June 3: Baby Shower

When Roni told me the date of her baby shower was today, I was disappointed. Rich and I had planned to go to Angel Island and watch a Civil War re-enactment of a battle that never occured. Oh, well, at least I did suggest it as something the menfolk could do while we cooed at baby clothes.

Therefore, we turned up early so Rich and R.J. could leave. This left me with the car, so I could take a break if I needed to. (The co-hostesses have their oil and water moments.) I did need it, but not for a break. One of the guests had been stranded by the bus driver, and since I know my way around Novato and know "Baseball Mary", I went to fetch.

Monica had picked up two people and was stuck in Sausalito traffic, so she was late to set up, but she had the food and the decorations. She had a "festoon in a box" thingie that instantly transformed the dining room into a party. The Trader Joe mushroom tartlets were to die for (I mean, they were GOOD! Geeze.) R.J.'s mom had brought a beautiful fruit tart for dessert that added pounds, but happy pounds. She also brought ham and salads. Baseball Mary also brought food, so we had lots of good pig-out stuff. I didn't bring anything except a huge package wrapped in comic pages.

There were 10 guests besides Roni and the hostesses. Monica had a couple of silly games. One was to "help" the new mother... write down a question, fold it over, pass it around and write down an answer, unseen. I think the "sterilize it in boiling water for five minutes" was the best answer to go with "how do you soothe a crying baby?" but since that was Roni's answer, they chose another pair as the funniest and the writers got prizes. Then we were to taste baby food and guess it. I missed on sweet potato (I thought pumpkin, what was I thinking?) and potato (or library paste! Why does Gerber market this stuff? It's easy to mash an unsalted potato and it tastes better. Or, as Monica says, are they trying to get kids to like potatoes? Is there a kid who doesn't like french fries?) and, oddly, banana. One of the new mothers got 9 of the 10 flavors. Then it was time to open the gifts, which is when mom-in-law disappeared to push the tart. Oh, well, I'm getting used to her now, and we just continued with the goodies. She'd given the baby the bassinet that had been R.J.'s, and new sheets and mattress for it. They will have the crib later. It's probably non-standard, but Roni will make sure there are pads and protections on the rails. I had the jogging stroller. Monica made this absolutely silly, inane, darling bunny bunting, around a flareup of carpal tunnel. It's got big floppy ears and purple feet, and the baby had darn well be able to fit into it when it's cold enough for it! She also gave her a Funny Fish mobile. One of Roni's friends just had a boy, and every time she buys something for him, she got something for Roni, for Alex. She had four packages of clothing, divided by age, that ranged from newborn to a year. Each package had at least 5 outfits. There were three sleepers with "Giants" insignia and (hee!) baseballs on the feet.

Anyway, there were lots of wonderful gifts. I think the only things Roni and R.J. will need (because of handmedowns from cousin Genevieve) are the changing table, and the carseat-stroller-carrier thingie. I did without a changing table, and I don't recommend it. And baby carriers were just getting started when I had the kids, and they were nowhere near as easy. I front-packed or used a sling with the younger ones. I had a seat-carrier for the 32-yr-old, which could be used as a high chair and stuff. UNSAFE!! Awkward, too. (Especially at 32!) Technology had changed before I had the younger two, and it's changed yet again. Nice.

Rich and R.J. did a lot of male bonding stuff, talked about their wives and so forth. I think, and I believe the girls agree, that we're more like friends now than mother-daughter. It's nice to have this adult relationship! I don't think Bernadette or Vince and I are there yet, but we know it'll happen.

Nice day!