Baby showers!

On my Welch side of the family, it is well known that Grammy rests before or after doing a big event. It's important for her so she can have the energy to do the things she wants to do. I didn't realize it was a strategy I would be using so soon! After this weekend I've realized I'm going to be using it a lot in the next 3 months.

Late Wednesday night, I ran around like a mad woman getting clothes and things packed for the weekend. Jimmy kept asking what he could do to help and I was glad to be able to give him a few things. It was wonderful to sleep in my own bed that night! Jimmy even woke me up to a backrub when he came to bed.

Thursday morning I left around 10 with Katie in tow. She is a good road trip dog and needed some bonding time after being separated for 5 days. I wanted to get to my mom's with enough time to get refreshed before the racing baby shower! The trip was pretty uneventful, thankfully.

Ginger, my dad's girlfriend, had very generously offered to throw a "Grandpa and Mommy" shower with a racing theme, along with Sheila, one of Dad's coworkers. Everything was so cute! The cake was like a sidewall of a racetrack, with little ducks racing. The diaper cake had black and white ribbon with the ducks in it. There were racing table decorations. It was so nice to meet some of Dad's coworkers who I've heard so much about. The shower was a lot of fun and Jimmy and I are so appreciative of the kind gifts! I'm excited to dress the baby up in a NASCAR Hall of Fame onesie from Grammy and checkered flag socks from Ginger and Sheila on the day of the Daytona 500! Looking at some of the photos on Facebook, I can definitely tell that I had been on steroids--I look sunburnt! Sometimes the 'roids cause a major flush.

Friday I had to get bloodwork done at the lab I used to go to in high school in college. It was kind of funny to be back there. Dr. M had said not to worry about Nplate on Thursday and just get counts on Friday. We knew I wouldn't really need the Nplate and who knows if it's even working anymore. My counts were 341! Take that OB doctors!

After I got back, Mom needed to run several errands. We managed to go to Chuck Wagon for lunch--hooray! Then we had to go to Gastonia to Target, the rental car place, and to Ingles. I also made dinner for Mom when we got back to her house. It wasn't much, literally just putting a turkey loin and Stouffer's spinach souffle in an oven and letting it sit for 45 minutes, but man was I tired! I'm sure it's a cross between the steroids and the start of the third trimester coming up. We went to Nanny's so I could borrow her hand mixer to make the two dips for the shower. She is so happy in her new space, but it is so weird to stay at what has always been her house and she doesn't live there anymore.

The Saturday shower went very well! I really miss everyone from "home" and events like this always make me wish we lived closer. There is my wonderful extended family--aunts, uncles, cousins--and then friends like the Jankowski women. It seems like when Jimmy and I come for a visit, there is never enough time to see everyone. The cake was red velvet with cream cheese icing and I made two dips from Pinterest that I was very excited about. We had Dr. Seuss decorations, based on "One Fish, Two Fish" that were so cute. Jimmy and I received such precious and useful things. We are so grateful for everyone's kindness!

Nanny, Mom, and I went to the mall for a little bit--only 2 stores, and if you know Nanny that is holding back! She had called me earlier wanting to go, and I agreed, knowing Mom and I would be tired, but would enjoy spending time with her. Mom said she could tell that I hit a wall with my tiredness or hungriness, she wasn't sure which. I didn't feel that hungry, but we stopped at a quick Japanese place and I basically devoured my meal--a small one, not one of the huge ones. Mom laughed at me! She said I normally ate much more delicately. I guess this is true. I didn't realize I had eaten so much until my plate was almost empty.

Sunday morning I woke up to a very sweet email from my husband. He told me he was ready for me to be home. We're not away from each other often and after being together most of the week, it was odd to be apart. I got to see my cousin Cindy Sunday morning and it was wonderful to catch up with her in person. I'm really thankful to Facebook because I feel like I've gotten to know her so much better. Love her! Mom fussed at me to not carry things out to the car and pack them. I did manage to get everything packed, with enough room for Katie. Mom was surprised, but Steve Welch is an excellent car packer and taught me well. A few hours later, Katie and I were pulling into the driveway at home. Jimmy and I basically spent the evening sitting next to each other on the loveseat and enjoyed being together. He enjoyed looking at all the sweet baby things. We are looking forward to working in the nursery this weekend!

I forgot to write about what the Wednesday nurse said about my weekend. I made the comment that I had to get out of the hospital because I had friends and family planning to host showers on Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon. That awful woman had the nerve to tell me I should cancel them! I had to pick my chin up off the floor at her rudeness, then told her that we did not put life on hold for my ITP, that as soon as my counts were where they should be I would be good to go. Even though it was busy and I was exhausted by Sunday evening, it was a wonderful weekend. Thanks to Grammy's example, I know how to better conserve myself in the future!