In honor of Miss Hadley turning 6 months old this week, and me getting my life (the computer) organized with all my photos finally I thought I would post about her beautiful baby shower we had just 19 days before she arrived.
If I've said it once, I've said it a million times, I LOVE LOVE LOVE decorating, party hosting & if they two of those things come together in one glorious event I'm ecstatic! So needless to say we were anything less than traditional when it came to planning my shower. Yes I know normally a friend of mine or family member from the Daddy to Be's side plans the shower however my mom and I have got this down to a science, and couldn't pass up the opportunity to plan HADLEY'S FIRST EVENT!!
At this point we still thought she was coming mid march. We had no intentions of having yet another February babe in the family (her grandmothers on both sides, step grandfather, and soon to be auntie)
So little did we know we were right on target for her birthday when we picked the Winter Wonderland theme.
We made everything our self's, and used tons of burlap that a friend donated to me after her wedding last year. Most of the winter decor is actually what you will find up in my house around the holiday season, minus the deer- they are up year round! I may have a bit of a deer obsession.
My lovely favors were made by Levi's grandmother.
They are adorable pink about to "pop" popcorn bags photographed above at the welcome table.
We had a chili bar,
My mom makes the BEST chili ever, at least I think so.
My guest seemed to think so as well since we had two huge crock pots worth of it & it didn't make it til the end to feed all the guys when they came back to help us load gifts & tear things down!
You can also see we had a hot coca bar, as well as some sweet treats that aren't shown that consisted of donuts, rice crispy treats & these amaziingggg sugar cookies my mom and I have made for almost anything we can make an excuse for, by this local lady that are just to die for! We even had her whip up a batch for our family Christmas this past year! If you live in canal & want her info, I will share our secret! Hehe
I know I can't be the only person who hates playing those silly games at
every shower??! So......I came up with an alternative.
We just set up little stations all over the room for people to do. This one was cute stories about Levi & myself when we were little and the guest had to guess which one of us did it!
Although if I remember correctly I forgot to set out the answer sheets so I ended up just reading them out to every one!
We also did a time capsule. Where I had everyone write in birthday cards that I will save for when Hadley turns 18!
There was one where people guessed Hadley's due date (Boy were we all wrong!!!) & this headband making station! Because lets be honest when it comes to girls, the more the merrier in this department!
We also had a station where people could color different letters of the alphabet for me to put into a notebook to help Haddy learn her ABC's one day!
I was so blessed and had both sides of our families all be able to attend. I believe we ended up with 60 some people!! I just remember adding tables and chairs constantly.
The love in that room was over whelming.
These shots really show off the venue.
If you are ever tight on your budget look into your local town hall or community center.
You are usually able to rent the space our for FREE if you or someone booking it lives there.
We scored the jackpot with an old historical building in downtown Groveport, my hometown.
This was a second story ballroom.
My mother. It has been so amazing watching her become a Grandmother.
I feel like its the only way to repay her for being the very best mother to me.
I cried the entire time through my gifts. The thought of Hadley being here, and in all the adorable little clothes we got. There were even some sentimental gifts that really brought on the tears. Like this quilt below; made by my moms aunt.
All of my grandparents passed away, on both sides of my family before I graduated from high school. My moms parents & I were extremely close. Therefore to receive a precious gift like this that money can't by from someone still living on that side of the family meant more to me than she will ever know! Thanks again Aunt Nacny!!
She even stitched this special patch on it....
Levi's grandmother actually made
Hadley a gorgeous quilt too,
so she will have one from each side of the family to cherish!
Best Friends.
More Best Friends!!!
We actually get to raise our girls to be best friends together now!
Little miss Allie is 6 weeks older than Hadley!
She surprised me with these BFF onsies she made, and you guessed it...
They made me cry!
Bestest Best Friend, turned cousin! This amazing woman, just married my cousin and is due in December with her own little girl whom we can't wait to watch grow with cousin Haddy!
Life is full of gifts, and the best ones don't come in boxes!
Little did I know in 3 short weeks I would be meeting our daughter.
Thanks to pre-eclampsia scares I was induced at the end of my 36 weeks.
Mommy & Daddy to be!
"Best thing to happen to us, is when WE became THREE"
