Surprised?? Ummm, yeah!!

Where do I start? How on earth do I write this post and have it even begin to convey how I'm feeling today? I feel more pressure to get this post right than anything I've ever written before. It needs to truly express the depth of gratitude and shock and even embarrassment that I've been feeling since Kristy, her girls and Hazel  showed up on my doorstep yesterday with a huge basket full of Baby Shower gifts! Surprise baby shower gifts!
I knew that Kristy was coming and was looking forward to what is fast becoming a traditional raiding of my studio by her girls (if it's not tied down then it's fair game!), but  I was also feeling tired and uncomfortable and downright sore from carrying humungo baby around. So I was especially touched when all the girls came in with little presents for all four of us and Kristy handed me the quilt that I had been guiltily hoping was for me M-P2. Maisie had been kind enough and clever enough to come up with her own recipe for an egg free chocolate cake and Kitty had made me my favourite necklace ever - that said Cool Mama on it! And that's on top of the beautiful hand embroidered cushions that all the girls had made for me, Bella and M-P2.  And as if that wasn't enough, Lily had written and illustrated a book just for Jim because she new he would be left out!
So as you can imagine, within minutes of them being in the door I was feeling loved and spoilt and a whole lot better.

And all of that would have been more than enough of a treat for us. But 20 minutes after they arrived Kristy suddenly 'remembered' something that she'd left in the car and ran out of the house, only to return a  minute later carrying a basket and with Hazel in tow!
Hazel and I have been trying unsuccessfully to meet up since the summer and I had absolutely no idea that she was coming yesterday, so that in it's self was a lovely surprise. But when Kristy said " you didn't think we weren't going to give you a baby shower did you?"  and showed me that the basket was full of gifts I honestly could have cried on the spot (and may have briefly, but I don't think anyone noticed!).

To say I was overwhelmed is a huge understatement. I was actually struck with awe and pretty damned speechless (can you even imagine that??) and I have to say, embarrassed as well.
I can't even begin to imagine what I have done to deserve as much as I received yesterday and I don't just mean the physical gifts. I mean the time and thought and effort. From everyone that was involved.
Because much to my surprise, it turned out that Kristy had been sneaky sneaky for the last month, emailing people and arranging for gifts to be sent to her house so that she could throw this shower for me.
And so much about that amazes me. It amazes me that anyone would take the time to send out emails suggesting a shower and it amazes me that anyone would respond. And I don't mean that in a falsely self-deprecating way. I mean it honestly. Because I know that we all have crowded lives and I know how little spare time or energy there is.  And so to spend that precious time making something as a present for my family is an overwhelming thing to do. Add in to the equation the fact that we have never met and that all I have done to apparently deserve this is write a blog and you really do realise how amazing it all is.

But anyway, once I had picked myself up off the floor and was sure that I wasn't actually going to pee myself (not being crass, just being heavily  pregnant), I sat down and had the most fun that you can legally have whilst about to have a baby without doing yourself or the baby any harm.
Oh and cried a little. But only a little. Honest.

It was the best day and the best surprise and I feel like the luckiest person, just about ever. And the words 'thank you' sound useless and hollow in response to how much I feel about yesterday. And how much I feel about you all.
But I do thank you all. More than I've ever thanked you before. Because you not only gave me wonderful, gorgeous gifts, you also gave me and my family the best feeling in the world. You made us feel safe and loved and proud. So again, I do thank you and always will. If you all went away tomorrow (don't!) and this all ended and I went back to thinking that there was no one else out there that got how I feel and loved what I love and needed to make the way I need to make, I would still be happy because the people that I respect and admire and often envy, gave me so much yesterday.

And none of those words even begin to be enough.

Oh and don't think I won't be doing a major Show and Tell of all the wonderful gifts we received, because that's what the next few days will be about. And I can't wait for you all to see. I just wish everyone of you had been there.

And Kristy? You are a wonderful, wonderful friend. And your girls are the best. And I am more grateful to have met you than I am ever capable of showing. And did I mention that you're wonderful?

Thank you. So much. From me. And my children. And my husband. You made our day.

And thank you for showing my daughter that the world is full of handmade gifts and for helping to teach her to ask "who made this" when given something. I don't know any other almost 3 year olds that automatically ask that when given a gift. And I'm so proud that she does.

Ahh crap, I'm pregnant and hormonal and could go on forever. And like I said to Hazel yesterday, I feel more than a little like Sally Field when she gave her Oscar speech!!

 

I am desperately trying to email everyone but I'm having a problem with my battery and can not sit at my desk today - so please do not think that I am not desperate to thank you all individually, because I am and I will. But in the mean time, please know that there isn't a person that I have come in to contact today that I haven't shown in great detail what you sent me!

Comments

[bigbucketgirl]

OK..the crowded life here meant that my parcel never got to kristy intime for her to get it to you! I was in on it to! Haha! Check on mine to see what still can be yours if you so wish!?!?! I'm afraid the blanket has been kidnapped by the 2yr old and is lugged around with shouts of mine, mine but that was my fault for not sellotaping the parcel shut. tight. The rest is safe! Glad you had a ball. There were lots of people thinking about your rendezvous yesterday!

[mommywend]

What happy faces all round, looks like you all had a wonderful day!!!and an Oscar would be well deserved x

[susan]

that is so sweet. i'm so happy for you!

[retrorose]

Ah, now I know who the quilt was for. I saw that on vintage pleasure. Well it is beautiful and I'm sure it was just the loveliest surprise. Just found this blog, it is really nice.

[Ali]

I can't believe with the number of folks in on the secret that Kristy pulled off the big surprise. But I'm glad she did. Tee hee.

[Di]

I am so glad that you had a perfect day yesterday! It sounds just like something the doctor ordered and well deserved!! I can't wait to see all the lovely gifts that were "showered" upon you!!

[hazeljoy]

peed yourself? seriously? glad i didn't sit where you did! glad you had fun, it was ACE! thanks again for having me! xx
ps. my hair is so orange. you may need to warn people. some kind of bright-blindness. i'd hate for you to be sued now of all times x

[Vanessa]

Oh how wonderful - tears in my eyes once again reading one of your posts - what a fabulous day for you all!

Woo-hoo! - and what a great way to start my day off, too...

YAY for handmade and for friends...

[Barbara]

How lovely for you. What a great and exciting day. Just what you needed I'm sure to help you through these last pregnant weeks.

[Jen]

Oh my God, you're making ME cry! The whole thing just sounds wonderful and I'm so happy you were able to have a baby shower.

[jeanetta]

its amazing how blogs have done this for women. i am sure that in some men have benefitted too but i just dont feel like its in quite the same way.
i am glad you are doing so well and cant wait to see all those goodies. i have some babie presents to get started on and need some really good ideas. haha.

[Grainne]

I am so happy that you had a such a wonderful surprise baby shower. You truly deserved it, and I can't wait to see all the gifts you received.

Kristy, you are incredible!

[Hyena In Petticoats]

Yay! Mission accomplished!

I tell you, it's was seriously hard keeping this one a secret....!

I'm so pleased you had a brilliant day - I can't wait to see what everyones else sent!

Lots of love,

Leah xxx

[liz r.]

Aw, what a wonderful thing to do! You obviously inspire respect and admiration in many of us with whom you've shared you life. Looking forward to the photos of the goodies!

[Periwinkle Vintage]

Congratulations, Manda! You know we have all ached for you in your losses, and cheered for you in your success! Much love and good wishes from all of Blogland!
Cheryl

[kat]

tears streaming down my face!
i agree with jen above: blogland has given women a place to share, inspire, grow, love... it's given us a village.
your shower is a perfect example of this, & i'm so happy for you!
to the women who pulled it off... you rock!

[Jeannie]

I am so happy for you! Having a baby, finding out how the blog world cares for you, and having dear, sweet friends sounds like a wonderful start to the New Year. With tears in my eyes, I wish you much happiness. Cheers.

[Katherine]

Wow, what an amazing and wonderful surprise, it makes me want to cry too. You are a very lucky family.

[Lucy]

Sounds fabulous and just what the doctor ordered. Can't wait to see what you got....

[Lucy]

Sounds fabulous and just what the doctor ordered. Can't wait to see what you got....

[steven]

hello..what a nice day you seemed to have, ...but what amuses me more about this post is that in every picture all i could see was a mrs potatoe head hogging the limelight...how dare she...take care and i feel more people than you will ever know are waiting for the arrival of your bump...xx

[QALBALLAH]

Oh I was in on it too but *someone* never got back to me!! Ahem! Oh well so long as you are happy then you'll just have to have my well meaning thoughts.

Can't wait to see the goodies - like a shower for us too!

[Karbee]

How fantastic! Really pleased for you and you deserve it.

[erna]

wow what a big surprise...you deserved it so much after all the wonderfull things you're showing us everyday!

[tracy x]

you and your family deserve every single moment of happiness - now for goodness sake sit back and relax - there's a baby coming you know......
t x