Lets have a virtual Baby Shower!!!

[kwormann]

We seem to have several mommies-to-be (and others hoping to be soon)...lets have a virtual shower. It is at my townhouse, and I will provide a Mango Tango chicken salad (CL March 1998). What do you want to bring??? We need bread, snacks, sweets, veggies, favors and LOTS of gifts!

Sorry this posted twice..Im having computer trouble today!

Who wants to come???

Kim

[This message has been edited by kwormann (edited 12-02-2000).]

[Susann]

I love celebrations! I'm there! I will bring my tomato peto torte w/some french bread.

By the way, how are all the pregnant Susans?

[Pat]

Are grandmothers allowed? I have been making cookies all week. I'll bring a tray of cookies.

[kwormann]

Of course grammas are allowed..w/o them there would be no mommies-to-be....

kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[mlou]

I will come! I would bring each mon & baby a copy of Motzart for Kids. The proof is in that this is pheonominal for kids and would also allow a pleasant nap for mom & baby http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

OK, probably also some sushi nori rolls so the moms get some quality nutrition for the big event!

[kwormann]

Mlou,

I agree bout Mozart...I play classical in the classroom and my kids seem to love it!

Kim

[Beth]

I might have to bring the Snickers Cheesecake just because I saw the recipe again and can't seem to find an excuse for making it. The peanuts provide protien and the cheese has calcium!

For the gifts, I might bring copies of What to Expect (the infant/toddler one), Your Baby and Child, or Babywatching, because I consulted mine a hundred times, and a pair of knitted baby booties, just for fun.

[kwormann]

I forgot to mention my gift

The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy (I think that is the title)..I have read it even though Iv never been pregnant...its HYSTERICAL!!

Kim

[andi]

Fun idea!
I'll bring sparkling cider and a baby journaling calendar for each mommy. I've loved keeping track of all the important events that first year for each of my kids! Maybe some cute socks too! I seem to be missing every matching sock for my nine month old... When are we having this shower??? Before or after the arrival?

[KimKelly]

I love baby showers! Especially for first time moms.

I'll bring the triple chocolate cheesecake... might as well eat it now when there are no worries. The calcium will be an added benefit!

For presents, I will bring the indespensible "medicine pacifier" (found at Target - it dispenses medicine in a small cup attached to a nipple - my kids wouldn't take meds without it!) and a new thermometer just like mine... you just swipe it over the forehead and temple and it takes the temp. I tested it numerous times against the oral thermometer and it was within .1 degree every time! Made by Philips. (Can you tell my mind is on sick kids??? Been dealing with this upper resperitory "crud" for the last week and a half.... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif )

Happy Babies!

Kim

[Susann]

I forgot my gift,too. I know I am completely dating myself here, but does anyone remember Free To Be...You and Me? It is a record (!)from the 70s put together by Marlo Thomas-many songs and poems about the importance of being yourself. It featured celebrities ranging from Mel Brooks to Alan Alda to Rosie Greer (singing "It' Alright to Cry"). Anyway, my contribution is the book and cd.

[kwormann]

DO THEY MAKE FREE TO BE YOU AND ME IN A CD?????


It ROCKS!!!

(dating me too!)

kim

[kwormann]

Yea Susann...you cant know how excited I am. I rented the video (which I still have memories of seeing it on TV when I was very young) a few years ago and showed it to preschoolers - and had the album growing up. I am definately going to order it for my class!
kim

[Susann]

That settles it! All of us *really* need to meet. I mean, come on, an appreciation for good food, drink, and company *and* Free To Be You and Me*!! Truly, it doesn't get much better than that!!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

Kim-they do make the cd. I get it and the book for all my friends who have kids. Go to www.cdnow.com, (http://www.cdnow.com,) www.amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com) or www.half.com (http://www.half.com) and type the name in. You could probably use it for many fun lessons with your students!

[This message has been edited by Susann (edited 12-03-2000).]

[MrsReber]

Okay, so do I have to bring a virtual dish or can I just collect all these great gifts http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif?

I remeber Free to be you and me! I saw an actual movie when I was in third or fourth grade! I always remembered that song It's Alright to Cry- it might make you feel better! And the little boy who plays with a doll?

It's great looking at some of these suggestions, though. I was just on the phone with my mom telling her that I have no idea what I need!!! I registered for all the obvious things, but I feel like I'm forgetting something. Guess I'll find out in May when the baby is here. I can see myself sitting at home saying "if only I had.....".

We love Grandmas! My grandmother passed away in September. She was one of the kindest people I ever had the pleasure of knowing. I only hope that part of her is within me and within our child.

On a lighter note, my doctor's office called on Friday with the results of our sonogram from Nov 24th- they say everything looks great "nice and normal" (to which my husband's friend replied "how can that be? Don't they see who the father is??") Going on 16 weeks and 10-12 pounds.

[mb]

MrsReber, glad to hear everything is going great! did you get to see the pictures on the sonogram, or did you just hear the heartbeat? it is so amazing!! when we had ours a few weeks ago, they were able to pinpoint the 'baby's' age; in fact, i am only going on 12 weeks now! i thought i was about a week or 2 behind you, but really it's more like a month! somehow, i've gained almost 10 pounds also (but some people think i was a little underweight to begin with, and now i am looking 'healthy')

also, if you are unsure of what to register for, you can go on babiesrus.com and they have a new parent checklist, which i thought seemed helpful. we won't be registering for a while, though, since it's too early.

keep us up to date! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Pat]

I also forgot about the gift. Well, grandmothers can be forgetful, can't they? Since I am a retired teacher, I must bring books. Goodnight Moon, Green Eggs and Ham, Pooh books, and Bible story books. Not very helpful in the beginning, but a great decoration in the nursery. Also a treasure in the growing up years. One of my daughters has her first book that she moved with her when she married. I would be honored to give book to each of these precious young ones!

[food girl]

Hey, I wanna come! I think it would be fun to have "baby food", baby corn, mini-bananas, mini muffins, mini cheesecakes, baby spinach and those tiny little oreos!

Just kidding!

I always give a "baby food cookbook" that I made myself and a hand blender (a.k.a. immersion blender). Since I know you are going to wonder, the cookbook tells you how to make your own baby food and freeze it. It has food safety tips and the quote from the American Academy of Pediatrics saying that infants should only have breast milk or formula until they are 6 mos. No cereal till then!

I am sending a virtual belly rub!!

[sal]

I'm bringing the balloons to decorate, and my gift will be one of those fish things to put on the side of the crib (can't remember what its called, but the fish move and I think there are water sounds too. sally

[Wendy w]

Wow! All these desserts, they sound great, but we should be bouncing off the walls in no time, not to mention the calories! I will bring a nice big salad to counteract all of that and my favorite collection of Disney stories!

Wendy

[BeckyM]

I'd love to come too! It seems like there's no better reason to celebrate than bringing a new life into the world. And since so many nice people will be there, I wouldn't miss it!

Now to decide what I'll bring. I'll probably make my Vegetable Lasagne, which has plenty of iron (spinach) and calcium (cottage cheese) and also tastes great! It's not from Cooking Light, but it is from a healthy cookbook, so everyone should feel good about eating it. (It will also help balance out all the desserts.)

For gifts, I'm not sure what to bring, since I've never had a baby. But I'll try to convince my mother to knit some of her famous baby booties, because all the new mothers I've given them too say they stay on much better than "store-bought" ones. And I'll also probably pick out some cute outfits, because I can't resist baby clothes!

I'm looking forward to this party -- thanks for the invitation!

[BarbaraL]

So many people are already bringing food, I'll bring something for us dieters like fresh fruit! I'm recovering from bronchitis, haven't been able to go to the gym; feel like a lump! I'll bring a cute little baby outfit, (it's a virtual shower -- in my reality, we'll know the gender before the shower)! I'll bring some cloth diapers (to put over your shoulder when you hold the baby) and a copy of Baby's First Year (I think that was the title -- MY baby's 13!; great reference for checking that the weird things your baby does are normal!) Congratulations to all you moms-to-be!

[Mandy]

Sorry I'm late...traffic was really bad. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

I've brought Asiago Cheese Dip, one of my favorites.

And now for a gift...how about a really sweet baby photo album, you've got to take lots and lots of pictures. And a cute outfit from Gymboree - I love that store.

[Terri-Lynn2]

I would like to bring a cheese and pickle platter, you cant have a room full of pregnant woman without pickles!!

My gift will be a baby trekker, this is the best thing that we bought. It is the best one out there and i cant go out anywhere without people coming up and asking where we got it. We used it for both kids, but with my second I wouldnt have gotten anything done without it. He loves to be close (hes 6 months now) and I can carry him around and still get things done.

Not to mention how cute my husband looks in it, he causes a stir wherever we go!!

Enjoy all the beauty and joy that this time has to offer!

Terri

[lindrusso]

Okay, I finally have a few moments to join in here. Since this is a virtual shower and money is no object, I will bring the Baby Bjorn as my gift. There is no baby carrier that is more comfortable. I highly recommend it (didn't think of it during the baby discussion on the other board). I was lucky enough to be able to borrow mine http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif .

Are any of you preggies on your second or third or whatever? In that case, you already have most of what you need, so you would get a gift certificate to a spa, a coupon good for a meal after the birth brought to your home, and a couple of coupons good for babysitting. Or a gift certificate for a cleaning service.

As for food, that seems to be covered, so how about the fixings for mimosas? Or would that be rude to the pregnant mommies? Or should the guests just say to heck with it and have some fun anyway!?

Oh, and don't forget to bring your baby pictures - so we can play the game where you try to match the pictures to the person.

[buddie]

oh fun!!! i am PG with my first!!! i can't wait!

lets see i will come and bring some homebaked foccacia bread and hummas and stuff to make smoothies.... (non alcholic of course) and for a gift.. some soft blankets and one of those really warm fuzzy outfits to snuggle baby in since it is winter! LOL

[MrsReber]

Food girl- what an awesome gift! I also love your ideas on "baby food". How funny would that be? My sister-in-law didn't want a baby shower at all. She said she hates how all the women sit around and share their most awful pregnancy tale. I find that to be true already- tales of miscarriages and 200 hours of labor with extreme pain. Why? Why must they share?

mb- they told us the exact age on November 24th was 14 weeks, 2 days. Now that at least jives with my -er- calculation since I know where we were on Sept. 1st and that conception date didn't make much sense to me. I couldn't see the screen while she was doing her calculations, but she showed me when she was done measuring. Of course my husband got to watch the entire thing and comment on it, which was driving me crazy because I couldn't see! Anyway, I did do a registry online with babies R us. Target on line also has a great checklist.

I know that my best friend is throwing me a shower. She told me right from the beginning that I had to have a shower and she was going to see to it. Hopefully she'll be able to surprise me this time. I wanted to be surprised for my wedding shower, but I figured it out the day before. Of course, my brain was in better working order at that time!

And Pat- I am dying for the big Pooh book. I want to read it! I always loved those stories. I can't wait to be able to share them!




[This message has been edited by MrsReber (edited 12-04-2000).]

[Jessica]

I am bringing a lemon-blueberry cake and those wonderful black-and-white books. You can use those right away, even if the Pooh stories have to wait awhile.
Congrats!!

[mb]

foodgirl - that baby food cookbook sounds really neat. where did you get your recipes from? of course, NOW, i'm interested in making homemade baby food, but things may be very different once the baby starts eating food (i'm only due in june!).

mrsreber - that sucks that you weren't able to see anything! next time, you'll probably be able to tell the sex of the baby, and i'm sure they'll turn the screen towards you so that you can see! there is one place around here where you can get the new 3D ultrasound...wouldn't that be neat?

i agree that somehow 'showers' never quite turn out to be a surprise. i figured my wedding shower out also, but it was still fun. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[venus]

Is it too late or can I still come? I would like to bring CL's spinach artichoke dip and garlic crostini http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/tongue.gif As a gift I am going to bring a crib mobile--something with lights and mirrors that plays music. I always think that mobiles look so relaxing.

I LOVE free to be you and me! It does not date you--since I am not that old! I saw the movie when I was in second grade and I haven't forgotten it. Everyone, sing with me:
"Tommy wants doll, a doll, a doll..."

Mrs. R and mb--I'm glad to hear that everything is going well with your pregnancies.

[MrsReber]

Wow, buddie, you too? There's me, SusanD, Slknight, you, and mb. There may be even more! We are all within weeks of each other, too.

Hey, you guys can drink if you want. I won't be offended, just a wee bit jealous!

[mommywannabe]

Looks like we have plenty of food, so I'll bring some games http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
1. Everyone gets a safety pin & you lose yours to whoever catches you saying the B-word. She who has the most pins at the end of the shower wins.
2. We'll have a couple of trays of baby-related items & whoever remembers the most of them after 1 minute wins.
3. Of course, we have to guess how big around the mommies are (using yarn). Then we measure the mommies with yarn and whoever's yarn is the closest match wins.

Winners will receive aromatherapy candles http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

As for my gift, how about a savings bond for each of the new arivals (I am a CPA after all http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif).

Best wishes to all the mommies-to-be http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[kwormann]

mommywannabe....

this shower was thought of with you in mind too......(no pressure, though!)

kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[Susan]

I'm coming too! It looks like we need beverages so I will bring a frozen slush punch that my mom makes (bananas, lemonade, oj...and more yummy ingredients that I can't remember this morning!). We also need some coffee (how about Starbucks Christmas blend?boy, I need some now!) and tea (chai from Trader Joes?). Let's see...my present will be some cute outfits from Baby Gap! What a fun shower!

~~Susan~~

[sneezles]

Mandy
Never mind the traffic, I took the wrong exit and have been trying to get directions from my husband over the phone... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

Seems like a fairly full menu by now so how 'bout a fruit plate with yogurt dip.

For a gift I will bring a basket full of goodies for Momma-to-be to enjoy and pamper herself after delivery plus the book "Goodnight Opus". It's very similar to "Goodnight Moon" but a lot funnier as Opus (a mischevious penguin) gets himself in all kinds of trouble. The baby will probably like to hear it when he/she is about 3.

[SusanD]

My goodness...sorry to have arrived so late! I see I got here just in time for dessert. Hope you all enjoy the ice-cream pie! I've brought one pie for each of the mommies-to-be, and the rest of you can share one. Ha-ha! (Except for mommywannabe who needs to keep her strength up...she gets a whole pie too!) http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[carolyn.1]

HEY,
Don't forget about me!! Sorry I was away on a virtual vacation from--oh, I don't know, somewhere exotic where all my dreams came true. (Boy this is fun!!) Hope its not too late for the party! I have made some virtually beautiful baby afgans for all the babies.
I will also bring appetizers such as crab & shrimp dip. You've got to remember that I am from Charleston so we are talking fresh seafood!
If I can bring anything else please let me know.

All fun aside, congrats to all you mommies to be and "wannabes"

[Beth Y]

Four pregnant BB'ers? And two wannabees (I am including me)? Wow!

Well, rather than food, I will bring earplugs for all of the pregnant women so that they will not have to listen to the rest of us who like to tell their terrible labor stories (I am a big offender on this one!).

On what gift to brings, I caution you all to be careful not to register for everything those stores list. You really don't need ALL that stuff. Two great recommendations you have already gotten are lots of cloth diapers for burp cloths, and a Baby Bjorn.

Other necessities are:

lots of pacifiers (never can find one when you need them).
Lots of those link things, that you can use to attach toys to strollers, high chairs, and each other.
Milicon drops for that gas thing
Lots of thin flannel blankets for swaddling. You will get to steal one from the hospital, but you can never find them in the stores, only thicker ones. If you have a baby in the summer, you will need thin. So, go to a used baby clothes store and buy some that others mothers have stolen from the hospital. They usually are a buck or less each.
A Century or other 4-in-1 stroller, carseat, baby carrier combo. Saved me tons of time and effort to be able to have a baby carrier that snapped into the carseat and the stroller, so I didn't have to keep taking her out. I still use the stroller part and my child is 2! The new ones have cup holders. Very cool.
A swing - babies only enjoy these for a couple months, so borrow one.
A bouncy seat. -ditto above
A good breast pump, if you are nursing. Don't compromise on the cheap ones or hand pumps. They don't work and will be a waste of money. Talk to the lactation consultant at your hospital, they can tell you where to get one. ALso ask her for some Medela Purelan cream, it is indispensable for dry skin and I could not find it in the stores.

A really good book for all those hours of nursing or giving your baby a bottle. I read tons when my baby was little. People kept asking me, how do you have time to read? What else are you supposed to do when you are sitting there, immobile? Other than, of course, looking adoringly at your baby.

Well, I do go on......

Ya'll send good fertility karma to me please!
I am so excited for you!






[This message has been edited by Beth Y (edited 12-06-2000).]

[mommywannabe]

Kim...I'm so excited! My first baby shower and I'm not even pregnant yet http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

SusanD - I definitely don't need the WHOLE pie...I'll share with Beth Y http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[andi]

Originally posted by sal:
I'm bringing the balloons to decorate, and my gift will be one of those fish things to put on the side of the crib (can't remember what its called, but the fish move and I think there are water sounds too. sally

Oh this is a GREAT gift! It's called "Peaceful Planet" and I swear by it! It put my nine month old to sleep for the first few months. She loved to look at the lights on the ceiling. It has different settings-one makes waves on the ceiling-it also has different sounds: waves, bubbles, etc. The little fish swim around the bubbles. She still likes it although more for touching.

[MrsReber]

I'll take the extra pie! Actually, I find that sugar keeps giving me headaches lately.

Oh, and there are five preggos on here. There is a message from yet another one - she is due any day now. Her message is under the "when are these babies due" thread.

There's so much food at this shower, everyone is going to look and feel pregnant by the time it's over! Some good ideas and hints here, too.