Scenes from a Baby Shower

Mariel here. This past Saturday, my mom, step-mom and my son’s godmom all celebrated his imminent arrival by hosting a baby shower in my hometown. Incidentally, my hometown is now my again-town since my husband and I moved back just three weeks ago.

While “me-themed” parties usually feel a bit awkward, this one was low-key, lovely and relaxed, the perfect mix of friends and family and I eased into the day minus any anxiety…a rare feat in my world. It probably didn’t hurt that I had wrapped a deadline the day before and have temporarily become a lady of leisure until my self-imposed maternity leave is up in September.

Anyway, the day was perfect – truly. While I insisted my mom NOT cater the event – that way she could actually participate and enjoy all her hard work – she played a crucial role in orchestrating the food, naturally. Every detail was well-tended, right down to the cocktails and mocktails. She had arranged for the staff to whip up my favorite childhood beverage from a now defunct local restaurant, so when I walked in, I was greeted with a Strawberry Lemonade a la Scarborough Fair and I promptly broke out in tears. I should mention that my hormones are running wild in general, so I now also cry when the roman shades don’t close properly or my dog takes too long to come in from outside. It’s awesome.

While I won’t bore you with every last detail of the day, if you happen to be planning a baby shower in the coming weeks or months, I wanted to pass along a few recipes and tidbits that made my day extra special. And if I disappear during the next 2+ weeks, I’m probably in labor…no biggie.

1. Since I’m a brand new homeowner, my mom wanted all the flowers to be potted plants, that way I could take them home and stick them in my empty, over-run garden. An ancillary gift: she then came over and planted them. Given my current girth, it’s hard enough just fastening sandals. The finger-food on this hydrangea-adorned table includes my favorite Egg Salad and my mom’s Chunky Chicken Salad with Walnuts & Cherries (yes, we had the staff use many recipes featured on Feast, hope they weren’t insulted!)
2. Because everything looks fancy in a martini glass…especially when you’re 9 months pregnant…
3. While the beet/goat cheese combo pictured isn’t a Feast recipe, these Roasted Beets with an Orange-Balsamic Syrup would sub in swimmingly.
4. My mom’s Mango Gazpacho – you’ll never go tomato again.
5. Key Lime Tartlets – my mom’s Key Lime Pie would work well or try my Key Lime Blackberry Bites.
6. That’s just me, doing what I love to do…opening presents.
7. Chocolate Mousse Shells (or try our Chocolate Ice Cream Cups).
8. Carrot Cake Cupcakes

Final thought: if you can’t find shower invites that you’re gaga over, try Pink Lily Press over on Etsy or Nancy from NMI Photo Creations, who conjured up these adorable owl invites we used.

Final final thought: While I’m normally not a baby game type of gal, my best-friend organized a bunch that were really enjoyable (for me, anyway). She had each guest write my little guy a birthday card that corresponded to a specific year, so when he turns 18, for instance, he’ll read a tear-stained double-sided note from my mom. My bff also had my husband answer a few key baby-related questions and then I had to guess what he answered. Important things like, “How many diapers do newborns go through in a day?” and “When do kiddos stop needing naps?” In other news, if you know the actual answers to either of these, do tell.

Thanks again to everyone who came out – I felt so loved and we left with so much loot that this baby will never go naked. Unless he wants to, which is fine too.