Baby shower - what! Yes, indeed!

Several months ago Ling offered to host a baby shower for me - for boy #3 - and she was so excited by the prospect of hosting "her first baby shower", I couldn't help but get excited too - plus I knew that she would make some great Chinese food! It's amazing to see that after 14 months here, we actually do know people and have some friends to invite! On the day there were 13 women able to come; half of those were from the international office that work with Jim, and the other half are friends here (mostly who I've met from Bible study, not counting a few others who couldn't make it).

Sadie also got involved and offered to coordinate/emcee during the shower, and she brought some  thoughtful elements that made for a really special afternoon. Because of that I really felt encouraged and supported, and more mentally prepared for this upcoming birth.

At the beginning for introductions, each woman lit a small candle and then said her name, followed by "the daughter of... who was the daughter of...". It was interesting to hear the names and see how far back each woman could name her grandmothers! Then we put all our candles in the center of the room. Later, we went around again and each woman shared a thought or blessing or prayer for motherhood. Each woman had also written down the blessing and then pinned it onto a 'prayer flag'/pennant that Sadie had sewn and hung across the room. She even collected blessings from extended family, even though they weren't there in person. (We haven't hung it up at home yet because the pennant is very long, but we will!)

Sihong and Ling hard at work making a ridiculous amount of steamed buns

And look who made it into town just in time (literally with minutes to spare) for the shower - Hannah!! It was amazing to have her there, along with Adella. (They had just arrived for a spring break visit.)

Hannah, Sadie, Gayle and me - wonderful ladies!

Adella and I enjoying the view from Ling & Steve's front deck

Kaitlyn (co-worker with Jim and also our neighbor) got in on the bun shaping too

Miranda and Scarlette (from Jim's office) hanging their blessings on the pennant

Sadie made yummy date 'truffles'

I got stocked up on cloth diapers - it was awesome!

All of the women (minus Tiffany, who was taking photos all afternoon) - Erin (and 6 week old Asa was in the background), Betty, Gayle, Adella, Hannah, me, Kaitlin, Ling; Sadie, Miranda, Scarlette and Sihong

Of course, afterwards I went home laden with gifts and leftover Chinese food! I didn't get a photo of it but of course Timo and Mattias went crazy for the buns. Mattias gobbled down three very quickly and possessively; it was quite cute.

Early spring picnic

It was warm and mild for a Sunday afternoon picnic of scones and yogurt parfaits (from a couple weeks back). This has become one of our stand-by Sunday supper menus. The boys are SO fast on their bikes now. And we love the view from the top of the courthouse/library hill! And love that it is just a few minutes walk from our house!

Already this view has changed a lot this spring - much greener. All the tulips and dogwoods are blooming, and the cherry trees have moved from blossoms to green leaves; the hills in the distance are turning green. Apparently the nearby strawberry farm is also open for picking, so we need to head there soon!