My sweet sister Deirdre (no Finnabee yet!) decided that she wasn't going to let thousands of miles and a mid-pregnancy move get between me and my friends and family celebrating this little one. So she threw me a “virtual baby shower,” which was such a sweet and clever idea!
{Important side note: You read that invitation right! Pippo has a little sister on the way! And I can't tell you how guilty I've felt for the last few months, every time I've remembered that I haven't told you. It's not a secret — I understand and respect parents who decide to be surprised in the delivery room, but do not approve of those who find out and don't tell their poor family and friends, who just want to know what color blanket to knit! I've just been too distracted to announce it in any sort of efficient way. Blogger fail. But — baby girl!}
Since no one lives close enough to visit in person, she orchestrated it so that I was showered by mail, with letters and packages arriving every day for over a week from all around the country.
Just like in an ordinary shower, at least half the fun was hearing from friends — many of whom were themselves in the midst of moving, having babies, getting married, or otherwise carrying on with their busy lives. (I was so impressed with everyone for getting anything in the mail by a certain date, let alone wrapped gifts, clever cards, and sweet notes!)
The rest of the fun, of course, was getting so much exciting mail! I'll be honest: I got a little spoiled opening presents every day for a week or so.
My mom and Deirdre were both amused with how their attempts at decorating their boxes turned out — I thought they were adorable! Who wouldn't want to get these in the mail? |
As far as I could tell from this end, the way it worked was that Deirdre invited everyone (without the usual limits of distance or date, she tried her best to be inclusive without burdening anyone with an invitation) and assigned those who were able to “attend” a day from the shower week, and asked them to send me a little gift or even just a note to open on that day. I also got lots of phone calls, texts, and emails along with the gifts, so I got to catch up with friends or even just know they were thinking of me (and baby) that day. So much fun!
Waiting to open packages on a certain day was hard! I appreciated this note. |
There was even a shower game! Everyone sent along a note with a prediction about the baby's arrival date and birth stats, plus a little prediction or wish for her future — some funny, some touching, all wonderful. Deirdre's gift included a cute little scrapbook for me to collect them all in.
An assortment of pretty little gifts and game cards. |
A few more, including an adorable print made by Bridget for the baby's room, and a photo from my mother-in-law of my husband meeting his little newborn sister. What sweethearts! |
I have, by the way, made a little progress towards baby preparedness over here. You may recall that the cradle wasn't the most welcoming spot as of last week. Well, I finally cleared it out, made our first baby girl sheet with Pippo's able assistance, and am feeling a little more ready.
(The bunting won't stay, don't worry. Though I try not to freak out about things, I agree with most of the world that lightly draped ribbons don't make appropriate infant bedtime accessories. But for now, doesn't it look cute?)
(And that chair doesn't belong there, and those are pictures there in the corner, waiting to be hung. One step at a time.)
(Adorable baby quilt courtesy of my mom.)
This little girl is pretty lucky to have such a wonderful group of ladies ready to welcome her into this world. They all have excellent taste, too — she has some pretty ridiculously cute little outfits, sweet homemade blankets, and other goodies waiting for her. (Pippo was amused by the appreciative noises I made as I opened each gift, and got pretty good at imitating my “Soooo cuuuute!”)
My friends and family truly do know how to make a girl feel loved, even when they're far away!
(Speaking of from afar, I'm so bummed I can't be at the Crazy DC Meetup tomorrow! But if you're nearby, you should go — and hug my sisters for me!)
priest's wife says
sooooo cute! and what a wonderful idea! I am far, far away from family, too- so I understand how difficult it is to have babies far away from family (just be better than I with later babies and doc appointments….I didn't know anybody for the last 2 babies, so the older kids would stay in the hallway while I was in an appointment….)
tacy says
Awwwww your first girl!!! So exciting. So much cuteness there. I love that baby quilt and …. all of it.
_Jessica says
That was so sweet! I'm in love with the quilt. Congratulations on expecting a girl – I'm having pink dreams here…we'll see!
Lisa G. says
What fun and wonderfulness! That beautiful quilt made by your mother!! And the green elephant print – Bridget made it? (Happy Name Day to her today) I love that!!! As for the predictions and/or wishes for her future – just like the fairies in Sleeping Beauty!
A terrific idea!
MaryOstyn says
What a delightful idea! I just told my daughter that we need to remember to do this if we have a family member far away expecting a baby. So much fun.
Mary, momma to many
Rachel~ At the Butterfly Ball says
Congratulations again! What fun, a virtual shower, and what sweet friends and family you have to shower you and the new baby girl with so much love!
Mary Ellen Barrett says
I'm so very happy for you. I have four daughters and being showered with pink is still such a fond memory for me.
msagala1 says
What a wonderful idea!!!! I had my first daughter around the time you had Pippo, and we're expecting our second little girl any day now, so I will definitely look forward to seeing more pictures of your offspring 🙂 Depending on Finnabee's gender, is Baby Turner going to be the first girl in the newest LMLD generation???
Anne Triolo says
First girl for the Lawlers but not for the Turners. 🙂
Lacey says
Oh my goodness– tell us more about that quilt! Adorable!!
Lisa G. says
What fun and wonderfulness! That beautiful quilt made by your mother!! And the green elephant print – Bridget made it? (Happy Name Day to her today) I love that!!! As for the predictions and/or wishes for her future – just like the fairies in Sleeping Beauty!
Mary says
What a wonderful idea!! Congratulations on having a girl!! they are pretty special I have to say. May the rest of your pregnancy go smoothly and your delivery easily. Blessings and Grace…
I promise to hug your sisters for you…can't wait to meet them and your Mom tomorrow night.
Doreen says
That is so sweet!! What a wonderful and loving idea!
Mrs. Pickles says
Aaa! Dying of the cuteness! I want another baby girl so bad now! 🙂 Your little rosebud is so, so blessed to be born into a family of such amazing, loving, creative women. Peace and blessings!
ayearinskirts says
Help me to not be such a grumpy-pants, but why do mothers now get two showers or more? I had one shower. ONE SHOWER! That's it. Not multiple showers for the first kid and then more showering for the next. Now it seems like everyone gets very showered. I'm sort of jealous.
RubberChickenGirl says
Did't they at least flex and give one for each gender? All the rules are being broken at this point, the whole white shoe/black shoe thing and men get drug to bridle and baby showers. Times, they are achangin'. I feel like each baby deserves a party. It's like saying only baby number one gets celebrated or birthdays. Stuff gets stained and thrashed and it's always fun to get new stuff. But I understand how you feel-, heck with a shower, I want a sister!!
RCG
ayearinskirts says
yes I agree it is my lack of a sister! I would probably get more showered if I had one. Oh well. And as far as second showers go I've seen it both for same gender and different gender babies. (I never found out so I had all gender-neutral stuff that I reused…maybe THAT'S the problem!) Anyways I just don't know what the “rules” are anymore if there even are any. But I do get confused at times when I get an invitation for a shower when that second-cousin-once-removed just had a shower a year and a half ago.
Amy says
I think it has always depended on circumstance. My mother had 2 but she had a large gap between children.
ayearinskirts says
Yes of course. My girlfriend just had a shower for her second baby (I was host in fact!), but her first “baby” was turning 16 that year! (Just as a fun sidenote: same daddy and married all those years.)
_Leila says
Ayearinskirts Let's also remember that Rosie is on her own, far from family, having babies while her husband serves his country. We don't want her to be lonely.
ayearinskirts says
Yes you're right, very knee-jerky comment of mine. Not truly directed at Rosie. (More directed at my confusion about showering etiquette and such.) But reading back at this, my comment sounds sort of mean (like she doesn't deserve nice things and love from her friends/family- which of course she does!) And realistically this was a very sweet shower and not a “big production registry shower” like I was talking about before, so I don't know why it even elicited this comment from me.
Abby says
Absolutely Spectacular. And hurray for baby girls!
Colleen says
That quilt! I am meeting your Mom and sisters tonight – so excited!
wstyrsky says
I love this idea! I know you felt sooooo loved! Always exciting for a new baby! And girls just have a special place for me!
Amy says
I was hoping for a girl. That sounds odd because I don't really know you, but I feel like I do. Some knitted girl items over pretty little dresses would be nice to see.
emily b says
I just love this! What a blessing. And what a great way to stay connected when you're at a physical distance! Best wishes for a wonderful delivery/babymoon!
RubberChickenGirl says
What fun! You are so blessed to have sisters!! And the quilt…..
A cradle tip: I bought vintage pillowcases from the thrift store for a dollar or two and many of them will slip right over the cradle pad/mattress for a quick, pretty, cheap change. Like these, only cheaper at a thrift store:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-pink-border-with-…
Hooray for baby girls. I am sure you have seen Target's lovely baby girl clothes. Just don't look at the girls' section. Nickeolodeon-BLAH! (sp), Hannah Montana and Disney have destroyed the girls' section. Be warned. They decided baby girls can be lovely and feminine and girls are living Bratz Dolls.
RCG
Claire Michelle says
Ooh, good idea about the pillowcases! I always buy pretty pillowcases at thrift stores; so many possible uses for a little piece of nice fabric.
elizabethroosje says
that is so sweet! God is with you!
Gently Led says
oh, the best idea! SOOOOO cute & sweet how you and your dear baby girl were feted like this!
Claire Michelle says
You made sheets! I forgot you blogged about that another time, didn't you? I have been trying to figure out what to use for a bed for my sixth child, due in October. Lol, we do have a crib, and one of those bassinet pack n play things, but I just can't afford the space! I don't want to set up anything like that, since baby will sleep with us. But, I do want a little, safe, contained place to put baby down during the day. Joking about drawers and laundry baskets on Facebook, but I think that is actually the direction I will go! I just need to come up with appropriate bedding. Ideas? Would you direct me to your other post about sheets, and any ideas from you or Auntie Leila about a little sleeping place? Thanks. I'm a big fan. Claire
shwell says
when my oldest son was born we were not prepared, it was an unplanned induction…..so for the first few nights home he DID sleep in a laundry basket, we put a folded towel inside a pillowcase for him to lay on.
I have also always used a “bouncy chair” those tilted ones, can't think what they are really called. we have a sheepskin and I slashed slits in it to put the chairs straps through, I HATE the way they play music and vibrate etc, I just took that stuff off. It was small and could move around the house with me so I could make sure the bigger brother wasn't bothering the baby ;). It was really helpful for number 2 who had bad reflux. You really find that you don't need much “equipment” after a few don't you?
glendachilders says
I love this idea. I have missed to many showers, by not living near dear friends. How great to include those who live far away.
A girl … how fun.
Fondly,
Glenda
Sarah Marie says
I love the idea of a virtual shower!! And those little dressss are just darling. (Does using that word make me sound 50 years older than I am?)
I also don't agree with people who find out he gender but don't tell others – it's probably wrong of me to feel annoyed at their silliness but I do. It just reflects a basic upside-down and backwards understanding of the whole thing. The rest of the world is reasonably excited but the parents are the ones over the moon. We're not all tied up in knots wondering about the gender, and holding out on us only irritates us, it doesn't thrill us. Right?