November 1/ Baby Shower Redux

It is November and I am going to try to do NaBloPoMo just for the hell of it.  I will finish up those questions, I promise (and I will thank you for the material it provides.) I will go back and post long-ago started and never-finished entries.  I will pull things out of my ass.  I will use headlines.  I will get political. I will post inane and possibly nonsensical posts. But I will try to do it-- and unless Speetus drops early, I fully expect to make it. 

The shower was lovely.  My mother, sister-in-law and good friend all put it together wonderfully-- The theme was books, the vibe was super low-key, and there was no humiliating game-playing, nor mortifying present-opening ritual [I hate hate hate being the center of attention:  for my 30th birthday my partner-at-the-time threw a huge party for me (surprise!) and I spent the entire time in a state of semi-panic.  When they brought out the cake and started singing I started blowing out the candles before the cake was even on the table in a desperate attempt to make it stop.]  We had the back of a great Colombian restaurant, the weather was gorgeous, the food was fabulous, and everyone there was super sweet and gracious.  We got tons of excellent books, including some soft ones that Speetus can whack his/herself with without incurring too much damage. 

Speedy's mom did NOT come-- which she announced just two days prior to no one's surprise.  This meant that Speedy had no family there, which sucked for her, but in the end probably made for a more relaxing weekend all-around. 

Tangential aside and then I am through: The day after, Speedy went to visit her family in NJ (which is what typically happens-- Speedy goes to them, rarey do they go to her) and her mother said "I would have gone if it were your baby." Which is so many kinds of "up yours" I can't stand it.  I don't know what is going to happen after Speetus lands, but I am just trying not to be angry-- it doesn't help anyone, least of all Speedy, who is in some ways better at letting her family's crap roll off her than I am.

My family continued to surprise me with their excitement and happiness, which has really been a lovely and unanticipated outcome of this.  I even, FOR ONCE, got to say where we went to eat instead of my brother arbitrarily choosing from the most expensive restaurants in the city and then splitting the bill with me (without consulting me first.)  My father even hugged Speedy-- and not the A-frame typical WASP hug:  A real hug.  Shocking, but wonderful.

So without further ado, the baby shower awards:

Most favorite nostalgic book:  Bread and Jam for Frances
Best surprise:  6 hours post-partum doula care (gift from my parents)
Best outfit: Beautiful purple bunting with complementary royal purple footie onesie (from my friend who helped throw the shower) and and hand-knit purple llama wool blanket and hat (from my mother) which will be Speetus' coming-home outfit
Funniest gift: "Kim Chee Express Delivery" t-shirt which will see more than its fair share of rotation in Speetus's wardrobe
Weirdest development: My mother and father deciding to sublet with my Ex and her partner my brother & sister-in-law's apartment while B & SIL are in Montana for six months.  Everyone wins!!

Oh, and Holy Shit:  34.5 weeks and counting....