Hello Everyone!

First of all, I must tell you how surprised I (we) are at the Virtual Shower. What a great idea!! :) It is definitely bringing a lot of home to us out here in very rainy California.

So let me start by telling you how eager I have been. Of course I don't handle surprises well and have been too excited to see how everything will unfold.

When we first received the diaper cake a few weeks ago, we weren't sure what it meant. But let me tell you how we both "ooohhheed and aweeed" at the teeny, tiny diapers, the little bibs saying "I love Mommy" and "I love Daddy" -- what a reality check! Keith wanted to take it apart so he could see what the diapers look like, but I wouldn't let him. I figured he has a lot of time to see the diapers!! Thanks for putting that all together Julie!

We received the invitation last week. Reading the poem choked me up! Nancy...you should have been a poet! We love it and I show every person who comes to our house. :)

On Friday, March 31, we received a package filled with the cutest pink plates, glasses, candle holders, drink stirrers, and appetizer sticks. This one really got our curiosity going. Lori and Megan (my very good friends from Pittsburgh were out for my California shower) did a good job not letting me know a thing!

Yesterday...Keith got home and saw about a dozen boxes along with a stryofoam cooler in front of our house. He called me at work and I couldn't wait to get home to see everything. We opened all of the boxes and here's what everything was:

- Our diaper bag from Aunt Rita and Uncle Gary, Aunt Irene and Aunt Cathy. Thank you so much! We're thrilled that you guys are involved in the shower. It's amazing how the internet can bring us all together. We checked out all the compartments in the bag and were anticipating what we'll be filling it up with.

- Our High Chair and Headrest from the Aunt Rita Malloy Daughter/Daughter-in-laws Clan. (I'm sorry I'm at work and don't have the list with me but I want to be sure that I don't leave out any names!) Thank you all so much. We're so glad to have you all as part of our shower. And can't believe we'll have a baby that will fit in a high chair. Unbelievable.

- Baby Monitor from Kristen, Jon and Sydney Petrel. I worked with Kristen in Pittsburgh and we've stayed in touch over the years. Thanks for thinking of us. It means so much. Kristen has been a great ear for me over the past few months of pregnancy. :)

- Boppy from Jeff and Tammy Rohrlick. Jeff is Keith's brother (my brother-in-law) and Tammy is our sister-in-law. Thanks for sending the boppy. I'm going to give breast feeding a shot and this will definitely come in handy. It's honeydew green just like Maddie's room :) It also came with a teething ring.

- Bathing supplies - the cutest hooded towel, wash cloths, bib, cap, j&j products (+ bathtub) from Megan O'Grady. Megan was out for our California shower but only half of her gift showed up before hand. It was so exciting to get the rest yesterday. Megan is one of my very good friends who has done so much for me during these 9 months. She has sent me maternity clothes (yes, she's been my personal shopper)! This was so important when the morning sickness was so bad I couldn't get myself to the store. Thanks Meg!

- A cooler filled with the most fabulous foods!!!! This is so exciting. It's from Nancy, Lynn, Julie, Dawn and Dad/Cathy. These meals will come in so handy when we're reeling about what to eat. The meals include chicken, pork chops, top sirloin and all the fixins (apple cobbler too!). Thank you so much for this. As soon as we got these meals, the place settings made so much more sense. You guys are so great for doing this for us. What would we do without you?

This morning when I got into work, there was an email from Lynn explaining the shower to us. It was our first full glimpse of all the hardwork that has gone into this shower!! We had no idea what was going on behind the scenes. Lynn included the instructions that were sent to all of you but gave us the option of not reading it, but of course I couldn't stop myself. Can't wait for the rest of the shower. Thanks everyone. Sarah, too, for pulling the site all together and posting the pictures. I love looking at those. So everyone keep them coming!!

I have so much more to write, but I should really get to work (only 6 days left before my leave starts!). I'll try to get on again a little later. You need to hear all about our shower from Saturday and the great things my friends showered us with.

Thank you all once again!

I love you,
Jennifer