We had a baby shower for my friends Gerry and Madeline today, the reason I flew down to Austin for a weekend trip. They have been my friends for eight years now — I still work with Gerry — and are just some of the best people I know. Just really good, good humans. And fun humans. And humans who are now bringing a new human into the world in seven weeks.
But before the shower, I started my morning with an early breakfast at Snooze with two people on my team at work where we caught up about work and life and also split a s’mores pancake as a side dish.
Then I came back and helped set up for the shower, though my co-host and did most of the logistic/decorating planning — I organized the food which is more in my wheelhouse than figuring out decor and fun baby shower games. I think this was the first baby shower I’ve been to, after all.
We had two activities. The first was writing a message on a diaper to make the new parents smile during late-night diaper changes. Encouraging words or a joke or a drawing. The second was decorating a wooden block for the baby and also signing your name — a take on the guest book. Some people really went all out in decorating at the party and I had to step up my game. It was all very cute.
We also had barbeque and desserts and drinks and a beautiful sunny day. Four hours later we were exhausted but we still made it for a low-key game night at Vigilante this evening which I appreciated. That board game bar will always be one of my favorite hangouts.
I’m up relatively early to fly back home tomorrow but I’m glad I made the first trip. Maybe it’s because this was the first that wasn’t for a work purpose at all, but it felt more joyful and relaxed this time than any other so far. I’ve really needed the mental reset and I’m hoping this weekend will do it for me. Setting some intentions for some better habits and rhythms next week.
With Love,
Natalie