Gabrielle and Chris graciously rescheduled everything, so we had the party about a week before the little man came home from the NICU. It was a trying and exhausting period of our lives, and it was a wonderful respite to take a break to spend time with friends. I was even more exhausted than usual, because this was the day that two licensed lactation consultants had finally diagnosed me with an anatomical problem that would prevent me from ever having a full milk supply. It was the relief of finally knowing what was wrong when I was so busy killing myself pumping to no avail. But it was also traumatic news that effectively ended my dreams of being an exclusively nursing mother. I drove home from the NICU that day sobbing my eyes out. After a brief break at home to pull myself together (and, you guessed it, pump) I headed out to the party and the comfort of friends.
We had amazing BBQ pulled pork from Heckys (some of which is still in my freezer and still delicious...we had some for dinner last night). Gab decorated with flowers and blue and white balloons. We had a monkey cake (to eat), a diaper cake (to use later) and some of John's killer blackbottom cupcakes. Friends each brought a book that they loved from their childhood, so by the end of the party we had a wonderful little baby library of books to keep Liam reading well into toddlerhood.
The party, in retrospect, was amazing for marking a turning point. This last phase of life as a couple in Chicago has been one of the best times of my life. We have had the fullness of good friends, of structured social engagements, and easy casual get-togethers. We have been spoiled to live just blocks away from friends. As each year passes and more friends graduate and move away to jobs, the tide of our time here has been turning. And this year it appears will be our last in Chicago. So this party marks in many ways the end of an era: the end of coupledom and the beginning of family. The end of easy social engagements and the beginning of being social with baby. The end of Chicago and the beginning of a new chapter. But no matter where we go, may we always be in touch with the wonderful folks we met here in Chicago.
Heather, Harvey and Michaela all help get things ready for the party. The amazing diaper cake that Gab and Berit put together. Nearly 200 diapers to keep that tiny butt dry in his first weeks home.
Friends mix and mingle.
Gab, our hostess, giving a sweet and moving toast to our friendshipo and impending parenthood.
Men vs Women in a sex and baby trivia contest.
Dishing up the darling (and delicious) monkey-themed cake Sian picked out.
Smiling with Sian at the end of a very long week at the NICU.
A much belated but hearty thank you to everyone who rearranged schedules to be there. And a heartfelt thanks to all the friends who worked together to pull the party off. You are amazing.
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