Way Back Whens-day: Baby Shower

Two Way Back Whens-days in a row? Can it be? Well, when your two year old throws a minimum of five tantrums a day, runs away from you in public and takes off her pajamas and diaper when she is supposed to be sleeping, it helps to remember a, shall we say, less complicated time in that two year old's life.

Poster child for the Terrible Two's.

I did not even put her in that corner. She is just standing there screaming about something.

Two years ago, when Elliott was a tiny sweet new baby, the lovely ladies at our church had a shower for us. It was such a special day. I don't think baby showers are a part of Japanese culture, so to have some of our sweet Japanese ladies there was great. Of course the food was yummy...

... but what really made it special was the friends there. You would think I would have a group pictures of said friends, but I don't. (If anyone reading this has one please send it to me!) Here are a couple of people: Naoko, Shawnie (in back), Yuko-Sensei, and Cherie.

I will spare these ladies the embarrassment of having pictures posted of them having a baby bottle drinking race. :) Everyone wrote some advice to me on little cards and we went around and heard everyone's advice. If you can believe this, I found the cards- never mind that half of my home is still in boxes in my garage, I found a zip-loc bag of notecards from two years ago. Here are some of my favorites:

"I know you're very busy taking care of Abbey and new baby Elliott. Do not forget to take care of Chad. Spend some time by yourselves, and keep the feeling he is your sweetheart, not just Daddy for Abbey and Elliott."

"Don't spend too much time looking back or looking forward but enjoy whatever stage you're at!"

"Pray for your children every day!"

"Let your children play outside as much as possible."

And of course the classic: "Nap when the baby is napping... the dishes can wait!"

Two years later and I need to keep working on every single one of those. But everyone also prayed for our family that day, and if I keep doing that too, we will be okay.

Another special part of this was having my Mom there! She came for two weeks after Elliott was born and I was so glad she got to come to this shower. (I very seriously considered hiding her passport so she couldn't go back to the states after two weeks.)

She was even cute when she was all scrunched up. (Elliott, not Nana.)

Let's not forget the big sister. This picture was taken two years ago today... ...and some things never change.

Sweet baby.