Baby Willard's Gender Reveal Party!!!!

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I cannot believe I am past the halfway mark in my pregnancy! 22 weeks to be exact! I have been blessed without all of the dreaded symptoms that go along with having a baby.  Some say it's because I am having a boy instead of a girl, others just call me plain old lucky.  I'll chalk it up to lucky...

Jason and I really wanted to do something special to reveal to our family and friends the sex of our baby.  So I decided on a Gender Reveal Party down at the Beach.  I opted to do a Balloon reveal and had a photographer on hand so I didn't have to give anyone camera duty that afternoon.  I wanted it to be gender neutral of course so it made it fun making up all of the little goodies. 

I put together little pails of appetizers to be enjoyed on the beach. I had stickers made that read, "Is Baby Willard a Boy or a Girl?" This became my overall theme on all my coordinating accompaniments.  In the sand pails, I included Prosciutto wrapped asparagus and orange aioli dipping sauce, Marinated Mozarella Caprese Skewers, Hummus and Pita Chips and a Chocolate Covered Strawberry.  These were a perfect beach side treat because everything could be made ahead of time and transferred well.  Our guests were pleasantly suprised when they were greeted with a pink or blue bucket to kick off the party!

I created both a Blue and Pink Punch.  The pink was strawberry lemonade in which I added some raspberries to for color and texture. I also made up a Blue Raspberry lemoanade and threw in a few blueberries for the same effect as the pink. 

Upon arrival I presented our guests with their choice of either pink or blue flip flops.  "Kick off your shoes and stay awhile." the tag read...

Now for the reveal...I sent Jason to the party supply store with an empty box and they filled it with blue balloons.  We then sealed up the box so NO PEEKING...

Drum roll please...

IT"S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“A new baby is like the beginning of all things-wonder, hope, a dream of possibilities.”

 

Diary of the Housewife with the Growing Belly

I just got married and I already have a bun in the oven!  Who would have thought!  Talk about a surprise...a very good surprise.  Funny thing was that we sat down to watch our Wedding DVD last night (for the very first time I might add),  and during my Dad’s toast he says, “We can’t wait to have Grand kids and we are going to love them to the ends of this earth…but not too soon!!!  Well surprise! Baby Willard is on it’s way!  Babies are amazing little miracles.  From as early as conception there is a little human being growing (rapidly, I might add) inside of me.  This innocent little baby is relying on me already.  Life is amazing!  In less than 6 months I’m going to be somebody’s Mommy!  I can’t wait!

So the first thing that came to my mind after I took the initial pregnancy test, OK 2^nd after the extreme fear,  was the thought of gaining weight, (think Jessica Simpson only days ago)…I started on a “pregnancy essentials diet” consisting of all things that are good for myself and the baby.  Ok, maybe I indulge in a few bad things every once in awhile but who doesn’t.  I’m by no means a pregnancy binge eater… yet,  but knowing that I’ll have to work my A** off later to take the weight I gained off, it’s totally NOT worth it now.  

  

Aside from the extreme bloating, I realized the other day that I actually have a little bump!  The bloating really does throw you off though. I’m beginning to think that all the symptoms I endured pre-pregnancy are exacerbated by 100x while pregnant.  I have to keep reminding myself that this will all end come November.  Whatever doesn’t kill me, makes me stronger…(and tired) 

Thankfully for me dresses tend to be my wardrobe staple and expand with my growing belly but on the occasional day I opt for jeans or pants I soon realize that the second I put them on, I want them off!  I have become very protective of the little gentleman or little lady residing in my belly.  The best invention ever was given to me the other day by my Mom, the amazing Belly Band!  I can still wear my jeans but keep my top button unbuttoned so that I don’t feel like the baby is being constricted. I spend less time worrying about my pants and enjoy my growing belly!  I just know it, the belly band and I are going to be the best of friends!  I’m just wondering how much longer it will be until I have to retire my favorite designer jeans…