So this past weekend we planned our cousin’s baby shower. Our Cousin Lisa lives in San Diego and is having her first and what she says her only child.
We started with a “theme” which basically went off of the amazing bedding from Target she picked out. She ended up going with one that had different colored pinks and browns that focused on tulips, it was adorable! So we went to About Memories and More to create some invitations. Kirsten was amazing and because mom and I aren’t so talented in the scrapbooking arena, we hired Kirsten to put together these amazing invitations.
After one short week, we picked them up and sent them out! We were so excited!!! People called to RSVP, telling us how much they loved the invitations. Then it was onto the actual planning of the event!
First we had to decide what food we were going to cook and serve at the event, what kinds of centerpieces we were going to put together, if we needed to rent any tables and chairs, what linens, favors, games, etc!
The week of the event we went grocery shopping here in Flagstaff (sales tax is cheaper than in California), started packing and loaded up the car. Now the baby shower was going to be held at my cousin’s amazing house and we ended up staying with her. The baby’s room is so cute; they have all the furniture in, replaced all the knobs with pink flowers, and put a mural on the wall! I’ve visited my cousin numerous times because to be honest she is more of a big sister than a cousin to me, however in all the times I visited her she never cooked for me, so we had no idea what kind of cooking tools she had.
So mom and I pack up the ice chest full of food, and then we start in on the kitchen supplies. We ended up taking knives, forks, serving dishes, etc. All because we had no idea what she had. My dad asks when we are loading up the car, “do you need the kitchen sink?” Very funny dad! We also load in two tables, vases (because Peak Events has them), pillows and of course clothes, lots of clothes.
Earlier that week, my friend Jessica came over to help me make a diaper cake for the event. Her little sister had a baby boy and Jessica made an amazing cake, so I asked for her help. We ended up using 72 diapers, a blanket, and more.
So now that mom’s big expedition is loaded with baby shower stuff, we were off and running! Almost 8 hours in the car, was a lot! We stopped in Kingman at a random truck stop, where you could buy just about anything, including knives, car stuff, NFL mugs and jeans! Then we entered California, I am driving and after Lake Havasu there is a check point. We start to approach and my mom says “Oh my god, they might take our lemons” I had to have given her the strangest look, mostly because I was so confused as to why California would want our Arizona lemons and the fact that if they did I was sure California had plenty of lemons. We pass through not a problem, of course, and I turn to my mom and say “WHEW we still have our lemons!” She wasn’t amused. Although we did laugh for quite some time! We decided to go through Barstow because silly us, we thought we needed to hit up the coach outlet store. The second we walked in we were pushed and shoved by all the people. We couldn’t get out of there fast enough. That totally turned us off to the rest of the outlet stores, and we ended up grabbing some food and gas and hitting the road. We continue on our way, through California Traffic and construction. We finally made it to our cousin’s house. It was so nice to see her – big belly and all! We unloaded the car and proceeded to have a drink and go to dinner. We ended up at this amazing Italian restaurant where we all ate WAY too much food.
The next day mom and I wake up early to finish preparing the food for the baby shower (if you don’t already know, my mother is an amazing cook). We mostly wanted to finish early because we wanted to go to the BEACH! Again, after all the times I’ve visited my cousin, not once have we gone to the beach. So we all load up into her cute little prius and hit Coronado! What an amazing place and can I just say I want to own a house right on the beach there! And I will do it, eventually. We walked along the beach taking pictures.
Then had a great lunch and margaritas. We had a few things we had to pick up at the store, so we ended up going to the store on the way home. None of us were hungry for dinner, so we just hung out that night. Well actually we were talking about what things my cousin still needed, and she mentioned the car seat and stroller – in that same moment the door bell rang and they both had arrived! A little freaky. Well of course, we dove right into them both. They got the Orbit Baby – and can I just say WOW! This is a car seat and stroller in one and it rotates 360 degrees. We had the best time playing with it.
Saturday finally came and it was BABY SHOWER TIME! The shower started at 11 am, of course we forgot some things, and had to go to the store AGAIN. We finished all the food, and decorations.
We ended up doing the following for food… cucumber dip with pita chips, spinach dip in a bread bowl, grapes, strawberries, pasta salad, tuna salad, tri tip sandwiches, lemon bars and truffles.
My cousin’s friend, Darci was in charge of the party favors. She did such a great job. She ended up painting individual pots, putting ribbon on them, and planting a flower inside them. Then she added a cute pink baby sucker to them all AND live lady bugs. Now she arrives with all the plants and then tells me we need to put these 1500 live lady bugs into these cute pink bags. HAHA – she didn’t account for the fact that they fly.
Now, the baby shower was so much fun! We had no food left, which I guess is a good thing. And we went through so much booze, I was shocked! We had pink slushes that were a big hit, wine (red and white) , beer and champagne.
My cousin opened all her presents, she got some VERY cool stuff and I think is set for the first few months on just about everything. Everyone had a great time, Lisa and Sean ended up getting some great stuff and managed to see some great family and friends before the big day – one month from the baby shower.
We ended up spending a quite night at the house, eating ice cream and feeling the baby moving around.
Unfortunately we had to leave Sunday morning and drive the almost 8 hours back home… my beautiful cousin will be having her baby girl in the next few weeks. We are so excited! I’ll be sure to post updates.
Lisa, we love you so very much. Thank you for letting us be a part of this amazing time in your life. We can’t wait to meet your new bundle of joy!
Jennifer