And exhale. This week was crazy, but now I’m back. As of yesterday I am 6 months (24 weeks) pregnant, I can’t believe how fast it’s going.

My mom and Laura Ann threw me a baby shower last Saturday. It was at my house, so I knew about it. My mom originally booked this really cute tea shop in Red Bank, but they went bust over the summer without telling anyone. I saw one of the owners working in the Easy Spirit store at Jersey Shore Outlets, go figure. So anyway, since we’d picked the weekend and some of the British folks had already bought plane tickets, we decided to have it at my house. And it was so lovely, I had an amazing time!

It’s now 8 in the morning a week later, I’m wide awake, and I decided to start posting the photos. So forgive me if I’m slightly delirious and mushy, it really was a great day. My mom and her accupuncturist found the caterers, and they were great. Perfect Blend out of Trenton, they cater tea parties. The ladies were so nice, the food was amazing, and they left the kitchen cleaner than it was when they got there.

I only used my point and shoot for photos, but I did get a few shots of the day. My living room was taken over by pink balloons and tables.

And the caterers transformed it.

Laura Ann brought my FAVORITE cupcakes from Sugar Sweet Sunshine. I could’ve just eaten these all day.

Adam made appletinis before running for the hills with his dad.

And then the guests arrived.

We had about 20 women, I hope they all had a great time!

Two teachers I’m friendly with at school came (they sat with my Aunt Jackie), which I loved. The only regret I had was not getting a chance to really hang out with everyone there.

Isn’t my mom adorable in her denim jacket?

The menu: egg salad sandwiches, cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches, and (shelf stable) smoked salmon on stars. I loved it all, I could eat it all, and the caterers put the leftovers in the fridge…which I devoured for the rest of the week. There were also delicious spinach quiches, so good.

The desserts were also fabulous: pumpkin rolls, macaroons, and chocolate peanut butter cakes. I took those leftovers to work where they were much appreciated.

Cranberry lemon scones, yum. These were actually the 2nd course. With clotted cream and lemon curd. The ladies had several different teas, too, and their house blend was a decaf pear rooibos that I couldn’t get enough of. They also had PG Tips tea, which I loved to celebrate this future little half-Brit I’ve got growing here.

We played Baby Bingo, my mom and Laura Ann had tons of prizes for everyone. Little tape measures and picture frames that look like little dresses. I ate more of the Bingo pieces than I used.

And then I sat on the couch to open gifts. Can you tell I was having a great time? So many books, so many precious little pink girly things. I can’t even stand how cute it all is. We got our bassinet (thanks, Audrey!) and nursery furniture (thanks John & Joyce!), lots of gorgeous blankets. My mom made a quilt out of my school bag fabric (I wondered why she kept needing more of it). Meredith gave us this huge, adorable clothesline full of baby outfits, which was super clever. This kid is set to roll in style, let me tell you. I could go on all day, the generosity was just…I was really touched.

Such a perfect day. And a wonderful welcome to our little girl, who’s name we have picked. She will be…H Reeve!