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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Jan 20 2008 at 11:36pm | IP Logged
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Some of the ladies at the church where we got married want to have a baby shower for me. These ladies (most of them elderly or with grown children) were all at our wedding and were very close to many of us single gals at the time, who are now married.
We don't really "need" anything, esp. baby girl clothes...  . In fact I cringe thinking of more clothing coming into this house.
It's a very good excuse to have everyone together  , plus I think many of them are excited about our "larger" family  since they had lots of kids!
Have any of you had baby showers for later babes?
Are there other ideas for gifts that we could steer them toward?
Or is it just fun for them to pick out cute baby clothing and I just need to be grateful and need an attitude adjustment   ?
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Suzanne in ID
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Chari
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| Posted: Jan 20 2008 at 11:50pm | IP Logged
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I gave a baby shower for my friend ShawnaB (on these boards) a couple of years ago. I threw her a literature baby shower. When I sent out the invite, I sent a list of all of the books in the FIVE IN A ROW curricula. I asked the guests to bring a book off of this list or one of their favorites from childhood. It was so much fun.
Also, when Shawna had her second child, there was baby shower and all of the gifts were new items that were needed at the local crisis pregnancy center.
Just a couple of ideas........
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Jan 20 2008 at 11:59pm | IP Logged
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Chari~
I JUST read your post about that a couple weeks ago, but couldn't remember whose blog it was on. Thanks for reminding me!
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Suzanne in ID
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MaryM
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Within a group of friends here we do food showers for subsequent babies. Guests bring a meal that freezes well (or is already frozen) or a coupon promising a meal when baby arrives. Pregnant mommy takes home a load of meals to keep in the freezer and use when baby arrives.
Another idea is instead of a gift the hostess invites attendees to contribute to a fund for something like diaper service for a few months (which is what I got with last two babies). It was nice not to have to start doing my own diapers for awhile. It could be housekeeping service for a few weeks or something like that as well.
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Becky Parker
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| Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 6:19am | IP Logged
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My friends had a shower for me when we had our 5th. It was fun! I felt a little funny since we really didn't NEED anything for this baby. But, as you mentioned, I think they were also celebrating another large family. It's a great time to ask for something big that they can all go in together on. We did that and that is how we have our co-sleeper. They also provided meals for me for a week (which was a real blessing). The housekeeping service that Mary mentioned would have been great too!
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Tami
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| Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 6:25am | IP Logged
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MaryM wrote:
| Within a group of friends here we do food showers for subsequent babies. |
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Same here! Because every birth is as special as the first, in God's eyes, even if not in the world's. We often called them "Visitations."
And as Mary said, meals are standard, though someone usually coordinates it after the birth. And the gifts can range from new baby items, to personal things for mom (new nursing nightgown, for example, or a gift certificate for some new post-partum clothing) or a gift certificate for her and dh to go out, and include caring for the other children, to supplies (like diapers, new stroller, etc) which can help take some of the strain off of the budget.
We always spend some time honoring the mom, building her up as a woman in Christ and as a mother, sharing about her personal strengths and how she's blessed us. I think we all need that particularly as we approach the end of a pregnancy. And we always include a time to pray with the her, for the duration of the pregnancy, her labor/delivery, maybe pray for any concerns or burdens she's carrying (like 'how will the youngest handle the new one's arrival?', or physical problems she's having, etc.)
These gatherings have always been fun and a blessing for everyone who attends!
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MarilynW
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| Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 7:06am | IP Logged
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I think a baby shower where everyone brings a frozen meal for the new mama to be is a wonderful idea!
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Lisbet
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Just to add to the frozen meal idea, another good thing would be for everyone to bring the recipe of the dish they brought, that way you would have a nice new little recipe collection!
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Bridget
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The frozen dinner idea is the most helpful, of course. But I think your friends would enjoy picking out baby girl clothes and watching you open them. Think how much your girls would enjoy that!
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KackyK
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I was given a baby shower for my 6th, as she was a girl after having 4 boys! So they actually all only gave clothes, as my oldest child, who was a girl, was 9 yrs older and I had given away the bulk of my baby girl clothes.
I think the meal idea is great! Also maybe just diapers, everyone can bring a pack or two of diapers, different sizes. Always nice to have a stash of those.
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CAgirl4God
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| Posted: Jan 21 2008 at 8:35am | IP Logged
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I would have said the same things as above...
I love the idea of having showers for each baby... they are all special!
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hylabrook1
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Actually, the ONLY baby shower I ever had was for my 6th. By that time, various basic equipment had worn out. The main thing we were given was a nice stroller that could recline to a lying down position. This was a joint gift from pretty much everybody who came. I really wanted this, as we lived in a very small house and I wanted to have something where a young baby could sleep, but be moved into another room depending on the center of the action while we were schooling. This worked wonderfully and, as it had the dual use of being a stroller, didn't add to the amount of baby equipment that we had. I also think the frozen meals idea is a winner!
Peace,
Nancy
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msclavel
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My mother and sister insisted on a shower for my 7th child! The sixth girl!
She figures every baby is a blessing, why not party with dear friends and family. I did love it, it was relaxing and invigorating at the same time. My mother just made sure to be clear with guests about the things I did not need. But I will admit, I loved getting a bunch of new little outfits for my Agnes. And there were a couple of things I actually never had that it was nice to get. So I say, enjoy and bask in the love and friendship.
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crusermom
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I think it is wonderful. I had a shower for my 4th and 6th. (Being military, we usually purge baby stuff with each move.) I have been invited to several showers for later babies and thought it was great. They were usually smaller and not as much "gift fests" as a time to honor the mom. Enjoy!
Mary
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Dawnie
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One of my friends threw a baby shower for me when I was pregnant with our 4th. My 4th was born in the winter, while my other 3 were born in May, so it was nice to get winter newborn clothes. Also, my collection of onesies was looking pretty sad. Most of the baby clothes were either worn out or stained, so it was nice to have some new stuff.
I love getting food after a birth, too!
Dawn
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SusanJ
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I've only had two but I do think "showers" are great for later babies. My friends do sort of blessing parties and set up a prayer chain for when the mom goes into labor and things like that. With this crowd of older women, though, I would recommend letting them bring what they will and not get too fussy about what you need or want. Maybe I'm reading the situation wrong but an older generation of women might not appreciate getting not-so-subtle hints about what you want. Then again, they might!
Enjoy their wisdom and enthusiasm!
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SuzanneG
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| Posted: Jan 23 2008 at 11:59pm | IP Logged
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Thanks everyone for your feedback, ideas and things to consider! This was very helpful.
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Suzanne in ID
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Baby Shower for 5th baby?
