The Baby Shower.. and other updates!

I'm a little late posting about the shower but the constant nesting (both at the house AND at the office) has had me tied up!  I feel like when I am home I am just pacing... but instead of walking around in circles doing nothing (like a normal 'pace'), I walk around in circles cleaning, moving things around, organizing, re-organizing, cleaning, re-cleaning.  It's just sort of never ending because I am using it as a distraction! And in regards to work - I'm probably driving everyone nuts!  I'm trying to close every possible deal in our pipeline before baby comes.  It's really quite insane and if half of the business closes they will REALLY have their work cut out for them!
 

Back to the shower... it was held on February 9th at Byblos Cafe (one of my favorite restaurants in Tampa) and it was WONDERFUL!  Allison Evans was the primary host/organizer/party planner extraordinaire and just like my Bridal Shower - it was awesome!  Thanks so much Ali - love you!  She also got lots of help from mom, Wendy, Bri, Melissa (who couldn't be there :(  and from Cathy, Steph and my right hand B-Lynk woman and good friend Raquel.  Thank you all so much - it was such an honor to be the mommy-to-be!

I must also note that Allison wasn't the only one that came from out of town for the event (she lives in Houston).  Aunt Ronda flew in from Atlanta and Ronnie's cousins Keri and Toni and Aunt Patti drove down from Jacksonville.  So so special to have them all there! 

Here are a few pics from the day. Ali coordinated all the decor with the theme of the nursery.. it was darling.  She really needs to give up her day job of global sulfuric acid trading and start shower planning :-) 

Everyone had to write down if they thought it was a girl or a boy and stick it in their bag.  The GIRL guesses won!

These little 'advice' cards were SO cute...guests had to pick one and on the inside of the onesie write their advice.  We got all kinds of great tips for things like keeping up with the house, changing diapers, babysitters, etc...

The table centerpieces were filled with the BEST CAKE POPS I have ever had...



Melissa made the 'month' onesies as a banner to hang at the shower - so cute!  Look for the pics of them with the baby in future posts!

Me and Allison

Soon to be Aunt Steph, me (looking extra large in this photo) and soon to be Grandma Cathy

Aunt Ronda and I!

Ronnie's Aunt Patti, Cousin Toni, Cousin Keri, Me, Steph and Cathy

Ali, me and Raquel

We received lots of wonderful gifts and are so thankful for everything.  Not sure what we would do without such kind and caring friends and family.  We are very blessed.  Oh, and I do need to share one gift story. I opened up a bag and there wasn't a card, so when I saw the book 'The Giving Tree' by Shell Silverstien I said "Oh, I used to LOVE this book!!"... well then I opened the front cover and found this note: 'From Grandma Lori - Your mother used to love this story!"   I cried.  So special.

In addition to chatting with friends, eating yummy food, talking about the arrival of the baby and opening gifts, Ali planned a 'shower game' in advance which involved both Ronnie and I.  Ronnie requested that it be recorded via video and I am so glad we did that.  It was hilarious!  And Ronnie scored lots of points with mommy :-)  Click below to watch.. everyone's favorite part was the 'eye-sockets'... he hopes that baby gets his and not mine?!?!

http://youtu.be/50ez1VYobdE

Other news....

NURSERY PROJECT UPDATE:  Once baby arrives and we find out if it's a boy or girl we will do the name thing above the crib... but other than that the nursery is DONE!  Many thanks again to Grandma Betty for the adorable drapes, crib skirt and pillow!  Can't wait to tell our little one about how special great-grandma was in helping with the nursery!

VALENTINES DAY:  While Valentines Day is such a silly Hallmark holiday.. it is actually a special time for Ronnie and I because he proposed to me on Feb. 19th 2011, just a few days after our "Valentines Day Dinner" where I had NO CLUE he was planning to propose just 5 days later.  Soo... we try to do something nice for each other each year to remember that special time.  This year he didn't fail.  Not sure if anyone (or your husbands/boyfriends) listen to ESPN sports talk radio in the morning, but apparently 'Sharie's Berries' had some heavy ads running it and got Ronnie's curiosity.  He got online and ordered me the flower/berry combo which included a pretty bouquet and 12 chocolate covered strawberries!  YUM!

Also -- the city did some work on our curb on 2/12  and he left me a little note in the concrete...
awwww ;-)

And in closing, it was a good thing that I ran around and did my errands last weekend while I could because on Thursday morning (2/21) I lost my mucus plug ... I already had my weekly appointment scheduled with the doctor that day so was able to go in and find out what was going on.  The previous week I started my weekly check-ups and was dilated to 1 cm.  Dr said nothing to worry about - I could be at a 1 for another month and still be late.  But this week I was dilated to a 2.5 with 70% effacement.  She said she would be surprised if I went another week and told Ronnie to stay close to home this weekend. So we'll see...I haven't had any real regular contractions this weekend.  I'm learning early on that babies sure do have a mind of of their own... it will come whenever it is ready and God decides it's time.  But stay tuned.. it probably won't be March 14th :-)


Here is a 37 weeks pic from the top.. I have a VERY lopsided belly!  It's been this way the entire pregnancy... he/she just never discovered the other side of the womb! 

Could be our last weekend as just the two of us!

 XOXO

 - Katie