A (very unconventional) baby shower for #2

When my sisters emailed me about the need to start planning a baby shower for Kiwi, I told them no. “People don’t throw a shower for second babies,” I told them.

The idea of registering for things we didn’t need, playing games and opening a mountain of presents in front of guests—read, the usual baby shower—didn’t appeal.

Undeterred, my sisters convinced me by proposing a thoroughly unconventional baby shower (or sprinkle, as some folks call the more minimal baby showers).

Pirate Putt-Putt Baby Shower Black light putt putt baby showerA handful of friends joined us for black light pirate-themed putt-putt at Portland’s Glowing Greens. (Did you know about an awesome underground mini golf course in downtown Portland? Neither did I!) We made up pirate-y nicknames and golfed around yammering skeletons and glowing ghouls.

The event felt less like a baby shower and more like a laid-back chance to see some of the most important women I know before life is consumed, once again, by nonstop breastfeeding and diaper blowouts.

upside down toddler familybaby bump grandma three sisters toddler The rest of the weekend was filled with family time. Practically the whole crew came to Portland, and we made the most of the togetherness by eating BBQ, gardening at my brother’s new house, bonding with Peeper (before gives up her status as only granddaughter/niece!) and going through boxes of childhood memorabilia.

grandpa toddler gardening sun toddler stuffed cat aunt IMG_0716Yes, I was initially hesitant of the idea of a second baby shower. But I came to realize that a baby shower is more about friends and family celebrating our newest addition and welcoming a baby into the world. It’s about showing a mother that she is supported and loved and lifted up by her community as she undertakes the most important job in the universe.

I’m grateful, then, for my sisters’ persistence (and excellent taste in baby shower activities as well as glow stick accessories). We may have all the onesies and burp cloths and swaddling blankets we need, but our family could always use more love and support.

toddler feeling baby move in belly

0 thoughts on “A (very unconventional) baby shower for #2

  • June 1, 2015 at 8:13 am
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    What a wonderful weekend full of love, and such a fun unconventional baby shower! I agree: it’s definitely about celebrating motherhood, family, love, and support — all the good things in life. 🙂

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    • June 1, 2015 at 9:31 am
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      Yes, we had a blast! I should have known that if my sisters were planning it, it’d surely be fun. No sniffing melted chocolate bars in diapers for us!

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  • June 1, 2015 at 8:15 am
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    Looks like so much fun! We were given a shower for our third, who we knew was a boy, after we’d had two girls. That was awesome because a) our baby stuff was getting tatty by child #3 and b) we didn’t have any boy clothes saved up!

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  • June 1, 2015 at 9:43 am
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    Awww, what a great shower! I was against having a shower for a second baby, although I did cave and have one for my #2 (my shower for baby #1 was, well, not ideal and my nieces wanted to make sure I had a nice shower at least once!).

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    • June 1, 2015 at 1:13 pm
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      I’m glad your second shower was a little more you. It’s funny, I’ve been going to a ton of baby showers lately, and it makes me think of all the things I want to plan once my siblings have kids!

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  • June 1, 2015 at 2:35 pm
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    Fun! I’ve been to that mini golf course before. I didn’t have a real shower for my second and third kid either. I went out to brunch with a group of friends before each baby came though which was really nice.

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    • June 3, 2015 at 12:02 am
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      I ended up doing a brunch with some friends who couldn’t come to the shower, too – it was a minor miracle that we, with 4 mamas and 4 little kids, made it through an entire meal with no meltdowns! That was a gift in and of itself.

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  • June 1, 2015 at 4:45 pm
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    Ah yes, just as I suspected; you and your loved ones are just the CUTEST bunch I have ever seen. I am absolutely in love with this unconventional “sprinkle” idea and I will be passing it along to all of my friends on round two with their babies. Thanks for sharing about your special time, cheers!

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  • June 1, 2015 at 6:06 pm
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    I love this and I’m so glad you celebrated! You’re right, it’s about family and friends and everyone just coming together to show love and support. Congratulations!

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    • June 3, 2015 at 12:01 am
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      Thank you! I’m glad I kept an open mind about what a baby shower could be – and that my sisters have plenty of imagination too!

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  • June 2, 2015 at 8:59 pm
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    I think baby shower #2 should be more about the REAL grit of mother hood. Instead of putting squeaky toys on the registry, you ask for a pot and wooden spoon from the thrift store. In lieu of games, you ask them to fold all of your laundry. Glad you had such a great time!

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    • June 3, 2015 at 12:00 am
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      HAHAHA! Yes, that sounds about right! Except for folding laundry, I want someone to come clean my toilets.

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  • June 3, 2015 at 1:02 pm
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    How blessed you are to have friends and family so loving and generous to make your “sprinkle” so special! I loved your photos! Congrats on your new baby:)

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    • June 3, 2015 at 2:15 pm
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      Thank you Wendi! I do feel grateful to be surrounded by such an amazing community of women.

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  • June 3, 2015 at 7:19 pm
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    I’ve never heard the term “sprinkle” for minimal showers – sounds more my kind of thing too.

    And it looks like you had a great weekend. Arrgh!

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  • June 8, 2015 at 2:02 pm
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    Love this, Catherine! Glowing Greens is really fun and I agree that celebrating the new baby doesn’t have to mean material goods and cheesy games.

    Reply

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