Sunday, April 20, 2008

Durham Baby Shower

NOTE: A "baby shower" [\ˈbā-bē ˈsha(-ə)r\, from the Middle English] is a ritualistic, sorority-style rite of passage into the realm of actual motherhood although it generally precedes actual childbirth by some months/weeks/days. Similar to a "bridal shower" only with more children in attendance, guests are invited to eat and participate in intricate games of chance while offering gifts to the mother-to-be. Oooohs and ahhhs at tiny baby clothes (especially when pink) are optional but highly encouraged. Sometimes the initiate will feel light-headed, dizzy, and slightly disconnected from reality during the experience of opening baby items and wonder if she is really living her own life or someone else's. I know I did!
On Saturday, some of my closest Durham friends--Melanie Gochnour, Brianne Stewart, and Rachel Anderson--threw a lovely baby shower for baby Charlotte and her mommy. (These are such great friends that they spent one entire evening dipping the tiny, adorable cloth diapers above in wax to make the party favors.) Thanks so much again, beautiful ladies, for making it such special, memorable occasion for me and for little Charlotte! You are the best! (Melanie and Brianne have their hands full with their own little boys and Rachel is expecting a tiny bundle of trouble in September.)
Attendees included a dozen and a half of Durham's finest mommies (several pregnant), a couple of small kids, and a few brave child-free friends. The gifts were mostly pink with a few notable exceptions ...
A beautiful, buttery-soft, hand-knit red sweater from my good friend Kellie Daniels (which Melanie was also pretty amazed at!) and something that made Charlotte's daddy very, very happy ...
Well, of course she's going to be a little Dukie!

5 comments:

Julia said...

so fun! can't wait to see you!

nickle said...

That looked like it was a blast. I'm glad you enjoyed yourself

Amanda said...

It's true, Durham gals throw the BEST baby showers!!! Congrats Ariel! I wish I could've been there. Charlotte is a lucky girl. Love you!

Unknown said...

Ariel, you look so beautiful and Adam you look so handsome. Can't wait to see you. The shower looks like so much fun. Your friends are so sweet to throw you such a beautiful and fun shower.

John and Melanie said...

The shower was a BLAST. I'm so glad you're having a baby. I can't wait to meet her.