This weekend I was so unexpectedly blessed by my friends at church who threw a baby shower for me! Sorry, no pictures, but we had a sweet time of fellowship, amazing food, a break from the kids (!), games, and really thoughtful gifts. When my small group girls asked me last month about a shower, I was totally surprised–no one in Chicago had even suggested one for Elizabeth, and really, we hadn’t expected it! We had several amazing showers when Tommy was born, and we pretty much have the baby stuff we need, especially now that we have boy and girl things. But my friends persisted–just because this baby is #3 doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate! So they put their heads together and had a shower that was all about celebrating this new life and pampering me as a worn out mommy and mommy-to-be.
A couple people brought freezer meals; there were fun things like cute new non-maternity lounge pants, chocolates, nursing tea (very useful), McDonalds gift cards and rubber punching bags for the car (for a day when I’m losing my mind running errands and need to occupy the kids for one more stop–given by a veteran mom of 3!), and a gift certificate to our favorite pizza place (with a convenient take-out menu included); and several people including our favorite babysitter gave me an afternoon of taking the big kids down to the playground for a couple hours this summer while I nap with the new baby! And if that wasn’t enough, many contributed towards hiring a cleaning service to come clean my house from top to bottom when the grandmas have left and I realize that I haven’t cleaned the toilet or anything but baby bottoms in seven weeks (not that anything like that has ever happened to me before with a new baby…nope, I wouldn’t know anything about that…). Basically, I was totally overwhelmed by the generosity and love of my State College E Free church family! At the end of the shower, I got choked up just telling everyone how very, very much it had meant to me that they were all excited about this baby of mine.
It’s so easy to get excited about your first child because you have so many fewer distractions, but I’m finding that I’m so busy with my daily mom duty that I don’t think and pray nearly as much about my subsequent pregnancies. What a blessing to get to slow down and celebrate this baby! Thanks, Janell, Brea, Dayna, Lauren, and Heidi, for planning a truly special evening for me!
Praise God for His community! I am grateful that the Church has extended their hand to you guys!!! What a blessing.
and for the record, I used to think that showers for kids other than the first were kinda silly. I have totally changed my views on that. ALL babies should be celebrated, and a shower is a great way to do that. You don’t need more gear (usually), but frozen meals, diapers, etc… Totally awesome.
Sounds like a wonderful time! You have made such good friends in PA!
What a blessing to have a wonderful church family! How great it will be to share this story with this baby when s/he is old enough to learn about what it means to be part of a church.
I am so glad you and baby were celebrated, Emily! It DOES mean so much when friends to take the time to pamper you and celebrate your new little one. I completely agree with you…each and every new life should be celebrated! Whether it be baby 1,3,5…!!! Your post brought tears to MY eyes, too! 🙂
Every baby should be celebrated!!! Your description of the shower made me cry too. You have quite a collection of saints around you right now. 🙂
Sounds like you had a great time!! I definitely have to agree that every baby is worth celebrating.