Baby Shower-Get-Together Type Thing

Billy's friends wanted to show their love for us and Little Nacho by throwing us a baby shower.  This wasn't meant to be one of those formal baby showers (which I like going to and would like to have); instead, it was just meant to be a gathering of people eating and having a good time.  Another way this shower differed from regular showers is that there was drinking involved.  Having alcohol at a place where more than 3 people are getting together is always a good idea.

Not what our shower-get-together was like.

We had a really good time and I was lucky enough to have Sergio, John, and Katie come join us.  

There was a lot of talking and plenty of dancing  (to Ludacris's "hit" song "How Low"). 

Here are a few of the great gifts we've received from that night:

Tony "The Fireman" Harris gave us a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black.  When he gave it to Billy, he said "With babies comes age, with age comes wisdom, with wisdom comes Scotch...Here you go.  You're gonna need it.  Not for you, for the baby."  

Casey Londer gave us this fine bottle of wine that we're supposed to save for the first drink after Nacho's born.  Casey got matched for an Emergency Medicine residency in Minneapolis :(  We're very happy for him but are sad that he's not going to be able to witness the birth and cut the cord :)

Tony Newman gave us Nacho's first Wolf Exercise Ball!  We're going to have the fittest baby in town.  Thanks, Tony, for caring about Little Nacho's health!

Unisex diaper bags are becoming more popular now and we found one that Billy could proudly wear.  It's made from recycled plastic bottles and comes with a container for baby wipes and a changing mat.  This was generously given to us by Lisa Mitchell (mastermind of the shower-get-together), Danny Josephson (host of the shower-get-together), and Anji Nilsson.  Thanks so much, you guys!

Ty and Kellie Nilsson gave us a baby starter kit!  They got us little beanie caps, receiving blankets (Billy had no clue what receiving blankets were), cute little onesies, and toys that dangle from the car seat or stroller.  

They also got us a medicine kit for the baby that includes one of those booger aspirators and mini fingernail clippers!  Thanks for the really cute and useful gifts, Ty and Kellie!

This lovely card was given to us by our friends Jack, Heather, and their son Taven.  Taven is a little over a year old and they have indispensable advice about baby-rearing.  We're looking forward on leaning on them for help during the first few months :)

Our friend Jordan Meine gave us a gift card to Barbacoa (YES!!!)  Barbacoa = Chipotle in my book and my stomach has loooooooved Chipotle throughout the entire pregnancy, so we're very happy to have this.  Thanks, Jordan!

Finally, our dear friend Ryan Bird gave us a gift certificate for a one-night stay at the Monaco Hotel in town.  This is gonna be great because 1) I love vacations, 2) I love fancy hotels, and 3) it's so nice to come home when to dogs are at Billy's parents and everything's quiet...that's how it will be at the hotel: no claws on the floor, no crying, no snorting...  Thanks so much, Ryan, for the very thoughtful gift!

We have also received several gifts from people both near and far:

Nacho's godmother Annie and Scarlett's goddaughter Iris (Annie's daughter) sent him this beautiful little outfit (outfit?  what's this thing called?  Pajama?  Jumper?).  Thanks, roomie and goddaughter!

Nacho's other godmother, Jennifer, sent me a little pouch/case that says: "Great.  I get to give birth AND change dirty diapers."  Makes me chuckle.  She also sent little Nacho a cloth book about jungle animals that I'm sure he'll love to gnaw on (we've been keeping it at the top of one of our bookshelves lest the dogs get it.)  Thanks, Jen!

Finally, our very first Nacho gift was this little hooded towel from Billy's mom, Grandma Donna.