And I think that is how Abby became the most celebrated baby in the world. I could be wrong - maybe it is because she is absolutely the cutest baby ever (she is - it's true), or maybe it is that we are the most well liked people in the world (least likely option), or maybe it is because we have the best friends and family in the world (we really do), or maybe it is for some reason I can't fathom - but I think it was because of the wait.
Regardless of the reason, celebrations for Abby started the moment people learned about her and haven't really stopped yet. When I was first telling people about her people repeatedly told me they would like to have a shower for us - and so I obligingly agreed :). I love to celebrate - and I love to see people I love - and I loved showing off my beautiful daughter - so why not have some parties? We had several - some of which I have wrote about in part 9 of Abby's story - but I'm going to write about all of them here, because they were just so fun.
Celebration #1 - April 28 - Burleson Ward Shower
Ryan and I have lived in the same place our entire married lives, and so have been part of the same church congregation (essentially - I'll explain later) the entire time. We are now one of the families that have been in our congregation the longest so we know a lot of people. Four people from our congregation offered to have a shower for us. So I suggested they all just do it together (I think other people helped as well - such great friends!) - and it was so much fun. I couldn't believe how many people came, it was packed. Abby slept through the first hour or so but once she woke up people started passing her around. The food was awesome (cutest cake ever), we played fun games (I won 2 of them so that made them extra fun!), and so many gifts (I mentioned before that my group gift was our crib - I got teary eyed.) Loved it! Oh, and it was also awesome because everyone wrote letters to Abby's birthmom, something I continued to ask people to do at other showers. I think she really appreciated them.
Celebration #2 - May 1st - TCU Psychology Department Shower
Our program administrator and department secretary had a fun shower for us right after my last class for the semester (maybe ever if I never work again - weird thought.) It was such a fun way to celebrate Abby, and the end of the semester. People are super busy at the end of the semester so it was extra nice of them to take time out of their super busy schedules to celebrate with us. It wasn't super long, about an hour probably, but it made me happy. It was simple but the best part about the decorations was that they did a diaper "cake" so I got a bunch of diapers (which we made good use of :) ). I should have taken more pictures, but I didn't - live and learn.
Celebration #3 - May 3rd - Book Club Shower
This was the surprise books shower that my friends from my book club gave me. It was amazing - I was in no way expecting it. It amazed me that my one friend even thought to do it, and it amazed me because about 2/3s of my book club friends had already given me gifts at my Burleson shower. But I LOVE books (time spent reading is the greatest contributor to a child's success early in school) so I was thrilled and felt so loved. (I didn't have my camera with me so no pics :( .)
Celebration #4 - May 5th - Grapevine Shower
Ryan's family moved to Grapevine when he was in elementary school and his parents have lived in the same house the whole time. So, they know a lot of people. Ryan's mom and younger sister gave us this shower. It was mostly for people that have known Ryan most of his life and some that only know his mom and just wanted to celebrate that fact that she is finally a grandma! There were also some people that we worked with at the temple and a friend of mine from when I did my post-doc. The house was packed, the food was great, and I thought it was so kind of people to come celebrate with me when most of them I don't even know. People are just awesome! Also, at this shower, Abby met Ryan's older sister for the first time. Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures when the shower first started - I didn't get any until after it was over, and I don't think anyone else did either :(.
Celebration #5 - May 19th - YSA Ward Baby Celebration
I said previously that we have been in the same congregation since we got married 9 years ago, and that is technically true. But for the past 3 years Ryan served as the counselor to the bishop in a YSA Ward (Young Single Adults - a congregation for single people ages 18-30). We would still attend activities and socials with Burleson and some other things there, but our weekly church attendance was at the YSA ward. So we made a lot of friends there. The wife of the other counselor, Stacy, offered to do a shower for us. I thought it would be fun for it to be for guys and girls so Ryan could be included, and it was fun. And it was a breakfast shower which I loved. We had a waffle bar and other tasty food! Love her and love those YSAs! One interesting thing about this shower - We were headed out the door, trying to make it to the shower on time. I had put Abby in the car and I was trying to keep Penny, our dog, in the house. When I got in the garage Abby was screaming in the car so I hurried and jumped in to try and calm her down. Some time after we left I realized that in my rush I had forgotten to put my shoes on. I keep my shoes by the door in the garage so I generally put them on just before I get in the car - but I had missed that step. So I attended this shower barefoot.
Celebration #6 - May 23 - Cheesecake Factory Lunch
I did a 2 1/2 year post-doc at the Center for Brain Health. Although I was there for a while I had wanted to stay longer to finish the research project I was working on. But we ran out of funding so almost everyone from my lab had to leave. I was quite disappointed at the time but now I am glad because if I had stayed there I wouldn't have taken my job at TCU so I wouldn't have met Abby's biological grandma and so I wouldn't be her mom now. So thanks lack of funding. Anyway, while I was at my post-doc I met a lot of cool people and made some awesome friends, who I miss. About 8 months before my post-doc ended I went on a trip to Houston with 3 of them for a training seminar. I love these girls - they make me smile. They met me for lunch at Cheesecake Factory so they could meet Abby. It was so fun to see them, and the food was great. (I of course left with a piece of Craig's Crazy Carrot Cake Cheesecake - YUM!) They were so sweet and generous. I actually did have my camera with me but sometimes I get shy about asking to take pictures. Now I wish I had been more daring! But I do have pictures of our Houston trip.
Celebration #7 - May 31st - Las Vegas Shower
I am from Las Vegas. I lived in the same house from the time I was 1 year old (before that I lied a few miles away) until I went to college when I was 17. My parents have lived there almost their entire lives, most of my extended family is there, and until recently all but one of my sisters has lived there. I still have a lot of friends there as well. One of my sisters is an amazing party planner. She doesn't do simple parties - they are all extravagant and perfect. (She has a blog about many things domestic but on it she has included some of the parties she's done - check it out if you are interested.) She threw an awesome bridal shower for me 9 years ago, and then did an amazing baby shower. I don't think I have ever seen a baby shower decorated so cutely. And the food, well, you should have been there. Make your own yogurt parfaits (A - Ma- Zing!), cupcakes (with this cream cheese frosting - forget about it - but I can't!), fruit, this so-delicious punch, need I go on? The shower was packed. My parent's have a big house (they had 7 kids, remember), and there was standing room only. So much fun to see everyone. So much love. So much excitement. So great to show of my daughter.
I love my family. I have a great family. I don't think anyone has lucked out more than I in the family department. I love them all. I always have. As I think about them now and all they did for me when Abby joined us I am filled with love and gratitude (and tears) all over again. They gave SO much, all of them. The gave so many gifts, but they also gave time and love and support. But here are some of my favorite things they gave:
Parents - They gave A LOT - but what I think was most fun was a stuffed hippo. It was just an aside gift - one my mom picked up on a whim when she was shopping for the shower at Sam's Club. When my parents were first parents the first thing my dad bought my oldest sister was a stuffed hippo - which she loved and we all remember, so my mom couldn't resist. I wasn't sure we would have space to bring it back to Texas with us, but we made it fit, and I'm glad we did. Abby's room is decorated in pastels and with animals and it is perfect, and makes me happy.
Missy and fam - Missy took over 700 pictures for us when she came, and was here when Abby came home (even though she had less than a weeks notice.) That was the best gift. But she also crocheted Abby a bib that I love, and she gave me yogurt covered raisins. My family has a tradition of giving chocolate covered raisins to new moms. They say it helps the milk come in. I don't know if it is true, but they firmly believe it, and it is fun, and I think it is a tradition that everyone should have. The reason it made me so happy that she gave me the raisins is first, because she gave them to me even though Abby was adopted rather than delivered. And because they were yogurt covered. I don't liked chocolate as much as most people. I do like milk chocolate, but Missy found yogurt ones just for me.
Mindy and fam - Clothes, LOTS of clothes, LOTS of CUTE clothes. About 70% of what Abby wears is from them.
Emily and fam - My shower, it was amazing. I was too busy with people while I was there to take pictures so I only have ones others have taken. I know Emily took a ton and one day I hope to get them (hint, hint) and when I do I will post them, but until then you will just have to believe me, it was amazing.
Maggi and fam - Milk. I wrote before about Maggi and all the milk she pumped for Abby. But I am still so grateful and amazed by her selfless sacrifice and faith (every night for over 9 months she'd been waking up just to pump for a baby that she didn't even know would join our family in time to use it. Have you ever heard of someone so awesome?)
Like I said, I have an amazing family!
Celebration #8 - June 2nd - Utah Shower
We know a lot of people in Northern Utah. Most of Ryan's extended family is there. One of my sisters (Mindy) and her family lived there for a year (and were there when we got Abby). I have niece there at BYU. We both went to BYU and a lot of our college friends are there (including my awesome roommate and friend Aubrey). Most of my mission friends are there. And many of my friends from growing up have moved there (including my life-long BFF Wendy). Wendy moved there a couple years ago and when she did she told me that whenever I got a baby she would do a Utah shower for me, and she did, along with awesome Aubrey. It was a picnic at a park - exactly right. Loved it! Loved seeing the people, loved eating the food, loved being outside in the nice weather, loved the love.
