Baby Shower - 2/21/09

Our baby shower was a wonderful event. We both felt very special and excited by everyone who was able to attend and help us celebrate the arrival of our son. The atmosphere was festive and joyful. We were surrounded by family and friends, laughter and food and cute baby gifts!

My mother came in late Friday night from Wisconsin and was able to be here for the weekend. I am so glad she was able to see my pregnant belly and meet so many of our dear friends here in So Cal.

Linda (Bianca's mother) and Sabrina (her sister) came Friday afternoon and started prepping for Saturday. Besides pulled pork, we had coleslaw and delicious mashed potatoes (w/ fixings, i.e. bacon, several cheeses, sour cream, scallions, etc.), pickle chips, a veggie platter and dip, fruit skewers w/ a yogurt dip and 4 (yes, four) different kinds of brownies (I was off my diabetes diet for a few hours & was in Brownie Heaven:). Everything was very yummy and presented beautifully. Erica (Bianca's childhood friend and co-planner) came Saturday morning to help with set-up. There were balloons (courtesy of Lauren), streamers, a mobile and a sign above where Bianca and I sat that announced "Its a Boy!" Everything was jungle themed--complete w/ monkeys, lions and other animals.

We played several games. There was a Verlena and Bianca Baby questionnaire (baby facts about B and I). I only got 3 out of 10 correct. Sad I know. :) Bianca did better and scored an 8. We played a game where we had silly nick names and had to refer to one another by these names or lose a small clothes pin attached to our lapels. And finally, we played a trivia game where we went around the room and named songs with the word "baby" in the title. I could not think of one. The winners of the games received gift cards for Trader Joe's and Starbucks.

Bianca and her mother Linda (w/ friend Jude) & Verlena & her mother Joanne

While our mothers were in town, they helped us put jungle animal decals and vegetation on the walls of the nursery and it looks so great. Within the next several weeks, we will have it finished. Amazingly, the baby is 34 weeks and could be here anytime soon. Probably within the next 3-6 weeks :).

We received beautifully wrapped gifts (w/ ribbons and bows in cute gift bags and wrapping paper)! The baby received a crib, pack and play (a new version of a play pin/sleeping unit/changing table), the jungle crib Mobile, a rainforest crib music machine, a diaper genie, a swing, a bouncy chair, a stuffed dog with receiving blankets, pacifiers, a cute little short overalls outfit w/ a matching onesie w/ animals, etc. . . . Prior to the shower, a friend brought over her son's stroller (a Graco brand in excellent shape). On Sunday we found a Snugride car seat that will fit perfectly and checked out a few other things we still need. But we feel we are in very good shape.

More Photos . . .

Masai, Erica and Kim

Art and Baby Arturito

Bianca, Courtney, Ed and Sabrina

Verlena, Bianca and Lauren

Verlena, Bianca and Amy

There have also been many who have sent their well wishes and gifts who could not make it that day. We truly feel blessed to have so many people in our lives who care for us and who have shared their wisdom, excitement and love!!! We will definitely need all as we embark on this AMAZING journey--one we have been planing for years.

Our sweet baby is almost here. We can barely contain our excitement (and fear).