baby boy shower!

Last Saturday, Drew and I were thrown another shower for the bean!




This one was from our friends here in Cleveland. The best part, I think, was that for the first time, Drew was able to be a part of the festivities.

I don't know how many of you have experienced the "Co-ed Baby Shower" but I have to highly recommend it. We had so much fun! The guys really added a special something.

Hi, Karen and (hungry) Carl!



Check out the gorgeous cupcakes that Michelle made for us. She's such a talented baker!



Karen and I enjoying the delicious snacks, yum...





We played a bunch of fantastic baby games. This was the part where having the guys around really made it great.

Throughout the shower we were playing the game where you can't say "baby" or whoever catches you saying it can take your clothes pin (we started with 5 each). I stink at this game and was anxious to be rid of my pins just for the freedom of speech that would allow. Some people, however, (hmph, Amy) were very good at it and amassed quite the collection.



The men were especially adept at coming up with "baby" synonyms. I'm pretty sure I heard something about "Fetus Wilkinson" once or twice. :o)

We also had a diapering relay race. I was the judge. Mostly because I can't get up and down off the floor fast enough. None of the teams wanted my handicap.



As judge, I felt it was my duty to penalize teams that pulled the diaper off in any way that would result in poo on my shoes, had this been a real diapering experience. Some of the guys, especially, weren't interested in undoing the tabs and would simply yank it off past the feet in 1 swift motion.

Poor dolly lost her shoe at one point. But Carl fixed her back up.



Sharon came through as the MVP at the end and brought it home for Team 2.



Way to go.

My favorite game came at the end. We were given diapers full of "surprises" and had to guess what kind of candy it used to be. This was pretty nasty -- especially when Blake couldn't decide whether Diaper #3 had been a Kit Kat or 3 Musketeers and had to go in for the taste test.



Good thing I'm not still nauseous all the time or that one would have pushed me over the edge.

Then, on top of all this, they got us presents! We received a lot of wonderful baby items -- bath toys, a stuffed elephant, a toilet trainer, rattles, and lots of other great stuff.



Drew and I feel so lucky to have such great friends here. Moving as often as we have makes it hard to feel confident that you'll always be able to meet people. I'm so glad that we and the bean have friends here who love us!

Once the guys retreated to the yard for cornhole and beer, the girls were talking about baby names. Since the bean's name is going to be a birth day surprise, everyone was trying to guess what it will be. Drew and I decided that everyone could have 1 guess and if someone got it right then we'd tell them.

None of the official guesses were right, but I will tell you that I heard the name mentioned in a separate conversation! They weren't talking to me, so I kept quiet, but it wasn't easy!

That's all I'll say about it -- come December someone will find out that they guessed right!

Thanks again everyone, we had such a wonderful time! Now we're just waiting to throw a shower for whoever is next... :o)

when it showers, it pours

This weekend Drew and I made the big trek across Pennsylvania to New Jersey to visit with his family and attend my baby shower!

Drew made an appearance at the end to help load up the gifts. Good Daddy-ing so far!



My wonderful mother-in-law threw an amazing shower for the bean and I on Saturday. You are so good to us -- we love you, Mom!





I also want to thank my soon to be sister-in-law, Lisa, for taking all of these photos and helping to plan the shower. We can't wait to introduce the bean to our extended family at your wedding next spring!



The bean would like to say hello to Aunt Raegan and Ali. He'd also like to congratulate Ali on her fabulous 'tude. :o)



How beautiful is the bean's great-grandma Stella? I hope I look this great in my eighties!



My mother-in-law, Linda, put so much effort into every detail. I love the idea of having a onesie clothes line. The bean is all set with onesies now!



Isn't the cake lovely? It matched the invitation design perfectly.



I also really liked the centerpieces and mum-filled tummy tub.





The game we played was based on this blog! Everyone had to fill in the blanks on fruits/veggies that I posted here to represent the bean at different weeks. How fun! Erin has been following the bean on here since the very beginning and totally deserved to win. :o)



One of the best things about the shower was the fact that my mom and sisters were all able to attend! Seeing as how they all live 3+ hours away I was totally surprised (but really excited!) that they could make it.



Ever since my sister, Erin, came back to the brunette camp from being a blonde she and I have really starting looking more alike. We grew up hearing "are you twins?" all the time -- this weekend was quite a flashback to that! My favorite part was when Grandpa Lewentowicz tried to give her a hug. She loves to hug, but was a little surprised! He realized pretty quickly that she wasn't me, but it was still a hoot.

What do you think...do we look alike?



It was also fun to see my girlfriends from Bucknell! Thanks for coming Emily, Jessica, and Betsy! It's been way too long since we were able to get together. The bean is lucky to have such great "aunts" to be!



How adorable are these "Got Milk" booties from Emily O?! Love them!



I was totally overwhelmed by the pile of gifts. There are literally only a handful of items that we need before welcoming baby boy in December. Our friends and family are so generous!



The bean has 3 uncles (Daddy's brothers) and can't wait to wear this bib that they got him!



Check out the amazing diaper cake! Wow, just wow. Drew's cousin, Kim, actually made it for us. If you can believe it, this is the first one she's ever made. I was really, really impressed!! That night we had to take it apart to get everything packed in the car and Drew and Erin ended up unrolling every diaper. There were....216! Thanks, Kim! I think we'll be good on diapers for a little while. :o)





I love this blanket that my Mom crocheted for her grandson. I'm a little afraid to use it -- it's so beautiful! This will be such a wonderful keepsake for the bean.





I feel incredibly blessed to have family and friends who already love the bean and care deeply for him. Thanks to everyone who showered the bean and I with love this weekend. We love you all, too!

showering the bean - part 2

My sister, Erin, sent me some photos she took at my baby shower last weekend and I wanted to post some for you all to see!

The amazing spread of goodies

These snacks are especially impressive when you know that my Mom and older sister, Jenn, brought most of this stuff in their car from Raleigh to PA. Erin lives a bit closer, but still had to travel an hour to get here!

I just love the last name chicks and cupcake stand!

This was a clever idea -- they put the shower invitation inside a matte for everyone to sign. It's framed and sitting in the nursery now.

Surprise!

I think Drew and Chris (my brother-in-law) both really like baby showers.

Dad wasn't sure if he was allowed to be here. So sneaky. We gave him some snacks.

The bean and I got so many wonderful gifts -- here's a quick peak at some.

Baby Bjorn for all those times when I'll need 2 hands and baby bean isn't interested in being put down. I hear that's often.

Beautiful diaper cake with lots of bathtime and feeding goodies!

Yay, Snap 'N Go stroller. I love how lightweight this is. The larger stroller that my parents got for us doesn't accept the infant car seat, so this will be perfect for those early trips to the mall. Where else can you go with a stroller in snowy January??

I mentioned this before, but I love, love this Pack 'N Play. What a gorgeous pattern! Everyone was very impressed with all the "bells and whistles."

Thanks for a wonderful shower girls!

showering the bean

This weekend Drew and I drove to Pennsylvania to attend the annual Cowell family reunion! It travels around to a different of my aunts' and uncles' houses each year -- this year it was at Aunt Beth and Uncle Steve's place in central PA. Thanks for hosting us all!



While it's always a great time seeing my extended family, this year was especially exciting because my sisters and Mom hosted a baby shower for me and the bean! Wow! It was so amazing.

Check out the fabulous cupcakes that Jenn made for us. How cute are the little icing chicks that she made?!

Actually they all made l-o-t-s of delicious desserts for snacking.

How cute are these flower pots with the little chicks?

The shower had a "nesting" theme in honor of my chick on the way. I love it!

It went perfectly with the artwork I just put up in the nursery. I'm waiting to reveal the entire nursery until I have it all set up, but here's a sneak peak so you know what I'm talking about. :o)

Once I got home I put all of the sweet cards we got on the baby's dresser. We also received a diaper cake that's the perfect decoration -- until I need the diapers, of course!

My sisters went together and got us a Pack 'N Play! I asked Drew to put it together right away -- he did a great job under lots of pressure. Isn't it beautiful? I love it!

Thanks Erin, Jenn, and Mom! This was such a special day and I really really appreciate all the work and effort you put into it!!