The BEST Un-Baby Shower Ever

I have not written in this thing in SO long! I have to catch up my posts. Needless to say things have been ka-razy (when are they not?). But we are winding down and ready for baby Scarlett to arrive. As of today, we are one week away from my guess date. I cannot believe it! I am feeling caught up and ready now at least. Now, time to relax and calm down.
This entire pregnancy has been really, really busy and somewhat stressed. I have worked full time, we have been on our debt diet and we have a busy toddler to chase after. Makes for one crazed schedule. I am glad that we have hunkered down and made these short term sacrifices to enjoy more going forward.

But, sometimes I feel like Scarlett got the short end of the stick in my pregnancy with her. Poor second babies. I spent SO much time (and money) thinking, dreaming and fantasizing during Porter's pregnancy. I bought all the "stuff", to then learn I didn't need 80% of it. I had showers and gifts bought and TONS of generosity. Porter was a very typical first time baby. This baby, people would ask about a shower and I politely declined. I dunno why, I just thought with the second, you don't have showers. Plus, times are tough for most everyone I know. I don't "need" anything, we are blessed. I don't want anyone spending lots of resources when in the end, that is not what babies are all about.

In my mama circle we do what’s called a "Blessingway". It is basically a no-gift shower where people bring poems, stories, passages, candles are passed down, birth-y type stuff and general well wishes. Lovely, huh? Except if you are me. I get uncomfortable as the center of attention (yes, shockingly I do) and say all the wrong things when there is an outpouring of sentiment. I'm Chandler Bing. So, I kinda settled on not having anything and being low key and ok about it.

Buuuut, my awesome, wonderful group of mama's got together and planned an un-baby shower, un-Blessingway for me and baby Scarlett! My friend Laura generously used her house and my other bestie Andra helped plan it. It was a no gift, potluck ladies get together/celebration for Scarlett. The food was amazing. Seriously so so so good. A group of my closest friends and family were all there to chat, eat and hang out. It was PERFECT. Baby Scarlett got the honor she deserves without the silly games and lavish gifts. After all, these ladies, not any "stuff" got me through raising Porter thus far so it was very fitting. More suiting for me, anyways. We laughed and joked. You had to be present to get the um, dirty details, but suffice it to say, it was a blast. We are one fun group of mom's. I'm pretty sure I can say it was unlike any baby shower I have ever been to and I mean that in the best way possible. I am SO grateful and I will never forget how special I felt.

Second to the food and company, they all conspired DID get me a gift. Cheaters. They all threw in money to go towards the purchase of a woven wrap. For those of you that aren't baby wearers (do I know anyone that isn't?? well, anyway....) woven wraps are very beautiful, very awesome, very EXPENSIVE child carrying apparatus'. They are simply gorgeous but simply not in our budget. Women in cultures around the world have been "wearing" their babies for thousands of years. There are SO many benefits to it that I won't go into. But, there is no way we could part with the money to buy one so it has just been something to lust after. But, no more! It was the perfect gift. Something that everyone could contribute to and make a huge impact for me. I couldn't think of anything better, more desired, more heart felt.

I could finally afford my dream wrap. I had wanted an Ellevill Grasshopper woven wrap for SO long. It is 50/50 bamboo cotton blend and just divine. No other word fits it. Luxury to the max. It is woven in India and sent here. It is fabric art. I love it. I hemmed and hawed even after the generous gift about getting something more practical (or so I thought), since I am new to wrapping. If I let something so gorgeous sit in my closet, it would be a sin. But, I know some expert, master wrappers that have offered to come help me learn all the tricks. I'm stoked. It is the most natural and gorgeous way to carry your baby. Bonus.... babies love it too. It lets mama be hands free and baby skin to skin. Looking past her 70's look.... isn't it GORGEOUS?!

And it is mine! All mine. I just bit the bullet and ordered it. I cannot wait to put a new squishy baby in it. I have so much gratitude in my heart for the generosity of my friends. I cannot thank them enough. It is my most sentimental Scarlett gift, who has been the stereotypical "second kid/pregnancy", had a room full out "aunties" that managed to spoil and cherish her in every way that a baby deserves to be. The world is waiting with baited breath baby girl, for you to pick your birthday. There are great things in store for you, you are loved already more than you know.