Gender Reveal Party

Ok, I had planned to get this up yesterday, but spent the whole day being lazy and recovering from a whirlwind week instead... Hope you enjoy!

Friday night, Jeff and I (along with my parents, who really did ALL the work) hosted a Gender Reveal Party!  I had been planning this party in my head since before I was pregnant, so it was so fun to see it all come together.  The theme was "What Will It Bee?", and we used the colors yellow and gray - like I plan to do in the nursery - to decorate.

Here are a few pictures taken before the fun began:

A banner that I ordered on Etsy and cut out myself.  I'm hoping to use it in the hospital room on delivery day too.

Yellow and white tulips that my mom special ordered... Tulips have been "my flower" since I was a baby myself.  We even used white tulips for our wedding in June four years ago.  (Notice the pink and blue jelly beans too -- thank goodness for Easter being right around the corner.)

Bee cookies as favors with little hand-written notes.

And the dining room table with THE CAKE - where the revealing would be done!

We asked our guests (just family and close friends) to dress in either pink or blue depending on whether they thought Baby C would be a boy or a girl... As you can see, GIRL was the gender of choice.  (My family voted 100% that way.)

We also had a little "Due Date Pool" that was quite a hit.  Here's Jeff's family (obviously split in their guess) placing their bets.

Finally, at about 8:15PM, we invited our moms (the grandmas) to cut the cake and announce the gender.  *At this point, no one knew but Jeff and me, the doctors, the lady who made the cake, and one lady at the nail salon that I told in a moment of weakness... :)

Look closely and you'll see that Baby Chapman is a... BOY!!!

Here's the proud Daddy, and the prize we gave out to the "winners."  (Jeff's choice.)

 

We also gave our moms little gifts to open - blue onesies that say "on the way to grandmas."

Overall, it was a perfect night.  It was nice to end the week with a real celebration.  We are SO  grateful and happy for our healthy little baby BOY and all the people who already love him! Only 19 more weeks to go... 

And, just in case you are interested in where we got all our goods...

Invitations, banner, & cookie labels were all digital files purchased from Dimple Prints on Etsy.

Pom poms (over the dining room table) are from Prost to the Host on Etsy.

Cake and cookies made by a friend of my mom's at http://www.sarahgs.com/.

And mostly everything else was provided by my generous parents... They are TOO good to us! 

*There is also an adorable bee-themed diaper cake in yellow and gray available at ediapercakes.com. 

Edited to Add: Thank you all for your compliments on the party and idea.  I do, however, feel like I should clarify that this concept is NOT uniquely mine.  I got the idea for a Gender Reveal Party from several other blogs I read... So, don't think I'm too creative!  I also found the idea for the theme on the internet with lots of great ideas that I just tweaked for our event.  Feel free to adopt the ideas yourself for your own party - everything is fair game! E

Dear Sweet Granny

Your memorial service was today.  We had it at the church and it was absolutely packed.  Ole VHBC hadn't seen that big of a crowd in years! A LOT of people loved you.  Petal Pushers did beautiful yellow and white flowers for the alter and the music was lovely - Peggy helped pick it out and Bobby sang The Lord's Prayer.  Nelson called you a "Phoebe" after the woman Paul wrote about in Corinthians as a "servant of the church" and "helper to many."  He couldn't have been more right on.  Uncle David also spoke and shared some funny stories about you.  You would have loved it.  The whole thing was a little surreal; but we tried not to be sad, because we know that's not what you would have wanted.  Kathryn and I both wore blue instead of black, and I wore extra jewelry and blush - just for you! :)

Afterward, we had a nice reception at Rockfish.  It was just the way you would have wanted it.  We even had crab cakes - your favorite!!  People drank wine and we reminisced.  Everyone keeps talking about your contentment (even in the face of cancer), your generosity, your smile, and your chicken salad.  (You know I've been practicing that recipe for a while... I promise, I'll master it.) It was nice.  I wish you could have been there, but I know you saw it.   Poor Poppy is tired from all the "entertaining" he's done the last few days... that's usually your job and he is lost without you!  But he did a good job... He hugged everyone and (secretly) enjoyed all the attention.

Buckingham Palace - London (November 2004)

Everything about these last few days has reminded us of you and your sweet spirit.  Uncle David and I talked yesterday about how even in your death you wanted to accommodate everyone - my work schedule, Aunt Phyllis' travels, etc.  You waited for us all to be by your side, and then you went... with dignity and grace.  This is so typical of you.  Always put together and beautiful, always looking out for what would be most convenient and comfortable for others. I know you are celebrating in heaven now... with Glenna and your mom and sisters.  I hope you are eating good food and wearing beautiful clothes.  I have no doubt that you are talking to everyone and making millions of friends.

It has been hard.  But, we aren't sad for you, because we know you were ready and you are finally out of pain... But, we are sad for us because we will miss you so much.  Poppy especially keeps saying how much he misses you, and how much he wished he been nicer and done more for you. I know you know this, but he really loved you.  He's having a harder time than we thought he would, but it just shows how much he valued you and your 61 years together.  I've already promised to help him with the Jumble and make sure he doesn't only eat fast food now.  (Don't worry, the church ladies and neighbors have made sure he has enough ham biscuits, pound cakes, and frozen meals to last him years!)

Clemson Graduation (December 2005)

Oh Granny, there are so many things to say and remember about you.  Mostly, I am just so thankful that you were such a HUGE part of my life.  I know not everyone gets to experience that kind of relationship with their grandparents.  Most of my earliest and favorite memories involve you... Just today Jeff and I were laughing about when you and "the crows" came to visit us in London.  Remember, I put you on a bus tour and told you NOT to get off.  Thirty minutes later, you called and said... "Elizabeth, we got off." You hadn't seen a bit of London, but you were happy as clams.  All you really wanted was to go shopping and have "tea."  :)

I will think of you every time I put curlers in my hair or eat brown beans (one of my favorites).  I will always cherish our beach vacations together, our Monday night dinners, and Sunday grilled cheese. I will not forget to cover my childrens' heads when we go out in the cold, and I will gargle with salt water when my throat is sore. 

Bridal Luncheon (June 2007)

On Sunday, before you went, I held your warm hands on my belly and told you to go ahead... that I wanted you to look over our little baby for the next four months.  I've thought about this SO much the last four days. I know you are doing it, and it brings me so much peace. I can't think of anyone I would trust more...

As I am preparing to become a mom myself, I know now more than ever how important the grandmother role is in a young life.  SO much of who I am has been shaped by your faith and your kind spirit  But, my mom is ready to take over... I have no doubt; after all, she's learned from the best.

So, rest, sweet Granny. We love you and miss you!

20 Week Update

I'm a few days late with this post; but, on Saturday I hit the HALFWAY mark of this pregnancy... 20 weeks!

I've been counting down the days to this mile-marker since the very beginning... It's hard to believe it is finally here... Baby is the size of a cantaloupe and, according to our ultrasound this morning, weighs 12 ounces...

Here's the belly to prove it:

I'm feeling really great... This is a nice stage of pregnancy.  I feel like I have a lot of energy now, and hardly ever feel sick.  (Knock on wood.)  Although I was surprised today to see that I was up five pounds since last week, and that picture makes me look like a beast, I'm not feeling quite as huge these days.  I think a lot of people have been praying for me that I would feel comfortable in my body right now.  Thank you!  Your prayers are felt.

I am still not really feeling movement yet, which makes me sad; but, our ultrasound today revealed that my placenta is between me and the baby... So, it's even more cushiony than my belly alone.  The doctor said it might be another month or TWO before I can really feel kicks etc.  BUT, on a positive note, Baby C looked great today --- everything was perfect looking and we could see lots of movement in there.  I'll settle for that and count my blessings while I can still sleep at night without being jabbed in the ribs and bladder. :)

To answer the big question... YES, we found out the gender today!  I am SO excited to reveal it to the world; but I am waiting until after our little Gender Reveal Party on Friday night.  Look for an announcement some time Saturday.  Jeff and I had a great day doing some shopping and just celebrating together... It is kind-of fun having a little secret just between us, even if it is just for two days!  I'm also loving party-planning.  I should have lots of cute pictures and ideas to post on Saturday.

Finally, to close, I just wanted to share a verse that a good friend pointed me to today.  It just reminds me of God's graciousness in the way he gives to us even as he takes away... Thanks for praying for our roller-coaster week!  We are continuing to find reasons for joy, even in the midst of some sadness.  God is good.

"When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.  When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth." -Psalm 104: 29-30.