Another Shower for our Ladybug!

Dear Baby Bug:

Yesterday was your third and final baby shower which was thrown for us by Grandma Carol, Aunt Julie, Aunt Katie, Aunt Carrie, Laney, Cameron, and Clara. It was so much fun and absolutely beautiful! We arrived at St. Mary's Hall around 11:45 and spent the next 45 minutes or so talking to guests as they arrived. We had so many friends and family members that came- it always amazes me that we are fortunate to have such wonderful people in our lives who care about us. After visiting came a delicious lunch of chicken, mostaccioli, roast beef, mashed potatoes, green beans, salad, and rolls. Once everyone had eaten, Daddy and I started the daunting task of opening the dozens of gifts that people had brought for you. Here are a few photos from the actual shower- I don't have very many because my camera ran out of room on the memory card, so Grandma Cindy has the rest on her camera. Maybe one day I will have access to those and can post them here for you to see. :)


Mommy and Daddy with your ladybug cakes- they were made especially for the shower by Aunt Julie, Casey, Laney, Clara, and Cameron


Mommy and Daddy opening gifts from Daddy's co-workers at Lincoln-Way...


...they sure spoiled you!


All of our guests included books with your gifts so that you have your very own library- I can't wait to read you all the books you received!


Laney and Cameron were very helpful with collecting the paper and moving gifts- you have wonderful cousins, Bug!

Instead of just telling you about your gifts, I am going to try to post a picture of what people gave you along with a description. This helps Mommy remember what to write in thank you cards and also gives us a solid record of who gave you what. Aunt Katie did a great job of recording who gave you what gift, so taking pictures of everything was a breeze! Beth and I spent all afternoon cleaning and organizing all of your new things and Mommy couldn't have done it without her. Enjoy looking at your gifts, Bug- you'll be here to use them soon enough!


This cute swimsuit, sunhat, and sunglasses are from Aunt Lou and Uncle Bernard. They are all ready to have you at Cedar Lake this summer and now you can be ready, too! They also gave you The Pokey Little Puppy which was one of Mommy's favorite books growing up.


Your cousin Casey gave you Casey at the Bat and some Cubs onesies. He knows how important the Cubs will be in your life and not only does the book have Casey's name in it, he also performed this story in the WWMS Reader's Theatre last year.


All of this great stuff is from Daddy's coworkers at Lincoln-Way: Michelle, Nancy, Jeff, Sharon, Mike, Julie, Tracy, Lynn, Peter, Betsy, Jenny, Don, Skip, Jen, Kristin, and Julianna. Kristin and Julianna were able to come to the shower and bring everything. Daddy is especially excited about the jogger- he thinks that you will be his training partner and you will go running together. I can't wait to see it!


April, Joe and Andrew gave you Five Little Monkeys and a Target gift card- we can't wait to do some more shopping for you!


The baby carrier, Target gift card, and books are from my Munster friends Sharon, Kay, Carol, Carol, Kathy, Sue, Jenny, and Phyllis. I miss them so much now that I'm not working and I can't wait to introduce you to all of them once you arrive.


Kathy gave you this beautiful outfit. It is 0-3 months so you are going to be stylish from the very beginning!


Andrea and Jo gave you the Tale of Two Bad Mice and a gift card to Target. Joe also made you the cutest ladybug and butterfly cake on Andrea's i-phone but I didn't get a picture of it. :( She was so excited to show it to us!


Uncle Butch and Aunt Marge gave you the digital baby monitor and You Are My Sunshine- as you can see, Daddy was so excited to use the baby monitor that he already put it in your room!


Look at all of this cute stuff! It is from Jenn, Jack, and Christy- they couldn't be at the shower because they were all sick, so we hope they feel better soon and we missed them!


Reagan gave you a very special gift- a patriotic book, a great shirt from the Ronald Reagan museum, and some bath toys- she knows the good stuff because she was a baby just a couple of years ago!


Alice and Reagan also gave you all of this fun stuff because they are all things that Reagan used and loved


Can you believe that Cammie made this pillow and sun catcher? She is so talented! She is so excited to meet you- one day you can curl up with your pillow and she can read you Don't Let the Pigeons Stay Up Late


Jeannie and Sam gave you this nice gift and Jeannie is helping us know about all of the things we need to do to keep you safe. We don't get to see Jeannie very much because she lives in Indy, so we were so happy that she could come and celebrate with us!


Look at all of this fun stuff from Auntie Carrie and Cameron! I love all of the bows that will go in your hair and can't wait to start keeping track of your life in that cute baby book. And look- Uncle Pete even squeezed in an Indy 500 bib for you!


Mrs. Mybeck and Marcia gave you everything here including the beautiful handmade basket from Mrs. Mybeck


This gift is from Jane and Courtney Hoyle. They have become almost a second family to me since moving to this area and we were so happy that Jane could come to the shower! Courtney is in school at Anderson, but we are sure to see her this summer at some point


Laney wanted to make sure that you are never lonely so she got you this Madame Alexander doll as well as There's a Wocket in my Pocket and she made you your very own basketball and ladybug bracelet


Aunt Katie is going to make sure that you are ready for summer with these beautiful dresses- and look at that cute matching headband! She is very excited for your arrival and says that you have to wait until her spring break to come- I hope you're listening!


Elaine, Beth, and Ellie gave us a Target gift card, this warm, snuggly blanket, and some nice sleepers for you to cuddle up in


Clara was so excited to give you this gift! It's a kitchen play set and she can't wait for you to be old enough to use it! The books you see are two of her favorites and she took so much time decorating the paper for your present. I think it's safe to say that she is looking forward to your arrival, even if it means she won't be the youngest Terry anymore


Aimee and Kathryn gave you this adorable gift which includes a couple of outfits that I could see them wearing if they were going to be your age! They are both so stylish and they are making sure that you will be too! Aimee and Kathryn were two of my Pantherettes at Griffith and I am SO HAPPY that we haven't lost touch. We are going to be sure to have them over once you are here so all us girls can hang out together! :)


Look at this spread from your Grandma Carol! She found all of this fun stuff for you and I can't wait until you can use it all. My favorite thing is the ladybug suitcase that you can pack when you go to both grandmas' houses!


All of these books and the baby bouquet is from Auntie Carrie's mom and dad, Bob and Sandy. That bouquet of clothes is so neat, I hate to take it apart so that we can use everything in it! We will have so much fun reading all of these books, Bug- there are so many good ones in this gift!


Here is a picture of the baby bouquet out of the box- how cute is that!?


The activity mat, sheet savers, mess mat, and books are from Grandma Carol's good friends Mary and Alice. It was so nice of them to come and celebrate with us and you are going to spend many hours on that activity mat- it's even shaped like a big bug!


We are so excited to get our pack-n-play and that plus your rug and On the Night You Were Born came from Mommy's best friends Betty, Beth, and Becky. It was so fun to see these girls again today- twice in one week! That pack-n-play is going to get a lot of use between here and Grandma Cindy's house!


This gift includes a lot of stuff to keep you safe and supported, Bug, and it is all from our cousin Amy. Daddy wants to use the snuggler in the jogger when you get a bit older to make sure you stay safe and sound while he sweats it out ;)


Mandy and Bryan gave you Big Red Barn and a Target gift card which means more shopping for you!


Meredith and Alice gave you a Tangled book and a Target gift card. As I was opening the gift, Alice ran up to me and said, "We got you Tangled! It's my favorite!" so you know that it will be a good book!


Uncle Jeff gave you Matt's Mitts and Aunt Julie gave you The Kissing Hand plus the cute bloomers, sun hat, and sunglasses. They are so beautiful and you are going to be like a little Marilyn Monroe in those shades!


Beauty and the Beast, If You Give a Pig a Pancake, and Mommy's breast pump came from Lynda, Heidi, Alice, and Aunt Julie. This gift will come in very handy for many months to come and Mommy is extremely grateful to have this gift!


Aunt Debbie gave you the book of Mother Goose, a little blanket for you, and a BEAUTIFUL handmade blanket to keep you nice and warm. Aunt Debbie made that blanket especially for you, Bug, and it is something that you will have forever


This gift is from Rachel and James and, as you can see, she mixed in some Irish charm. I love that little ladybug dress and the baby powder Yankee candle is going to make your room smell so, so good!


Grandma Cindy and Grandpa Rand went all out again and got you something that we will be using a lot in the next few years- your high chair! She also found the PERFECT swimsuit and sunhat for you- Mommy even has a navy swimsuit to wear along with you (if she can even fit into it this summer!). We also can't wait to read your fun book with you- it plays Jesus Loves Me!


Great Grandma and Grandpa Walter got you this cute outfit, Animals book, and something extremely special. That drinking cup was your Great, Great Grandpa Merriman's and is 112 years old! Daddy insists we keep it in a safe place, so it will not be in your room but we will share it with you when you are old enough


Mary and Michelle gave you this gift and Mommy was so happy to see them! They are my coworkers from Griffith and I miss them every day. I am lucky that I get to go to the alternative school every once in awhile so that I can swing by and have a chat with them!


Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sue gave you this bag of goodies. What you can't see is the computer printout that has all kinds of fun ladybug stuff on it! Aunt Sue even made a scarf in Lincoln-Way North colors! Aunt Sue had to travel all the way from Ohio to come to the shower, so we were so happy that she could be there with us :)


This cute outfit and the receiving blankets are from my second grade teacher Miss Grove. It was so nice of her to send you a gift and this romper is going to be so nice for you to wear this summer!


These books are so much fun, Bug, and I know you will have fun reading them and chewing on them. They are from Grandma Cindy's coworker Deb Ulrich and I can't wait for you to be old enough to use them- it won't be too long!


This "I Love Grandpa" onesie is from Charity Avery. She is expecting her first baby VERY soon and we are so happy for her and her family!


Your Great Aunt Irma gave you this romper and I think it is absolutely adorable! It will be perfect for these upcoming summer months at the lake