Just like my mother...

This weekend we traveled down to see my family where my wonderful sister threw me the best baby shower. While I didn't like sitting in the car for so long, I did enjoy every moment I was able to spend with my family. My brother and his family were in town as well so I got to see everyone! I love not having to miss out on a single person! Seeing my 2 year old nephew follow my dog around saying "Come here Hargey" (he couldn't say Harley), lots of hugs and kisses from him and my niece and watching all the kids play was a blast. We got to meet my oldest nephews girlfriend as well who is a total sweetheart. Even better about the weekend, the two oldest boys returned with us to spend 2 weeks with grandma and grandpa (and a few days with me while my parents are at work before they take the rest of the time off). So we left to go down there with 2 fairly empty cars, and returned with 2 cars packed so full I'm surprised we were able to fit bodies in there! I should've taken pictures of our trunk when we opened it because we had put items in every nook and cranny possible! Needless to say, the little man was spoiled rotten at his shower!
Speaking of the shower... (I'm waiting on pictures from my sister and Aunt since I clearly could not take pictures of myself!), it was truly wonderful. My sister made meatball sandwiches, sherbet punch (an old shower favorite that I don't think is done often enough!) and some other appetizers, and my Aunt brought the best strawberry spinach salad I've ever had. That same Aunt also brought me the wonderful comments that I'm really small for being so far along, just like she and my mom were. =) That made me feel good since, first off, what pregnant woman doesn't like to hear she isn't very big??? Second, my mom has a single tiny stretch mark and lost all the baby weight extremely fast, and so did my aunt so I'm more than happy to take after them! I did hear that I'm small several times though, and since my Dr. is fine with how I'm progressing, I enjoy every single one of those comments! For the rest of the shower, I really just enjoyed seeing my aunts, cousins and grandma. My grandma made the baby a beautiful blanket so he now has a blanket from each of his great-grandmas (we recieved the other one shortly before DH's grandma passed away, but it was made years ago for his first child), she also bought us a video monitor with one of my aunts which really surprised us! We weren't expecting such a big gift! We thought we were being spoiled enough by the swing my sister got us! Some other gifts included a grooming set (complete with a health journal), a womb bear from my SIL (that thing is so cool!), some toys, pacifiers, a giftcard, a small diaper bag full of Jafra's entire baby product line (my aunt has been selling Jafra for years and the baby line is amazing!) and tons and tons of clothes. This kid has more clothes than I know what to do with! Thankfully some family members did think to buy bigger sizes (not just 0-3 months) so at least he has a wide variety. In particular he may have his first halloween costume since my SIL (she seriously spoiled us!) gave us a monkey sleeper with a hood attached as one of the little outfits. It's adorable and if I can get away with it, he'll totally be wearing that on halloween! Another outfit that I'm excited about it one my cousin gave us... it's an old-fashioned outfit in a stiff linen complete with newsboy cap. Not something for everyday wear, but we're planning on getting some picture done when he can fit in it (which should be this spring). I have no idea where she found it, but it is going to create a lot of fun for the photographer when we pull it out for pictures! I need to get a picture of some of the clothes we got since some are so unique and so cute.
On top of all the gifts, I also recieved advice cards from everyone which went straight into a photo album I have. The advice is priceless and look forward to using some of it (and making some phone calls to those who offered help when I need it!).
Overall, the weekend was exhausting but so much fun. I have another shower in 2 weeks, and I'm hoping to make it at least 4-1/2 more weeks before the baby comes. My SIL's kids both came at 36 weeks which just feels way too soon! Just in case though, my bag is most of the way packed and now I just need to wash baby stuff (in particular his coming home outfit so that I can pack that too!). DH asked last night which outfit to grab too, should I go into labor early since I don't want to pack my outfit yet since I'm still wearing all of my clothes! He is definitely excited though... especially considering the pack'n'play is set up and ready to go, the swing was put together last night and is sitting in our living room, he's added all the batteries we need to our grocery list and has been harping on me to go to the store to get the detergent I need to ensure everything is washed and ready to go. I think he's getting nervous that baby boy will make an early appearance and we won't be ready! I think we'll be just fine and if we're not... we have 2 wonderful mothers and numerous sisters to help us. In particular one who will be coming up as soon as I go into labor to be here for me and the baby. And so the countdown truly begins!