Chapters of my life

Baby Shower

It was the day of my baby shower and I couldn't wait to start the celebrations. My cousin was in from Australia came for the shower. Jade was helping me set up and Krystel was organizing the events and activities. Leo and I hadn't seen the baby room since Krystel put a lock on it. We finished setting up around 9 and as soon as Krystel set up the gift table Alex and Amy walked through the front gate. Alexander ran straight up to them nearly knocking poorly Amy over. I managed to wobble over to the front gate and started hugging them both. We hadn't caught up since Amy's first premier and my rib injury. Alex was stuck at work because her business had finally sky rocketed and succeed in the market. Ellie finally walked through the gate with a tall man standing next to her with his arm around her. He had a kind persona about him and the way his smile brought a smile to my face. When I finished dissecting this guy, I turned to see a smile going from ear to ear on Ellie's face showing me that he was perfect for her. 

The table was already overflowing with gifts and hardly anyone had arrived. Patricia soon followed with a stroller covered in baby clothes. A familiar face came up the driveway in a wheelchair with a large smile. It didn't matter that I was about to pop, I dropped everything from my arms and letting go of the gate while running as fast as I could to her. Marlene had dropped by finally. Tears just poured from my eyes as I finally made it to her arms. I ended up kneeling on the ground with my face in her frail arms. 

At that moment I felt like I was finally home and safe in her loving and nurturing arms. My tears soaked her blanket on her legs. Before her carer could say anything, I pushed her up the driveway towards the party. My legs ached but it was worth it. The sweet smile on her face brought happiness to everyone. Alexander hesitated at first but as soon as he saw the happiness in my eyes, he ended up sitting on her lap cuddling into her shall. Leo wiped the excess tears from my face and thanked Marlene for bringing happiness to me and my family. We had so much to catch up on but today I wanted to see her have an amazing time so I would wait. Marlene would be turning around 90 this year so I knew I would have to let go soon. Everyone had finally arrived with a lot of presents. 

It was around 12 when Krystel collected up all the votes on the gender. Alex, Patricia, Amy and Hollie choose a girl while Ellie and Larissa choose a boy. The reveal would be the baby room because Krystel had spent months decorating and painting the baby room. Leo pushed Marlene into the hallway and everyone else waited behind her. With a lot of excitement Krystel handed over the key for the room. Together Leo and I guided the key into the lock slowly twisting it. The door open to reveal a baby cradle painted pink with a little pink teddy bear and a pink throw on the edge. On the floor there was a cream colored rug with a nursing chair in the corner. The nursing chair had a few teddies on it and a bib and burp blanket on top of it. The small banner on the crib read It's a Girl! Tears began to flow again, and I didn't care at all. 

But the last surprise was hidden by a sheet hanging on the wall. Krystel entered the room with glace and pulled the sheet of the wall. All of a sudden, the emotions took over and I was on the floor in Leo's arms. I could feel his warm tears running down my neck as he held me. Krystel and Michael had everyone's photo printed and there was even a space for a group photo from today. Somehow, she had gotten a hold the photos of Nevaeh's ultrasound and Luke and Chad. Our family photo from Alexander's 1st birthday was hung up there. The first photo of Chad and I from high school was hung up. We were at the beach, so Chad took a selfie of us both. A lot of memories started flooding back washing over me like a giant wave. Marlene had even made the wall with a photo of her and I when we had a girl's day for my 21st. I wrapped Krystel up in a tight hug trying not to squish the baby. When everyone saw the wall, smiles lit up the room. The wall was full of memories of everyone. Krystel with me on my first day in the office. Leo and Michael playing video games with the TV on a cardboard box when we first moved in. Me and my bridesmaids asleep on the couch with bottles of wine in our arms. Larissa, Hollie and I before our first assignment together. Leo and Luke as child playing in the backyard. Leo and I after he popped the question at the cafe we first went to. My face started hurting from all the smiling I had done. The wall looked so beautiful with all the beautiful memories hung on the wall. 

We all made our way out to the front were Leo started dinner on the barbeque. Michael helped with dinner while Krystel and I relaxed in the swing chair on the front porch. I was relaxing until I heard the radio playing Hey Ya! So, I got up and started dancing. Before I knew it, everyone was on the front lawn dancing with me. My whole friend group was around me dancing and encouraging me. This is what you call a family. The song finished and we pulled the tables into the front lawn and set up dinner. Leo, Michael and August (Ellie's boyfriend) set the food on the table making sure Alex has her veggie patty separate from the meat. Marlene and her carer sat to my right and on my left was Leo, Krystel and Michael. The smell of the cooked steaks and sausages sent on rumble from my stomach. Everyone's plate was full of food and drinks were full. 

I got up from my seat and got everyone's attention to announce my baby girl's name. Everyone's eyes focused on me as I announced that our baby girl would be name Celest Eli Maria. Krystel's eye lit up when I announced her middle name because her nick name was Eli. We spent the rest of the day drinking and playing games in the back yard. Of course, I didn't drink any alcohol but Alex, Amy, Ellie and Krystel drank most of my cocktail mixes while Leo, Michael and August drank the birthday scotch.

 I waved Marlene off and said that if she wanted to move in, she could but she decided that she would visit next week. Ellie and August passed out on the couch in each other's arms and Krystel and Michael fell asleep on the sun lounge outside with a blanket over them. I managed to get the twins asleep in the spare room with one of Alexander's spare night light and a white noise machine I had left around. Leo had curled up in bed already with him arms wrapped around my pregnancy pillow. Amy, Alex and I sat on the swinging car with a cup of spicy cinnamon tea wrapped up in a fluffy blanket. We sat there for about 4 or 5 hours because we watched the sun rose over the horizon. Barely made it through the door before Leo wrapped me up in his arms with a worried look on his face. The rest of the week went fairly quick.