Someone talk me into having a baby shower.

And don't forward this to the pregnancy forum, 'cause they're all a bunch of baby lovin' weirdos that seemed minorly disturbed I called my fetus a parasite.

Alex and I have been discussing this baby shower crap for a few days because honestly, we really don't want one. We want to celebrate that we're bringing a little tax deduction into the world but the thought of "Don't Say Baby!" and that stupid toilet paper game, along with everyone wanting to rub my belly like it's a good luck charm and telling me the horrors of their pregnancies are kind of making me really anxious to lock myself in a room for the duration of my pregnancy.

Alex's brilliant suggestion was to do the same thing we did with our wedding: throw tradition out the window and have, you know, fun? That thing that most people forget about when they plan events meant for them but are allowing other people to barge in on their bar tab fund. He suggested going back to where we went for our awesomer-than-awesome wedding reception to have a "Moly's pregnant and wants cheesesteaks!" party, Hooters. I like the idea of rocking out at Hooters for a day with good company, but the thought of taking the attention away from cheesesteaks and boobies to focus on my gut is still making me hesitant.

So talk me into a baby shower, and don't mention that I get presents 'cause I don't want anyone to buy me a bunch of **** they feel is necessary to my child's development in colour schemes they enjoy that my spawn won't even be able to use until it's like, a toddler. Kudos to the dude who bought a walker for a newborn, now nobody can buy it for the first birthday party when the baby is actually closer to using it.

Oh, and I need everyone to chip in to send me PG as a congratulatory gift.

Original Post by justsleeping:

wow.

i've never seen so many cynical women on one thread

i really hope youre mildly exaggerating because its kind of upsetting the way youre viewing your unborn child. i sort of cringed. dont be so selfish

yes, people have babies every day but YOU dont. this is your first child, so make something of it instead of complaining

jesus christ

and no im not a baby loving weirdo

 

edited to say: i never really post here, but i just had to say something

what's cynical about not wanting to play a bunch of idiotic games and have people give you stuff you don't want?

or is it the babies-are-commonplace theme that you don't like?  look around: babies are commonplace.  6.5 billion people and counting, and every damn one of us was a baby just a moment ago.

so glad my breeder days are over...

 

Hooters sounds like fun!  Do what you feel comfortable doing.  My baby shower was a week after I had my first, so it was really exhausting, but it gave people something to ooh and ahh over without touching, or even looking at, my tummy!  I got so tired of everyone rubbing my tummy like a buddha!  I enjoyed being pregnant, for the most part, but I HATED giving people that window into my privacy.

Diapers are great, but remember that if you don't have a receipt, then you have to exchange them for diapers at most stores because a lot of people get WIC, then try to cash in the diapers.

You could request donations toward a charity, like maybe March of Dimes (c'mon, make it baby oriented).

My shower was pretty mature - no games, no stupid food, decent presents, some things I thought were ridiculous but actually came in handy.  Dealing with it all with a newborn was rather overwhelming.

Have you started buying everything for your future pain-in-the-butt? ( I kid! I love my little monster!) That stuff is expensive!!!!!!!!!! You may not like the party, but it's worth all the stuff that you're going to need like diapers and onesies.

If you don't want people buying you stuff you think you'll hate, ask for gift cards to Babies R Us or Walmart or something. And just have a get together. Not neccesarily a baby shower.

Baby shower?

I thought the mother just licked them clean.

CD, bravo on taking a stand against the insane (and terribly boring) baby shower tradition. While I've never had a baby, I did have a bridal shower that I didn't want. My mom wanted it, so I did it for her since my parents were paying for the wedding. I had two rules; there must be alcohol and no games. I got alcohol, but somehow my mom managed to sneak in a game or two.  Lame, but by the time she sprung that little secret on me I was so buzzed I didn't care.

I like the idea of the birthday party X 3. Let your guests know (which if they've met you, they should be well aware of your feelings on this) that any presents brought to the party will result in immediate removal of the offending gift and guest. Same goes for belly rubbing. They touch your baby bump, they get stabbed with a fork.

I am not traditional at all either. When I was pregnant, my coworkers and friends invited me to a card party. It was also my baby shower. We played very competitive euchre and I was the only one sober so I kept score. We laughed and talked and visited. There was a cake, gifts, but no stupid games. It was so much fun.

My friends didn't buy stupid gifts either. I got clothes and diapers.

My husband's coworkers invited us to lunch and presented us with a really nice diaper bag and stroller. That was great too.

I love your attitude and your confidence to say what you want. To heck with all the sappy idiots who have to follow tradition.

Original Post by trying_:

you could always donate your loot to a shelter for battered women, i'm sure they would be grateful and you wouldn't be stuck with items you hated...

OR you could just not waste your friends', relatives' and your own time and money and not get gifts, especially if you don't want a baby shower in the first place.

meh - some people are going to give you stuff whether you like it or not.

Original Post by watergirl:

 im with you on that cd. baby showers...ugh. they are so gay.

Baby showers are attracted to showers of the same gender? 

if you don't want a shower, don't have one, CD.  it's about you, alex and the parasite, right?  not what anyone else thinks. 

all the best...

I don't know why you don't want a shower, I think you'd be pretty smelly after nine months without one.  Unless you prefer a bath.

If you don't want a shower; then just don't have one.  Accept gifts graciously if people want to give them to you.  Formula, diapers, and diaper rash cream get very expensive-  I say this without any emotion attached-  it just is-  ...  All the $$ you get from relatives can go into a bank account for the baby for you to use for his/her expenses.

- a container of similac is $23 and last for about a week and a half. 

- A pack of 36 diapers costs $9.99 which will last you about a week.  -  It costs me $240/week for daycare.

As a new momma; I will advise you of the following:

- Shut your ears when you hear birthing stories.

- In lieu of gifts; if you don't want them; kindly ask for $$

- People touching your belly is NOT OK; only for Alex, when you're in the mood to be touched.

- Be as selfish as you can now; becuase you'll have to be selfless once your newbie arrives.

And, now; I'm done hoping I don't sound like a wierdo from the Pregnancy Forum

Original Post by floggingsully:

Original Post by watergirl:

 im with you on that cd. baby showers...ugh. they are so gay.

Baby showers are attracted to showers of the same gender? 

1gay 

1 a: happily excited : merry <in a gay mood> b: keenly alive and exuberant : having or inducing high spirits <a bird's gay spring song>

2 a: bright, lively <gay sunny meadows> b: brilliant in color

3: given to social pleasures ; also : licentious

4 a: homosexual <gay men> b: of, relating to, or used by homosexuals <the gay rights movement> <a gay bar>

 

i was thinking more along the lines of 1 or 2. hmmm...not sure about that #3, looks suspicious.... if i meant 4 i would have said gay gay or gay gay gay.

"baby showers... ugh. they are so keenly alive and exuberant..."

Yeah, I see where you were going with that. :)

Babies ARE born everyday.  Hopefully, though, at some point in this child's life you will look at him/her and feel an overwhelming sense of love.  As I was reading all of the "names" that you call this unborn child, (parasite, leech, it, tax deduction, etc.)  a very disturbing thought occurred to me.  Babies die everyday, too.  Miscarriages are common.  Women develop problems that leave them unable to EVER have children.  I personally have known two families who have suffered from having a young child die from SIDS, and I know several families that have had children die at some point in childhood from various causes.  I have two friends who are unable to have children of their own, one after having a couple of miscarriages.  I certainly wish you and your child the best of health.  I just can't help thinking that if something goes wrong somewhere along the line the memories of your nicknames for this child might cause you a bit of heartache. 

On the baby shower note, it doesn't sound to me like you would have a hard time telling your friends and co-workers your opinion of the matter.  Just spread the word that you don't want a shower.  Problem completely solved. 

exactly.

ugh...baby showers. they are so like a birds gay song in a sunny meadow. makes me want to set my head on fire.

haha

reminds of the seinfeld episode where elaine is reviewing soldierboys copy and says you might wanna... tweak it just a little...maybe change "bashing in skulls" to "walking through a dewy meadow"

babies are expensive...the gifts help...but as you plan it you and your friends can spread the word of what you want...no games are needed...and word can spread as what you need to take of your little parasite...crib, car seat, diapers, clothes...keep it to the practical things...

LOVE LOVE LOVE the hooter's idea!

"Someone talk me into having a baby shower."

We got at *least* $500 worth of stuff for our baby during a 2 hour shower...  I think I can put my principles aside and and play stupid baby shower games for $250/hour.  (It was good stuff, BTW, stroller, monitors, car seats, etc)

A baby shower is not an appropriate time for you and Alex to go to Hooters for some fun.  The party is for your child who is going to need lots of stuff immediately upon arrival.  If you and Alex are financially able to provide all of this stuff on your own then by all means skip the shower.  Otherwise do it for your baby.