I am 20 weeks pregnant with my third child and am so excited! I believe each child is a blessing, is special and should be celebrated. I had a shower for my first child a boy and barely a shower for my second a girl (mom flaked on me). Now we are having another girl and I would love to share with friends and family a special time to be thankful for the gift God is giving me. I don't care about the presents I just don't want to let the pregnancy drift by without a pause for our new baby girl. My Mom asked if I was going to have a shower, she didn't offer to do one. Most of my family lives in Colorado so she would be the only one to do it for me here. It seems my friends are busy in their own lives and have so much to do for their own families I don't want to let anyone know that this is important to me. I am planning a trip to Colorado next month which would be fun to have something with my family and friends there, but again no offers to do such a think and like us all they are busy with their families. I don't want to be a BIG BABY but it does make me sad to think I will have nothing to let my child know how we all celebrated before they were born! I don't want to be selfish or whiny and I don't like to burden people! I just want to do something. I was thinking we could do a Dad and Mom shower since Dad hasn't real been in on any of them and then we could enjoy all our friends and family men, women and children. I just don't know how to do it and I don't want to seem as if we are just wanting gifts. Please any suggestions would be great! If I am being a Brat let me know that too!!!!! Thank you so much!
I think you are being silly wanting another baby shower for the third time. Have you not notice there is an ecomony crisis? People don't want to spend when they don't need to. No one should offer anything at this point. If they choose to send a gift then they will do it when the baby is born. But you should be happy when people are congratulating you on the new baby not expecting a party with or without gifts!!!
Maybe wait and do a "meet the baby" party 1 month after she is born? That way you are celebrating her and yet offering others a chance to meet her and get together. Most realize that throwing a shower for the 1st baby is important to help the family get started. But, showers after that can be considered in poor taste. And, I especially wouldn't throw one for myself or ask someone to do it either. Showers aren't really for celebrating the baby, but helping out a couple making sure they have what they need to start a family. Then, those things are used with the other children as well.
I would just host it myself. Call it a football potluck shower. Have your friends bring a dish. If there are lots of leftovers, freeze some for when you don't feel like cooking dinner. Turn on the TV for the guys, let the kids play outside, and munch away and celebrate. That way everyone's included and you don't have to ask anyone to host it.
First...Congratulations! I think in no way are you being a brat or silly or selfish!!! Every child is a blessing and a miracle and should be celebrated.
It seems you feel a little uncomfortable with the shower idea and asking someone to throw you one can be awkward...especially if they decline. I agree with the mother's suggestion that you and your husband host an event. Or perhaps you could host an event in honor of your husband since you mentioned he was not involved in celebrations for your other two. Maybe, you could host a "shower" for the two siblings as a way to honor them and prepare them for the new happy family addition. You can always instruct "no gifts, please" on the invite and then just give a few meaningful gifts that you purchase yourself.
If hosting an event is not possible or desirable, perhaps you can ask family and friends to participate by writing special notes or blessings to your new child that you can then put in a scrapbook for her/him. I did this as part of my baby shower and it is the most precious thing . Perhaps, you can have them send you scraps of fabric and have them made into a quilt for your child.
These are just a few suggestions. Good luck to you and congratulations, again.
Congratulations on your third baby! You can host it yourself invite your closets friends over for dinner. On your invitation, you can say that it's a Couple Baby Shower that way people will know that they can bring their husbands. Also, on the invitation you can write something like no gifts please - your presence and blessings are all we need. And, that will leave it up to them to bring a gift or not.
H.:
Every baby should be celebrated regardless of the economy.
I agree with hosting a "sip and see" after the baby is born in San Antonio. That way you control when everyone comes over and how quickly you have to have your house cleaned. Whether or not you want to have "no gifts" on the invitation or whether you want to focus on the older siblings (who always feel left out), that's up to you.
In Colorado, I'd talk with a close friend or family member and ask if you can do a backyard BBQ (weather permitting), you buy the food and just get together with your friends. We do this when we visit our family up north. A relative plays hostess and we buy the food to offset the cost. Celebrate just being with family and friends. You said you don't really need anything so it doesn't need to seem like a "shower". Not to mention you'd have to figure out a way to get the gifts back home. Take lots of pictures and make an album for the baby later.
Whatever you decide, best of luck to you.
Have a sip and see after the baby is born. You can host it and everyone gets a chance to meet baby but it isn't a shower so no one will feel pressured to bring gifts.
You are in no way being a brat. Every baby deserves to be celebrated. I say you and your husband have a BBQ invite everyone over. On the invite write that you want to celebrate the new life you are bring into this world and presents are options or have a Diaper party- Everyone brings diapers and wipes. If you want to do something in CO call a family member or close friend and ask if they wouldn't mind hosting a baby shower for you. The worst thing that will happen is they say no.
Congrats and GL...
