Baby shower fun!

I flew home this past week for a long weekend with family and friends. I was excited to show off my ever growing belly with everyone. We decided that I am soon going to need a "wide load" sign and perhaps some flashing lights on my back to warn people of my size! Here's a picture of me at 22 weeks...



Although this one better expresses how I feel about it...

(I've added (and will continue to add) the belly updates to "The Belly Grows" post from 2 weeks ago in case you want to compare.

On Saturday I met up with my dear friend Holly and went crazy buying some of the cutest baby clothes. When I returned home I was shocked to find many of my dearest friends and family waiting in the living room for me yelling "surprise!" Here's a picture of my face...



Needless to say, I was surprised and so incredibly touched to have such special people come to celebrate me and my son-to-be. Holly even made contact with my friends from the PeaceCorps, So and Maddy - who I hadn't seen in over a year. So, special! Everyone showered me and little bean with tons of gifts and we played some amusing games including baby bottle chugging (a lot harder than you would think), guess the number of jelly beans and guess my girth. Here are some pictures from the day...

Mary and Caroline.

Guess how many inches around it is! (There's a pillow under there, I swear!)

The baby bottle chug off!

A very proud Aunt-to-be!

Maddy and her beautiful baby Caroline.

All of the wonderful gifts!

Thank you to everyone for a most special celebration.