Bhabhi's adorable baby shower!

This past weekend our family drove for miles to attend one of the many wonderful celebrations we have going on for 2014!

Bhabhi S's baby shower!  

The planning for the baby shower had been going on for some time, with multiple menu and guest list changes, as well as decoration changes.  As the big day approached, Ba began to feel bad, and started vomitting, so sadly she was admitted the entire week before the big event!  Luckily she was discharged the day before, so everyone was very happy about that, especially Ba, because it was very important to her to be able to see the ceremonies associated with the baby shower.

In Indian tradition, we have a prayer/ceremony that helps us celebrate this aucipious occasion.   We are promising our self, our family, and God, that we will put the baby, and their well being first.  We will be careful with our words, and thoughts, as everything can be heard and felt by the baby.  We thank him for giving us this special gift.

The brief version of the ceremony:
We first bring God into the house before we start such an occasion.  Seen here:
          My mom is in green! Mom's sister on the left.         Mom's sister in law helping them.

                                             My mom's brother helping guide them.

Once that is done, we say a small prayer, and read many things, as well as sholkas (verses from the Gita).

There are many steps in between, but I do not have photos for them, so explanations are tougher :/
Next,  chandlos (small red dot) are applied to each other, and chandlo's on the mom-to-be's feet. Then we do the exchanging of rice & coconut between mom-to-be, and her sister-in-law.  This happens about 7 times, each time giving less and less, being very careful not to drop any grains.

After this part is over, the ceremony has concluded.  The parents-to-be will bow to all of the elders in the room, asking for their blessing today and always.  Afterwards, there is lunch.  After lunch, we had a few games planned: 1) Our rendition of "The price is right" using baby items, 2) Baby stats & Predications (for guessing when the baby will come and the sex of the baby), 3) Unscrambling baby words (which was a tough one), and 4) a word search!  Afterwards, they cut the cake, opened gifts, and baby books which were requested instead of cards. We thanked God for blessing this wonderful occasion! And of course, a few pictures!

 Cake Cutting!

 Thanking God!

Of course Niece L, had to make an appearance!

As well as Niece A & Nephew E

Here is their lovely family! 

We love you both very much, and are looking forward to your amazing little bundle of joy! 

I hope that you guys enjoyed this post today! All of the pictures are courtesy of Bhabhi S & Cousin T. All of the descriptions of the ceremonies are a brief synopsis, and the customs may vary region to region.   

Till next time!