Baby Shower

Our Chicago baby shower was last Saturday the 21st. Paul's parents, my sister, and my friend Allie from New Jersey all stayed with us. (we had the bed still up in the babies room) Paul and I took everyone to Maggiano's for dinner Friday night. This isn't the best picture but Mallory, my sister, is sitting next to me and Allie is on the end.
Paul and I met Allie and her husband Morris on our honeymoon almost 2 years ago in Mexico. We became instant friends doing shots at the resort bar and had had an absolute blast with these two. Allie and I have developed a great friendship in the two years we've known each other. We went to NYC last year and stayed with Morris and Allie a couple of nights. Allie opened a bakery in NJ and offered to make the cake for the baby shower as soon as I told her I was expecting. She flew from NJ to Chicago with the cake in her suitcase fully baked along with the icing and fondant. All she had to do when she got here was assemble it. She was up until 3 am Friday night/Saturday morning assembling this beauty.
I woke up Saturday morning to find this in the refrigerator. I was speechless. I stood there with the fridge door open just staring saying OMG OMG! She does amazing work. If you live near the NJ area her bakery is called Lexie's Bake Shop-you must order!!! She also made the favors for the shower which were cake balls and had them packaged up with super cute boxes and ribbons.
The morning of the shower I woke to the worst swelling I've had to date. Of course it had to get so bad on shower day, right? My face, my hands, my legs, my feet...OH MY! When I saw these pics I was shocked at how swollen I looked. Of course every pic of me opening presents had my face down which made the double chin pop even more. It's a great look people! :) Jodi helped pass out gifts and my sister was kind enough to write down the gifts people got baby Olivia.
I loved this gift (I loved them all but really loved this). It's a boppy cover from Pottery Barn Kids with Olivia's name sewn on it. It's soooo soft. I want one for my pillow!
A shot of the gorgeous cake and candy table. My dear friend Jenny bought 30 bags of m&m's at Easter and hand picked out all the pink ones. Everyone had little bags to take scoops of candy home with them.
Me and my cake!
My friend Mary made a chair cover because she wanted me to sit in something pretty. How sweet! She used the same materials as the bedding for Olivia's room. The back of the chair has a huge black bow on it. Absolutely adorable!!! Paul and his dad showed up at the end to help with carrying gifts to the car. When he walked in with this outfit on everyone ooo'ed and ahh'ed. They thought I had picked it out for him. He did it all on his own. It was super cute that he thought to match his clothes with the colors of the baby shower. :)

I was so overcome with emotions the day of our shower. As I was getting ready I was reflecting on what wonderful friends, sister and mother in law I have. They all put so much time and energy in to making this day so special. I thought I would cry at the shower but I didn't. I was so happy and enjoyed myself to the fullest.

My bestie Michelle was the brains behind the whole operation (I sadly did not get a pic with her-what is wrong with us?) She made a June/July calendar and had a super cute piggy bank and passed it around. It was the only "game" we played and people could make bets on when Olivia will arrive. 1/2 the pot will go to the winner and 1/2 will go to Olivia's college fund. :) Everyone loved it. I think people feel really relieved when they know there are no games at baby showers. This was one that if they wanted to participate in they could and if not, no pressure.

We have a baby shower in my home town next Saturday that my family is putting on. The boys are all playing golf while the girls do baby stuff. The shower is for me and my sister in law who are due 2 days apart. Should be a great time! Here's to hoping my swelling goes down slightly this week so I don't look like such a blimp. Not counting on it though. :)

Source: http://wagneramy.blogspot.com/2011/05/baby-shower.html

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