My sisters baby shower: Vintage bi-planes and world travel

I love this picture of my sister and I. Celebrating her and her baby boy at her shower was so special. We have been able to do so many different things together in life as sisters. I love that now we will have both been able to experience the process of having a baby. When I found out that she was pregnant it took me a while to realize that I was going to be an Aunt. I was the first one in our family to have a baby and didn't realize that I wasn't an Auntie yet! I will love being an Aunt. I will love raising kids together and love that our kids can be friends just like we are. Amy and her adorable baby bumped arrived at her shower looking gorgeous. It was a beautiful day with lots of loving friends, tiny baby clothes and meaningful conversations. Now we will wait for the day baby boy decides to arrive. I can't wait.

The littlest matryoshka: a nesting doll shower

My good friend Carly is expecting her third little baby any day now! I can't wait to find out if its a boy or a girl and most of all to see their adorable cheeks (her babies always have the cutest cheeks you have ever seen!). We had a wonderful time last weekend throwing her a shower to celebrate. When we heard she had a secret love for matryoshka dolls we decided that had to be the theme. The idea of each little doll nesting inside the momma doll is a sweet symbol for a shower. It just so happened that my sister, two friends and myself have all been to Russia or the Ukraine and own nesting dolls. And look how amazing the cake is that Robin made! I love the mix of Russian dolls and Christmas decorations. It was fun to have a shower during this time of year when our houses are already decorated beautifully with twinkling lights and trees. We all brought her gifts in mason jars, homemade things, goodies to eat and tiny items for baby. It was a very meaningful time together. I walked away being reminded of what a joyful blessing babies are to our lives!

Shore do love you: Owen's nautical baby shower

Planning Heidi's shower made me think of my baby shower. My sister and friends did an amazing job, I was so loved. I was 32 weeks pregnant at that point. They did a nautical theme to go along with what we were doing in Owen's nursery. I have the messages in a bottle (pictured above) that everyone wrote to him that day on his shelf. I am still not quite done decorating his nursery, I guess I got distracted after the little guy arrived. 

It is crazy thinking back on when I was pregnant, wondering when he would arrive, what he would look like, how our life would change. He has only been here 8 months but I can hardly remember what it was like without him. 

Loads of fun: construction baby shower

We had a baby shower this morning for one of my best friends, Heidi. Several of us girls had a great time brainstorming fun ideas for her shower. All of us pitched in and it ended up being such a sweet time. I am so excited for Heidi to have her little boy, due at the end of March, so he and Owen can be friends. 

The inspiration for the theme came from an adorable book, Goodnight, Goodnight Construction site. It is about construction trucks working hard to do their jobs and then, "one by one they'll go to bed to yawn and rest their sleepy heads, then wake to another day of rough-and-tough construction play!" It has beautiful illustrations and was a great inspiration for a rough-and-tough little boy shower.

There were lots of dump trucks, construction board books and a tool box with the words, "Wyatt Construction Co. Est. 2012" painted across it. Guests wrote notes to Wyatt on tool shaped papers to go in a handmade tool belt for when he gets older. We played a game where everyone guessed the name of different types of construction trucks from around the room, which was very funny to hear some of the guesses, some of us just don't know what an Excavator is. Everyone left with favors filled with homemade mints. 

Heidi looked beautiful with her baby bump. She has so many friends that love her and are excited for baby Wyatt's arrival. Can't wait! 

Shower the people you love with love: a book shower

I went to my friend Robin's baby shower this weekend! The theme was "Shower the people you love with love". The room was decorated with Dick and Jane, colorful umbrellas and cute rain boots. Everyone brought a favorite children's book as their gift. I love children's books! I was excited to see what books everyone picked! I chose "The Treasure" from the Rip Squeak series. I love the beautiful illustrations! If you have a little one here are some books from the shower! 

Books that were given that I have and love

     -I am a Bunny

     -You are my I Love You

     -Good Night Gorilla

Books that looked cute that I want to check out

     -The Quiet Book

     -Old Bear

     -Little Bitty Bakery 

     -Chugga-Chugga Choo-Choo

     -That's When I'm Happy

     -Miss Twiggley's Tree

     -Home Sweet Home by Peaceable Kingdom Press 

What are some of your favorite children's books?