One of the exciting things about a pregnancy is the ensuing celebration of babe & momma, and all-things-babelicious and sickeningly “Awww”-enducing… that party called, THE BABY SHOWER.

Or, so I’ve heard.

Now mind you, I’ve gone to my fair share of babe-a-thons, and sat through the oohs and OHs and Ahhhhs (and sometimes awkward cringes) of the mother-to-be opening gift after “adorable” gift.  Hell, I’ve even planned my fair share of similarly gift-abundant celebrations, including bridal showers and monumental surprise birthday parties to end all birthday parties.

And because I’ve historically had my hand firmly planted in the planning phases of many said parties – I am the hostess with the mostess, after all – it’s difficult for me to give up any modicum of control and actually relax and be the SUBJECT of one of these celebrations.  I may be a control freak, but I’m a humble one!   My instincts make me want to step in and offer payment toward the food, or offer tips on the decorating – “aw shucks, don’t go TOO overboard”.  That’s what I’m butting my head up against in attempting to kick back with the knowledge that my best girlfriends are planning a baby shower for me.

Being that I’ve received many MANY baby/nursery items already, secondhand (thank you angels – you know who you are), it’s tough for me to come up with a gift registry that really reflects what I need…truly need… and I suppose I truly am becoming that P.I.T.A. (look it up), since what I really need are gift cards and cash to help me through maternity leave.  But since I think that seems to be too tacky (or some may say “rude”) to ask for…. Well then, I guess I’ll put that camouflage receiving blanket on the registry after all, then.  Cuz, I really need it, ya know.  😉

With the possibility looming over my head that I could be dubbed The Jerk at any moment, from being stubborn in my gift registry planning to potentially leaving someone off of my invite list (who’d I forget??), it became clear to me that I need to learn to give up the worry and control, and remember that my girls – those that know me best – have things under control.

At no point did this become more clear than when I showed up to the menu-planning meeting at the shower venue, only to find that my BFFs had already established a food list for the big day – Top of that list?  Numero Uno?   Macaroni and Cheese.  Ah, my lovelies, they know me well.  Perhaps I should really stop worrying about things…

…or maybe I should make sure I have a bottle of Sriracha hot sauce available for the food table, too?