First Baby Shower

May 10th I had my first baby shower (ever).  Adam and I were in my hometown visiting my parents for Mother's Day weekend and a close family friend (I call her Mom II) threw it for me.  It was so nice.  Mostly family and a couple close friends.  My mother in law and sister in law even came in for it.  It was intimate and wonderful to catch up with everyone.

After everyone arrived we had some yummy finger foods, drinks and visited with each other.  Everyone was comfortable and enjoyed each other's company.  When we'd all had our fill we played the first game, Diaper Bag Bingo.  Everyone filled out a small bingo board with items they thought I would pull out of a packed diaper bag (Mom did that part).  It was fun listening to everyone's ideas and musings.  I pulled things out at random and in the end my cousin won.  She said having 4 grandkids helped.

Yummy food

Chatting and eating

My sister in law's bingo card . . . I love that she put Legos . . . she knows us so well

Diaper bag

The next game was "How big around is Amanda?"  As Mom and I were discussing games I said I'd be ok with this one because I think it would be funny.  I've played it at other showers before and it's funny to see who wants to win and who wants to be on the mother's good side and guess small.  Mom passed around a roll of crepe paper and everyone tore off how much they though they'd need.  Then I walked around to be the actual measure.  Any excess was torn off.  Whoever had the least amount left won.  It was pretty funny and everyone got a kick out of it (especially everyone's complicated ways of guessing how much they'd need).  A good friend who we did theater with won (my great aunt came in second).

My great aunt determining how much she'll need (my MIL is next to her)

The last game was on the back of the bingo card, baby animals.  There were about 25 different animals and everyone had to write down the name of the baby.  Some were easy, but some I didn't know and never would have guessed.  But we all learned something!  My sister in law won that one.

After the games I opened all the lovely presents.  We are so lucky to have so many people who love us and this little girl.  We were truly showered with gifts (and love).  She got lots of clothes in various sizes (so handy!).  We're cloth diapering (wish us luck!) and got some of those as well as some disposable ones in the newborn size (those first couple weeks it'll just be easier) as well as a nice supply of wipes.  She got some cute accessories (bows, socks, paci clips).  We got a couple books to read to her and then together later.  She got a cute teddy bear bank (never too soon to learn about saving).  There were several bath time supplies (towels, washcloths, body wash, bedtime bath).  We also got some of the car seat accessories we wanted (we already have the car seat, Mom II had gotten it for us when I was pregnant with Madeline and we decided to keep it and use it in the future . . . so thankful to have that already marked off our list).  And finally the stroller we wanted.  So many nice things and we can't thank all of you enough.  We appreciate all of it and the thought that went into the gifts as well.

All of our lovely gifts

Horse paci clip

Basket of goodies from our cousins

Her first fancy dress

Reading material

We'll have matching butterflies on our feet

Cute towel set

Cute sleeper

Stroller

Mom got a gift too!

This gift was from a Girl Scout friend who wrote a song called "My Unicorn Friend" that we always sang at camp.  I can't wait to share that with this little girl and her very own unicorn friend.

After the gifts we had cake and had some more social time.  The cake was cute and delicious (Dave's Bakery in Flatwoods . . . so good).

Thank you to all of you who played a part in this shower (throwing it, coming, sending gifts).  It was such a nice day and it meant so much to me.  I truly appreciate everything.  I know I say it a lot but it's so true, we're very lucky to have so many people who love us and this little girl.

Me with the grandmas

The whole group