Our Map-Themed Baby Shower
24 Jun 2014
A warning: this will be a photo-heavy post because there is just so much awesome to share! And I want to brag about the many talents of my amazing friend Hillary, who threw the shower for us. Look at this adorable display! And also, I just want to remember as much as I can about this special day, which I can only describe as completely luminous, filled with love, and one of the happiest times I can remember. We are so lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives!
Hillary and I worked together to make the map bookmarks (more on those soon), but my jaw dropped when I saw all the other things she had added to the party favors. These adorable bags with their own air mail tags, and map coasters and magnets! And yes, they are nestled in a suitcase.
The coasters were a total surprise, and I think everyone’s were specific to them. Ours featured Memphis, San Francisco, and Russia!
These are a few of the magnets. Aren’t they awesome?! Hillary has promised to show me how to make them.
We had been planning and working on crafts for the shower for a few weeks, and on Friday we went on a huge Costco run to get the food. I had no idea she was planning anything else, and I have no idea how she found the time to do it on top of the regular party prep, but feast your eyes on this: a customized scrapbook station for the baby!
This just totally blew me away, and I was so incredibly touched by it. The pages all had maps and travel themes, and the scrapbook (in the briefcase) was so perfect. I treasure every page, and it is so sweet to have these wishes for our baby. I can’t wait to show them to him someday!
Hillary’s girls made pages too, and they were so very sweet.
But let’s rewind to the beginning of the party! Here is the spread, but only in part. There was so much more, and I am not ashamed to say that I ate a LOT of it.
This is the lemonade stand, next to the girls’ playhouse in Hillary’s glorious backyard.
A certain princess enjoyed stomping on the shadows of the lanterns.
Our awesome friends Jack and Juliette, who we are thrilled to have as our baby’s godparents.
Hillary suggested that I sit in this chaise lounge and hold court as queen, and I was happy to oblige. Some kind princesses even lent me their wand.
Revelers enjoying the beautiful backyard.
I wore this beautiful white dress that Hillary lent me. Two ladies in white! Isn’t she lovely?
The present pile! Please note that awesome Katie made us a decorative newspaper baby, complete with umbilical cord. I loved it.
Everyone came inside for the (sweetest ever) champagne toast (and sparkling water for me), and the girls got to feel the baby move.
All our beautiful friends, and my favorite in-home art gallery on the left.
We received so many thoughtful and lovely gifts, and the girls were my expert helpers in unwrapping. They made me laugh too. A lot.
A new addition to the baby’s library.
And fox pajamas!
After present time, I was really hot from sitting in the sun, and Carmen gave me her seat, which was directly in front of the air conditioner. Pregnant ladies love a good arctic blast. (I am sorry that Eric isn’t in any of these pictures–he was the photographer!)
After the festivities, Eric and I and Katy and Kostas stayed for some afternoon relaxation. The girls just fell in love with both of them, and I cannot blame them one little bit.
Proof that Danny is always, always making me laugh.
These are my people. I love them so much. I always thought that the term “shower” referred to a shower of gifts for a baby or a bride-to-be, but what I understood after Saturday is that it’s really a shower of love. I was just totally awash in gratitude and wonder that we have so many incredible people in our lives, and that they all love our sweet baby so much, even before he’s here to charm us with his little smiles and laughs. Each person who came made the day so special, as did everyone who was there in spirit. All I can say is thank you, thank you, one million times thank you. Thank you for loving me, thank you for loving Eric, thank you for loving our sweet son. I am more grateful than you’ll ever know.
Jun 24, 2014 @ 06:09:36
What a wonderful day, filled with wonderful people who love all three of you so very much. Hillary pulled out all the stops in a way that melted my heart. Do you suppose she too would like to be one of my daughters, along with the others I have co-opted through the years? My compliments to the photographer who captured the light and laughter. AND. AND. I want them fox pajamas!!!
Jun 26, 2014 @ 22:20:06
I totally agree! She is a treasure. And she sent me home with so many delicious leftovers! Yes, I am SURE she would like to be one of your daughters;) And I would like some fox pajamas too!
Jun 24, 2014 @ 08:53:08
This is adorable!!! You look so beautiful and happy and happy. I just love this post and adorable baby shower. You are very lucky to have such loving people in your life. Now time for baby!! I know you are enjoying every moment of this., keep enjoying! Xoxo
Jun 26, 2014 @ 22:21:28
Thank you so much, Kendra! You are so sweet! We are definitely so very lucky–we just felt totally overwhelmed by love. And so moved that so many people came to share in our excitement! I will be 36 weeks tomorrow: getting so close! Hugs and kisses to you and your family!
Jun 24, 2014 @ 13:45:11
1. I love those fox pajamas!!!!! 2. I want to live in your friend’s backyard. 3. I love how happy and RELAXED you look in all your pictures! I’ve never seen a more content and relaxed pregnant woman ever. Lol. I’m glad you had a lovely time!
Jun 26, 2014 @ 22:22:21
Thank you so much! I totally want to live in her backyard too! There are chickens and huge garden, so I could totally sustain myself!
Jun 24, 2014 @ 16:00:40
What an incredible and special shower!
Jun 26, 2014 @ 22:22:41
Thank you! Wish you could have been there, but am so excited that you will be here soon!
Jun 24, 2014 @ 16:26:58
What a special time, with special people xx I love the map theme!
Jun 26, 2014 @ 22:22:59
Thank you so much! It was truly fantastic:)
Jun 24, 2014 @ 22:35:27
Aww, adash, this looks like such a nice event, and I’m really happy for you guys! To be honest, I really don’t get that excited about babies. (I mean, they’re not really good at holding a conversation.) But for this one’s case, it will be great to see him grow with such loving and devoted parents. Y’all and the baby will be so great!
Jun 26, 2014 @ 22:24:52
Aw, adash, thank you so much! You are so sweet! Katy totally did the baby and I a hug from you. 🙂 I so miss seeing you around the hallowed hallways of Dwinelle–I hope you are having a wonderful summer!
Jun 25, 2014 @ 05:32:57
Lovely celebration and I was expecting way more photos from your dire warning 🙂 I remember my parties and how excited I felt opening each and every gift, grateful for friendship and generosity!
Jun 26, 2014 @ 22:25:41
Thank you! It was just the happiest day! And he was kicking away all day, excited for all his new toys;)
Jun 29, 2014 @ 18:55:39
I saw this post earlier in the week, but, as I was stuck in a mixture of World Cup fever (Greece advanced! And then lost today, but only in a penalty shoot out) and travel reimbursement hell, I didn’t get a chance to comment. It was such a pleasure for us to get to come to the shower and to spend the day with you and all of your Pasadena friends (also, I have some photos of Eric from the shower–and some nice ones of you and Hilary; am mainly sad that I didn’t get any photos with you, but such is the fate of The Loser of Hide & Seek–that I will send to you, so that he can be appropriately featured in this section of Project Life. 🙂 Also, am thrilled that the fox pjs are getting all this love; I knew they were an awesome and adorable find (the beauty of Maison d’Etre always wins!). And thank you for the photo feature; I love those glasses. x
Jun 30, 2014 @ 22:48:06
Thank you so much for this sweet comment! We were so very happy to have you (overjoyed, really), and obviously everyone else felt the same way–I am sure the girls are missing you. Oh, if you have pictures with Eric in them, that would be so lovely! Thank you for thinking of my always-behind but never abandoned scrapbook! I am sorry we didn’t get a picture together too–I don’t know where my mind is (well, I suppose it is occupied!), but I wish I’d thought of it. Yes, the fox pjs are such a hit! Now if only they made them for adults too! XOXO