Baby Shower Details

Just because I had so much fun putting things together for my sister-in-law's shower and I thought the details turned out really pretty.



21 weeks

First things first - at 20.5 weeks, on leap day, we learned we're expecting another baby boy.  Despite the apologies from family who were either convinced I wanted a girl or sincerely wanted a girl themselves, the three of us are thrilled for a baby brother for Cayden.  I'm excited to fully embrace the role of "boy mom," and Brian is glad he won't have to address girl drama in years to come.  And Cayden.  Although he told everyone at his school he's having a baby sister, he's wanted a boy all along, and we think he's pretty excited for a brother. 

At least he was excited for the new, blue penguin stuffed animal we gave him Wednesday afternoon after leaving the hospital.  He calls it his baby brother and wraps it in his blue blankie to carry around cradled in his arms.

Too cute.

Then we hosted Lauren's baby shower at my house this weekend (I was 21 weeks on Saturday).  I paid for it physically on Sunday (felt like I worked my quads like nuts at the gym), but it was a wonderful afternoon.  And the experience allowed me not only to enjoy getting creative with elegant (and cheap) shower decor, but also underscoreded for me that yes, this new house is perfect for entertaining.  35+ people including a half-dozen or so kids ate drank, socialized, played and enjoyed themselves for four hours.  All in all, a great success and a party-hosting confidence booster!

Picture Pages: February

19 weeks

I noticed my linea negra starting to climb upwards within the last week, and this baby is definitely flopping around in there. 

Nursery is arranged and the carpets have been steam-cleaned, so it's a blank canvas ready for the gender news we hope to hear on Feb 29.

17 weeks

Earlier this week I had to get out my belly bands (work pants are getting a little tight), and the maternity clothes came out of the basement this weekend. 

Oh, how I forgot how much I HATE maternity jeans.  They're worse than too-small tights, what with all the yanking and squatting and yuxting to keep them up.

And tonight, for the first time, we felt the little bugger.  I felt the unmistakable scraping and poking for a few minutes before I called Brian over, doubting that he could feel from the outside what I felt from the inside.  But wouldn't you know it, the little guy/girl wound up and gave a hearty punch/kick right into Brian's palm.

Last weekend Cayden proudly gave up his toddler bed and changing table/dresser in exchange for a brand-new big-boy bed, so the nursery furniture has transitioned into the peacock room.

Picture Pages: January

14 weeks

And daddy painted the nursery.  Cayden is happy to tell anyone interested, "the baby's room is peacock."

He's insistent on a baby brother, although we keep telling him he would love a baby sister, too.