Four weeks ago, friends held a 'Jack and Jill' baby shower for us. No one really knows when or how the tradition of baby showers started. Research shows that the modern variety of having a get-together for the mother-to-be, a month or two before her due date, started soon after World War II. Female relatives and friends bring gifts for the baby on this day, and it really is a celebration of pregnancy. Prior to this, people would visit the couple once the baby had been born, showering them with presents then.

Thankfully, my baby shower was more of an 'open house' for a small number of friends, my parents, and our baby's great-grandmother. Considering my bedroom was converted to a living area, with several ladies gathered on our bed, and another few sitting on chairs at the end of it, I scarcely think a large party would have been appropriate. Even my husband and the other men were banished to the den to drink beers and watch the West Indies beat England in an ODI match! Poor creatures! While unusual for me to be so casual about missing out on cricket, I had such a great time with my girls that I forgot all about the game.

Changing diapers

I'd been dreading this day since talk of one had started months ago. I am not keen on guessing what the different mushed and melted foods, smeared in nappies, are. Won't I get more than a full load of these soon enough? Why punish a pregnant woman before her time? I have to admit that I am dreading this part of motherhood. Would it be terrible of me to hose my son down in the garden after each poop? Just think how fertile the soil would get! It would fit right into my husband's and my eco-friendly philosophy on life. I'm not sure the neighbours would talk to us ever again though!

I can hear the smug mommies out there: "Ha! If she thinks dirty diapers are the only things to worry about, she'll soon have the biggest wake-up call when she realises that she'll never have another full night's sleep again in her life!"

Yeah, yeah, I've heard it all. Allow me the bliss of believing that I'll be able to handle everything else will you?! Messy underpants is enough stress for me to think about at the moment. Goodness!

Silly games

Back to the shower. Fortunately, I managed to avoid playing any silly games, and the afternoon was spent with laughter and chat about everything and nothing in particular. Everyone had brought a baby gift, and while I do not expect anyone other than the parents to be buying the large necessities, like cribs and car seats, it is a lovely thing to receive cute clothes, children's books, swaddling blankets and toys. Contrary to what I thought before this, opening the parcels in front of people was fun!

Thankfully, my mind was not struck once with, "What is this for?" A rather embarrassing thing for a new mommy to admit to the veterans in the room! Those of you who read my article, 'Does My Baby Really Need to Have This?' might be wondering if I was given anything I'd consider useless. You'll be glad to hear that there was not a wipe warmer, bottle warmer, or Peter Potty in sight (www.peterpotty.com - you must take a look at it). Surprisingly, there were no 'repeat' items, and I can honestly say that I will find use for everything. Thank you, dear friends, for showering me with so much love.

Emmadaltonbrown@gmail.com