Let us now discuss:BABY SHOWERS

[underpants]

Okay so the big family (my family) shower was never really set up. So they decided to have it this weekend. Well they all wanted my wife and me to drive 6 hours to the shower. Normally that would be quite a trip (even with a break 2 hours in at my folks' place) but with my wife now 7 months pregnant AND with gestational diabetes that would be really tough.

We both have made the trip over the years for a number of family events including a horrific drive back after my cousin's (one cousin) wedding-hung over as hell with my wife (we were broken up *dating then* but I invited her anyway) and my alcoholic brother asleep. Why couldn't they come here or at least make a 4 hour drive to my mom's?

They tried to settle on a "half way" point (only 4 hours for us) but my wifes sugar is all over the place so the doctor said NO WAY to a trip like that-too far away should something happen.

The funny part is that if we had gone THERE we would have had two showers because the family is split over a fight between two of the alpha male uncles ($$$$). You have to choose a side. I thought this could be a way to bring the family back together. O8)

Now they are going to have one without either of us and my mom is going to bring the stuff to her house and I will go get it from there.

This may sound terrible but this was the one I was really expecting to cash in on. We both have doled out plenty for all the weddings and showers over the years so I don't feel so bad about it.

Now here is the part that is driving me crazy. My mother is usually super orgainzed but for the 5th time last night I had to tell her where we are registered. Babies R US and Target-simple enough right? Just go on their websites and look for our name in the baby register. Uh-uh those with computers can't seem to handle it and no one seems to want to buy anything on line. HELLO 21st century. Many of my relatives were sending me total BS e-mails during the campaign so I started firing off the debunkings and counter arguments (thanks DU), eventually I was asked through my mother to stop doing that because it upset them so. :grr: I told my mother last night that it was time for them to use their computers for good instead of evil.

They don't have a Babies R Us near them---why don't you register at Wal-Mart? I told my mother that my wife doesn't want that crap and I wouldn't stand for it. Now I think this whole thing was about them trying to get us to register at Wal-Mart :eyes: It was tough enough for my wife to stand up for the several hours we took to register why can't they do what any trained monkey could handle and find out what we asked for and see if anyone near them carries it? Is this so damned hard????

Oh my mother tells me that the e-mail I sent here AS A REPLY was blocked by her ISP. IT WAS A FREAKING REPLY!!!!

So this is where we are. My Mom said last night "Well we'll just see what kind of stuff you get then" which set my wife off-which she doesn't need right now.

[Bunny]

1. Aw man, that sounds awful.

I have no words of advice, but I will say that anyone who wants to argue with a pregnant woman about where she's registered, and expect her to make a four or six-hour trip to attend a shower, is being pretty unrealistic.

If they can't bear to shop where you're registered, tell them to get you diapers. It's something you'll certainly need, and they can feel good about going to Walmart.

[underpants]

2. Here's another part that kills me

Several of them are fairly well off. But it has been nothing but WAL-Mart Wal-Mart Wal-Mart.

:wtf:

[AtLiberty]

3. I hate showers...

For others, for me, doesn't matter.

Hate 'em, hate 'em, hate 'em.

I begged people not to throw me any. Don't get me wrong -- I'm not rich and could use "stuff." I, too, had given more than my share of gifts through the years.

I lost. Surprise showers were thrown for me. The only migraine I've ever suffered was during the big family wedding shower. I came close to pulling a Runaway Bride then and there.

People should not expect your wife in her last trimester to make such a long trip, especially because of her current health issues. Most people can't relate because serious pregancy problems are rare, fortunately.

I was a sickie in my first pregancy. I spent the surprise shower in the horizontal position on the sofa with my feet propped on pillows, drifting in and out of a hazy sleep.

Screw the shower. Let others figure it out.

Focus only on keeping your wife calm and well-rested. Keep your eye on the prize -- a healthy baby and mama.

[underpants]

5. My mother on my wife's medical condition

"Oh yeah I've heard about 25% of women have that problem"

WHAT? No they don't! 3-4% maybe not a QUARTER!!

Again this is the same crowd that believes the astroturf political e-mails. I have no idea where she got that from.

[matcom]

4. dude. wanna go to a bachelor party?

make you feel better :D

[underpants]

6. No I am getting drunk with some rich people

and I am being driven around to do it. :woohoo:

This is my last night away-the last weekend.

[Lars39]

7. You may have to do what I did in the days before registration.

Especially if you've got cheap relatives who think Walmart stuff is the end-all be-all.
Don't count on getting anything you want or need.
If you get something you don't want or need, return it to the store it was bought at.
Try to scope out that the item was actually bought there first, though.
And try to return everything in one go if you can.

I know it may sound callous to do this, but there is no reason to keep bizarre stuff
that was probably chosen in one of those, "well, just get something so we can get out of here" moments,
just to keep a relative happy.

[underpants]

12. Oh yeah that is what we are planning on doing

Hell I will do it on the way back home if I can.

[luvLLB]

8. Hate baby showers. Hate wedding showers. I refuse to go to them .

[cally]

9. Ask a friend to return all the stuff after the shower

and be thankful that you can't attend. I'm still shaking my head that they are having a shower without you. :wtf: Can't anyone understand that a pregnant woman should not drive for six hours this late in her pregnancy. Even without the health issues it is very uncomfortable to sit that long.

I hope you and your wife remain calm and focus on your new child. That's what's important.

[underpants]

13. "Box party"

Everyone opens their gift in front of everyone else :eyes: and then everything gets put in a box and mailed to the expecting couple. Yes it is as impersonal as it sounds but I know who suggested it and that doesn't surprise me.

[redqueen]

16. She deserves better, if sh e wants it...

I love showers and it's really bothering me that she's missing out.

Hopefully if she wants one, one of her local friends will throw her one.

Grr grr GRRRRRRRRR!

[cally]

18. I'm glad at least one other person loves showers

I like them. I even enjoy the silly games. It's just so campy.

[underpants]

20. Speaking of games

I am TOLD (had to stay upstairs during the shower at my in-laws) that they had a baby drawing contest.

Picture 20 or so older women holding paper plates above their heads and trying to draw a picture of what the baby is going to look like. My wife got to pick the winner-I forgot what they won though. Very funny pictures.

[cally]

17. The way you describe these folks it sounds lik,e

they will give more when others see what they are giving. It may work out for you after all. :evilgrin:

[Momgonepostal]

10. Gestational diabetes or not, it's insane to expect

... a woman that close to the end of her pregnancy to drive that far.

Totally ridiculous about objecting to where you registered. If they have a problem with those stores, they could give you cash. It's not like that wouldn't be put to good use.

You know what I hate about baby showers? When people have big showers with each pregnancy. I feel like, "didn't I just buy you baby supplies two years ago?"

[barb162]

11. showers are a pain in the ass.

waste of time, the people could send the gifts to you, everyone, saying "Isn't that cute" over and over and over and over.
The person getting the gifts saying"Isn't this wonderful" when she feels like gagging. If I never went to another shower again, I would be just fine.

[northzax]

14. I think babies are safer in a bath tub

with supervision, you shouldn't be taking showers until at least 4.

[redqueen]

15. What the everloving fuck?

That's a special kind of lazy, right there.

I'm so sorry for Mrs. Underpants... she so doesn't need this. :(

[underpants]

19. Not just lazy but imcompetent too

Oh everything would have been great if each of them would have only had to drive 20 minutes or so but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[Maat]

21. HeeHee. Underpants, I'm sorry.

This brought back so many memories.

I remember walking into Target (and their stuff is a lot better than Wal-Mart's) and dropping $201.00 worth of stuff I did not want or need on the counter. I said, "Anything you take back would be a blessing."

She took ALL of it back and gave me over $200. My hubby and I took it and bought the stuff we NEEDED for Beloved Daughter - high quality stuff.

I have been through this.