves a whole list of future babysitters (do they realize there are TWO babies?)

    I can’t believe how incredibly generous everyone was. Steve and I are now feeling much more prepared for the boys’ arrival (well, maybe not mentally, but we have everything we need!) We received car seats, pack’n’plays, high chairs, a swing, clothes, toys, mobiles, blankets, diapers…. everything we could possibly need! Thank you everyone! All four of us are so lucky to have you in our lives!!!

JHE Baby Shower

Yesterday I was totally caught off guard by a baby shower at work. Brandy, my co-teacher, had mentioned more than once that they would have something at East for me, and I realize that every teacher who has had their first child while working at East has had a shower, so it's not that I was surprised that they threw one... it was the timing that got me.

Based on the previous showers I've gone to, I definitely thought if they were going to have a shower, it was going to be tomorrow, since we have a half day in-service. I was starting to think otherwise because I had no hints or clues from Brandy, who tells me everything (not that she's ever really had to keep a secret from me before). Anyways, there I was, working on a test for next week, when I heard my principal's voice over the loudspeaker, announcing a stand up meeting in the library. His voice sounded upset, so as I walked toward the library, I was imagining what horrible thing may have happened. As I walked past the side door of the library, I saw a coworker and a present through the skinny window, and I knew. Of course my face and ears got all hot as they all yelled surprise. The biggest surprise, however, was when Steve came strolling in. I couldn't believe that 1. he drove all the way there from Wilkes-Barre, and 2. he knew about the shower and didn't give it away!

The cake was delicious, and my coworkers gave me a bunch of really fantastic presents, including the cutest dino sleep'n'plays I've ever seen, as well as personalized onsies. I am so appreciative of everything they did for me!

Although I got so many fantastic things that I LOVE, here is my absolute favorite:

Maureen, you are so creative it is insane!