Rowan's first letter

Here we go folks! I intend to use this blog to post updates about Rowan, tons of pics and funny, funny stuff.

First, a letter from aunt Crackola who lives in San Antonio..

Dear Little Rowan,

I thought I'd write you what might be your very first letter, although just between you and me, your mom will probably read it first. She'll have to open your packages for the first couple years too, so I'll save the good stuff like noisey toys and tons of candy til your old enough to annoy her properly with them. You should also know your mom is a cat person, so when you have trouble talking her into getting you a puppy, just give me a call, we'll see if we can't make a "stray" show up for you! You should remind your mom that babies fly free and she should bring you to visit so we can go to Seaworld and Playland and all those other fun places.

You got a good deal kiddo, your mom is gonna show you all kinds of fun and crazy stuff in this world. Your future has more velvet Elvi (yes, she said Elvi), pink flamingos and beaches than you can shake a stick at. You are a lucky little girl. Welcome to the world and keep on eye on your mom, she'll play with your toys when you aren't looking!

Welcome! This blog will be dedicated to the growth of my coconut, Rowan Gray. As she grows, I will add pictures and stories for everyone to enjoy and comment on. When she is older, I'll print these pages and give them to her as a gift. Until then... let the memories begin.

For now, I'm using this as an extension of the baby shower invitations. I have so much information to pass on about the baby shower that will be long winded and not read by all, but some will want to know. You can click on the links to the right to find out what you want to know about the special day. I hope to see everyone here!

Gifts and such... what I need for baby.

Everyone keeps asking me what I need for baby and honestly, the answer is not a lot. I'm a simple sort AND I'm thrifty. I hate clutter and needless "stuff." When I found out I'm going to be a mom, I started prowling thrift stores, yard sales and consignment shops. I have almost everything I need, most of the basics covered. I'm a cheapo type of gal and the thought of spending 10 bucks or more on a child's outfit gives me the icks when I can pick most everything up secondhand for about a buck. I have almost everything I need for the nursery.

I don't need lots of baby items. What I do need is (I hate to say this, but money). Not cash, but gift certificates for the future. Diapers are not cheap and depending on how functional these gigantic breasts of mine are, I'll need formula. The biggest expense that will come along with baby for me is building a fence around the pool before she starts walking. I need to buy the items to baby proof my house. I need a new non-drafty window for her room. What I really need are gift certificates to Lowe's for fence construction. Gift Certificates to Target, Wal-Mart, Sam's and area grocery stores for baby needs in the future. I will need volunteers to help do projects around my house (such as installing that fence and those windows). And I will need TONS of support and I won't say no to baby-sitting.

Many people have scolded me for buying almost all of the baby items I need myself. I knew I would save money in the long run this way because I'm thrifty.

I say this sincerely... everyone's friendship, support and presence is enough of a gift for me. It really is. But so many people have asked what I need and I hate to think of people spending their hard earned money on things I won't need, or things the baby will wear once or not at all. I'm a practical sort.

For those who asked, here is a list of things I need for baby...

Gift Certificates:
Lowe's (for fence building and child proofing)
Wal-Mart/Sam's (misc items and diapers)
Target (for the remaining "big" items and for smart toys down the road)
McKay's (for books for baby. This child will have so many books...)
IKEA (they have awesome storage solutions for the babies room)
Shutterfly (www.shutterfly.com) They have super cheap prints and I'll be taking tons of baby pictures.


I am registered at Target.

Not Yo' Momma's Baby Shower.

I hate baby showers. I've always avoided them like the plague. It isn't the gift giving part I hate, that is fun. It is the tedious time spent with tons of women telling birthing stories, playing games with potatoes between my legs and nonsense such as that.

I want a baby shower, but not a traditional one. First off, the thought of an entire day in the company of all women gives me the shudders. I have many men friends, I want them here too. The thought of hearing birthing stories or playing baby games... not my cup of tea.

Not being a traditional type of gal, I want a party. I want tons of people, swimming, a fire in the evening. I want laughs and hugs and noise. I want children running about and the smell of burgers on the grill. I want to see friends and family that I see often and those I don't see often enough. I want a celebration.

So, if you think you can handle a party, please come. We'll have great fun.

Why do I call her "The Coconut?"

I found out that I am pregnant on April 9th. My boobs had been hurting for a few weeks and a couple of times I felt as if I was about to start my period, but never did. I mentioned to the baby's father that I was sore. He jokingly said I might be pregnant. A week or so goes by and on a whim, I bought a pregnancy test at the Dollar General Store. Actually, I bought two. A dollar test and a $4 test. I was home that night, and thought I wonder... so I peed on the stick like I've done countless times in my life whenever paranoid thoughts would kick in. Positive. That can't be right, I think. I pee on the other stick. Positive.

I was not happy. I was numb. I was horror struck. I did laps around the yard, pacing. I called my best friends in tears. I did more laps. My stepson Zack came outside to see what I was up to. I told him I just needed to think. He looked at me like I was nuts, went back inside.

I made the decision that night to keep it. I was not happy, I was not thrilled. I had no love yet, but my instinct was to protect. I poured a big glass of water. I immediately started eating more vegetables. Protect, my body said. It would be almost two months before the love kicked in.

As part of my decision to not have an abortion, I told everyone I could think of within 24 hours. I didn't blog about it for a few weeks, I needed to give the baby's father time to let his people know. My theory was this... if I told everyone, I would be less likely to sneak off and have an abortion. If I told no one, I would have been more likely to sneak off and do it. That sounds harsh, but I am pro-choice. There are reasons I am pro-choice, yet I do not fall into one single category that in my mind justifies an abortion. Not one. Morally, I could not do it, so in a way I forced my hand so I would not be tempted. Turns out, that was a good plan.

Now... I'm in love with this person growing inside of me. I can't wait to meet her, can't wait to show her to the world. To show the world to her.

After much pacing and tears that night, I finally went back into the house. My 17 year old step son Zack was sitting at his computer. This was 3 days before his 18th birthday. I sat down on the cedar chest behind him. He spun around in his chair to talk to me. I took his hand and said "Do you think I'm a good mom?" and I immediately started crying. He assured me that I rock. "I'm pregnant" I tell him. I can't describe the look of shock on his face. I was crying, I was so upset and scared. But then I got tickled.

"Travis is the hairiest man I've ever known, my baby is going to come out looking like a coconut" I said to Zack. We laughed until a different kind of tears were coming out of my eyes.

Thus... the beginnings of the coconut.

Why August?

Why August when I'm not due until late November/early December?

I have several good reasons.

1. I don't want to be so large and tired and swollen that I can't enjoy the party.

2. I want to do it while the weather is still warm so we can swim.

3. One of my main Shower Sisters (Rachel) has a son starting college playing football. She will be gone every weekend after this weekend for months, traveling to see his games.

4. I want to get the babies room as close to 100% ready before she arrives as possible. If I have her early, I want to be prepared.

5. There are tons of things that need to be done to my house BEFORE I have the shower. Cleaning, small repairs. The kind of stuff that needs to be done that I will be motivated to do (or have done) if I know tons of people are coming over. The best way to force you to clean your house is to throw a big party.

The Invitation

The Perfect Excuse for a Party…
A Baby Shower for the Coconut!
This ain’t yo momma’s baby shower…

When: Saturday, August 23rd starting at 3pm going until?

Where: Dawnia’s crib 813 Long Hollow Rd, Rock Spring, GA 30739

What to expect: A party! Men, women, children. This will NOT be a traditional baby shower. I want this to be a celebration of the upcoming arrival of Rowan Gray Powers. It takes a village to raise a child and you guys are part of my village. Laughter and love… come spread it around.

This will be a simple shower with friends, family and fun being the focus. We’ll grill hotdogs around 4:00. Bring your swim suits. We’ll have a bon fire at dark. BYOB (I’ll probably sniff it, sniffing is all I can do).

This will be a kid friendly party so bring the kids. The more, the merrier. I need to get used to having tons of them around.

If you would like to know more about this event (why I’m doing it so early when I’m not due until November, gift registry, why I call her the coconut and other misc. drivel) go to www.mycoconut.blogspot.com

RSVP by email or phone call, or just show up anytime after 3:00. This event will go on all day, don’t worry about being late. If you forget to RSVP, please show up anyway!

Email me with questions or comments: Dawnia@gmail.com

You can also contact Jen Carlfeldt, Donna Emmett and Rachel Smith. They are my Shower Sisters.