As many of you know, I was blessed with my second baby shower over the long holiday weekend. I am currently in the process of sifting through hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of photos taken by Julian and Sandi with their amazing cameras and even more impressive photography skills, so please bear with me until I can post those. For now, I wanted to document my own reactions and emotions around such a special weekend.
In the days leading up to the weekend, I have to admit that I was a little stressed out. It is very important to me that guests in my home feel special and well-cared for, which means a perfectly clean house, food that they like in the fridge, and fun activities planned for their stay. With no less than six adults and two kids in our home, I knew that this would not just be challenging, it would be impossible if only because I can't give every guest the special guest room, buy the specific food everyone liked, or plan individual activities for everyone to enjoy. I needed to understand and to accept that the people were coming for me, Jeremy, and the Bun, and not to focus on themselves. They would all still love me if my home was a wreck, and would even pitch in to keep it from looking that way. So I decided to let go and to work my hardest to be ever present in the moment and mindful of this special time with many of my closest friends.
On Friday as I drove to pick up Juliana from the airport my mind flashed to an image of various points on the map descending on Greensboro. Juliana flew from Boston, Julian flew from New York, Katie/Sahil/Lark drove from Atlanta, Erin/Adam/Rhys drove from Maryland, and Sandi drove from Virginia, all around the same time. With my mom having traveled from Florida the day before, I definitely felt like a tourist destination. Somehow everyone who was in town was able to agree on Steak and Shake for dinner, and Sandi arrived just as her burger did, so I was seriously impressed that everything came together so well.
On Saturday I got to enjoy making breakfast for everyone and feeling like I was helping to contribute something (just cinnamon rolls, but so tasty!). Then I got to be whisked away by my two pregnant friends, Audrey and Lindzy, to the Belly Baby Bazaar (I'll post about that later) for the morning while the wonderful army of loved ones got everything set up. After the shower everyone was wonderfully cooperative with the arts and crafts activity that I planned (another post to be written!). We ate homemade barbeque, I got to watch a silly romantic comedy with two of my best friends, and then we all promptly passed out!
On Sunday there were leaf piles to be made and jumped in, parks to visit, and kids consignment stores to patronize. Then there were the inevitable sad goodbyes, although everyone was great enough to stay later in the day so I felt like I had one more day with my crew.
Overall I am just overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the people around me. I know that this is one loved little Bun, and I am so excited to share all her memories with them in the years to come!
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