Anyone who has given birth or is the “supportive one” to someone who is pregnant knows what a crazy, confusing jungle To-Be parenthood is. There is joyful enthusiasm at the prospect of new life and shear delight at the first whispers of a racing heartbeat. Sometimes the early days and months also involves vomit / sleepless nights / extreme hunger / crabbiness / indigestion / more hunger / forgetfulness / whatever-she-feels-like-feeling-cuz-she’s pregnant. For some, there are no issues at all and pregnancy is a breeze. However – for all – there comes the time when parents-to-be venture into yet another unknown territory: registering for the baby shower.
What to request is certainly a source of some anxiety because baby gear to the uninitiated is mostly a mystery. What will we need to care for our little one? What’s the difference between “necessary” and just “nice-to-have”? What’s the prevailing advice on what to avoid? Often when navigating the baby department jammed full with every conceivable “must-have” there are exclamations of, “Oh geez, WHAT IS THIS GIZMO FOR?”
The concern, confusion and natural inexperience of those unaccustomed to the baby-business drives parents, grandparents, families and friends to shower the “newbies” with everything they might need. Truth is all they really need is each other (well, and diapers); the love that they share will surely carry them through those first uncertain weeks (and years) when the weight of the world is literally upon their shoulders and resting in their loving arms. They will be fully responsible for a new life, their wee tiny person counting on them for simply everything.
Such an undertaking makes it only fitting that we shower them not with just the nursery do-dad’s but also our blessings, best wishes, support and understanding. We know they will be fine. We know they will adjust their lives to accommodate the newest family member. We know that babies are more resilient than they seem. We know they will instinctively do the right thing to comfort their child and that they will flourish as a family. We know they will find their way over every bump along the way. We know. We know.
A baby shower with a jungle theme seems appropriate, not just stinking adorable. It reminds us “old folks” of the circle of life, when we didn’t know a single thing about kids and were trying to find our own way through the confusing landscape of raising children. Reminded of the uncertainty we felt many years ago, we will reassure them they will be indeed be amazing in the wonderful jungle of parenthood. It’s love come full circle. We know it.
Sara’s Baby Shower Menu
Rustic Antipasto Skewers – Layers of Provolone Cheese, Salami, Pepperoni, Basil and Roasted Red Pepper with a Kalamata Olive and drizzled with Italian Viniagrette
Assorted Cheese Board – Imported and Domestic Cheeses, Fresh Michigan Cherries served with Toasted Baguette Rounds and Crunchy Crackers
Smoked Wild Alaskan Salmon in Pastry Tarts – Smoked salmon spread tartlets
Green Eggs And Ham – Deviled Eggs stuffed with Parsley, Garlic Chimmichurri creating “Green Eggs” served along with thin Smoked Ham rolls filled with Boursin Cheese and Sweet Pickles
Mini-Mason Jar Jungle Flowers and Grasses – Strips of Bell Peppers, Celery and Carrots like Jungle Flowers with Garlic Parmesan Dressing, and Crisp Bread Sticks, Honey Pretzel Rods and toasted Spinach Tortilla strips like Jungle Grasses with Roasted Carrot Hummus with Rosemary
Tortellini Pasta Salad– Cheese Tortellini with Artichokes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives in a Creamy Dijon Dressing
Baby Picks – Curly skewers of Baby Swiss Olive Cheese, Freshly Roasted Turkey Breast, Green Grapes and Pretzel Knots with Mustard Dill Dressing
Watermelon Salad with Feta Cheese – Chunks of fresh Watermelon tossed with Feta and Fresh Mint Leaves
Jungle Cake with Raspberry Cheesecake Filling
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