She's here! She's here!

Introducing the wonderful and lovely
CLAIRE MADISON GARVEY

December 14, 2011
6.40pm
7 pounds, 10 ounces
20.5 inches long
Mini-version of her father
The best Christmas gift ever

Was I telling myself a story?

"I often wonder if the childhood memories I have of our family Christmas were really as magical as I remember. They are epic in my brain--storybook perfection. And I wonder if maybe there were tears or maybe there was fighting or maybe there weren't a thousand presents like I swear there was. But there is no convincing me it wasn't perfect."

The quote about reminds me of myself. And my brother Jeff. We all have these amazing memories of what our family Christmas was really like growing up. So, naturally, Christmas is our favorite holiday and we spend so much time and energy trying to make it just as perfect as it was the year prior. We both want our kids (his current, my bun-in-the-oven) to be excited and love Christmas as much as we did growing up (and still do). When, really, we are just competing with the ideas from childhood memories. Was it, indeed, that perfect? Or, in the words of a wise woman, was I just telling myself a story?

Either way, Christmas brings with it a special kind of magic. Magic that makes worries disappear, anxieties fade away, differences seem less important and people get along...even if it's just for a day. This year, especially, I look forward to all Christmas has to offer.

Friend Baby Shower

My sister (in law) Lindsi, my best friend growing up Kristen and my cousin Michelle were gracious enough to co-host my Friend Baby Shower for me on October 16, 2011. After my family baby shower, I wasn't quite sure what to expect in regards to my friend baby shower. To tell you the truth, I was a little nervous because I had already received so much at my family shower that I felt a little overwhelmed. Then, once it started and I saw all those familiar faces, I felt at home. I figured the turnout would be just a few close friends, as we are all busy with our own jobs, lives and agendas, but luckily most of those invited were able to celebrate Claire's arrival with me! Just like my family shower, there was great food, fabulous company and great conversation.

My cousin Michelle opened up her new home to all my friends. It was a great place to celebrate as her home is spacious and perfect for entertaining. With this shower, the theme was more glamorous and chic with lime green, black and white with polka dots and celebrated the pregnant mama. The invitations, made by Lindsi, were absolutely adorable with an old-fashioned baby buggy stamped on the front of each one. I just loved the way they turned out and actually got multiple compliments on them from friends. There were cute lime green daisies, the always-adorable diaper cake decoration and a smorgasbord of yummy seasonal delights including pumpkin cookies, a spice cake, my all-time favorite homemade chocolate chip cookies and much more! And for dessert (as if we didn't already have enough sweets!), Kristen made some beautiful cupcakes with lime green frosting in keeping with the theme. All the food and decorations were very well coordinated. I love and appreciate all the little details that these three hosts planned - it's as if they thought of everything!

In between eating the equivalent of the baby's weight in sweets and fresh pineapple, I found time to catch up with friends that I hadn't seen in a while. It was nice to know what everyone is up to and to answer all their questions about baby Claire and becoming a mama. I have know most of the people in attendance since high school or college with the exception of a few that I've known since 4th grade and a few that I just met at work a couple years ago. It was a nice mix of ages, backgrounds and interests. I had this moment at the shower when I realized how interesting life has been since high school and college for all of us. Some are married, some are not. Some are in serious relationships, some are focusing on themselves. Some have careers, some are just working to get by until they find something better. Some have children, some can't imagine having a husband let-alone kids at this age. We have all just chosen our own paths and found the way that is right for us, but when we get together, it's as if nothing has changed. We accept each other the way we are, no questions asked. And it's so funny how time spent with certain people can magically transport you back to that time in your life as if no time has passed at all. I can instantly feel the drama surging when I'm reminiscing with high school friends. I can remember the interesting mix of stress and carefree attitudes of our college days. It's like you have these moments in time when you share a certain bond with someone and you can never seem to move past it. That's what I love about friends...true friends. The ones that are there for the big moments in your life, even if you don't see each other very often. I appreciate everyone that took time out of their busy schedules to rub my belly, share that they still can't believe I'm having a baby and celebrate my little bundle of joy. There really is nothing in life better than true friends.

When we found a moment to breathe between all the gossip and laughter, I opened my pile of beautiful gifts. Baby Claire and I got so much, I don't know where we're going to store it all! Feels like I just kept opening and opening forever. We also played a really fun game. Lindsi handed everyone a chunk of playdough and told the guests they each had 5 minutes to fashion a what they think baby Claire will look like. Everyone got really into it! Then, it was my job as the mama, to judge all the dough babies and decide whose I liked best. Mostly everyone did a good job, with the exception of a few that looked like an alien :) Very creative game. I'll remember it for the next shower I host, for sure.

And forgive me, but my pregnancy brain has reached a stand-still and I am unsure how to wrap up this post. So, I'll finish off by saying my friend shower was so much fun. I couldn't have asked for anything more. I left feeling very blessed, very loved and took with me a car full of gifts mixed in with an overwhelming sense of joy knowing there are so many that truly care about me, Kevin and our little one. She is one loved little girl!

Family Baby Shower

It's been over 2 months, 74 days to be exact, since my family baby shower on September 25, 2011. I have had good intentions on getting my baby shower details and photos on the blog but sometimes, especially when pregnant, things don't always happen as soon as you'd like them to. But, like they say...better late than never, right? (minus the photos...if we wait for those, it's never gonna happen!)

My family baby shower was beautiful! It really went above and beyond my expectations! My mother and mother-in-law did such a great job planning and plotting every little detail. From the invitations to the decorations to the Whoo Loves You, Baby? owl party theme - everything was personalized, unique and matched my nursery Owl theme. The cakes were beyond adorable, they mimicked the baby shower tableware, and were from my very favorite Beaverton Bakery. Lemon poppyseed with cheesecake filling? Chocolate fudge with fresh raspberry filling? One slice of each? Yes, please.{Pregs has no shame!}

Baby photos of Kevin and I were hung up as decorations along with one of my dresses from when I was a baby. My mom also pulled my old, beloved doll out of storage to display at the shower. I hadn't seen her in years! Her bald head, her leg half-falling off and her face only a mother could love...what a great memory from my childhood. And I still love her just as much! One day, I hope Claire will love her just like I did growing up. It's the personal touches like the doll and the baby clothes that really made the day seem catered to me and I loved it. There was so much good food, great people and even better conversation.

In talking with each guest, I really got the feeling that my little bundle of joy means so much to everyone that attended. I loved answering all the questions and sharing my joy regarding becoming a mama. Best of all, I left feeling so supported and loved. All those women in one room...they've all been through what I'm about to go through and I know they will be there every step of the way to support me, guide me and love me as I transition into the mama role. Makes me smile just thinking of it.

In between visiting with guests, eating and opening gifts, we played some fun games including Baby Bingo, the clothespin game (where you can't say baby), the baby girl name game scramble and the always-entertaining measure-how-big-mama-is game. We had some very competitive people at the shower so the games got pretty intense at times. I loved every minute of it. Not only was I blessed by the attendance of my family and some very close family friends, I was blessed by their outpouring of love for my little babe. It seemed like I was opening up gifts for hours. When Kevin and I got home and unloaded all the gifts into the nursery, we couldn't believe all the clothes, baby necessities and diapers we were given. We still feel blessed and so grateful for all the love, support and gifts for baby Claire. Once the guests slowly trickled out, we took down the decorations, cleaned up the mess, organized the gifts and ended the night with family at PF Changs. Overall, it was a good day and one that I will never forget. It really made me feel so special. I enjoyed celebrating the coming arrival of my little Claire Madison with those that mean so much to me.

What we're up to...

Or, the lack thereof. Yes, Kevin and I have been busy with getting things prepared for our little Christmas gift soon to arrive but we've also been trying to cut back and relax. It's been an interesting mix of rushing through the to-do list and sinking into the chance to just veg-out together. This past weekend, although short, did offer us the time to be quite productive.

The night table, mirror, frame and the changing table are finally done being refurbished. We got those items set up in Claire's room last night. I'm sure Kevin feels very relieved, as I was becoming an anxious mama. More info and photos to come on Claire's nursery soon1

We trekked through what seemed like every single Christmas tree stand and farm from Canby to Oregon City looking for that perfect tree. You know the one that's just the right height, just the perfect shape, sturdy branches and an affordable price tag. We finally found it at the friendly family-owned Batcheller U-Cut tree farm which I believe is technically in Oregon City. Kevin did his husbandly (fatherly) duty of chopping it down and I, although I shouldn't have, did help him carry it through the farm to the bundler. It was so huge, it barely fit into Kevin's Rav4 so on the way back, I got to sit nestled up to the tree without a seatbelt or proper seat at all. Sorry, dad, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do!

Can I just say that the trees look so much smaller on a lot than in your house. As it stands now, the star sits about 3 inches shy of our very tall ceiling. Oh well, it was fun to decorate. Photos to come soon!

We attended our 6th and final class at Portland Providence. After a 4-part series on childbirth and a one-time class on breastfeeding, we really looked forward to the newborn care class. It was interesting, we learned alot. More to come on that class soon! I finally gained the stamina and motivation to complete the task that was bothering me the most - organizing our big walk-in closet. It took a couple hours, a couple sitting breaks and more than a couple loads of laundry to accomplish...but it's done! Hallelujah, amen!Last night, in tradition of following all those old myths about how to make baby arrive, we chowed down on a huge crockpot full of spicy chicken with fresh pineapple curry. Obviously, since the baby is kicking me from the inside, it didn't work but it did taste delicious!!This is my last week(!) at work. I couldn't be happier. Now if only this baby would arrive. Sooner rather than later would be nice. This mama's getting tired!

Big Night Out!

A beautiful city draped in white lights, calorie-laden bread dipped in melted cheese and fruits/desserts dipped in melted chocolate. What more could a Pregs ask for? Except mayyyybe one of their exceptional martini's....but, I digress. Tonight, Kevin and I are taking advantage of quite possibly our last Friday night as a family of 2 by celebrating at The Melting Pot in Portland. Reservation at 7.15pm and then off to see the decorated Christmas Tree at Pioneer Square (in the middle of the city). Tonight, my friends, is gonna be a good night!