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April 2017 Moms
catem07
member
Sharing about Baby Showers!
catem07
member
(Stolen from March)
When will it be held?
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out?
How many people invited?
Theme?
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past?
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about?
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STMs+, if you're not having a shower this time, what were your favorite aspects of previous baby shower(s) held for you? Any words of wisdom, things to do or not to do?
When will it be held?
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out?
How many people invited?
Theme?
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past?
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about?
----------
STMs+, if you're not having a shower this time, what were your favorite aspects of previous baby shower(s) held for you? Any words of wisdom, things to do or not to do?
DD #1: April 2017
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Re: Sharing about Baby Showers!
This Saturday near my mom's house in NJ. DH was supposed to drive down with me, but he has to take his comprehensive master's exam that weekend (which was supposed to happen the weekend of my due date). But my brother is going to come down from Maine and we will drive together instead.
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out?
My mom sent the invites out right after Thanksgiving
How many people invited?
44 people were invited, about 30 are coming
Theme?
No theme. I think my mom is doing pink and purple decorations
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past?
My mom is going to have people do the alphabet baby book thing. Other than that, I think there are no games--I don't particularly care for any that I've heard of.
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about?
Sort of the opposite--only one of my friends is coming, the rest are family, my mom's friends, or MIL's friends. But it will still be a lovely time, and I didn't expect my friends to come--none are local. My church friends are having a co-ed shower for us later in January which will be more fun.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
If someone hosting insists on games, we just played one at a shower I hosted at work that was fun. It was baby themed Price is Right. We did it as a powerpoint but you could have pics printed. All baby items and people have to guess the price without going over. People liked it and it got everyone laughing/talking without being too obnoxious. In a perfect world, you'd have the real items there so mom could take them home, but we couldn't afford that (oops!).
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? One will be a "suitcase shower" thrown by a friend so she's going to create a Facebook group about it soon. The other is a work shower so it'll just go out to staff via email.
How many people invited? One will be to friends scattered across the U.S. and a few family members so like, 20? And the staff shower will probably be comprised of 30 or so.
Theme? I don't know if either will have any. Though last time work threw a baby shower the graphic designer make super cute e-invites in the nursery colors. She might do the same for me. Otherwise the "suitcase shower" is its own theme.
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? I hope no games are played. I kind of hate baby shower games. Fun story: when I was seven, my mom threw a baby shower for a friend of hers and not only did she make her extremely introverted daughter (me) explain the rules to some games in stammering incoherence, but there was also a crossword where the clue was "milk dispenser" and it started with a b and was six letters so I wrote "breasts" because it made sense but it was supposed to be "bottle" and the ladies all laughed at how cute I was and I was so embarrassed. I've literally never forgotten that.
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about? I'm just excited to get showers at all! We have nothing for this baby and while I'm pretty sure most of my girlfriends will send frilly clothes more than useful stuff, the work shower will probably at least score me several boxes of diapers to get my started. Hopefully diapers that work for baby. Also wondering if, if we pick a name by then, I should share it for those who want to address things to her. Maybe not.
When will it be held? We are looking at 2/25. But I just got word of this today, so they better jump on it!
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? They haven't yet. But probably towards the end of the month.
How many people invited? I'm really not sure. DHs family (and a bunch of showers I've been to) typically does co-Ed parties, but I'd kind of like this one to be more low-key and smaller. So maybe 30-40? (We both have big families)
Theme? Elephants of course!!!
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? I personally don't really care either way for the games, but I'm gonna just let the party planners organize it all. I did suggest that if we are doing a game, to do the game where you measure moms belly with a piece of string.
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about? We have pretty much everything. So other than diapers, wipes, and the lotions, shampoos, etc, we don't need much. We have all the big ticket items already and a ton of clothes, so...? Idk. I'm thinking this will just be a fun way to celebrate baby Samuel. Also, I do have a registry but it's just full of random elephant stuff (baby related or not)
Married: 5/30/2013
DSS #1: 5/25/2007
DSS #2: 1/22/2011
DS #3: 7/8/2012
BFP: 3/14/2016 ~ MC: 3/19/2016
DS #4: 4/21/17
My baby shower was done at 32 weeks with DD which*I thought* was great timing I had time to figure out what we had/still needed and get it all sorted while being late enough that I had a decent bump in pictures. My cousin wanted hers at 37.5 weeks and missed her shower bc she went into labor..
Also put things on your baby registry of all prices and leave off clothes unless it's something you desperately want. We had people go in together and get us bigger items and people who got a few smaller things.. plus you'll get a discount from most places on anything not bought. People will be drawn to buy the cute clothes anyway.. my daughter outgrew so many clothes before she had a chance to wear them. I'd also not put tons of the same kind of bottle/pacifier/diaper on.. its nice to get a few but you don't want to get stuck with a bunch your baby won't take.
Games
We had big bottles of candy on the table and people could guess how many were in it and they got to keep them if they were close.. other than that no real games.. there were trivia coasters (question on front answer on back) and stuff people could look at if they wanted to. but we did do really nice favors instead of little prizes I think games really depend.on the crowd.. but I refused to allow games guessing
How big I was or involving poop diapers.
Theme/decorations
my theme was it's a girl? White tablecloth with pink buckets of flowers and pink and purple balloons.. nothing over the top. Everyone was much more concerned with the food was than what color confetti was on the tables.
Baby Boy due 04/07/17
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? Already sent out for January shower.
How many people invited? I think 16 people attended my family shower, and I think I invited 30ish people to my shower in a few weeks - not sure how many are coming.
Theme? The shower I already had was loosely elephant-themed - yellow, white and gray colors. It was super cute! I think my one in January is vaguely jungle animal/elephant-themed as well based off of the invitation.
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? We did a game my mom remembered from my SIL's shower - pass around a ball of yarn and have everyone cut the length measuring how big around your bump is. (Note: requires a sense of humor because inevitably some people will think you are HUGE! Hahaha) We also did baby/pregnancy-related trivia and a cute BINGO game. My aunt went all out on the games
I don't think we're doing any games at the shower in a few weeks, but we'll be decorating bibs and burp cloths which I've helped organize at previous friends' showers. Super fun!
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about? Just the opportunity to hear about pregnancy, birth and motherhood from other mamas. Makes me feel like I'm being initiated into part of the "tribe". (Plus I've been fortunate that no one has really brought their A-game labor horror stories to me - yet!)
When will it be held?
Having two:
February 4th. I will be 32 weeks then, giving me plenty of time to finish organizing before baby arrives. My sisters and I are planning/organizing it.
The 2nd will be in Feb 19th.
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out?
Invites went out a week before Christmas.
How many people invited?
60-70 for the first one.
not sure about the 2nd one.
Theme?
Harry Potter, so excited! We are going all out with decor and diy projects.
2nd will be hiking theme since my hiking friends are throwing it.
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past?
Guess the candy amount in bottle. Don't say baby pin game. Maybe baby book trivia. Diaper raffle.
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about?
Just seeing everything come together and sharing the day with family and friends.
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The one my sister and best friend are throwing is on February 4th, that is mainly family and friends.
A co-worker and current parent of a student of mine is throwing a work shower, she said sometime in February. (edited to add, it will be on February 25th!)
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out?
Hopefully soon!!
How many people invited?
Family/friend shower - I believe the list is 28.
Work shower - not sure, the person throwing it wants to invite all the women from my work and all my parents so if that's the case then maybe 40?
Theme?
I know my sister and friend are going with nautical to match the nursery, not sure about the other
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past?
None that I know of
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about?
I'm just excited to be having a shower (or two!). I have been lucky enough to be given a few things from my best friend who has a 3 yr old boy, but other than that we don't have anything. Well we have a crib and dresser, I've bought like 4 outfits, and a few boxes of diapers. It's all seeming to come so fast!
STMs+, if you're not having a shower this time, what were your favorite aspects of previous baby shower(s) held for you? Any words of wisdom, things to do or not to do?
FTM here...
DD: 6/20/11
DS: 2/23/13
EDD: 4/15/17
Curious if anyone has done a blessingway ceremony or is planning to? Here's the gist if you've never heard of it: https://birthwithoutfearblog.com/2014/10/14/10-tips-to-plan-a-blessingway/
It's something I'd love to be a part of (for myself or someone else), but I don't know many other birthing women OR women as hippie-minded as me who would even think to do this.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
I will be having two showers. One on January 21st with my side of family/my parents friends in my hometown. Pretty big crowd, 50 invites went out but some of those are mothers and daughters. Not sure how many will show.
The second shower is Feb 18th (at 34 weeks) with DH's side of the family and my friends.
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? January invites are already mailed and MIL is working on February invites.
How many people invited? Oops, answered above.
Theme? January is sports/football themed. Not sure on February.
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? I told my sister NO games involving touching me or measuring my bump. I'm not a big fan of my dad's side of the family and they were quite rude at my bridal shower last year, so I'm really dreading the January shower for that reason. At least my sister/SIL are hosting this one instead of my aunts. I would be up for more games if they didn't involve me and were more generic. (What's in your purse, baby bingo, etc.)
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about? Hoping that a few of my friends make my February baby shower. It's in a city none of them live in but where DH's extended family lives. My friends are so spread out across multiple states that it is hard to get together anyway, but I'm hoping a few of them will make the drive. I completely understand them not but it would be nice to see them since we live in another state.
When will it be held? We had my shower early – at 23 weeks Dec 10 because I was home visiting family and it made a lot more sense than planning another flight from London to Seattle just for a shower. My cousin hosted at her house.
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? Invites when out about 3 weeks prior to the event
How many people invited? We invited 25 knowing about 20 would actually come
Theme? We had a traditional high tea. It was BEAUTIFUL!
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? No games, I don’t care much for games. We just mingled since I don’t get to see my family and friends very often, enjoyed our tea, and opened gifts.
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about? I am also so excited to have started collecting items for baby boy! Now that the shower is over and I know what gifts we have received, I can do some buying on my own! I felt like I couldn’t buy anything before the shower.
2 friends have offered to host a blessingway/mother blessing for me! So kind! I am going to take them up on it this time I think since this is likely our last child. I've attended a lot of these and they are SO amazing, so cup filling (even for guests), so lovely. I am really excited. I've never had one of my own.
The ones I've attended guests are asked to bring a bead or beads and a blessing. The blessing can be something from their heart, a quote, a poem, something inspirational about birth or motherhood, whatever speaks to them and makes them think of the mother-to-be. We usually do it potluck style, gather to chat and eat, then form a circle and everyone goes around one by one sharing their blessing and talking about the beads they chose and why. If they wrote the blessing down, they put that along with the beads into a bowl and pass it to the next person to have their time to share. I always give the # of beads for the members of that family, including new baby. I always give a turquoise stone (master healer stone, my favorite) and then the others I chose based on that mother. I add to my blessing what each stone/crystal means and why I chose it.
Afterward, there is often wrist binding- this is all the women gathering in a close circle and wrapping a string or yarn from a ball around each of our wrists a few times. Then we cut in between each person's string/yarn and tie it off. When the birthing mother begins to labor, word spreads fast and we all untie them (not cut). After the wrist binding, someone experienced with making jewelry (there is always at least one person with the supplies and skills) makes a necklace with all the beads for the mother-to-be.
Sometimes the mama does a belly cast at their blessingway, sometimes instead of beads they want people to decorate flags for which form a bunting for their birthing space (like if they birth at home, for example). There are certainly many variations and no rules on what a blessingway does or doesn't need to be.
I think I am going to hire a henna artist for mine to do henna on my belly and on the guests hands/feet if they would like. One of the ones I attended had this and it made it even more special to me as a guest. I was thinking of doing a flower crown as well (traditional).
Mainly it's about being uplifted and surrounded by support as I go into your birth by my circle of women in my life. My local moms group is really crunchy so these are common and anyone who wants one can request one and we make it happen. It's awesome.
@cafedisco, if you reside anywhere near metro Detroit you are welcome to come
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
Also, DH told me yesterday his work wants to throw us a small shower. Typically he said they all go in together on a larger item (which is nice--I don't know them, so opening several gifts in front of strangers is awkward!), but I think that's really nice of them and a nice way for DH to connect family and the big upcoming life change with the people he's around 50-60 hours a week. I'm grateful.
DH: 36
Married 5 years
DD born 8/30/13
#2 expected 4/25/17
When will it be held? February 18 (almost 33 weeks) and March 4 (almost 35 weeks)
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? February ones when out yesterday not sure about the March ones
How many people invited? We sent out 12 for the one in February, I would guess maybe 15 to the march one. Not sure as it's all of DHs family.
Theme? Probably floral if there is one at all
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? I requested no games
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about? Honestly, I'm just excited for them to be over. My sisters and mom are insisting on having one and SIL is insisting on having one for their side of the family. I hate being the center of attention and asking people to come to a room and bring me presents...I just feel awkward. But I'm also excited to know what we still need so I can hopefully get that stuff and get it organized before she gets here.
I had mine when I was 31 weeks, I think. Family needed to travel so we had it over a holiday weekend, which was the primary reason why we had it then.
It was a small shower - maybe 15 people? - but I enjoyed it like that. It was super low-key and relaxing; just what I wanted! We had it at my house, and my mom and best friend (the hosts) made bunch of delicious food (sandwiches, quiches, salads) and got cupcakes in for dessert. No idea when the invites went out...
Theme was classic Winnie the Pooh. I've loved Winnie the Pooh since I was little, so it was a very sweet theme for me.
We didn't do any of the "standard" games, thankfully. The guests all decorated onesies with iron-ons and fabric markers. We had a couple little "trivia" games, too, where we were told a celebrity baby name and had to name the parents and a match the fruit/veggie to the weeks game. Apart from that, we just chatted and ate and opened gifts. Pretty much perfect!
DD1 born 3.2014
DD2 born 4.2017
When will it be held? The first will be February 25th at 32wks and the second one from SOs mom will probably be in March.
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? The first ones invites were all done through a Facebook group back in October . The second are yet to be given.
How many people invited? The first is about 30
The second I would say 10.
Theme? I am not 100% sure . I am not the one planning it . My 2 closest friends are. But if they know me at all it will be Owl themed haha!
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? Again no idea. But I am sure they will be a hoot!
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about?
Everyone getting together ! I love my family and I love my friends and we are all very close. And I am the baby of the family and my mom is very excited about her baby finally having a baby. This is her 14th grandchild but she could still not be more excited !!!!
DD1 born 5/24/10.
Missed M/C at 14 wks Feb 2012.
DD2 born 5/14/13.
Missed M/C at 9 wks July 2015.
My mom threw my shower when I was pregnant with DD1, over 3 years ago now. I don't think I will be getting a shower for this one. My mom is in Hawaii for work until the start of April (I am in Wisconsin). My sister is also working in Hawaii, for all of 2017. I bet they would do a little something if they were here, but that obviously can't happen. We live in the same town as all my in-laws. But MIL is less than excited about this baby, so I'm sure she won't. SIL might do something super last minute, because she is a super last minute person so maybe like 3 people will be able to show up. My church might do a little something for me, there are usually showers thrown, but I'm not on the cool list there, so we will see. I really don't care if I get a shower for the presents or anything like that. I guess I just wish more people around me cared about this baby. It feels like everyone is just annoyed we are having this baby because of the bad timing. It makes me a little sad that it feels like no one loves this baby very much.
When was it held? My main shower for DD1 was at 32 weeks. Great timing in my opinion. I would definitely pick that time again. I was ready to fully dive into nesting mode, but it wasn't so late. I still had time to get stuff I needed after the shower. SIL threw a small "diaper party" for us as well. The big shower was in my hometown, about 4 hours away from where we lived. SIL threw a small party with a handful of our close friends from closer to where we lived. That party was at almost 37 weeks. A little late for a normal shower, but it was mostly just some diapers and a few small gifts. It was actually really fun to just have a laid back party before we went on baby watch.
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? My mom sent out invites for my August 3rd party about mid June. SIL just sent out Facebook invites and did phone calls for our laid back small party about a month before.
How many people invited? I'm not sure how many were invited, but there was about 35 people at my big shower. About 12 of our close friends came to the other party.
Theme? My mom is basically a professional party planner, without the getting paid part. She is sooooooo good at it. She basically did my entire wedding, with input from me. So, I was excited to see the shower. It was a super classy and sweet shower that fit me perfectly. Here is just one picture to give you an idea. There was obviously more to it, but this is the idea of the theme.
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? I was a bit nervous about the games. Baby shower games can be just so horrible. I actually requested the one where people guess how big my belly was with string. I thought it was be hilarious and I was confident enough in my huge belly. It was indeed pretty funny. Another fun one that a friend put together was she asked my mom and MIL questions about DH and I as babies and then she read the answers to everyone and we had to guess if it was about DH or I. My mom also made a scrapbook for me with notes from my guests which I loved. I can't remember if there were any more.
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about?
DH: 30 year old pneumatic electrical engineer
BFP: June 25, 2016 and MC: July 3, 2016
DD2: April 16, 2017
BFP: November 30, 2018 EDD: August 14, 2019
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
From my end, I have so few mom friends that most of my friends don't seem to care much because they're not even thinking about babies in their own lives, and my family all lives far. My mother is of course over excited, and so is my father in law. But it does feel weird wanting to share my excitement with friends and having them reply "oh that's cool." And not ask about anything else. I'm glad I have you all. Lol.
I would have had no problem with mixing friends/family in one shower but honestly, it worked out nicely because the smaller showers give me enough time to talk to people and catch up a little better. A few of my really good childhood friends are driving in for my shower in a few weeks and I'd hate it if I didn't get to spend some quality time with them!
Our other friends from church had a baby in the summer and we threw them a shower, so now it's become a thing to do that, and I think my MIL wanted to do something because my mom did. It's the first grandchild for both families.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Mine was scheduled for when I was 34 weeks and was hosted by my MIL at her house (she loves to plan/throw parties). I think about 40 people were supposed to come? DH's family is pretty big so that accounted for most of the guests. It was pretty much only family members and some of my close friends who were planning to attend. The theme was Harry Potter, and I did luck out because one of my SILs made some really, really cool decor that we wound up using in the nursery. I also had a small shower with my coworkers that wound up being really weird - it was at a restaurant after school, but everyone peaced out really fast after eating and I wound up opening the gifts at home by myself...I would have preferred being able to thank my friends in person, even though I am socially awkward and always complain about being the center of attention.
I don't think I am having a shower this time. My MIL commented on how I needed to have another shower now that we know this one is a girl, but I told her that we don't need much...we were planning on having a second so we saved everything big from DS (so she's got some dinosaur sleepers...I ain't worried about it!). I'll let her throw a "meet the baby" party in the spring if she starts pushing at it, haha. My department typically throws a little shower for every baby, so I anticipate that one will happen, but who knows. It would be nice to get some clothes and diapers, but we can manage without. I did make another registry that I wound up sharing with family members (even though I'm mostly in it for the completion coupon) with some of the big stuff (a second video monitor, a double stroller) that people might wind up contributing to. Who knows.
When will invites be sent out/when did they go out? Apparently they already went out. My DH is being nosy and checking the registry every night. He screams "someone got the high chair" and I scream "STFU! I want to be surprised!"
How many people invited? No idea! For both, they told me the dates but are keeping everything pretty secret. This was my wish. If they want to throw a party, let them stress over it. I don't want to have to worry about who's staying where and any other nuances. My little sister has been great. My mom likes to come to me when she's stressed about things, and I always calm her down. The shower started to come up & my sister cuts her off and says to leave me out of it
Theme? No idea, again!
Games that are planned? Or favorite games of yours you've played in the past? Blissfully ignorant! I don't attend many showers so no frame of reference. But my family knows me and will probably plan something crazy funny where everyone looks silly.
Anything else you're excited about that I didn't ask about? I'm just excited that I found 2 cute maternity dresses and I get to flaunt my bump in. I found them online and thank goodness they look good!
Me 31, DH 32, Married 08/08
02/13/15-HSG-All Clear
ER 02/05-20 Retrieved - 11 Matured, 9 Fertilized, ET 2/10 (1 Transferred, 4 Frz) - BFP 2/19, M/C-3/5-Trisomy 16
ER 07/14-14 Retrieved,11 Matured, 10 Fertilized, ET 07/19 (2 Transferred, 6 Frz), BFP 7/28, 8/16 U/S-TWINS!
Due Date - April 6, 2017 UPDATED March 23, 2017!