Melissa is having a Boy!

By my obsessive picture taking of a certain five year old, you kinda might know I have a little girl.  For seven months (the first two I didn't even know I was pregnant!) I swore I was having a boy.  I wanted a boy and refused to fully believe the doctor when they said I would have a girl.  Kris chose our sweet girl's name and we referred to the baby as a girl but I think that the first thing I asked after delivery was, "Is it really a girl?".

My mom and sister threw my shower for me.  I had a few requests....because, well...that's me.  I thought they were all practical and I promised to keep out of the rest of the details if they would:

1. Tell me when the shower was ( so I didn't look like a hot mess)
2.  Don't have the shower after the 7month point  (the point in pregnancy when you are decidedly pregnant but not yet looking like a cow....can walk, not waddle and still have a glow)
3. Make it a gender-neutral party (what if the doctor is wrong?)

They were great and went along with my requests.  As a result, I am happy when I look back at the pictures from that day.  I looked healthy and happy. The day was wonderful and one that I won't forget.  When my sister, Melissa, announced she was pregnant earlier this year, I immediately went back to the rules I had insisted on and wanted her to have the same good feelings about her shower.  The only difference...she was told she's having a boy and she's in full agreement.

My mother is not a planner (mom...you mean well but you procrastinate like the dickens) so as I noticed that the seven month mark was right in the middle of the Holiday Season, we sat down to hash out the date and choose some invites.  Melissa (like me) had no "theme" so we went with a modern one that just said fun and hoped she'd approve.

photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

We didn't want to spend an afternoon playing so many games that we didn't get to visit with everyone so we chose a few fun things and went with simple food.  One of our dear, dear friends (practically family) came a day early and brought treats from home.  Tomato pie, Half-moon cakes, Italian desserts and fresh Italian bread.   Y  U  M!!!

mom and her girls   photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

The shower itself went smoothly and I think everyone had a great day.  We got to see family we haven't seen in a while, my mom got to share the day with all of her besties and Melissa and the baby, of course, got attention from everyone.  Giada was there to entertain should anyone get bored.  She is such a ham and was so excited to be a part of celebrating her soon-to-arrive baby cousin.

mom surrounded by her besties   photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

The girls in the family     photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

I sometimes forget how important it is to plan and attend these functions.  They seem like a chore sometimes but when you look at why you are there and remember how people treated you, you realize how special these milestones are.

photo by 'memories...michelle fenner photography'

Thank you to everyone that contributed to making this day wonderful.  Everyone that attended, sent gifts and well-wishes to the soon-to-be parents is appreciated.  Special thanks to Tracie, Michelle, and Kim for doing all the things we couldn't have done on our own and to Rae for being Giada's 'playmate' , aka my savior.