Celebrations?

[ClarisseMarie]

Are any of you going to be having any type of baby shower/sprinkle/celebration/etc.? I know a lot of people in here are not FTMs, so I was curious as to how everyone was going to handle that!

I have a friend who absolutely insists on throwing us a party. She wanted to have a shower, but I said the only way I would let her do anything is if we do not call it a shower (maybe call it a celebration or something instead) and put some kind of line on the invitations like "gifts not required" or "your presence is the best gift we could ask for". I can't think of a single friend who did NOT have a baby shower the 2nd or 3rd time around, even when the gender was the same as before. But I just feel weird about someone having one for me. I felt weird enough at my first baby shower! But, if it's just a casual celebration of a new baby's arrival, I'm ok with that, I think. I just don't want people feeling obligated to buy us stuff, and I plan on buying everything we need myself.

What are the rest of you ladies doing?

[mamasita72]

Popping in again. :-) Around here my friends do a "Sprinkle" for 2nd babies instead of a "Shower" - the idea being no big gifts, but something small, just an outfit, etc to celebrate the new little one they will be meeting soon. It was unheard of when I was growing up, but seems to be more and more common now. I agree, I didn't even want one the first time around, but this time hopefully it will be a very casual easy affair.

[ozzy]

With my second, my friend threw us a diaper shower, against my objections.

This time we are doing a reveal party, it's an absolutely no gift party. It's just for some fun to find out.

[missmc]

We won't do anything and I doubt that anyone will offer to do anything for us. It's just how my family and his are. They believe that you are only allowed one and anything more than that is just being greedy! (BTW, this is not my belief!)

[Linzo]

This is my 2nd baby but first for DH. He thinks his family will want to throw us a shower but I'm not sure. I would like to get together with family but I wouldn't feel right hosting it either. I am uncomfortable with a second shower but it would be nice especially if it's a boy. I was in a "pink" mode with Mia so my boy would be in a pink everything!

[mnpeanut]

I think a celebration is a great idea, some will insist on bringing gift, like me. I like the idea of sprinkle, that is cute.

[ClarisseMarie]

I've actually heard of people doing a sprinkle before - it sounds much more low-key than a full-blown shower, which seems perfect for a 2nd baby. Yeah, I'm sure people will insist on bringing gifts, even if we say "no gifts required" on the invitations. In fact, I have a feeling people will do that whether we have an "event" or not. It's just that, I don't want the "event" to be an invitation for gifts, but rather an invitation to come eat cake and play some games/raffles with us, and just have a good time to celebrate the new one on the way. And I want to make sure my friend conveys that message clearly on the invitations! :)

[LSVNurse]

The first time around, I had three (!) showers. One with work people, one with my Mom's friends, and one generic one with everyone else (all my sisters-in-law - I have 5, in-laws family, my other family friends, my friends). Though it sounds excessive, each party was the right amount of people so it woudl've been too overwhelming if it was one large one. This time around, I could see having the same type of sprinkle/celebration with my Mom's friends and their daughters (about 14 people), maybe work people and I don't know if my in-laws will want to do one also. So I could see having three again, I guess. I don't really need much, although I want big ticket items this time around, which I kind of figured I would buy myself...
I want a super duper high-falluting breast pump, a new infant car seat, and new diaper covers. That's about it. Although if I have a boy, I'll need some boy clothes - so I'll probably get some gender neutral clothing.

[ChelsBabyNum2]

I totally understand. It's your invite so write whatever you want on it. In my family we believe every baby needs it's own celebration. The balloons, cake, the games. It's also for you in a way. Saying congrats mom your going to do it again! :) With my second we did a shower after my son was born. We called it Lunch with Logan. Just asked people to come by and have lunch and some fun so they could meet my new baby. I really enjoyed it. Everyone brought gifts anyway but it was mostly diapers, wipes and clothes. This time though DH and I are cloth diapering so we will have to ask for no diapers.
I'm also thinking of asking everyone to bring a book with a little note to the baby inside instead of a card. That way you don't have to toss cards and feel bad about it. Just a cute idea I thought I would share :)

[ClarisseMarie]

The first time around, I had three (!) showers. One with work people, one with my Mom's friends, and one generic one with everyone else (all my sisters-in-law - I have 5, in-laws family, my other family friends, my friends). Though it sounds excessive, each party was the right amount of people so it woudl've been too overwhelming if it was one large one. This time around, I could see having the same type of sprinkle/celebration with my Mom's friends and their daughters (about 14 people), maybe work people and I don't know if my in-laws will want to do one also. So I could see having three again, I guess. I don't really need much, although I want big ticket items this time around, which I kind of figured I would buy myself...
I want a super duper high-falluting breast pump, a new infant car seat, and new diaper covers. That's about it. Although if I have a boy, I'll need some boy clothes - so I'll probably get some gender neutral clothing.

Oh I need the big ticket items, too. We weren't planning on getting pregnant for several years, if ever again, so I sold everything. I DO still have my breast pump, but I'm thinking of trading my Medela for an Ameda - I've heard the Medela pumps aren't sanitary?? I need to do more research. Oh, and I still have my Angelcare monitor, but now they have them with video, so I want that, too! haha. But yeah, I don't expect anyone to buy this stuff for me. Either I will get it (hello Craiglist!) or I don't expect to get it at all!!


I'm also thinking of asking everyone to bring a book with a little note to the baby inside instead of a card. That way you don't have to toss cards and feel bad about it. Just a cute idea I thought I would share

That is super cute!!!!

[missmc]

Heather, if you need big ticket items, you should check out the Recycled Kids Sale in Belleville on the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Sept. 7-9. You can find some great deals at this sale. While I'm not too familiar with the one in Belleville, I consign and volunteer at the sale in St. Charles and it is BY FAR the best consignment sale in the area. We were basically starting over with this one and I've gotten most of my items at either garage sales or consignment sales. I bought a Fisher Price mobile for $8 at the Recycled Kids Sale this past weekend (it was the same one that we had previously and purchased new for $40). Here is the link for their site (http://recycledkidssale.com/Recycled1_SALES_HOME.html).

[Babidol]

We probably won't do anything shower or sprinkle wise. We don't need anything at all. Even for a boy it will just be clothes. Work may want to do something but honestly, I'd rather have a restaurant celebration with friends. I'm sure we will do a meet in greet in Ohio when baby is 6-8 weeks old.

[ClarisseMarie]

Heather, if you need big ticket items, you should check out the Recycled Kids Sale in Belleville on the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Sept. 7-9. You can find some great deals at this sale. While I'm not too familiar with the one in Belleville, I consign and volunteer at the sale in St. Charles and it is BY FAR the best consignment sale in the area. We were basically starting over with this one and I've gotten most of my items at either garage sales or consignment sales. I bought a Fisher Price mobile for $8 at the Recycled Kids Sale this past weekend (it was the same one that we had previously and purchased new for $40). Here is the link for their site (http://recycledkidssale.com/Recycled1_SALES_HOME.html).


Thanks so much for sharing this - I am definitely going to check this out! I might even head over to St. Charles - It's only about 15 minutes farther than Belleville would be, and my guess is they'd have more stuff!!! Or maybe I'll check out both. :)

[missmc]

Thanks so much for sharing this - I am definitely going to check this out! I might even head over to St. Charles - It's only about 15 minutes farther than Belleville would be, and my guess is they'd have more stuff!!! Or maybe I'll check out both. :)

Unfortunately, the St. Charles Sale is over. :( It was this past Thursday - Sunday. They happen twice a year though. The next one will be in March. I know of a couple more consignment sales. I'll dig up the info and send it to you.

[missmc]

Here is another one in September. It's in the Crestwood area. http://storkladysale.com/

[ozzy]

I am selling my medela and going for an Ameda too. The medela is horrible, especially with oversupply, which I always have. The milk ends up in the tubing and I would have to keep stopping and fixing it before it got into the pump. Total PITA.

[ClarisseMarie]

Here is another one in September. It's in the Crestwood area. http://storkladysale.com/

thanks so much for all the info - I really, really appreciate it! I also saw that BRU is having their big trade-in sale coming up. So I am thinking I'm going to check out some of these big consignment sales and if I don't find what I'm looking for, I'll probably trade-in Liam's stroller. I think that's all I have to trade! With the trade-in, we could probably get a stroller for $150 (instead of $200). But I"m wondering if I could find one even less at one of those sales, or if I could make more than $50 selling Liam's Chicco stroller...

[ClarisseMarie]

I am selling my medela and going for an Ameda too. The medela is horrible, especially with oversupply, which I always have. The milk ends up in the tubing and I would have to keep stopping and fixing it before it got into the pump. Total PITA.

I haven't noticed mine doing this, but ever since I read some complaints about it, it freaks me out!

[ClarisseMarie]

I wanted to ask - it looks like both have a day where things are 50% off - is it a good idea to wait, or is everything pretty much gone by then?

[my3sons]

It's been so long since our babies were little that we are having to start all over. No showers for us since our extended family lives 8 hrs away. I found a crib that I adore on craigslist and am watching all the overstock stores for items we'll need when baby is little.

A party to celebrate our baby would be such a nice time. Bummer that I don't have anyone to organize it. I wonder...would it be tacky to organize my own celebration dinner party?

[sparks3]

Popping in :)

We had a Baby-Q (Barbeque) after Libby was born to celebrate her safe arrival home. I mean, it was 2 months after! :laugh: I wanted to make sure she was bigger and healthy, though. Everyone had a great time, and they got to meet the baby! For us, since we didn't know gender, that gave some family the opportunity to buy pink, too, instead of green and yellow. :)

[ootus973]

A party to celebrate our baby would be such a nice time. Bummer that I don't have anyone to organize it. I wonder...would it be tacky to organize my own celebration dinner party?

We're 14 hours away from our families, but this will be his first child. I'm sure his family wants us to do something but I'm not sure how. The only people we really know down here are our co-workers, and they've all suggested I throw a party and make my famous desserts for it. So...I guess that means I'll be throwing my own party :)

[missmc]

thanks so much for all the info - I really, really appreciate it! I also saw that BRU is having their big trade-in sale coming up. So I am thinking I'm going to check out some of these big consignment sales and if I don't find what I'm looking for, I'll probably trade-in Liam's stroller. I think that's all I have to trade! With the trade-in, we could probably get a stroller for $150 (instead of $200). But I"m wondering if I could find one even less at one of those sales, or if I could make more than $50 selling Liam's Chicco stroller...

No problem! Question about your stroller...is it one that an infant seat will sit in? I've been looking for one of those at a sale but haven't found it yet. I've been kicking myself for not buying the stroller when I bought the carseat and bases. They are the green ones (if that means anything).


I wanted to ask - it looks like both have a day where things are 50% off - is it a good idea to wait, or is everything pretty much gone by then?

It's definitely picked over by that point, but you can still find some great deals. I like to go the first day and the last day.

[ClarisseMarie]

No problem! Question about your stroller...is it one that an infant seat will sit in? I've been looking for one of those at a sale but haven't found it yet. I've been kicking myself for not buying the stroller when I bought the carseat and bases. They are the green ones (if that means anything).
.

It is indeed the one that the infant seat fits in. It actually came as a travel system when I bought it. It's this one: http://www.chiccousa.com/gear/travel-systems/cortina-22lb-systems/travel-systems-22-sahara.aspx.