Celebrating Helen!

(sorry this is so long- lots of pictures!)

I have to admit I had been counting down the days to November 20th for some time! I was so excited to come to Texas, to see all my friends and family, celebrate baby Helen and share our happiness during this joyful time.

Sie & I got into Houston late Thursday night and I took off on Friday so that my mom & I could have a full day together of manicures, pampering and shopping :) Living so far away has really been hard on me these past 6 months. What is it about being pregnant that just makes you want to be with your mom?! :) We made up for lost time and had so much fun together. My very favorite place we went was a store called "Excessories" in old town Katy which has beautiful baby clothing (lots of keepsake items), womens clothing and home decor.

On Saturday we got up bright and early, all so excited for the big shower day. (I truly was so excited I couldn't sleep!) Mary, Sie's mom, our niece Isabella, and my grandma Pat and her friend all came over to caravan over to Mrs. McKenny's house for the shower.

Eight generous and wonderful ladies hosted and completely wowed everyone with the beautiful, creative decor - they thought of EVERY detail! The theme was toe shoes & tutus and  of course PINK, PINK, PINK, inspired by all my years of dancing and ballet (one of the hostesses and I danced together since elementary school!)

We had an amazing turn out of family and friends. I've never felt more humbled and grateful to be surrounded by people I love, and to celebrate such an exciting time in our life.

My good friend Kim (one of the hostesses and creative genius behind much of the decor) took some really great pics for us. Here are some of my favorites from the big day:

Toe Shoes & Tutus Invitation (made my Kim's mother in law at Workshop on Sugar Ridge)

Handmade pink wreath on the door

"Helen Olivia" on the mantle



The cradle my grandpa Don made for me, filled to the brim with presents for our sweet girl! We still can't get over everyone's generosity and love.

"It's a girl" lollipops and pearls on the mantle

"It's a girl" banner - Kim made the paper decor- I keep telling her she's got to go in business making these!

Entry table with pictures of Sie & I and of course - a pink feather boa!

We added Helen's baby book for guests to sign in.

(here's a pic of her baby book from the front)

Sweet monogrammed decorations

sweet little pink socks on the coffee table

one of my favorite things- handmade pink tutus around candles: SOO cute!

a shot of the whole living room

Guests wrote advice for Sie & I and baby Helen on little "tutu's" with Helen's initials. The hostesses tied the "tutu's" together and gave us a nice book to take home.

Favors were monogrammed sugar cookies

Raspberry pink pearl punch!

Straws with Helen's name

"French 75's" in "tutu" champagne glasses

All kinds of yummy desserts

including pink "bootie" petit fors

The hostesses served Cha Cha Chicken Salad, Pasta Salad, Fruit Kabobs, Garden Green Salad, spinach dip/veggies, and cheese and crackers for lunch - delicious!

beautiful floral arrangements (pink of course!)

My grandmother Pat pinning on my corsage (which had a teeny baby & pacifier in it- it was too cute!)

My mom & I as I started to open presents

we're related ;)

Lots of generations of women in our family: mother in law Mary, me (& Helen), my mom, grandma Pat, grandma Doris, grandma Joyce & niece Isabella

Kim (hostess & great friend) & I

Lori & I comparing bumps (she's 7 weeks behind us!)

My cousin Colleen & I comparing bumps

My great friend & fabulous host Amanda

Cousin Whit giving baby Helen some love :)

Thank you again to this extraordinary group of women (plus Donna who left before we got this picture) for making this day so special for me, Sie, our families and friends, and most of all HELEN!

 p.s. this is a shot of us afterwards (Bonnie, Mary, Whit, Rachael, me, mom & Sheri) reviewing all Helen's new goodies again! SO much fun! (will it ever not make me tingly to hold each little outfit up? I feel like I could pour over her tiny clothing for hours!)