Baby, Baby, Baby

The past couple weeks has been spent getting ready for the baby. Everyday there is something that needs to be done. I feel like I am back in school and have homework every night.

For the most part it all started in Montana with the wonderful baby shower my sister and Mom threw me. It was on a Sunday afternoon and attended by a lot of aunts, cousins and friends. The shower was at The Mustard Seed which is a great Asian restaurant in Missoula. We had a great selection of appetizers to munch on, Heather and my mom put together some fun little games and sooo many gifts!!! I am still in shock at how many gifts we received. Most of the items were clothing or blankets which was great because I was able to take it back with me on the plane. One highlight from the shower was this amazing blanket my friend Kenda's mom made. She knitted it and it took her at least 15 hours. It is beautiful!

Here are some pictures from the day:

My beautiful bouquet of roses

A fun diaper cake (non-edible) that my mom and sister made. One of the games was to identify all the items on the cake after looking at it for only 30 seconds. It is made of 112 disposable diapers!

My mom bought a princess towel for the baby. The joke is I really don't like princess stuff and really don't want this little girl to be girly-girly.

My mom even received a gift from a fellow grandmother. Very thoughtful!

Here is a picture of some of my cousins.

From left to right: my sister Heather, Meaghan, me, Amy, and Michelle.

My mom wanted to get a picture of my cousin Jeanine and I. We look alike which came in handy when I was underage and used her ID to get into bars! My cousin Rob stopped by afterwards too. I hadn't seen him in years so it was nice to catch up a bit.

This is my 5th grade teacher, Carol Keskeny. She is one of the sweetest people I know. She couldn't stay long but I was so happy she stopped by. She also made the baby the cutest pair of mittens and an adorable hat. She is so crafty!

Once we got back from the party it was time to put my dad to work. We decided to vacuum pack all the gifts so I could fit them in my suitcase. It worked perfectly. I never imagined I would spend an hour with my dad vacuum packing disposable diapers and baby clothes!

We put together a great little assembly line. It was all business!

Here are 38 vacuum packed disposable diapers.

And here is our vacuum packed plunder.

Everything made it back to Maryland safe and sound.

The baby shower was a lot of fun. It was only the second baby shower I have ever attended. The other one was for a friend from high school in 1998! I have a lot learn about baby showers and babies for that matter.

In the last week we have interviewed pediatricians, selected a pediatrician, had her sign the appropriate paperwork so we can take the baby home once it is delivered, we attended an all weekend birthing class, we also attended a partner yoga class in preparation for labor and delivery and tonight we have a midwife appointment and a two hour Baby Basics class. Needless to say I am a bit tired but I know it is only the beginning :)