In my own experience, trying to hold a party in the middle of the workday can present a number of problems, especially if you’re heavily pregnant, wearing a maternity bellyband and not in the mood to be made a fuss over either! My coworker’s managed to ambush me with a baby shower in what was a regularly scheduled morning meeting that about 20 people attended on a regular basis. When I came in and saw a few extra people, I didn’t even think of why they would be there.
My supervisor then told me to present first. As I pulled out transparencies and notes, I heard a cart in the door. I turned around, wondering why someone would bring hardware into a repair shop meeting – and saw the white cake with pink icing with the words “Welcome baby girl Wilhite”. People later commented I was as pink as the sweater I was wearing.
A second cart came in with various gift items on it. I turned a darker shade of pink and had trouble looking composed when one of the QC guys took my picture. My supervisor then said that if we finished this in less than 30 minutes and then get the real meeting topics covered in the hour time slot we had, we could all manage to charge it to the general overhead meeting charge number.
About half way through the gifts, Rodney, one of the manufacturing engineers came in with a stack of damaged circuit cards in his arms. He walked past me and then stopped by the gift table. He stared at the cake and asked, “You’re not having a meeting, are you?” One of the women said, “We’re holding a baby shower.” “Who’s having a baby?” I raised my hand. Rodney stared at me, disbelieving. He then made a hasty retreat. When I got to the gift from my supervisor, I opened it. It was an activity suit for a six month to nine month old. I had to look at the purple outfit for a while before I realized what it was. My boss said defensively, “My wife picked it out. I didn’t know what it was.” I said, “It just took a moment to figure out what it was.” I smiled and joked, “It looks suspiciously like a miniature lab coat or ESD smock. (Working a fair amount of time in a lab, that was the first thought to go through my mind.) Are you trying to recruit the next generation?” He didn’t say anything.
Once all the gifts were opened and set aside, we got back to business. After discussion of our upcoming safety audit, someone mentioned that the Emergency Care Assistant training classes would next be held the next week. And, oh yes, 2 of the 10 sessions cover childbirth … just in case it was necessary. Would anyone get to practice it? (That depended upon when the kid decided to make an appearance, but hopefully, not while I’m trying to keep a manufacturing facility up and running.) After the meeting, there was some cleanup. Others handled all of that. I started to wheel the cart out and realized that my work area was a long walk with a cart or a short walk if I cut through the restricted area. I got someone to push the cart for me and I opened the door to the restricted area. The security guard asked to see my badge. As I pushed the cart in, he asked idly what was on it over his reading material. “Oh, it’s just stuff from my baby shower. Nothing classified. I’m just cutting through.” He put down the reading material and sat upright. “What?” He stood up and started staring down at the gift bags and miscellaneous items.
It had been about 15 years since someone in my department had had a baby shower, so this was not part normal routine. “Why would you have a baby shower?” I was tempted to joke about it or hint at it, but changed my mind and said, “I’m having a baby.” Why would subliminal messages ever be thought of as a serious mind control method? Guys can’t even get subtle. The older man looked me over and reluctantly picked up a few items. As I tried to explain myself, he summoned a female security guard. I explained myself again. The woman looked me over and said, “You’re pregnant?” “Six and a half months.” She came over and pulled my loose sweater tight over my body and the bulge became visible. If the guy had done it, it would have classified as sexual harassment. Done by her, it was just part of the security check. “I guess you are pregnant.” She stepped back and looked at me again and checked my ID. “Boy or girl?” “Girl.” The woman waived me on. I had enough time to put the cart next to my desk before heading off to my next meeting.
Baby gift ideas are needed for many occasions. The arrival of a new baby is a joyous occasion and certainly a great time to celebrate by gift giving. Whether you are looking gifts for a baby shower or birth announcement, or an idea for a baby’s first birthday, finding gifts for little ones is a lot of fun. There are many great ones out there so you can certainly find something creative or unique if you want to.
I am a very lucky girl and mother. I do believe our lives should change drastically after the birth of our children, but I think you should also retain some of your old life. You still need to see your friends and family as often as possible, even more so. I have an open door policy and tell everyone and anyone I know and love to drop by to visit myself and my little boy. I’m finding it’s very easy to keep my house tidy enough to make all my guests feel relaxed. When I feel my boy is getting sleepy, and might not want to be passed around so much, I tuck him inside his most