24 May 2004

I don’t know if this was the world’s first ever virtual baby shower, but I certainly felt like the most loved and spoiled person on the planet! What an amazing surprise to have a baby shower organized by Renee Horsman, a wonderful friend who lives a thousand miles away in Minnesota. Not only had she organized all the gifts and provided decorations, but Renee had arranged for friends and family around the world to have input and be involved in this baby shower through sharing of their thoughts, advice, stories, etc. It made it feel like you were all there with me, even though some of you were as far away as Australia, England, China, Costa Rica, Albania…! I can honestly say that every contribution impacted me. You all had wise and often funny things to say. I can’t write them all here, but here are some of your comments…

 Some great parenting advice someone once gave me…

v     Go with your instincts. No one else knows your baby like you do.

v     When the baby is sleeping, get some sleep too

v     Savor every moment. Enjoy and hold your baby as much as you can. Time goes by too fast.

And one of my favorites…

v     Don’t let your children outnumber you!

 One thing I loved about the way my parents raised me is:

v     Having fun/learning to laugh was important.

v     They always showed that they loved me, no matter what

v     They taught me about Christ

v     Little or no TV

v     They trusted me

 If I were stuck on a desert island with my baby, the one piece of baby equipment I’d want to have is:

v     A pacifier (this was a popular choice!)

v     A playpen (with mosquito net)

v     A boppy

v     Disposable diapers

v     A Baby Bjorn

v     Electronic swing

v     A blanket

v     A rocking chair

A favorite quote or Scripture verse:

v     People who say they sleep like a baby, usually don’t have one.

v     Raise up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

v     Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.

v     Love is patient, love is kind… it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.

v     Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

v     It DOES get better

v     I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

One thing I’m so glad I did when my baby was born was:

v     Closed my eyes!!!

v     Took lots of video and photos

v     Made up a bunch of meals and put them in the freezer

v     Breastfeeding

And my personal favorite:

v     Let my husband help with everything possible!

Suggested baby boy names:

v     Joseph

v     John

v     James

v     Jon

v     Kenneth

v     David

v     Christopher

v     Joshua

v     Jacob

v     Tyler

v     Jonathan

v     Peter

v     Levi

v     Josiah

v     Paul

v     Matthew

v     Aaron

v     Logan

v     Jeremiah

v     Nathaniel

v     Caleb

v     Sean

v     Micah

v     Isaac

v     Blake

v     Dakota

v     Elliot

v     Jack

v     Wesley

And of course…

v     Charlie Bailey!!!

Jo & Erik

If you would like to see some fun photos from the party click here.