On the weekend our nearest and dearest, our Village, gathered together in the chilly May air to celebrate our home and our baby. Despite the threats of rain (it was very soggy here on Friday) it remained dry and we were able to throw some sausages and veggie burgers on the barbeque, raise a glass and eat our weight in cheese, guacamole, an array of salads, potatoes (of course) and cheesecake.
I made a simple ribbon backdrop and fabric tablecloth for a table we set up in our carport – laden with cake, house shaped cookies for our ‘village’, cupcakes, little morsels of food, milk bottles of fruit punch with either navy or peach striped straws to choose from (boy or girl baby?) and lemon meringue cheesecakes in jars wrapped in gold banding and minty cord. I had a bit of a popcorn disaster so they didn’t get to go out on the table before I took photos (hence the gap you can see where they should have been). My sister came to the rescue with more popcorn a bit later though, which we put in boxes tagged ‘ready to pop’ and quickly got devoured by all the kids running around (we had 17 kids here, crazy fun!)
The carport got spruced up with some tissue paper pom poms I made in navy, peach, mint and gold, as well as a sign made from glittered card: ‘It Takes A Village’. We asked our Village for their parenting pearls of wisdom to peg to an old wooden door (which we also used at our wedding for our seating plan). A glass jar served as a suggestion box of sorts for what ‘Blueberry’ will really be called. Reading them all later that night was so much fun! Some good guesses (some ‘interesting’) but we were pleasantly surprised that most of our favourites were not even mentioned – ha! My nieces went a bit nuts with the amount of suggestions, and my Nan is really gunning for a John great-grandson (my grandpa’s name). Matt’s childhood blackboard I used to display baby photos of both of us too.
Our Village were asked to simply gift us with a book and a message written inside, we received so many gorgeous children’s books, all which will be enjoyed for many years I’m sure. Alison Lester’s ‘Kissed by the Moon’ never ceases to make me cry, and as an added bonus she’s a South Gippslander too, I love all her books. We actually received three copies though! Luckily two were unwritten in and returnable for another book. I made up little kraft favour boxes for our lovely Village to take home – with ‘a baby is brewing’ tags and an assortment of various flavoured teabags inside.
We felt incredibly blessed and so full of gratitude that we get to bring our child into this pretty fabulous Village of ours – our parents, our siblings, their children, our friends, old and and new, near and far, they all make up the fabric of who will help us raise this little Blueberry and find our feet as a family. How lucky are we?
And just as the day was drawing to a close, people were getting closer and closer to Matt’s fire he’d built as the air got chillier, the two photographers on the scene spied something pretty fabulous happening over on the western hills beyond Brindabella. Lou grabbed me, her camera sidekicks, Cedar was happy to be left with my mum and we got snap happy for the briefest of sunsets. Thank-you Lou, you’re amazing.
Now we’re almost ready to meet you Blueberry – everyone else is too! You’re already so very loved, just you wait to see and feel all the love that will surround you – it’s pretty amazing. I can’t wait to be your Mama.
Reen says
Perfect. Just perfect.
ayearinmygarden says
Just gorgeous Emma! The decorations, the food, the suggestions on the door. Loved reading about your day. Not long to go now! xxx
Kylie says
What a beautiful day Emma…..and a wonderful post!!! I agree with some comments above…you are so ready and Ive enjoyed (as a avid reader of your blog) following you glow along your pregnancy journey. So exciting for you and Matt. Many a time Ive wanted to add my two cents (or three or four) re baby advice but chosen not too. You have been fortunate to have had such good wisdom given through the other lovely readers of your blog, but it also sounds like you have a wonderful and very supportive ‘village’ around you. I will say now (given you are so close to dropping!!!) that I took a very chilled out approach to my pregnancy. The country girl within me decidied not to get too caught up in what other women said at the supermarket, bossy midwives in hospital or what was on the internet. Rather, I was very fortunate to have two wise women and awesome mums (!!!), my mum and my mother in law, who provided me with advise of what they did years ago- often simple things work best! A good supportive mum’s group and your dearest girlfriends /sisters too will prove to be invaluable. Good luck with this next step although I doubt you will need it….without even knowing you, I know that baby Blueberry will be a very loved and a lucky bub, and he/she will just blow you out of this world with another dimension of love!!!! Ps. cant wait to hear baby name too!!!! xxx
Elvira says
I can’t believe how perfect this party must have been. I’m going to steal so many ideas if there would ever be a second child here. Your blueberry is indeed so welcome already, he’ll feel right at home!
Em @ snowingindoors says
That looks like an amazing party, and thanks to the photo of that pile of books I’ve added some new ones to my kiddo’s wishlists! Glad you had such a fantastic time x
Justine says
Oh Emma! What a gorgeous shower. I have so thoroughly enjoyed following your beautiful pregnancy, what a gorgeous mumma you already are. In relation to your previous post, that last photo of you in the sunset in this post, those last words. You are ready, in every sense of the word. I don’t know you personally just through this blog but this post hit me. So many of my friends have become mums & there is always point, often not long before bub arrives that I always see a shift, a moment, a change that says this woman is ready to be a mum. No your not ready because you know what your doing, no-one does and you may think you’ve been ready to give this mum thing a go for ages but even though I don’t know you I just saw it now. That inner calm, the peace, the mother. It’s here. You’re ready. Your bubba is not far away now & he/she loves you so very much. All best Emma, I’m so happy for you xx
Emma says
And now you’ve made the hormanal pregnant lady cry! Thank-you Justine, I think you’re so right xxx
sharon says
perfection….and that belly certainly looks like it hasn’t much more room to stretch! Either its a very chubby bubby or there’s a lotta limbs in there.
The next few weeks will drag by and fly all at the same time. You’ll be wondering at every little move or ache, is it time? Although if its anything like mine, none of that meant anything and eviction notices had to be served – and the last two had to be plucked out whether they wanted to be or not!
Not to put the wind up you or anything, but I say take heed of everything Amy has to say, and avoid oxytocin like the plague until you really have to…..
Sonia Life Love Hiccups says
How absolutely stunning x
Katie says
Looks like a beautiful laid back event! Love the cheesecakes in jar idea. I received lots of books at my baby shower also.
Michelle says
So much love… Makes me teary xx
Kathy says
A beautiful celebration and I loved the book idea. Not long now….Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Lou says
Wahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
That is all.
Actually, no, not quite all 😉 I’m secretly stoked that I wrote in the book (as you suggested!) so you are stuck with Kissed by The Moon from us! Now I just need to get my hands on my own copy…
x
dee says
So beautiful Emma. What a lovely way to celebrate ‘Blueberry’s’ impending arrival.
Reannon says
How exciting- not long now! And I just love the idea of ” it takes a village” because it really does 🙂
Amy says
How utterly gorgeous. Looks like a perfect day and what a wonderful feeling to be left with. xx