SURPRISE!

 Anna and I had our friend Eve over for the whole day.  I don't think I've ever watched someone younger than Anna all day before.  It was great!  She was a happy and easy baby.  We headed over to our friend Becky's house for lunch at about 2:45 and SURPRISE!  Some of my very best friends in Sherwood were there having a surprise baby shower for me!  Because I had both kiddo's today I never took a shower and showed up to Becky's in sweats - oops!  That's the second time in my life I've shown up to a suprise party in sweats - I guess people know my true character anyways so I don't feel too bad about it!

 After a delicious lunch prepared by Becky and some outstanding treats made by everyone, Anna and I opened up some fun baby gifts!  My friends are so generous!  I was totally surprised and would have been so happy to have had the afternoon end with just lunch!  Above is me opening the pretty quilt Heidi made, it has a darling little ruffled edge - this girl is so crafty!!  I didn't post all the gift opening pics because they are very similar to this as you can imagine - but because I want to remember and this is my journal:  Emily gave us supremo wipes - that baby's butt is going to be spoiled!, Trina gave us nursing pads (i forgot to buy some of those - thank you trina i would have been using socks or something!), Kaelie gave us fancy baby food and clearance clothes (she told me they were clearance b/c she knows how much i appreciate clearance shopping), Becky made me 2 loafs of bread for my freezer (hello - can you say very treasured present).  I don't know who made the diaper cake - I think it was Heidi though........so cute! 

 Above is a pic of Trina and Emily.  Trina is due 2 weeks after me.  Isn't she gorgeous?  Her daughter JJ is one of Anna's favorite pals.  Emily is hiding back there behind Trina, her daughter Grace is comparable in size to anna - they get along famously because they both just LOVE to eat.  Both friends we met at baby time at the library - it's funny that the library is the place to make friends when you are a mom.  Actually - we met both of them at the library and then later we saw them at the park and that's where we exchanged numbers.  It's a lot easier to make friends when you have kids!

 Here's the group, complete with Trapper, Thatcher and Avrie.  No Zachie in this one - it's beautiful when he lets his mommy free for a little bit!!  From left to right (back row first) Kaelie & Avrie Nielsen, Emily Hill, Trina Wilkinson, Annie Ruden, Heidi & Thatcher Beckman , Brittney Smith, (front) Rebecca Lyman, Trapper, Me

 The 3 prego friendo's.  Me (39 weeks), Trina and Brittney 2 weeks behind me.  It's been so much fun to have friends to whine about pregnancy with.  Zachie - back to his mommies arms.  Aren't my friends beautiful!  I always forget how much of an Amazon woman I am until I'm standing next to women of normal size.

 Anna and Gracie - Gracie actually smiles and says cheese.  She is one advanced baby!!

The beautiful host Rebecca with her (almost) 1 yr old Briella.  Rebecca is a super good and healthy cook.  She has a very similar cooking philosophy to me:  use a lot of vegetables and whole grains so that you can splurge on some REALLY GOOD treats!  (she made lunch - tomato basil bisque, roasted pepper hummus with veggies - even Jicama!, fresh whole wheat bread and raspberry filled cupcakes (can't believe I didn't get a picture of it!)

 Heidi Beckman and her little man thatcher.  He is such a good baby.  I hold him every chance I get.  Look at that double chin!  Definitely doesn't get that from his hotty mommy!  Anyways, apparently she is the brainchild behind the shower - she is such a thoughtful friend (:

 Anna and JJ serenaded us at the piano.  It was really quiet noisy - but what do you expect when the number of kids was greater than adults??!  I love how JJ is all out singing in the picture, anna is singing a little but mostly just pointing to the words.

 Avrie rode home with us in the stroller - Eve's mommy came to get her 1/2 way into the shower.  Anna was mad that I stopped her ride to take a picture.

Kaelie was being awkward in this pic - you can see the cupcake tower in the background.  Anyways, I feel so so so loved and blessed. Sometimes I miss having my family close by, but I am so lucky to have all these sisters that take care of me here in Oregon.  Thank you friends - you know how to make a heartburning, lack of sleeping, waddling fat lady feel happy (: