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February 27, 2008
Nassau
So I picked a color for the baby's room that's proving almost impossible to photograph accurately. The picture above is photoshopped to be sure. The actual color is much deeper and richer. It changes with the light but we love it just the same. It will look fantastic with ANY accents. If the baby's a girl, I'm going with purples! If it's a boy, well, then, I can go with greens or reds or oranges, pretty much anything. I could actually use all those colors if it's a girl as well, but somehow I'm LOVING the purple. (In case anyone is curious, the color is Pittsburgh Paints Manor Home, Eggshell, COLOR Nassau, 155-6)
G and I LOVE the room. Neither one of us can walk by it without stopping and going in and just standing there feeling the color. It is most certainly like the sea - the Caribbean to be exact - and it's cool and warm and RELAXING. I hope the baby loves it as much as we do.
Don't freak out about the pacifier the way my husband did when he saw it in the room. It gets around the NO BABY STUFF IN THE HOUSE rule because it was in one of those sample pack things we got from the Lamaze class. It wasn't specifically FOR our baby and I'm not going to be using it anyway. Props don't count in the mysterious world of Cara's superstitions. ;-)
By now, you've probably read a lot or heard about my fantastic SURPRISE baby shower that Ann threw for me last Saturday. You can read all about how Ann got one over on me here. Fun times! ;-) If you'd like to see some of the unbelievably generous and beautiful gifts I received - hit up all the pictures after the jump! THANK YOU!
These pictures are a representation of the gifts we received! Everyone was SO INCREDIBLY GENEROUS!!! Thank you all so much for thinking of us!! And of course, none of the stuff came home with me so I get to be surprised all over again! (Click each picture for a bigger version!)
My guru in all things mitered, denimed and log cabined made us the BEST GIFT EVER! Check out those blu jeans! They have BORN IN THE USA embroidered across the back! With the white onesie, the red baseball cap, the converse sneakers (not pictured) and the denim jacket my kid certainly IS the BOSS! THANK YOU KAY! (When I showed Georgie the picture he was blown away. Swear to god the guy had tears in his eyes!)
Whether he or she likes it or not, our kid is a VIOLET through and through (when G and I were at NYU (about 3 yrs apart - he left in 84 - I got there in 87) the sports teams were called the Violets. Now they're called the Bobcats. After the library card catalog. So much tougher, no?) Thanks to Nancy, the kid is NYU'd OUT! Thank you Nancy!
Blogless but OH SO COOL Regina knit us the most beautiful hat and (I think) Koigu socks. So precious! There were other goodies in the package too! THANK YOU REGINA! I'm so glad you could be there with us!
Virgina was in the HOUSE! Check out these super cool blocks! I LOVE THEM! Virginia has details on her blog about them. Thank you so much! We can't wait to play with them!
Here I am opening a gift from Ann.
A little back story is necessary here. Ann and I talk on the phone at least once a day - usually a lot more than that. For the last month or so she's been trying to torture me by telling me she's knitting a present for the baby and me. And then she was ripping it out. Then counting rows (she would clickety klatch on the phone and ask me if I knew what she was doing!) Then knitting some more. Then blocking. Etc, etc. I let her play her little game and honestly had no idea what she was knitting for us. (Just like I had no idea I'd be seeing it before the baby arrived!) So when I opened the box and saw that she had knit the CURLICUE I couldn't believe it!! SHOCKED! Such an endeavor, this blanket, and on top of everything else! I was floored!
My sister took home all the stuff that I will be able to use right away and I made sure she took the blanket with her. This ones coming to the hospital! THANK YOU ANNIE! You amaze me!
These adorable little shoes were knit by Cathy! She sent them along to Ann's and oh my god they are so precious! When I saw them I immediately asked all the mothers around me - will my baby REALLY be this small? Thank you so much Cathy! I really appreciate your thinking of us!
Vicki! What can I say about Vicki! Without Vicki, honestly, there wouldn't be an Ann in my life. So thanks Vicki - I have you to blame for all of this!!! No seriously - I love Vicki so much and she knit the most beautiful sweater and hat for our baby! It's gorgeous! And the pattern is fantastic. More on her blog as well. THANK YOU VICKI! WE LOVE YOU!!!!
Teyani sent a whole BOX of goodies! A gorgeous purple knit hat - with ears!
A duck that my niece just loved!
And a purple and red hat - my favorite colors! THANK YOU TEYANI! What wonderful gifts! THANK YOU!
Lola and Ava also sent a great box of stuff! So many riches! Included was this fabulous hoodie and hat! RED! PERFECT! Thank you girls!! I love everything!
What kind of surprise baby shower would it be without a BABY SURPRISE JACKET! Well, thank god for Margene! She came through BIG TIME! I can't wait to put my baby in this! (Details here!) THANK YOU MARGENE! WE LOVE YOU!
Just when I thought I was done opening all these magnificent presents, the doorbell rang! Another box!!
Terry, that goof, sent me lots of stuff, including this terrific onesie - I MIGHT BARF! I could use that in adult size! THANK YOU TERRY! YAY!
As I mentioned before, this is just a sampling! So many wonderful gifts - Georgie and I are beyond touched at the love you all have shown us and our baby. I can't wait to bring it all home!
Last but not least - a couple of other party pictures. First off, Ann thinks we all like her for her sparkling personality, but really, I just visit for the eats.
Coconut Marshmallows. Home made. These things ROCK and I'm not crazy for coconut.
Home made Baklava. She crushed the nuts herself and everything. Raves from my Mediterranean husband. And next to that is a carrot cake that Nancy brought from The Bronx. JEEZ! What a cake!
Here I am with my first baby! My little sister who's twelve years younger than me! Isn't she gorgeous!?!
And my favorite picture of all - a friend above all friends. Ann - I really don't know how to thank you and your family. THANK YOU MY FRIEND! I LOVE YOU!
Posted by Cara at February 27, 2008 02:49 PM
Topics: Baby? OH BABY!
Comments
how am I expected to maintain my gruff demeanor in the face of such gushing?! you're making me blush!
Posted by: ann at February 27, 2008 03:05 PM
Everything was beautiful. You are a special person. My favorite photo is of you and Ann. I lover her too. She is a very special person. I'm glad we all can share her.
Posted by: Carol at February 27, 2008 03:09 PM
When I brought up your blog, there was a picture of the beach (I'm guessing the Carribean) and right below it is the picture of the baby's room. The water and the wall match. Talk about a good, accurate name!
Posted by: Laura at February 27, 2008 03:36 PM
Ann is superwoman! That blanket, that party, the biggest surprise ever....she's da bomb!
Posted by: margene at February 27, 2008 03:43 PM
Oh and, I just love the color of the babe's room!
Posted by: margene at February 27, 2008 03:44 PM
Well, thank god for babies and baby showers... For once I'm being THANKED rather than BLAMED for bringing you two together.
; )
Posted by: Vicki at February 27, 2008 04:17 PM
Well they certainly got you! How fun!
Gorgeous paint color. Perfect cheerful yet calming color. Ohhhh... I'm rooting for a girl now just because purple would be so pretty with it!
Posted by: Jess at February 27, 2008 04:19 PM
I love the paint color. So relaxing and tranquil.
You are most welcome. I'm glad you liked the gifts and the cake!
By the way... Shaun Cassidy;)
Posted by: Nancy at February 27, 2008 04:27 PM
Sounds like you had a nice time at the shower. I was hoping to see a photo of the socks and hat I knit for you. Hope you liked them anyway.
Posted by: Carole at February 27, 2008 04:31 PM
we painted our daughter's room that color and love it. it is so fresh and sunny, and would be great for either gender. looks like the shower was great!
Posted by: Allegra at February 27, 2008 04:37 PM
Gorgeous color for the Baby's Room. You're right...you do know color.
Posted by: Kristen at February 27, 2008 04:57 PM
That color looks a lot like my spur-of-the-moment repainting of the kids' bathroom, which I totally love. The accent we used was a bright yellow. Very cheery and fun. It'll be tons of fun for your little one.
Posted by: Lauren at February 27, 2008 05:32 PM
That color is just beautiful. I have to confess that I'm not usually so crazy for baby showers, but yours was just wonderful. Ann is a marvel (and a damn fine cook and baker, to boot), and she gets blog comments from Robby Benson. That's almost enough to make me want to start blogging. And yes, the little socklets are indeed koigu (I think they took about 1/4 of a skein -- isn't that hilarious)? Truth be told, I think the little Hansel and Gretel kimono was my favorite thing that i got the baby, though. I wish I could find that fabric somewhere! xo
Posted by: regina at February 27, 2008 05:54 PM
Congrats! What an awesome shower!
Posted by: Julia at February 27, 2008 06:00 PM
I'm so glad the food got mentioned. But why only the desserts? Why not the tuna-less Nicoise salad that would make Martha BEG FOR MERCY? Why not the panorama of dips and dippers? The ham! The strata! That other thing I ate too much of!
Dr. Hyman is PISSED OFF at my gluttony that he may have stopped sending me emails. xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay at February 27, 2008 06:18 PM
I'm so glad the food got mentioned. But why only the desserts? Why not the tuna-less Nicoise salad that would make Martha BEG FOR MERCY? Why not the panorama of dips and dippers? The ham! The strata! That other thing I ate too much of!
Dr. Hyman is so PISSED OFF at my gluttony that he may have stopped sending me emails. xoxo Kay
Posted by: Kay at February 27, 2008 06:19 PM
Thanks for sharing your shower! It looks grand. The room is lovely! Enjoy momma!
Posted by: Carol at February 27, 2008 06:37 PM
You are more than welcome, sweetie! But the biggest thanks go to Ann for setting the whole thing up. Can't wait to see a baby in the room.
Posted by: Ava at February 27, 2008 06:52 PM
You are such a lucky woman! What great fun... Love the room color, and that it is COLOR. Here's the best advice I heard about the whole baby thing (any part of it)... do what you think is right and ignore all the advice people give you (including this?). LOVE the pics of your nephew exploring your belly.
Posted by: lisa at February 27, 2008 07:10 PM
you're a terribly lucky woman ... I'm so sorry that I wasn't included in the fun - but then again, no one knows me! ;o)
had I known, I would have been there with something for the bebe - but then again, there's not supposed to be anything for the bebe before the birth of the bebe, right? so ... one never knows, now, does one? just thinking about what to do with all those leftovers of cotton that I won a few or more months ago - hmmmm ...
Posted by: margaret at February 27, 2008 07:39 PM
It looks like the best baby shower EVER! That blanket is the best. I love the way the colors make the center look like a star. I'm guessing that it is the one that the baby will turn in to his/her Linus blanket. You will be repairing the shredded thing when the kid is ten or so.
I love the "I might barf" onesie. Heh. Thought it appropriate. They also have one that says "No Flash Photography", but I couldn't get that one in time. (Did I already tell you that?)
Girl-let's talk on Thurs. Okay? We need to set a time.
Posted by: Teresa C at February 27, 2008 09:15 PM
Sounds like a GREAT baby shower. You have such wonderful friends.
Posted by: Jeanine at February 27, 2008 09:56 PM
The little booties look like tiny bunny ears on your lovely assistant! Amazingly, baby feet really are that small, but only for a short time, which goes by in a blur. But having things that stay on those tiny kicking feet during that time is a Good Thing (most things you can buy do NOT stay on!).
I love the pictures -- what wonderful things your friends made! Looks like a great time was had by all. Home stretch!
And Nassau is a color I could get lost in. Wow.
Posted by: Cathy-Cate at February 27, 2008 10:56 PM
Love the room color. It looks very peaceful and calming. Nice choice. Very nice. Now, more importantly, is there a yarn that same color?
Posted by: Kathy in KS at February 27, 2008 11:10 PM
I'm so glad that it was such a wonderful surprise (go Ann !) We all had some great fun messing around on the baby shower site - AND knitting up those small delights for you.
Everyone is cheering for you grrlfriend - and pretty durned soon here, you're gonna have a prize for all these months of loving "labor".
may joy abound in your household.
p.S> love that deep yummy blue room.
Posted by: Teyani at February 27, 2008 11:32 PM
What a happy party. Wonderful! And the color reminds me of your photo of log cabin squares hanging from an umbrella. It's beautiful.
Posted by: larissa at February 28, 2008 12:59 AM
It looks like everyone had a fabulous time! We're so happy that we could participate & "shower" you with our baby favorites. SK still goes to that book for info. Congrats again & again!
Posted by: lola at February 28, 2008 08:16 AM
I love the color! It would look great with hot pink & lime green for a girl; or lime green and orange for a boy!! :)
Posted by: Rene' at February 28, 2008 12:15 PM
What a fabulous shower you had! I wish I could have made it...
And we're channeling the same vibe in our nurseries - our wall color is called "Splash." Yours looks a little more on the turqoise side, but they're very close!
Posted by: Sarah at February 28, 2008 12:29 PM
That color is gorgeous, you are gorgeous, and your baby will be gorgeous. I can't wait for more gorgeousity.
Posted by: JulieFrick at March 1, 2008 10:31 AM
That is an incredible colour. Reminds me totally of our recent cruise, and St. Maarten in particular. I don't remember Nassau; I was only 5 :)
Posted by: TracyKM at March 3, 2008 04:20 PM