Celebrating Baby #2

For the arrival of our second child, I didn't want or need a shower. Since I saved EVERYTHING we generously received from Theo's shower and our initial gathering of gear, including nearly every piece of clothing like a voracious hoarder (I would get highly emotional at the suggestion of giving away any baby item), we didn't really need a sprinkle either.

After making a big batch of bummy cream, the only thing we really needed were diapers. There are a few items I would like- like a 12 month baby picture frame or a double stroller that we could use for both of our kids but I plan on keeping an eye out on my Buy Nothing Group for these things.

I still wanted to celebrate this baby, though, and knew that I most likely wouldn't be seeing my lovely friends anytime soon after the baby was born. So, I opted for a little Sunday late morning get together and asked everyone to write a blessing for this baby. I plan on compiling the blessings into a little book to give to the baby at a later date so that she/he/they know that there were a lot of people excited for their arrival into this world. I also love this concept because most of my family and some of my friends live in other states or countries but they all could still participate by writing something out and emailing it to me. Yes, printing things out isn't the greenest thing to do but a few pages of paper is a lot more eco than asking people to give me a bunch of questionable consumer goods wrapped in plastic that we don't need.

I got bunches of flowers (sans plastic wrapping) from the farmer's market, a Baby in Bloom sign from my Buy Nothing Group and one banner that I bought online for decorations. We served light fare- just tea sandwiches, fruit salad and cookies along with a Sparkling Cava and lemonade with mint that came in glass. Since the gathering was small enough, we used our own plates, glassware and flatware along with our linen napkins that we save for special occasions. There was some plastic that was produced from this event- two plastic bags from the loaves of squishy bread for the sandwiches (I still can't find the time to bake bread from scratch for such occasions but I aspire), and that one banner sign that was new came in a plastic bag plus there were a few other food stuffs that came wrapped in plastic because you still can't buy them any other way. We will reuse some of the plastic bags so not perfect but not too bad.

All in all, it was a very sweet way to welcome our new addition. Big THANK YOU to my mother and Auntie Bitts who came down early to help me prep and set up. They always show up for me and I feel very, very lucky.