The next day she tried watermelon!
The only problem is she will not eat either one since. But I am holding out hope for my picky eater. After all, she comes by it honestly...
I'm so sad I didn't get a group photo. I am trying to let go of the fact that we didn't do it but we were busy chatting, laughing, and eating! 
The huge profile belly shot and the blue balloons! 
"It's a Boy!"
It was so nice to see Christine. It's such a shame she moved but I'm so glad we keep in touch and so appreciative to her for the shower.
Kat's cakes were the hit of the party! Can you believe the talent?!
My friends were very generous with gifts. I felt overwhelmed by their generosity. We got so many adorable matching little outfits. While I was opening presents I started panicking a bit thinking about the reality of our situation! The clothes are adorable, the baby gear is so fun, the blankets are soft, the baskets are blue but the thought of bringing home two babies and having two other "babies" is paralyzing. I had to take a deep breath and let it go.
Kristen finally let me get a picture of her. She was the third hostess and opened her home to all of us. It was perfect.
I feel so blessed. I am surrounded by wonderful people and feel incredibly overwhelmed by their generosity and love. This was a perfect celebration for Luke and Gabriel and I hope that we will get together for many more wonderful occasions.
Watching the girls together is so much fun. I hope the addition of our boys brings their bond even closer. 
...and two loveys for the boys! They even have their little names embroidered on the corners. Lilly and I were oohing and ahhing on the porch. Thank you Krissy!
The second package was from my dear friend Eve and it is so sweet and thoughtful. It is a nightgown all for me!! A nightgown! I never buy myself nice pajamas and end up sleeping in big t-shirts and boxer shorts. I feel like a princess. And the best part? I have been rummaging through Andy's drawers lately taking out his XXL t-shirts since nothing fits me and this nightgown fits me with room to spare! It is so nice to be comfortable during a time of discomfort. 
There was also a slip in my mailbox letting me know they had attempted to deliver another package but I wasn't home and needed to sign for it. Our mailman Rick is great and always tries again when he sees my van home. Within and hour of arriving home he was walking up my driveway with another package from my friend Christine. The package had been overnighted and I was clueless as to what she would have sent.
Inside the overnight wrapping was a second package...
And inside that package was an envelope that said, "Open First." 
Finally I realized that my wonderful friends had been planning a get together in my honor and I began to shake. I was overcome with so many emotions ranging from nerves and gratitude to excitement. I was so grateful that they told me before letting me walk into a roomful of people yelling "Surprise!". 
Christine knew I would be anxious and she even bought me a shirt to wear to the brunch since I was finding out last minute. I was (and am) very very touched.
I immediately called Christine, Kristen, Jackie, and Andy who were all working behind the scenes for weeks to pull this off. We rehashed the planning and laughed and laughed as Christine and Kristen shared stories of paranoia with me (they thought I knew at certain points). I found out Jackie had taken RSVP's and Andy had been instrumental in giving all the information to everyone. He also spent time emailing and talking to my friends which I find so sweet and loving and special.
Ella sat at the table and waited for me while I got food for everyone. She is so content to just sit and watch the excitement. It makes my life very easy!
Lilly had a blast.
Girlfriends. Trouble makers.
The water balloon toss.
Ella spent quite some time checking out the water balloon. When it eventually fell on the deck and popped she didn't know what to think.
Happy girl.
It's so much fun having a very close friend to hang out with at times like this. 
The big belly.
I love picnics; especially on perfect days such as this one.
We stopped and chatted along the way and kept our eyes peeled to the beauty around us. There is so much beauty in our own yard and so much more in the park across the street. There is new growth everywhere.
Lilly found her second robin egg. She loves them. 
The park was abandoned. We were all alone and it was very peaceful.
The girls went in search of ducks but found the geese first. 
Lilly is a goose-feeding pro. She doesn't let their nasty hissing bother her. She doesn't get scared when they come near her and threaten her. She yells at them and tells them to be grateful for the food they're getting. 
Ella stood in one spot holding out one piece of bread. She didn't want to throw it and she wasn't too sure about the mean goose in front of her.
Love.
After all the bread was gone we walked over to the pond and found a mother duck with her baby ducklings. They were too cute and we were out of bread so I felt badly.
A goose was getting way too close to me and hissing at me as I was sitting. It takes me time to get up from a sitting (on the ground) position so I asked Lilly to scare the goose away from me. She did, and he ultimately jumped into the pond. 
It was so sad but so funny. She simply didn't understand so we promised her some swinging and she quickly recovered.
Lilly is an awesome pumper! She gets so high my stomach does flips. I'm so grateful that I don't have to push her anymore and she is so proud that I don't have to push her anymore!
When we got home we made cinnamon playdoh creations. It smelled wonderful!
I made a cool dude.
Lilly made a volcano and a princess.
The day ended with a healthy meal and some more bonding.
