My "Low Key" baby shower.

First off, I need to thank my Mother-in-law, Maida for the outfits she surprised me with, and the Christmas stocking she made for Sydney. I was way excited to see this amongst my baby gifts...this is a tradition she's started for all her kids, kids that have married her kids, and their kids. Does it keep her busy? She's only got fifteen spouses for her fifteen children and then their kabillion kids and so on....so you do the math. However, she does it each and every time, and always makes them unique. Jeff and I and Riley and Cole each have one, and now it really feels that Sydney will be prepared for this family and this Christmas. (A side note: two days before Jeff and I got married, I got into a car accident and my lovely little escort was totaled. I had Christmas gifts in it, and a lot were so smooshed and trashed, that they were unsaveable...not to mention I was in shock, so I overlooked a lot. The stocking that Maida had made for me was among those items, and I didn't remember it until everything had been tossed. I was completely heartbroken and embarrassed that I was so careless with something that had taken so much time and thought. So a few months later, she made me a new one. It was just as beautiful and perfect. If it would have been me, I would have grudgingly threw something together for my son's "flighty girlfriend that didn't really deserve him, anyway" just to be nice. And let me say that she never said that or has never made me feel that way, however, when Cole gets married, I think that's the kind of mother-in-law I'll be. I'm just being honest. But as usual, she put thought and love in every stitch.
So my sister-in-law Amy offered to throw me a baby shower. I was excited about it, because I've seen how much detail and effort she puts into her parties. However, after thinking more on it, I really thought that maybe it would be too much work for everyone, and regretfully declined her offer. I knew she was throwing my other sister-in-law that's due at the same time, Kass, a shower as well. I decided that this is my THIRD kid, and this should be old hat for me. I told Amy that I knew she'd do a great job, but we should concentrate on Kass, and though I was super flattered, I'm sure that Amy was in no way needing more things to fit into her busy schedule (she's always doing stuff; crafts, callings, her jobs, and watching her own nieces and nephews, etc. Just the thought of her life wears me out)..and for once, I let go of one of my most favorite things in the world--the limelight. In a way I thought, "good for me". And yeah, this shows how petty and self-absorbed I really am when I congratulate myself on putting someone else before me, but lets try to overlook that small detail.
Anyway, a little while later, I found out that my mother-in-law and sisters-in-law actually got together and decided that I needed a shower, regardless of the many selfless speeches I fed to everyone. (How do they know me so well)? I guess it was supposed to be a surprise, but I found out like nosy people often do, and I was told it would be a small dinner with a few people. Gifts and dinner? I was SO there.
It turned out to be a LOT of people. Many of which I don't often see, and it was really humbling to me to see all these people come out to support me and Sydney. I'm not even sure if humbling is the right word, but for the sake of not embarrassing myself with really mushy stuff, it's the one I'll use. Let's just say I was emotionally moved, if you will. I was also flattered by all the undeserved attention. And it was totally great to get a free dinner at my favorite, Bajio Grill.
Anyway, looking back, I should have taken pictures. But seeing how there were tons of different conversations going on, and I have a really hard time taking pictures while people aren't posing, I didn't take any. Also, I was REALLY enjoying my ensalada fresca. It was beautiful. (Thanks Maida! and thanks to Kass for inviting everyone.) This little cover-up was from Shauna. Sooo adorable. She said that I could even use it if I had a boy...to which I replied, "THIS IS MY LAST ONE! I'M SERIOUS THIS TIME!" But in any case, Sydney's going to wear it like, everyday this winter.
Anyway, I've been showing all my stuff throughout this post, but I also need to give credit to the ladies that gave it to Sydney. There are a lot of names, and references as to how who is related to me, so it may be confusing, but I'm trying to break it down into the easiest form. Also, I just need to show you all my stuff. Cause it's awesome. I used my rocking chair in Sydney's room as a felt board to display all the gifties. Genius? I like to think so. Even though I didn't get this at the shower, this is my crib. I have to show it because it's beautiful. My Mommy, Larraine, bought it for Sydney, and this is where tons of Sydney life will be going down. (Hopefully). The crib that supported Riley's last year of cribdom and Cole's entire babyhood, was completely trashed. So my mom totally went above and beyond and bought me a brand new one, complete with sliding underdrawer and mattress. (The even more fabulous part? It converts into a toddler bed and a headboard for a twin size after Sydney gets big. So basically, she's set for life, as far as I'm concerned). I thought it only right to display my sister-in-law Nancy's gift, as it will be used as the crib's blanket and she included the little sleeper, as well. Nancy hand crocheted the edges, and if you've ever tried doing that, which I have, it takes FOREVER. And to make it look as nice as Sydney's little blanket does, that takes even longer. My sister -in -law Alison, sent me the bib that pretty much sums up Jeff and the little onsie with matching barrettes, from her home in California--she's always thoughtful. Amy's gifts are posted up by were I previously mentioned her. She made the cover for when I'm nursing, and I'm way grateful. I know that breastfeeding is natural, but there's something that's still disturbing to me about letting my boobs out in public. Or seeing someone else's. I realize that some people don't think this way, but I'm of the mind that privates are privates. There's a lot of natural stuff that occurs that you just don't share visually with everyone else. And then she also decorated the little onesies and made matching hair barrettes for each one. (Like I said before, she's crafty). The "I still live with my parents" onesie and little shoes were from Kass, the mom-to-be. I got her boring diapers. And then I forgot to bring them to her babyshower. Does this mean she'll probably be a better mother than I am, despite me already having two more kiddies than she? Most definitely. The little white knit dress, and though you can't see it, a brown beanie, was from my sister-in-law Kim and her daughters. Wendy supplied me with a gift card and because it would be in poor taste to tell you the amount, I wont....but let me just say this: WHOOO-HOOO! I'm going to be shopping up a storm. Kelli gave Sydney two little summer outfits. I'm excited for summer this time around, hopefully I can find some cute stuff to wear, too...instead of my last four months of sweatshorts. Also, I hope to be doing a lot more swimming this summer, too. This gives me great incentive to get back down to pre-Sydney weight. Not that that is anything to brag about, however, at this point....what I wouldn't give. The hats and jumpers and not shown, baby lotion and baby bath were from Sarah. She's my niece and Kim's daughter-in-law. Being a memeber of the Anderson family I have nieces and nephews that are actually older than I am. Sarah isn't one of them, FYI, but it's taken some getting used to. Yet another one of those large family dynamics that are sometimes difficult for me to comprehend. Another niece, Ashley, gave Sydney a little robe and a "Horton hears a who" onesie, and two more neices, Keri Ann, and Kelli gave us some cute shoes and sleepers.
So as you can see, in no way was this baby shower, low-key. I got so much great stuff that it makes me wish I could just throw a party for myself, and let everyone bring me gifts, instead of the baby. However, I did that last year on my birthday, so I guess I can't really ask for more. Thanks to all of you that came, and that visited, it was really great to see you. I'm so lucky to be a part of the Anderson family, regardless of how much I complain. And I complain about the quirks of the Andersons quite regularly....which really helps me forget about all my very consciously hidden quirks and the fact that I'm nutso. Anyway, I really loved all the attention, the support, the conversation, and food. Everything's adorable, and I'm so excited for Sydney to be able to enjoy it all!