Lay it on me...how did the baby shower go?

izzetoot · April 2014

Rachel5130 said:

Our shower was yesterday and was totally awesome! I encouraged my invites to bring their kiddos and we had babies from 3 mos to 2 yrs all over the house! It was so sweet:) Very relaxed, not very 'shower-y'. No games or a lot of baby decor. And was co-ed so lots of guys too. I don't think many ppl even looked at my registry bc I hardly got anything off of it. I did get a ton of diapers, wipes, bath and healthcare items. All from new moms that "know what I really need". And a bunch of gift cards so I can go shopping! I think I may have gotten a few leftovers or re-gifts too, but whateves. Overall a success!!
Yeah... I'm gonna need to know why you think you got some regifts. Please tell me someone gave you something monogrammed... For their kid.

Haha! No, it wasn't that obvious. It was a picture frame w/o a box that looked a little banged up and some Hawaiian inspired crib sheets (from Pottery Barn, so not crappy) that were also not in packaging and had a very worn looking tag. Kinda looked like they had been shoved in a drawer for a while. It was also the only gift w/o a card or name attached to it so don't know who gave it. But I have an idea... its the thought that counts, right!?

MrsRahl · April 2014

Love to Live said:

I had my shower yesterday and it was a great day! Everything was so cute - it looked like a shower
I'm nervous about this for my shower. We are team green so I was hoping this wouldn't be an issue but my shower is a week away and basically nothing has been bought from my registry. I have a ton of hand me down clothes already so hopefully people pack receipts in their cards or give gift cards because we have nothing to start with but a boppy and crib!
No I think it will end up being the exact opposite for you!! I was honestly just thinking in my head that this is probably the biggest advantage of being team green because people probably buy hardly any clothes at all. I think you will get almost all registry items. Most people usually shop the week leading up to your shower. I'm a procrastinator and always go the day of so don't worry the 'purchased" section will grow.

I totally would agree with you except our registry is on MyRegistry.com and is all online, so most of those things needed to be ordered by now to be here by the shower. Some things you could get in store if you went online to see what was on there and then went to the store but there are a lot of amazon items I registered for. Maybe that was a bad idea, but it was all free shipping! Maybe I'll get more gift cards and money? Who knows. and @ugabamafans, I'll let you know what happens with the team green clothes!

rastrau · April 2014

My shower was this past Sunday and it was fantastic - my mom and sisters did a great job on everything. Instead of a diaper cake - they made us a diaper motorcycle (DH and I both ride - or, at least I used to!) and it was crazy adorable!

It was your traditional shower with games and everything, but they were games I hadn't seen before and everyone seemed to get into them and enjoy themselves. We got a lot of our registry items, some super creative gifts from moms-who-know and, amazingly, no doubles! My younger sister crocheted a beautiful blanket that brought me to tears - our great aunt used to do that for all new babies but she passed away a couple of years ago. It was so touching to see my sister pick up the torch to carry on the tradition. I noticed a few other teary-eyed relatives in the crowd when I opened that one.

There are a couple of items we still need - changing pad! - but overall I am grateful and overwhelmed by the generosity shown to DH, LO and myself.

(Here's a pic of me and the motorcycle riding chicken - I wish I had a close up of it for ya!

BabyCurtiss2014 · April 2014

@rastrau‌ - The motorcycle cake is awesome!

BMaidPlanner · April 2014

@KrystaJ‌ - My registry is on Amazon too, a smaller one on BRU. My friends are savvy enough for Amazon but I think there will still be a lot left on there too. At least we can get the completion discount? Looking for that silver lining.

MrsRahl · April 2014

@KrystaJ‌ I couldn't be with you more. It pisses me off so bad and I don't want to be a brat, but I only but on there stuff we truly needed and all people care about are buying cute clothes and stuffed animals. I have tried to refrain as well and passed up SO many deals. I'm really starting to regret it big time. Our finances are really tight which is why I made my registry so practical, hoping people would see that. I guess I shouldn't complain too much yet because the shower hasn't happened yet but out of 65 guests, 7 gifts were bought from my registry and the shower is next week.

k2k2tog · April 2014

nutmegs8 said:

@rachel5130 My mom offered to throw me a shower. I declined, as I didn't want to put that financial burden on her. Instead, she is saving that money to make the trip out here when LO is born. I knew from when I got my BFP that I most likely wasn't going to have a shower, so I started saving and purchasing what was on my registry. I am not in the situation of, "You'll get all of that at the shower! Stop buying stuff, we will get it!", by choice and I understand that. The part that chaps my ass is the, "not one thing of importance/on the registry was purchased."

I guess what I'm trying to say is (because I suck at words)... because I'm not having a shower (by choice), anything baby related that is gifted to me is important because it is one less thing that I need to spend out of pocket. It's just my viewpoint from the outside looking in.

I am having a shower, and I do kind of agree with @nutmegs8... I felt really weird creating a registry at all because dictating how people should 'shower' my baby felt... wrong. In a way, I hope people DON'T buy things off the registry, but rather buy the kind of things that will allow me to remember and think of the person who purchased the gift. If those things end up being clothes and receiving blankets, those are still things I don't have to buy.

Then again, the only people I've had promise to buy specific big-ticket items are my mom and MIL - they've both offered to buy the stroller. And I've got the kind of relationship with them, I can just talk to them about it. I haven't had anyone tell me I'll get most of the stuff I need at the shower because they want to buy it for me.

Taymiller · April 2014

We are having two showers, one in Portland with all our friends and DH's family and one here in Denver where I invited all my out of state friends and family. Well the one here is going to be super small because most of my out of town friends and family can't come (which I totally understand) but my sister was planning on coming but can't now due to work. I was super sad but now she is flying up to the Portland shower instead because I begged my dad to fly her up (she lives in San Fran). I am super happy! Yay!! And she hasn't ever really had a chance to hang out with all our Oregon peeps so I am excited for her to hang out with all of them.

LovetoLive614 · April 2014

@nutmegs8 @rachel5130 Not to beat a dead horse - I definitely see and agree with both sides.

I bought my stroller/car seat (travel set), crib, dresser and I will end up buying my swing, monitor, etc. so I have definitely spent a lot of money as I should as I chose to have a baby and it is my job to provide for her.

Since I purchased most of the bigger items off my registry myself, I expected to get more of the smaller items as gifts. I in no way expect anyone to fund my baby and every gift is appreciated. For me, it was never a problem of "this isn't on my registry" as I got a lot of things I love and will get a lot of use of that I didn't register for. The issue was more I feel bad you spent your money on this and I don't think I will ever actually get a chance to use it.

I think where the majority of the frustration comes from regarding so many clothes is that it feels like a waste of THEIR (the gift givers) money as there is no way she will be able to wear them all. I am just as guilty as it is hard to resist buying the cute baby clothes but I think if I asked most of the woman, they would want me to exchange the outfit they gave me for something more useful if I didn't believe the baby would ever get a chance to wear it.

elsa1688 · April 2014

My grandma is crazy and I think she will skip my shower, which means my aunt and cousin will also skip. and a few people have declined for previous commitments. I have a feeling it's going to be like 5 people at my shower

kittenslove · April 2014

We are having three showers - his side (about 35), my side (about 30) and work (about 60 - we work at the same company). The work shower is more of a celebration, and I am not expecting gifts.

His sides shower was this past Sunday, and SO MUCH FUN! It was at a little italian restaurant in the neighborhood, and really had a feeling of an afternoon lunch with the girls. We were gifted so much stuff, I can't believe how incredibly generous people were! We only received one double - and that was an item that I accidently registered for twice, so my mistake (actually thinking about keeping both - its the gym/mat, and thinking about giving the second to the woman who will be watching little one while we work - any thoughts?) My sister in law made up a diaper motorcycle, which was awesome, and my sister (my mom, mil, sil and sister are attending both showers) gave us a gift certificate for a diaper service for the newborn! So excited, this will give me time to heal before having to worry about cloth diaper wash - so incredibly thoughtful! The one lesson I learned - bring your own camera and give it to someone. I am relying on facebook for all my pictures, which makes me sad.

kimbercash79 · April 2014

My very generous friends threw a small one this weekend that was just beautiful and fun.

nikki0808 · April 2014

I'm getting excited for our baby shower tomorrow. I can't wait to see all my family and friends. :-) little nervous about having to open presents in front of everyone (not a center of attention kind of girl) but I will live. :-)

And... Because I love doing nail art, I even did my fingernails for it :-) (my sister is going to do my toenails when she gets home because, well, I'm a planet and can't reach them) :-)

babygabe614 · April 2014

Just had our first baby shower today. It was hosted by my husband's aunt/godmother so the guests were all his aunts, cousins and grandmother from his mom's side. It was so nice and relaxed! No games (thank god) and more like a family party than a typical shower. It was great!

His aunt gave me the sweetest gift ever... one of my husband's baby blankets from when he was first brought home from the hospital. :x His mother is deceased and there are not very many things left from his childhood, so it meant so much to us that she had kept it all these years and gave it to us. All in all, a great day!

Here's a pic from my instagram (name omitted):

mercy0606 · April 2014

Had my shower today hosted by my sister and sister in law! I loved it! The theme was "ready to pop". My husband stayed the whole time and everyone loved having him there. We got everything we needed except one carrier and the changing table that we'll pick up ourselves. So grateful and touched by the generosity of our friends and family!

meritsamomma · April 2014

Ours was Sunday, a Co - ed Backyard BBQ. We got a dunk tank and as a fundraiser guests paid to Dunk the Daddy. We also incorporated the tank into the gender reveal, my FIL threw the ball which dunked DH and he came up with a Princess Leia bobble head (star wars theme)
We still have some items to buy but we're waiting for our completion discount and for gifts to finish trickling in (my family is all 3000 miles away!)

meritsamomma · April 2014

Forgot to attach our first family portrait!

PinkKEL9 · May 2014

Our baby shower was today. My sweet friend who hosted really went above and beyond. She worked so hard to make it special to me and it really meant a lot. This little girl is already so loved. It makes me want to cry just thinking about all the people who already care about her. We are so blessed!

dragonfly711 · May 2014

Mine is tomorrow!!!!!!

babygabe614 · May 2014

Rachel5130 said:

@babygabe614‌ - I'm really not a very sentimental person, but that is ridiculously precious. What a wonderful thing for her to remember and keep all those years. I would also like to formally request that you tell us where you got that dress!!

@Rachel5130 I'm not sentimental either, but I agree... it is such a sweet thing for her to do and for us to be able to share with our LO.

The dress is from Pink Blush Maternity!

texasmama2014 · May 2014

We had 2 showers this weekend. The first was just a few friends and they mostly did diapers. It was for couples, and we hadn't seen a lot of them in awhile so that was really nice. It was really more like a little bbq/get together with some cute decorations and a few gifts.

The second was from our "main" church. Wow, it was really nice. We were blessed with several gifts from our registry, as well as a bunch of new clothes. We received 3 handmade quilts, which are beautiful. It was simple just a few cupcakes and punch and gifts. I felt very very loved.

We still have 2 showers left... One with the families, and one from our other church. I actually tried to turn down the other church one because it felt weird, but they insisted. The family one should be big, but I can only guess the church one will be very small. Our lives are so compartmentalized. I really wish we had a common person/common geographic area that we could have had one huge shower...

k2k2tog · May 2014

I had my first shower yesterday! It went really well. It was small - around 10 people. The guest list for this one was my family and friends. I was a little disappointed, because most of my friends couldn't/didn't come, so other than the host and a good friend from my university days, it was all family - my aunts, a few cousins, my mom, my MIL. I'm not really that surprised since I don't really have a 'group' of friends, so they wouldn't have known anyone else there, but it would have been nice to see them.

But, at the end of the day, the shower was great, and it was really nice to bring some baby things home, start washing them and putting them away. We've done hardly any shopping up until this point, so it's really nice to know that, if baby does decide to come early (I hope not!) we'll at least have a onesie to take her home in!

And! Super exciting... my MIL told me to check my registry as she left at the end of the afternoon for the other thing she got me - our stroller, the BOB jogging stroller! I knew she wanted to buy it for us, but had mentioned that she would contribute a certain amount toward it. Instead, she bought the whole thing, accessories included! So happy, so blessed!

Next shower is at the end of the month with, a co-ed one with our friends and community from church! Everyone there is so excited for us. The shower should be lots of fun! Then, I think there's one being planned with DH's family after the baby is born.

@sjdihle I totally get how you feel, wishing you could have just the one huge shower. I'm in the same position. My family is 2 hours in one direction, DH's family is 2 hours in the other direction, and then we have our church family and friends here. There was no way we were ever going to have one big shower. I'm sure the smaller showers make it easier for people to organize though.

Pepper6 · May 2014

My shower was Saturday and it went really well. Even though a lot of my extended family lives in town, I only see them during holidays and special get togethers, so it was nice to see everyone. We got lots of great stuff and super cute clothes. I also got to meet my 3 week old niece finally! The shower was from 1 and lasted until 5, then some of my ILs wanted to come by or house to check out the nursery. Then we went out to dinner with them, and we got home around 9. So long day of socializing, but It was fun.

I have today off, so DH called in sick and helped me get all the new stuff put together and put away. I did 2 whole loads of laundry of baby stuff and that's still not all the clothes we got (I'm not taking tags off the rest until I inventory our size stock). We're also going to head down to the baby thrift store to see if we can pick up some of the items we need, and then we're going to start packing our hospital bag. Shits finally real...lol.

temursgirl · May 2014

@sjdihle‌ and @sempre_staccato‌ I know what you mean about the showers vs. shower issue. It's really tiring to have so many events, but at the same time, I've gotten better one-on-one time with people at the smaller events.

We had our second shower yesterday, and it was for my family hosted by my aunt (mom's sister). It was great seeing everyone and a lot of my relatives came from out of town which was really nice of them. It was at our house and was pretty tiring for me since my aunt was there all day.

Some interesting highlights:

The theme was a Swedish-Indian tea party. My aunt achieved this by serving tea sandwiches, scones, etc. with Swedish desserts and Swedish-Indian decor. Her interpretation of Swedish-Indian involved a disco ball elephant, viking figurines, and Swedish flags. Luckily DH has a sense of humor.
We recently got a big screen projector TV, so two of my uncles had an argument over what to watch on it (basketball or a Miles Davis concert). I reminded them that there could be no TV until my aunt's agenda was completed, for everyone's good.
My cousin accidentally set off a jumping frog at the table.
My dad was offended that my aunt hosted and cornered me to demand the right to host the Baptism. Which is fine, I guess, I will have less to do!
My dad, brother, and godfather did not fight! This never happens!
My dad got our stroller, which is awesome and so helpful.
We got lots of useful things, and lots of cute things, all of which we appreciated very much.
My least tactful aunt told me how huge I am.

elsa1688 · May 2014

KrystaJ said:
I just had a surprise lunch baby shower at work - by far the best of my three showers. The food was incredible, I ate way too much (including beef carpaccio, which I'm pretty sure is on the no list, but I don't care) and now feel like a potato bug.

Yum!!

JulieSmiles · May 2014

I had an amazing shower with my family this weekend and then a shower at my work today. They were both so nice. My SIL did my one this weekend and it was so me. Everything was duck themed and in our nursery colors. It was amazing to see all my family again too and watch all the kids play together. My work shower was so nice. People were so generous with their gifts and we got way bigger and more gifts than I ever anticipated! Baby Girl is so blessed!

dragonfly711 · May 2014

I had my shower yesterday. I knew about it but my best friend would not give me any detail.

My nursery is Dr Suess theme so this is what she came up with. I LOVED IT!!!

ElTrain5 · May 2014

Love seeing all the beautiful pictures!! My shower was great. My mom and sister outdid themselves. They did a travel theme complete with international cupcakes and liquor minis/peanuts/pretzels for favors. Awesome games (including make your own bib, which I love) and the food was amazing. A good friend of mine even surprised me by flying in from Cali for the day. And for those of you that remember my drama sitch, MIL did in fact show up and, Lo and behold, the world did not end, nobody was mean to her and everything was fine (save for her shouting out weird things while I opened her gifts "DH, I got this for YOU. It's not on the registry ElTrain, don't FREAK OUT!" Um....okie.) here's a coupes of cute pictures my dad took

:) I'm one lucky gal for sure!

ElTrain5 · May 2014

Oops here's the other picture

kendraj426 · May 2014

I had my second (and thankfully last shower) on Saturday. It was hosted by some friends and MIL and was at my MILs house. I didn't really see a 'theme' per say - I think the theme was 'we're having a girl and MIL is sooooooo excited to have a girl!' lol

I am so grateful for all of the thoughtful gifts that were given to us. We got a lot of clothes at my first shower from my in-laws, so I put out the word that we didn't need any more clothes. We got a ton of books at this shower which I'm very excited about! I love to read, and plan to read to LO every night. My cousin alone gave me 4 boxes of books from when his daughter was young! We also got a few gift cards to pick up the few things that we still need, but overall I think we are set. Now we just need to finish putting the nursery together so I can wash and organize everything! I can't wait to start doing all of that.

kd&cd · May 2014

Our BaByQ is today!! So excited but of course I woke up with a migraine...ugh. Looking forward to seeing friends & family and having a good time!! Spent the evening with my MIL & SIL (party is at SILs house) as they prepped food and was told multiple times to sit my ass down and stop trying to help lol I have three things to do today - show up looking pretty, ice the cupcakes that I made yesterday & buy more wine on the way (not really fair since I don't get to enjoy it but DH has to work this am so no choice). It's supposed to be a beautiful day, so fx the rain stays away!!!!

CJnKR2014 · May 2014

I'll be back with more details, but I just experienced my first "virtual baby shower"... that was quite interesting! And etiquette is hard on that lol

Hairstylist16 · May 2014

Had our baby shower today and it went really well. No family drama but that's just cause my in laws weren't there.

We received a lot of really nice gifts and I feel so lucky. It's nice that its over though cause it was at our house and I was making myself a nervous wreck trying to get the house and yard ready.

babygabe614 · May 2014

I mentioned this in the Friday aw/ss thread but figured I'd add it here too. I was surprised with a shower from my coworkers on Friday! And... my husband was in on it! He was there yelling "surprise!" with all of them! My work bff did all the decorations which were adorable and very Pinterest-y, and we had cupcakes, fresh watermelon, and pink lemonade.

My wonderful coworkers bought us our carseat and a bunch of books for LO's library. It was great!

Aaward1658 · May 2014

My BFF hosted my shower today at my new house. She did a great job with everything, but I was still the one cleaning and stressing about people with food and drinks all over my new house. It turned out great and was a lot of fun and I got a lot of great gifts, including a lot if duplicates so now I can return and get the carrier I want! I'm getting ready for my little Emma girl to arrive now!!

kd&cd · May 2014

Sorry for the delay in updating from my Saturday BaByQ. It went great! Aside from the full blown screaming match with my mother (thankfully on her way there) who, after being late and me asking why she was late said to me "today is not about you, other people have things going on too"...it was not pretty! Thankfully we agreed on a truths for the day and dealt with it yesterday. Anyways! Everyone had a great time, there was way too much food & best of all all family got along and no drama!! We received a ton of clothes & some gift cards but as I suspected nothing off the registry. So, yesterday I went out and bought absolutely everything else we needed...thank god for a savings account, baby's are expensive!!! After I wash everything today, we will be completely ready to bring home our little lady

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