eSCAping Type 1

A few weeks ago, I had the most perfect baby shower ever.

Honestly, this post doesn’t really fit in with my blog theme, but I feel strongly compelled to share this event with as many people as possible. Maybe someone planning a shower stumbles across this page? Or maybe you enjoy reading about how I live life to the fullest with a chronic illness? Or maybe you’re just curious as to what made this shower so amazing? Either way, this is what I’ve got this week.

Now, the whole getting-pregnant-through-IVF/PGD process took a lot longer than I expected, so I had been secretly Pinterest-planning my shower for a solid two years. Right away, I knew I wanted a Children’s Book theme (did you really expect anything else?), and ideas spurred from there. But this extensive planning and super cute theme was not what made the actual event so perfect.

You know what it was?

Family. And friends.

Awwww.

For real though, I could have chosen the most ridiculous theme in the world, and these ladies would have somehow made it wonderful. Not at all because of money or anything like that, but because they love me. They put in so much time and effort because they care about me.

I know I’m lucky… But this is my not-so-subtle way of urging you to connect with family or friends, or find a support group – whether it’s through the internet, church, local gatherings like book clubs – and then put the work into keeping them around. You are in control over your own alienation, though you can blame certain situations as much as you want.

And I hope this also serves as my way of thanking each of them immensely. 

Plus the theme was really cute.

Starting with the invitations, which my sister (who is a graphic artist) designed herself.

We asked guests to provide a book instead of a card, which I know isn’t super revolutionary or exciting now but I still HIGHLY recommend it. Granted, this request went perfectly with my theme, but every baby needs books and this is a great way of getting a ton of them. I know people worry about gifting repeats, especially because writing in the book prevents it from being returned. But the notes can be cherished forever. And duplicates can easily go to grandma’s. Or just be saved, since pages generally aren’t toddler-proof.

Moving on to the shower itself… the Guest Book!

I chose to use The Giving Tree because I adore Shel Silverstein, but you could pick anything to put with a sign that says: “Pick a page & write a note, or simply sign your name. This book will be a memory of all of those who came.”

 

Easy and adorable.

Then, (my favorite part), each table had its own children’s book and coordinating stuffed animal, based on what we already had or could get from the library. My sister also made blocks using her handy father-in-law and Modge Podge.

The only item that really cost money were the cookies – designed to fit with each table theme and served as our shower favor for each guest.

We had 60 guests, so we had a lot of games and activities for people to do while I opened gifts to help prevent boredom and too much attention on me.

In one spot, we had a jar full of Hershey Kisses with the book Guess How Much I Love You and guests had to guess the number of candies in order to win the jar.

(There were 307, since my due date is March 7th).

We also had a “Late Night Diaper” station set up (with a Goodnight Moon book), where guests were encouraged to decorate a newborn diaper to help motivate us Cody during those nightly changes.

With that, we also had “Baby’s First ABC Book” (with Chika Chika Boom Boom) where guests were encouraged to pick any letter and then decorate that page with an object beginning with that letter. I was nervous people wouldn’t participate, but they definitely did and the results were so fantastic to look through that night!

At each seat, we started with the “ABC Game,” where guests had to write down a baby item that began with each letter. Whoever had the most answers matching mine won a prize.

Once we went over that, we passed out game number two. This involved matching a children’s book story quote to its title. My sister and two sister-in-laws designed and printed everything, though you can find versions to buy on Etsy if you’re pressed on time or creativity.

As far as food goes…

We had a brunch buffet, complete with a If You Give a Moose a Muffin pastry station and The Very Hungry Caterpillar’s assortment of fruit. Dessert was cupcakes topped with assorted book pictures, alongside Pete the Cat.

And, of course, a “Momosa” jug, where guests were encouraged to have a mimosa on my behalf. (Really I just can’t wait to have a margarita. And sushi.)

Literally no detail was overlooked. And, like I said, there was nothing super expensive, just time and effort consuming (which should be somewhat alleviated by this post, if you choose to throw something similar). It exceeded my years of imagination, which is difficult to do.

So, THANK YOU to my moms, sisters, aunt, Gramma, and everyone who attended for showering Baby M with enough love to last a lifetime.

I swear I’ll stop being so emotional and dramatic in about a month, but until then I’m going to keep gushing over my perfect friends and family. Kthanksbye.