... so we had a shower

and it was fabulous! we moved a couple of states away a couple of years ago, and the majority of our friends still live 3-4 hours away. so i hadn't been expecting much in the way of showerdom, but boy did they rally! the couple who threw it for us did an absolutely AMAZING job. we've been calling the baby "kaiju" as his utero nickname, so the whole party was "movie monster" themed - the invite was made from an old godzilla poster, the decorations and prizes were all about classy floating eyeball candles, 'screaming b-movie victims' action figures, baby dinosaur bubble blowers, etc. it was co-ed for husbands, lots of kids were there playing with the hula hoops, bubbles, and monster-toes-mini-stilts in the yard - in the house of course they romped on the birth ball. the games were uncorny, and the evening ended with a huge playstation 'rock band' tournament.

the games and moments of blessing were so heartwarming and touching. the main one was when a plate was passed with honey, salt, cayenne pepper, and lemon - me and DH each tasted, and each elder in attendance described a parenting lesson associated with one of the spices. my mom (who lives across the country and is saving up her vacation time for when baby gets here) did hers on videochat via the laptop, and stayed around knitting on vidcam while we played 'baby/monster charades.'

the gifts were great - creative and useful and fun! my mom had knitted a few jacket-hat-blanket sets. the tiniest set was made from yarn my baby sister had spun from local wool!!!! a friend who makes jewelry actually MADE him a silver baby bangle! which is great b/c i hadn't figured out where i was going to find one for him. a designer friend did this amazing lacquered box out of recycled tin ceiling tiles like the ones you see in old houses and restaurants - as a keepsake box for the good wishes everybody wrote down and shared for us and the babe.

i am just... wow. really happy about it. one thing that it brought home to me is how much of a difference it makes when people are in your face - we are notorious hermits, but there are a lot of people in this world who we sit around loving from a distance. having some of them here was a beautiful experience.

also. the webcam situation was the hotness! LOL. my mom said she wants to go to all her parties like that from now on.