Simon's baby debut

Being that this was my third pregnancy, we didn't find out the sex of the baby and we had saved everything from our previous babies I knew it was unlikely I'd have any sort of baby shower. Which was okay. Life was so busy with soccer, gymnastics, preschool, work and normal life stuff that it sort of slipped past me to do any kind of baby prep at all. 

So when my dear friend Jessica offered to throw me a baby shower I was so excited. We decided that a post baby debut party made much more sense so we could pass around the newest little Vance baby. I envisioned a very simple, intimate setting with some of my closest friends and family to just have some girl time together, since I don't get much of that these days.

Jessica blew my simple idea out of the water. She is so good at thinking about little details that make the biggest impression. Her decor was perfect, little bits of blue, green and gray perfect to later transfer to Simon's new nursery. The food...I can't even begin to describe how delicious it was. Homemade quiche, scones, croissants, fruit kabobs, mimosas and cucumber water. And the company was perfect. 

We spent the morning having brunch, retelling Simon's birth story, passing a super sleepy baby around and filling our tummies with food. Perfect. 

My sweet friend Ashley drove all the way up from North Bend to be there. We just love her and her family. Matt and her husband lived together before we got married and anytime we can spend with them is so fun.

The drinks!

Decor. The flowers were beautiful and added a special touch. She typed up the menu and put it in these frames which matched some of the other decor in the room.

Jessica made this adorable banner for the debt party too. I can't wait to hang it in his new room!

And the food. I hate to just keep talking about the food, but seriously, it was amazing. Her friend, Jarica is starting a simple catering business and made everything from scratch. And not just homemade, but ingredients like farm fresh eggs, organic pastry flour and lavender. So, so good!

My friend Amber, who was my first friend when we moved to Bothell. We randomly met at a nearby park one day when I had only been here 2 weeks and her only 2 months. I remember we exchanged emails and I was so excited to have made a friend. 3 years later we still love regular play dates together with our crazy kids!
And one of my longest friends Katy with her daughter Ava. Katy is that friend who you can go months without talking to and then just pick up where you left off. We have random late night texts over things like scary rodents in our houses or pregnancy advice or funny stories. I love her so much and am so happy she only lives 15 minutes away!

Jamie and Amber. Jamie and I met last year when our boys played soccer together, instantly hit it off and now get together all the time. She is so genuine, sweet and normal. Ha! That's a wierd way to describe it but really, she just gets it and I know is never judging me or my kids when we are all having an off day.

Gifts! I was so blessed, love my sweet friends!

My sister-in-law Joy...who is the best (and only!) aunt to my kids. So glad she could drive up for the day. She loves the kids so much and is always so excited to spend time with them.

A horrible group shot! I cropped this to get rid of that silly glare at the bottom of the picture but it just won't download properly and I have no time/patience/energy to keep fixing it. So, just imagine a much better, clearer image of all of us ladies.

And Jessica. She's remarkable. Thoughtful, funny, honest and real. She watched the kids for us for the past 3 years when I was working and her family has become a part of ours. Our 3 kids are each the same ages and genders - instant BFFs! We have shared so much in the past 3 years and I couldn't have gone through this pregnancy without her. We dropped the kids off at her place when I was in labor and even though it was almost 2 am, she welcomed them with open arms as I squatted down against her mini-van having a contraction. Ha! Love Jessica so much and am so thankful for her lifelong friendship.

It was a perfect baby debut and I'm so happy I had some time to celebrate our newest baby boy.