The Shower of the Century

I wish I had more pictures from this wonderful occasion. My dearie friends Megann and Liz did everything and more.  There were over 25 guests! And a gazillion cookies and games and presents and three different kinds of milk and fresh flowers and handmade invitations and lots of love abound. 

A "Cookies and Milk" themed shower. What could be sweeter?

Even the notoriously picky eater, Lisa, found a yummy to smile about!

I remember being nervous that morning. I don't usually get nervous, and I don't mind being the center of attention.  In fact sometimes I rather like it...shocker, I know! I was getting really bashful, surrounded by all that kindness. When Liz and Megann started putting up all the cool decorations --pom poms from the ceiling, paper straws and lanterns--well, I had to take a little break in my room to calm down. I hot rolled my hair to distract myself, for crying out loud. So random.

Hey its me and a diaper wreath! 

Fortunately, I kept my emotional cookies together and there were only a few happy tears at this shower, specifically:

1. Upon opening my dear, wise friend Cecilia's THREE crib sheets. Cecilia and her sage advice about jobs, life, and crib sheets have served me well for almost five years. She is a real smart cookie. And makes fantastic apple butter. And also is an amazing pediatric dentist. Specicially, on the crib sheets, you need three, and should layer them all on the bed with a waterproof mattress pads so you don't have to redress the bed in the middle of the night! Brills.

2. Holding the handmade quilt from bestie, Megann for the first time. It is so soft and beautifully made. I have lovingly held it in my hands many times since April 1st.  I can't wait to take a naked newborn picture of our little man all cuddled up in it.

3. Seeing the "onesie garland" across our mantel. I didn't take it down for days. Same goes for the diaper wreath. Liz, you are amazing and creative and I can't wait to steal those ideas when someone I really care has a baby shower!

Some other moms came up for the day, too. 

It was one of the best days ever. Ever. 

Ever. 

Thanks. And may life smile back at you through the camera lens, too.

Not So Much a Shower, but a Torrential Downpour

Not one, but five baby showers.

That's the generosity equivalent of Monsoon season.

The first was my mother's and sister Kelly's doings. A surprise day of fun in Perrysburg for Kiki and me. We were bestowed with lots of diapers, toys, clothes, "spa products" -- aka Johnson's Baby Wash and Lotion -- and a manicure at the Venetian! Not only did I get one of the better manis of my life there, mom's nail tech was wise enough to scold her in his Vietnamese accent to "Stop picking at your pinky nail or I will be very angry the next time you come in here" as his lady coworkers nodded simultaneously in agreement. Oh mom and her neuroses about her wonky tooth and stumpy pinky fingernails. The woman has 9 healthy fingernails and yet that one looks like it came out of Chernobyl.

My perfect mani...back when my rings still fit...

On of many gift packs of diapers & wipes!

Eston's Cake. No P-burg party is complete without one.

Monday morning decaf and mani looking fresh as a daisy!

***

My second shower was a HUGE SURPRISE, hosted by dear high school bestie friendie, Amy. This shower could be described as "Pregnancy Hormones Get the Best of Kara" as I sobbed hysterically through most of the night. Only happy tears. I'm not talking about a cute weepy moment; no, this was the "ugly cry" usually reserved for episodes of Oprah and "A Baby Story." Nine of my high school friends hauled their cookies up to Powell from the Fort to celebrate babies, lasagne, and delicious Italian soda.

Twas a great night. No pictures of me because my eyes are all swollen shut. Not cute.

***

But guess what WAS cute? The surprise shower from my night clinic buddies at Children's! And this, after me being so grumpy and ungrateful during those 12-hour Tuesday shifts.  So undeserving.

Most of the night clinic gang! Love 'em.

I love Rhonda, too. Can't wait till Baby MoMo is old enough for her to babysit.

Happy to report the Morris family did not waste a SINGLE leftover cupcake! 

Tiffiene, master of ceremonies!

Break room all decked out for Baby MoMo.

It was a great night. We still had to see patients, which was fine, because there was lots of queso dip to enjoy in between...

Highlights from Shower #4 - "The Shower of the Century" and #5 "Plain City Party Time" up next! Stay tuned!

Go, Kiki, GO!

My little sister, Kristin, is simultaneously pregnant with her first munchkin, just like us in the Morris family. Her due date is April 24, which means if all goes as planned, Baby Miller is going to win the arrival race by a nose. It may even be a photo finish.

(Kiki and the lovely Eliza)

As the app on my phone tells me, we are both 39 weeks preggie.

Except she is still coaching track and field at Ft. Loramie Jr. High School. She has practice every night after work, then meets on weekends! I can barely work up motivation to walk to the mailbox...

And this on top of working full time.

And going for long walks with her doggie, Fiona.

And writing the promptest thank you notes humanly possible. Puts me to shame.

While I am just content to enjoy all the pie and Doritos I can procure.

Its a sprint to the finish, Kiki! Get your stopwatch out! You can do it! I love you and am so proud to be the big sister of such a beautiful mommy-to-be.

When I Don't Know What to Say...

...God always has the right words.

Isaiah: 40:28-31

Do you not know? 
   Have you not heard? 
The LORD is the everlasting God, 
   the Creator of the ends of the earth. 
He will not grow tired or weary, 
   and his understanding no one can fathom. 
He gives strength to the weary 
   and increases the power of the weak. 
Even youths grow tired and weary, 
   and young men stumble and fall; 
   but those who hope in the LORD 
   will renew their strength. 
They will soar on wings like eagles; 
   they will run and not grow weary, 
   they will walk and not be faint.


More posts to come this weekend! Promise! Stay tuned!