Baby Stuff

 This baby is going to be SPOILED. We have been so lucky to have people give us their old baby stuff and so many people eager to shower the baby with new gifts. First let me share my gift to baby... BEDDING! The crib is from our awesome friends, the Liveseys, but I made the pillows, comforter, and bed skirt.

To those who are concerned... I know that it is not safe to use big comforters/quilts with newborns and that there should not be pillows, bumpers, and other "stuff" in cribs. The pillows are for the chair and the comforter can be for a play mat until she's old enough for it. (We had a friend from our ward over who is a pediatrician and she saw the bedding and hesitantly said, "Just so you know..." Ever since then I feel the need to clarify to people that I do know the safety standards and plan to follow them. :)

These next pictures are some (yes, just some) of the generous gifts I brought home from the showers that were thrown for me here in San Angelo. I hope they don't come across as "look at what we got!" but I feel like somehow I need to convey how incredibly generous people have been to us. We heard that Texans had great hospitality. I'm learning just how true that is. People don't do this because they feel like they have to; they do it because they are honestly kind-hearted and want to help and celebrate and encourage. I tried to talk my way out of two of the showers, but they were determined. 

Seriously. So. Nice.

The last shower was thrown by one of the schools I work at, Fort Concho Elementary. It is the best elementary school I've ever been in. They do so much extra for their kids and try really hard to make a difference in their lives beyond academics. The staff has the best attitude about their jobs, each other, and the kids. I always leave that campus feeling uplifted. Almost the whole staff showed up at the principal's house for the shower, including a handful of people I've never actually met and a lot of people I've met but don't know very well. I have never felt so overwhelmed by the kindness of others.

The second shower was thrown by the San Angelo Civic Ballet and was a small group of ladies who work for the ballet. Again, some women I hardly know at all were there to support and encourage me. They were all so kind that by the end of the night I felt like we had been good friends all along. I realized afterward that some of them know me a lot better than I know them (I've taught their kids, etc) but I still felt like they were so incredibly generous to come and to shower me with gifts!

 The first San Angelo shower was thrown by my sweet friends Lori and Aimee (and many others who called and offered to help) and was attended by many of the women in my ward. Aimee is a decorating queen and even though I begged that she not go to a lot of work for this shower...

 it was stunning and done to the nines. I love the women in my ward and look up to them so much. They were so kind to come and celebrate with me. I'm lucky to have such wonderful friends.

I know that this blog isn't really read by anyone except my family and Utah friends, but I'll send out a big "thank you" anyway to all the fabulous people in San Angelo who have made Bret and I feel so very loved these past two weeks. I think I'm being converted to a Texan. The kindness can't be beat.