mama bear

Today was Laura's baby shower! Only a couple more months to go (her due date is May 5) and we're all ready to jump into "auntie" mode as soon as Baby Jack arrives! It was so great to see all of my LRT ladies, all rounded up in one place (and not within the confines of work!). I almost don't realize how much I miss them all and then I see them and it just smacks me like a ton of bricks. 

Anyway, the Mama of the Hour made out like a bandit (again, more photos to follow including a destined-to-be-a-classic shot of her under a pile of tissue paper and onesies) - needless to say, between all of is, Jack is not going to want for much. Fortunately she and John (hereafter referred to as "Papa" or "Papa Bear" unless I forget in which case he will once again be just "John") only live a few floors below Maria and Christopher (where said shower was held) so it was only a hop, skip and a "can you grab the bouncy seat" to get all of the booty home. 

Along with a mountain of gifts, the food was a definite hit. Ashley, in true Louisiana style, made her jambalaya (amazing), Maria made beer bread (vegan and delicious so all attendees could partake), I brought a platter of caprese bites (oooh, fresh mozzarella), Danielle made chocolate chip cookies (which I'm pretty sure had sea salt on top, thus taking them from yum to ooooooh), Chelsea made red velvet cake (lighter than air, I could have eaten the whole thing) and, just because we're us, a few bottles of wine for those women not enlisted by motherhood to be sacred vessels (the Erath '08 Estate Selection was a hit, yay!). 

Once the baby shower merriment died down a little, the dogs (Maria's boys Vince and Chuck) got theirs and conned us in to taking them for a romp in the park. We packed up Laura/Jack's loot and took it downstairs where we traded it in for Colbie & Caddis (Laura and John's furry babies) and Zoe (Laura's furry niece). The five dogs exploded out of the gates and into the fresh air. Today was nice - a little cloudy but still in the 50's so playing with the pups, you didn't even need a jacket. 

After Chuck got bored and Colbie had run enough circles around Caddis, the canines were corralled and we realized it was dinnertime. Laura and Maria headed back upstairs and I took off in the direction of Jared and Shamoo to make, what turned out to be, a delightful risotto (langostinos, mini zucchini, sweet potatoes and basil).

All in all... A pretty great Sunday.