APRIL SHOWERS

April showers bring... LOTS of baby stuff.

Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of family and friends, our unborn child has a larger wardrobe than her daddy and what is seemingly enough "stuff" to start a daycare center. I'll admit, it overwhelms me. But Sonja says we'll need every bit of it, so I just keep hauling boxes to various designated storage areas around the house and sort everything, as instructed, into age-appropriate piles.

Zoe's first shower was held Sunday, April 2 at the home of Sonja's sister, Shane, (photo above) in Newaygo. Shortly after, Sonja's co-workers hosted the second. This weekend we'll be in Bay City for the finale. In between, boxes just keep showing up in the carport while we're at work. Who knows how many Crazy Pacing Guy across the street (long story... though not nearly as long as Crazy Light People next door to him) has in his living room?

I wasn't able to attend either of the first two showers, but Sonja had some good stories to share. She continues to learn how her body is reacting to the pregnancy. She's perplexed that she can do something as simple - and enjoyable - as sit in a chair and open gifts and end up feeling like she just ran a marathon.

Later, she realized it has affected her emotions as well. At the end of the Newaygo shower, Sonja wanted to thank her sisters (Shawn and Shane were co-hostesses) for their efforts. She wanted to express how much it meant to be surrounded by people she loves. She wanted to tell family and friends she isn't able to see often enough how great it was to do so. "I had a lot heartfelt things to say," she told me. "But as soon as I opened my mouth, nothing came out and I started crying."

I learned in Communications 101 that not talking, or in this case not being able to talk, still sends a message. Allow me to translate to all of those that were in Newaygo, contributed to the work party, will join us in Bay City, or have otherwise helped us prepare our home for Zoe's arrival: Thank you, thank you, thank you. We love you.