At my baby shower we tried something new - a Baby Bead & Blessing Ceremony. I wish I could take credit for this but I came across the idea from a poster on Babycenter.com who in turn found the ceremony on a maternity blog. The idea is that everyone who attends your shower brings a handpicked bead and a blessing to bestow upon the mother and baby-to-be. The beads are then made into a necklace or bracelet and can be used as a focal point during labor and as a reminder of all the love and good wishes for motherhood.
A friend who attended my baby shower gave me a string of beads during the BB&B Ceremony that spells out our chosen name for Gwen - "Gwenyth River Gordon" and pointed out that the word THRIVE can be found in the center of her name. I was absolutely thrilled with the discovery.
Thrive-verb (used without object)
1. to prosper; be fortunate or successful.
2. to grow or develop vigorously; flourish.
I cannot think of a better word when it comes to the hopes and dreams I have for my future daughter.
In just about 9 weeks I will meet my baby girl for the first time. There are no words to express the joy and love I am feeling for this little person growing inside me. With each passing day I grow more and more excited, and when I am surrounded by negativity I simply think of the journey I am about to embark on and everything else seems insignificant.
If I could send a message to the baby in my belly it would be simply this: To my daughter Gwen - May you always thrive. Love, Mommy
I LOVE that! Funny the things we can discover about the names we've chosen that we didn't notice before. Not nearly as exciting but I discovered that Drew and my dad share the exact same initials, just in a different order. I didn't discover this until a few weeks ago when someone gave me a gift with his initials embroidered on it.
ReplyDeleteI love the bead ceremony idea! I may have to use that for a friend of mine when she has her baby shower!
The bead ceremony was my favorite part of the shower - so touching and sweet. I have it on film and am so glad! It will be sweet to show Gwen someday :) You should totally use the idea for your friend's shower - we need to make it more popular! hehe
ReplyDeleteAnd the name thing is pretty awesome - that's cute about Drew's initials :)
Jennifer I'm so happy for you and Brian. Sounds like you had such a wonderful shower and I loved the bead idea. We need to get together so I can add a bead.
ReplyDeleteHope to see you soon.
Christine