Welcome Aashini Miley!

Just to let you know that you are being lifted up! We love you three!!
Be sure to check out their family blog for awesome pictures of the littlest rockin' baby!!

Getting Started

Welcome to Andrea and Adam's virtual baby shower.
I am so glad that you've taken the time to stop by, to participate, to share and reflect and to truly celebrate this incredible season in their life!

I first met Andrea when I moved to Florida State University as a transfer student. In fact, she was my Fish School mom. I remember being completely blown away by her joy and excitement for life and by her unwavering love for our Dad. She welcomed me into her life and mine has never been the same! I specifically remember a pumpkin carving contest she hosted at her home during my first year at the FSU BCM- we put rhinestones on ours!! (I think we must have won!!) It wasn't long after being introduced to her parents that I fell in love with her entire family. It was easy to see where her passion for life and others came from!

Just a few years later, we were marrying amazing men and starting out on another journey- together!

It was during our time in New Orleans that our friendships really grew, as we learned and matured and began to see a bigger picture for our lives. Taking classes together shaped our perspectives and created a unique bond that we will have no matter where we journey in this life. But the moments we had in Willingham Manor, in small little coffee shops like Puccino's, at family friendly Mardi Gras parades, at the Flying Cow, over dinner while watching American Idol or just hanging knit our friendship together more than I might have ever imagined!

Adam and Andrea were there when we gave birth to our first son,

adoring him just about as much as we did :-)

and making sure he received a warm welcome when he arrived at his home on Lipsey Street for the first time!

They helped us celebrate birthdays and made children smile for pictures...

successfully!They helped us welcome our second little boy into the world as well and were amazing entertainers of our 14 month old in the "princess suite!" I seem to recall lots of flip flop games...

And book readings too!

It's been awhile since we've seen Andrea and Adam, so long that we've even added another little bundle of joy to our family- don't worry it was a girl this time! Despite the time and distance, our love and appreciation for them, their calling in life, their passion and their friendship has not changed.

I could not have imagined going through some of the most difficult, interesting and fun times in my life without Adam and Andrea, that's why you're here, reading this blog- because the moment I found out they were going to be parents themselves, I've been trying to figure out a way to shorten the distance from "here to there." For most of us, it will be nearly impossible to make the journey to welcome little Jellybean into the world, although I would love to hang streamers and balloons for his or her grand entrance home, just as they did for us. So, instead of making the trip physically, let's make it in our hearts. Let's join together and throw them one awesome virtual baby shower!! Post your words of wisdom, have fun playing the games (although I regret there will be no prizes) and enjoy celebrating the life of Jellybean! Oh... and don't forget this is a surprise...for now!! Thanks for helping out! I know that Adam and Andrea will be touched by your "presence" at this celebration!

When I saw this picture, I thought of something I've read in a book before :

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I pra'se you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.
When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body.
All the days ordained for me
were written in your book
before one of them came to be.

What a joy to be reminded of how valuable Jellybean is!

In addition, what an awesome responsibility we have as family and friends to walk beside Andrea and Adam during this new adventure, to lift them up and encourage them.
Since many of us can not physically be there to offer to wash a load of laundry, change a dirty diaper or allow the new Mommy and Daddy to take a little snooze, I thought it would be just as encouraging for us to post some of our favorite sayings as they begin their new walk as parents.

Picture Perfect!

Andrea and Adam were picture perfect as babies, as toddlers and as children. (Yes, even as adults they are 'picture perfect' as well!) There is no doubt in my mind that little Jellybean will be quite the cutie! Take a look at these pictures...
------------------

THEN:

AND NOW:

Share which features you think little Jellybean will have... Adam's blue eyes, Andrea's nose...

Personality- It's all in the Genes!

Quiet or loud? Silly or serious? Introvert or extrovert? Whose personality will Jellybean inherit? Take a look at these pictures, I wonder if they'll be good predictors of the adventure that Adam and Andrea will have with their own little bundle of personality!!

J-E-L-L-Y-B-E-A-N You'll Be....

Take the letter's in "Jellybean" and share one characteristic or attribute you think he/she will have in years to come!

Example:

ADAM

A- Awesome Attitude
D- Dynamic Daddy
A- Artistic
M- Marvelous

Mommy's Musts!

Share with Andrea one (or more) things a new Mommy MUST know!

Daddy Do's and Don'ts

Share with Adam one (or more) major daddy do

and one major daddy don't!

Pink or Blue?

This one's easy!! Let's see who guesses correctly:

GIRL

or

BOY

You can even take it one step further and share why you think it's going to be pink or blue!

A Real Page Turner!

Share your favorite children's book with Adam and Andrea and let them know why you think Jellybean will love it so!

ADAM + ANDREA

Here's a chance for your creative juices to flow! Take a look at the letters in Jellybean's parents' names and see how many names you can create from them!

A D A M

A N D R E A

Have fun! This is going to be a tough one!!

The Name Game

Naming a baby is never easy!! Post your top 2 names for a girl and a boy!!

Sing Me A Song!

We all know babies love a good lullaby! Share your best suggestion for a soothing song - you know- one you can remember the words too at 3am!!

Andrea looking so cute for bed! The perfect time for the perfect lullaby!

Jellybean, not to worry, your daddy is obviously musically inclined! He'll be able to sing you right back to sweet slumber!

The Guessing Game!

Here we go!! Let's play the guessing game!
It's easy- give your best guess for the following questions and we'll see how close you really are!!

1.) When will Jellybean be born? (date)
2.) What will Jellybean's measurements be? (weight and length)
3.) Will Jellybean be bald or have lots of hair?

Lifting Up

Although this virtual baby shower has been fun- an adventure in celebrating the upcoming arrival of little Jellybean- I could think of no greater and more powerful way to close out our "gathering" than to come together to pr for Adam and Andrea as they begin the most incredible and rewarding adventure of their lives! Please take a few moments to share your thoughts for them and baby Jellybean!