Sunday, June 6, 2010

Why I sometimes hate baby showers

I went to a baby shower yesterday.
The lady is more of an "acquaintance" than a friend. Not that I don't like her, but she's like ten years older than me and I don't know her that great. She was one of David's co-workers so it was more like I was attending as my husband.  A female version of David who is there to deliver a present and eat mediocre cake.

Its not that I "hate" baby showers. I just don't always like them.

Even when it comes to my own baby shower, I'm not always on board. I had to be talked into having a baby shower with Ava. I ended up being glad I had one, since everyone was obedient and bought me stuff off of my registry.

I know they're supposed to be a celebration of the new baby blah blah blah. But if I don't know the person that well chances are I'm probably not even going to see the baby when its born. I didn't even know what this lady was going to name her baby until the end of the shower when I finally asked her.

If I'm not going to the hospital to visit said baby when its born then I don't know if I really want to go to the baby shower.

And then there's the food. Call me a food snob, but I would never have store bought potato salad at any party I'm hosting. Just in general, I don't usually do convenience food. I may use refrigerated pie crust sometimes, but I always make my own potato salad. And when it comes to cake, I'm kind of picky. Ok, really picky. Really, really picky. I picked at my cake and didn't eat the nasty frosting while everyone else raved about how good it was. I can't help it if I'm such a good cook that I don't like mediocre cake. Don't be jealous.

I'm also not always a fan of baby shower games. They can be corny. One wrong move and you find yourself measuring/being measured with a roll of toilet paper. Or giving your clothes pin to someone you don't know because you said the word baby. Or smelling different bowls of baby food to properly identify what they contain. Of course I am now the reigning champion of this game. I got four out of five right. No one but me correctly guessed that four and five were macaroni & cheese and chicken noodle soup. The smell of those are permanently embedded in my brain. And I have a baby which gives me an advantage.

Then when it comes time to open presents I find that it can be kind of awkward. Does anyone else get uncomfortable opening presents in front of an audience? And then that audience oohs and aahs over everything, and whether or not you think its cute you still have to be gracious. Note to everyone: I hate gender neutral clothing, but don't tell my mother-in-law.

Its just as awkward watching someone else open presents. You just agree with the audience when the consensus is that whatever is being held up is cute. And someone takes notes on who gave who what item so that thank you notes can be issued. I have never sent out a thank you note in my life. I intend to, but I'm lazy and I'd rather be doing anything in the world but that.

I begrudgingly attend baby showers, whether they are for me or someone else. And I eat the food, whether its crappy and store bought or delicious and homemade like at my shower for Ava. Lucky for me my sister also has high standards for baby shower food. And she hates gross cake too. And I might enjoy it a little bit, or a lot depending on who its for. But I still hate opening presents in front of 30 people.

Now for your viewing pleasure, pictures of me at both of my baby showers. Ignore my fatness, I'm pregnant.


My baby shower with Alana. I kicked myself after for not taking a picture where I was really paying attention and didn't look like an idiot. There's just like 50 pictures of us opening presents.

See what I mean? Another picture opening presents. The same ones as the last pic. But you get a good view of my gut in this one.

My shower for Ava. Alana was less than cooperative when I wanted a picture.


I'm surprised my face isn't bright red. I was so hot all day that day. Stupid summer. Alana is still not cooperating.


This is what it takes to get Alana to cooperate. Take a picture with Aunt Dole. Don't be too jealous of my non-swollen ankles, that's just how I roll. Chicken legs till the day I deliver. No cankles for me. 
You may have also noticed that I'm wearing the same shirt in all of these pictures, even though they were taken three years apart. What can I say, I really like it. Its my baby shower shirt. I'll probably wear it again with my next baby. Unless I find something cuter.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

WOW! I equally hate showers, of any kind! For my bridal shower, we had to have store bought potato salad, because my "maid of honor" let my 75 year old grandma know at about 8 the morning of, that she couldn't get everything done. THANKS. I ended up having to go to the store!

Furthermore, the last baby shower I attended was for my matron of honor, the day after I learned at my doctor it would be really hard for my husband and I to concieve... PAINFUL! And she got all these camo outfits from his hick friends all the while we ooohhhh'd and aaawwww'd.

PS: congrats on the ankles! AMAZING!

Teresa said...

i totally agree baby showers AND bridal showers are such a bore!

Kathy Kloos said...

Umm...did you realize yet that you named both showers Ava's showers?

Nicole said...

Hopefully you don't hate throwing them...since you are co-throwing mine!

Island Gal said...

LOL!! I hate opening present in public and gross cakes too!! And specially i HATE baby shower games!!!!!! Chocolate as baby poop, really? Beer baby bottles? Uh?

When I get pregnant I want a simple get together with nice food and music. Absolutely no games!
The present will remain in the table and I will open them at the privacy of my home. Is that rude?

Island Gal said...

Btw cute belly!! ;)

JoJo said...

Firstly, I hope I look as good as you when I'm pregnant!

Secondly, opening presents in front of people is so awkward! I remember not to long ago doing that at my own bridal shower. It was exciting and uncomfortable at the same time.

Wilmary S. said...

Btw, I left you an award on my blog: http://www.nycislandgal.com/2010/06/more-awards-d.html

Stevie said...

Ugh. I hate showers. Bridal and baby. I hate the cheesy games, I hate watching people open presents, I hate the crappy food, and I hate it that there is never any alcohol at baby showers. HELLO, just because there's a pregnant person there doesn't mean everyone else has to be bored! For my showers, both bridal and baby, there will be NO games, I only want gift cards and the wine will be freely flowing.

Jennifer said...

I don't hate throwing them - cause then I know the food will be good!

Sarah xo said...

Just came across your blog, I loveee the way you write. And yes, I'm jealous of your ankles! xo

The Girl Who Loves to Whine said...

I also hate baby showers. Part of it is because I want kids so bad and don't have any, so I'm jealous. The other part is it's boring and I also hate oohing and aahing over every little thing.

Recently I was also invited to a baby shower, because my boyfriend was invited to a baby shower. I said "What?! Why are you invited to a baby shower? Those are for girls! You shouldn't have to go! I shouldn't have to go either because I don't know the girl!"

He said it was a jack and jill thing. I said that's stupid. I guess I have to go spend my hard earned money on a gift for someone I don't even know now huh?

Well I would have, if I had remembered to take that day off from work....

we hate you. love, us said...

Haha, this post is hilarious! I totally agree with you. And not just baby showers, but bridal showers as well. I've only been to a few baby showers, but I've been to plenty of bridal showers, including my own and while it was super sweet of everyone to attend and I was overwhelmed by my friends and family caring about me so much and felt like a lucky girl, I was a bit uncomfortable (though I smiled through the whole thing - I may complain, but I'm polite!)

Also, LOVED what you said about the potato salad and the cake. I hate that stuff. Don't roll in with your grocery store cake or salad that you picked up on the way to the shower and expect to me to rave over it. I won't. It's not good. Especially that thick, grainy icing. I can't deal with that.

-Betty

Laury@TheFitnessDish said...

I am also VERY picky about cake and food at showers and other events.

You are SO beautiful pregnant! Thin...All belly...so cute!

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