Baby Shower
Victoria Ellis was the second of the James hoard and now acts as senior cousin. It is a role that she is superb at - she is kind, generous and also good clean fun to be around. Her home exudes warmth and she has a sort of madness that makes social gatherings both more enjoyable and easier-going. A few years ago she married Christan in a beautiful wedding in Devon and they are now embarking on new roles as parents. I know they will both be not just capable but incredible parents. I can imagine that being pregnant in lock-down has its own challenges and I have a lot of respect for all expecting mothers during this time. From a selfish point of view I am desperate to meet the chap when he arrives later this month or early in June (fingers-crossed because as a fellow Gemini I know he’ll be a chatty and wonderful ball of contradictions).
But enough with that - lets talk about her Baby Shower.
It was a different sort of baby shower because we are all remote. It began with Sophie, her sister, sending out Zoom invites and then all us gals logging on at the correct time on Sunday evening. It was great seeing familiar faces and meeting a few new ones. Before I go on, let's say hello to the team -
Katy C - Cousin via the James (daughter of Pauline C)
Pauline C - Auntie via the James
Sophie E - Sister
Katy E - Original Mum
Heather R - Auntie via the James
Annabel R - Cousin via the James (daughter of Heather R)
Ally J - Auntie via the James
Saskia J - Cousin via the James (daughter of Ally J)
Auntie Gill - Auntie via the Ellis’s
Becca Couscous - Cousin via the Ellis’s (daughter of Auntie Gill)
Ruth - Cousin via the Ellis’s (daughter of Auntie Gill)
Ali B - Auntie via the Ellis’s
Elaine - cousin’s wife via the Ellis’s
Amy - Cousin via the Ellis’s
Gill F - Mum of Christan
Jean - Granny Lancaster’s best friend
This was as simple as I could make it, we’re a large extended family!
After saying hello to everyone we started a few rounds of a brilliantly put together quiz from our host Sophie. A few things to terrify you - the most amount of babies one person has had, 69. Did you know babies are born without kneecaps? Me neither. We also learnt a few things about Vicky, some I won’t repeat but I will happily share something Kate said about her as a baby - “A very good little baby…very sweet”.
I also want to make a mention to a Jean - Jean was Vicky’s gran’s best friend. Granny Lancaster couldn’t be with us. I know that she would have relished being a great granny - in her life she was a wonderful person - with a lick of mischief mixed with good sensible northernness, I also know she was incredibly important to Vicky.
We ended the baby shower with Vicky opening a few of her gifts - as a softie who loves all things babies it’s difficult not to get excited when you see mini-clothes and treats for Mum.
Thank you Sophie for hosting this wonderful event. And a big virtual squeeze to Vicky and all her family. I cannot wait to hold the little one and am in awe of all Mums out there.
