The Jones Family in Korea: 3/1/08

My baby shower was yesterday, and it was such a good time. It was a joint shower for me and another mom-to-be, Simcha, (due in 4wks, but we thought she might have the baby at the shower, since she was having contractions last week!). The hostess/organizer was the lady who runs the local Hospitality House, which is a house which hosts Christian fellowship off base, both in the form of studies (I go to a ladies' study there on Tuesday nights), and as a great place to hang out on the weekends (they have hobby nights, board game nights, movie nights, and other fun activities). The shower was located at that House, which was good, because there were soooo many ladies! I was overwhelmed by gifts, and when I came home I left all of the bags in the living room and took a nap (I blame Lizzie for my recent tiredness...). When I woke up, I went online and ordered everything I didn't get, so in a few weeks it'll be like another shower! I was at the computer ordering when Will came home from work, and he did a double take at all the presents. I didn't get around to unpacking everything until today, but now it is all taken apart and put away. Despite the limited shopping (BX, anyone?), I only got a few duplicates, for the most part in varying sizes so it didn't matter. I am going to try to exchange a bath set I received in triplicate, but that's it.

The shower was very unique, and I heard lots of positive comments today in church. After getting food, we were divided in two teams (led by the two mothers-to-be), and played a baby video quiz game, which had been made by the husband of one of the ladies. It was quite impressive, and if I didn't know better, I would have thought it was purchased. There were video clips followed by questions about the movie. We only went through 10 of them, but there are 20, plus 3 bonus questions! It was kind of likeScene It, if you've ever played that. My team got 2nd place (we got one wrong!), but I still got a gigantic Dove chocolate bunny out of the deal :-)

Then it was time to open gifts, and we had to answer trivia questions to open each one! They were semi-difficult, about birth, labor, baby names, breastfeeding, vaccines, infants, and celebrity babies. We could use 'life-lines' like on Who Wants to be a Millionaire (50/50, call a [husband], poll the audience, ask an expert). I will add that neither of us called our husbands... they wouldn't have been much help on any of these baby-centric questions! We did both use all of the other options, though. If we got a question wrong, we had to play a 'consequence' to open the gift in question. A few 'consequence' examples: telling a made up fairy tale, letting everyone rub your belly, demonstrating that you can still tie your shoes, dressing up like a baby (see photo!), and eating baby food. It was a lot of fun, and there were just enough questions for all of the gifts, and Simcha and I received pretty close to the same number of presents, so it was great. I thought this was a very innovative way of keeping all of the guests entertained while gifts were opened!

Afterwards, people were milling around, and Simcha and I ended up back by the food table, finishing the bruschetta. It was pretty funny, we commented on how the pregnant ladies were hovering around the food. Some of the other foods were: chicken salad (with some made without celery, just for me!), mini cheesecakes in muffin shells with varied fruit topping, cinnamon rolls, and fresh strawberries with melted chocolate for dipping - yum! And, sherbet punch, of course!

One of the highlights was a diaper cake for each of us. It was created out of rolled newborn diapers on a pizza tray, two-tiered, with small 'goodies' (mini shampoo, baby brush, etc) tied around the edge, and a stuffed animal on top holding a 'Welcome Lizzie' or 'Welcome Joshua' sign. The good pictures of the cakes are on another lady's camera, but you can see it in one of my photos. I got a ton of newborn diapers, so many that we're worried about being able to use them all! We also have plenty of washcloths and newborn onesies. Between the shower and gifts I've received in the mail (thanks to everyone!!!), we have a good variety of sizes of clothes, and though there are a few types in each size we are missing, it is a pretty amazing start to Lizzie's wardrobe! I also received three great blankets at the shower, and some 'tricks of the trade' like teething tablets.

Here are some photos for your enjoyment :-)

This is less than half of everyone who was there! Also notice the cute clothesline decoration that we were able to take home with us at the end!

My favorite of the blankets, plus the hat is darling!

This one gets my personal 'cutest outfit' award -- the strawberry hat is just too much!!

Telling my homemade fairy tale. Notice the 'consequence' list, as well as the diaper cake to my right on the table. (Btw... you can click on any of the photos to make it big enough to fill your screen)