I was thrilled when one of my best friends asked a few weeks ago if she could throw a baby shower for me! I know there are some mixed opinions on showers after your first baby, but I was secretly hoping I’d have the chance to celebrate baby girl at one, so I couldn’t say yes quickly enough. Stephanie chose the fabulous Cannon Room in downtown Raleigh (those views!) as the venue and did the most wonderful job filling the space with beautiful details, meaningful mementos, and tasty treats. It was definitely a day I want to remember, so I’d love to share a few photos!

Much like my shower for Charlie, the itinerary was simple and sweet—no games or activities, just lots of opportunities for everyone to mingle and chat. The guest list ended up being an almost exactly even split between my friends from church and from the wedding industry, which was so much fun–everyone knew at least one other person going in, but I think everyone also made some new friends! I was not surprised, considering how warm, friendly, and genuine every single one of these ladies is. At the entrance, everyone was asked to sign the inside of this sweet book as the guest book and fill out a little card with their hopes and prayers for baby girl.

Stephanie stocked up on my favorite treats from Layered Croissanterie–they made mini ham and gruyere croissants, chocolate croissants, and itty bitty kouign amann just for us! I’ve said it on Instagram before but if you live in the Triangle and haven’t been to Layered yet, put it on the top of your list. She also set up coffee, all the fixings for parfaits, and a mimosa bar, complete with sparkling juice so that the two other pregnant guests (one due the day before me!) and I could partake.

The Cannon Room’s furniture is gorgeous, isn’t it? With the addition of some pretty flowers, photos, beautiful signage, and rose gold balloons, it was the perfect backdrop for a girly winter celebration. Amusingly, I had a different dress set aside to wear, but when I was getting dressed that day, I realized there was noooo way it was going to fit! At the last minute, I switched into this dress, which I had just worn for Christmas. It ended up matching the decor much better, so I’m going to say it was meant to be!

One of the extra fun parts of not only a second baby shower, but one for a girl, was that the gifts were especially darling! I remember that when I was pregnant with Charlie, I was most grateful to receive super-practical gifts since there were so many things we needed. This time around, I was just as delighted to open things like frilly clothes and classic girl books :)

Dave commented multiple times before and after the shower about how happy and present I seemed all day long, and he was right! I think I fall into the same camp that many other millennials do of having a bunch of friends in different circles, rather than one tight-knit group. That sometimes makes me feel like I’m missing out on something, but having so many of those individual friends in the same room could not have been sweeter or more special. It was the best reminder of how truly blessed I am by each of them…and how lucky baby girl will be to have so many incredible women to look up to!