Lauren's baby shower

Since we moved to this area during the last trimester of my pregnancy and knew very few people here before arriving, we didn't really expect to have a baby shower for Lauren. The one person we did know before we moved here was a friend of both of ours from Southern, Kelsey. She invited us to her small church plant, which we visited a few times before Lauren's birth and eventually decided to join. Although the members were extremely friendly and welcoming, we never imagined they would give us such a special welcome into their church.

Just a couple Sabbaths after first bringing Lauren to church, we stayed for a potluck after the service, and during the meal Kelsey and the wife of one of the head elders, Suzanne, told us that they really wanted to plan a baby shower for Lauren and us. We were so surprised and delighted at the sweet and thoughtful idea, especially since we were so new to the church and hadn't even transferred our memberships yet.

On Sunday afternoon, August 23, we met at Suzanne and Mike's house where they and about 15 other church members gave us the sweetest baby shower/welcome party. We started the shower off with introductions, and by the time we got around the circle of people we felt like we were at least a little bit more acquainted with the members who had been able to come. Next Suzanne's daughter, Ashley, led us in a few fun games. Then those of us who wanted to do a craft gathered at the dining room table where Kelsey showed us how to make cute fabric flowers that could clip onto baby headbands or later (when she has more hair) can be worn as barrettes. Once everyone had made one, they gave them all to us to wear on Lauren. After the craft, we had delicious refreshments (Lauren woke up around then and also had a meal) and then after eating, Jonathan and I opened gifts. Then we all just visited for a while at the end of the shower until people started dispersing.

It was such a nice baby shower and we were so thankful for the generous idea of our kind, newly-found church friends. Thank you so much, Loomis SDA Church, for the sweet baby shower for Lauren! We so appreciated it and all the thoughtful gifts you gave our baby girl!

Suzanne burping Lauren after food and during present-opening

Kelsey playing with Lauren

(I neglected to tell them they could take the bib off Lauren for these pictures...)

Ashley holding Lauren

The whole group

*Like a new mum trying to get to an event on time, I was scurrying around our apartment just before we left for the baby shower and put my camera down near the door only to forget to put it in the diaper bag before we left... Thankfully Ashley was able to capture some pictures of the afternoon on her iPad and graciously sent them to us. Thank you so much, Ashley, for getting some great shots of a special occasion!