MrsFussypantsBabyShower

Welcome!

Thank you for stopping by our online shower for Mrs. Fussypants. Since you are here, you no doubt already know that she is expecting her 5th baby boy next week (May 15th).

Because so many of us love Alli, we wanted to do something special for her. Something that would show how much we love and appreciate her. But, because we are spread out all over the country, there was no way for us to do this in person. Heck, most us have never even met face-to-face. But that doesn't stop a group of determined women!

Every hour today, starting at 8am, new posts will be published here. This has all been a surprise for Alli, so each new post will be like another gift to open. New posts will post below this one.

(Please feel free to leave her some baby love in the comments of this post.)

In conjunction with this, we are having a Baby Theme at Blissfully Domestic all week. Great info and fantastic giveaways!

Five, it's a magic number.

Hi there. So baby No. 5, eh? Well considering I haven't made it past one I'm in awe of 5. Especially since there's a bunch of awesome things that come in 5s. The Jackson 5. Chanel No. 5, 5 little monkeys, 5 5 fingers and now 5 babies. Boy babies. Wow, 5 boy babies and 5 successful blogs. toes,

ARE YOU DONE YET? Heh.

After sending my sick childless sister back across the country yesterday I realize motherhood has become me. And it's obvious that motherhood has become you also. It has become you times 5. As I sit here alternately sweating and shivering from a fever on top of hacking up goo that is reminiscent of what I dug out of the garbage disposal last week, I realize there's no one to take care of me. But just to my left is someone who wholly relies upon me whether I feel under the weather or not. When my sister was here I was all about taking care of her poor hive covered body. I made sure she was comfortable, had what she needed, did what she wanted to do.

Did I mention all of this happened on my birthday?

And I don't even care.

The mother in me took over.

The mother hen in me clucked and pecked as much as it could until my sister was safely on a plane.
So that brings me to Alli. She is on bed rest with baby No. 5, homeschooling her four others out of the womb, gently ruling her husband, making beautiful jewelery for the world to enjoy, making us all laugh and feel special on Mrs. Fussypants on top of gathering the greatest bunch of women to write about what moms know best.

She is busy.

Obviously.

And yet Alli is always the first to tweet back if someone has troubles. Alli is always the first to comment and the first in line to put up her dukes when trolls come knocking. She always makes us feel beautiful, important and special.

I'd say motherhood becomes her alright.

Alli, I love you. I'm in awe of you. Anyone who knows you feels the same. I wish you the best with this baby that's going to come screaming out of you in 9 days.
Every good thing that you put out there into the world, into your family and into the blogosphere is going to come back to you 500 fold.
xoxo-Casey

She's the real deal

I have to brag a little, blog friends.  I'm lucky enough to know Mrs. Fussypants in person.

And can I tell you, she's the real thing?

The first time we met, she swept into my blogger brunch fashionably late, with a handful of Polo-shirted boys at her feet.  Heads turned. 

We knew the tall blonde in head-to-toe black had to be Mrs. Fussypants. She dazzled us with her personality, ambition, and sparkly jewels. 

But it was her children who made the greatest impression.  One by one, they lined up to thank me for having them over.  (Without arm twisting or feet shuffling!)

And so it has been every time I've seen her.  So much for the "little monkeys"--at least in public. 

Once I dropped by unannounced, only to have her eldest open the door, greet me warmly by name, and run to get a vase I had forgotten weeks earlier.

He's 8 years old.

She has this parenting thing down, y'all! 

I was disappointed not to pass along Elise's big hair bows to a Little Miss Fussypants.  But I'm even more delighted that there's another of Fussy's Future Gentleman in the making.

The world can't get enough of those.

Meredith

Pssst... There's something you need to know, Alli.

Alli,

I have something I need to tell you.  I don't know if you know this...  It's a truth that many around you are very aware of, for sure... you may not already possess this knowledge, so I'm afraid I will have to be the one to enlighten you.

You are AWESOME.  Super-Duper Spectaculaciously Wonderful.

Don't look at me like that!  It's true!  (Okay, okay.  The real reason you looked at me like that was because I tried to take a profile shot of you.  Tried to Break The Cardinal Rule! Bad Lotus!)

But seriously, you've lifted me up when I was down so many times in the short period I've known you.  You've given me words of inspiration, support, and kindness.  You've helped me in practical ways when you could, and so many times you've lifted my spirit just by making me laugh or inviting me over and letting me bask in the Anti-Depressant that is The Happy House Of Chaos.

Remember this?  I love this photo!

Your friendship has been invaluable to me, personally.

But more than that, I've seen you treat so many others with the same kindness.  I've been there when you were brainstorming how to help another person on more than one occasion, and I've seen you enlist friends to that service, as well.  Even when you are in a place to call for help, instead of doing so, you send help for others.

Selfless, compassionate, generous, loving, and kind.  These things flow from your heart, outward.

Your family is a reflection of the example you set for them, and I've never been less than impressed at how sweet, kind, and delightful your boys are.  I just know that Your Current Occupant (Eviction Notice: May 15th!) will fit in and shine with beauty just like your other four Princes (Monkeys).

I love you dearly, Mrs. Fussypants, and you have my support whenever you need it. Don't hesitate to call on me.

And you better let me take pictures of that baby before the month is out!

All My Love,

Lotus:)

Boys, Glorious Boys

When I heard Mrs. Fussypants was having another boy (her 5th if you didn't know), I Twittered to her that she was now looking at 6 - 1 penis ratio in her home. Yikes! But the joys of having boys are numerous and today, to celebrate her Baby Shower, I'd like to take a look at what all those boys will bring to her future.

From an article called Boys and Their Friends, the author writes: "Boys fight, wrestle, take unbelievable risks, are highly-competitive, enjoy gross things, tell lies, think about sex, have questionable hygiene, love to laugh and make others laugh, are loud, belch, fart, pee on the seat, and, of course, play with their penises. "

Yes, boys do these things. Part of their charm, I suppose. Growing up with only one sister, there are a lot of elements of boyhood that are foreign - and I'll admit even scary - to me. But let's focus on the flip side of that. Boys and their mama's have a special bond.

• Boys are infinitely curious. It's a joy to teach them and watch them learn.
• While boys sometimes feel like they have to brush off the emotional ("be a man"), they will be looking to you for tenderness. You get to be the one who cuddles them up and kisses their wounds.
• You have the awesome responsibility of teaching them how to treat a lady.
• You (probably) won't have to shell out thousands of dollars for weddings.
• Boys love, cherish and honor their mama. Forevah.

As I write this today, I am heading off to a spend two days at an indoor water park with just my son. We're going to fight each other with water guns, wrestle in the water, each junk food, and belch and fart. Oh, wait. Not that I do those last two or anything.

Happy Baby Shower and Lots of Love to you Fussypants!

xo ~ Shannon

Girlfriend Keeps it Real

It is hard to believe that Alli and I have only known each other since last October. She is one of those people who when you meet, makes you feel as though you've been friends since first grade.

For anyone who wonders if the online persona is fake - it's not. Alli is a sweet, sincere, compassionate, and loyal person. I have never met a better mother. And she is just as funny in person as online. I am the yin to her yang. The anxious to her calm. The awkward to her confidence. And I love that about our friendship. Two opposites that amazingly share so much in common.

And this baby! This baby couldn't be luckier.

He has no idea that the family that is waiting for him is so special. He has no idea the things that will be expected of him, or the things that he will learn and experience. But he will no doubt feel surrounded by love the moment that he is born.

'Cause his mama is good like that.

xo and blessings to you, Alli
Karla

In true fussy form

Dear Fussy,

We're here to celebrate the hour that is quickly becoming known as "holymoly!" around your house. The hour in which you've been counting down the months/days/hours/second to. The hour you're both excited and terrified for and the hour which you will no longer be a pregnant woman but a mom of yet another healthy baby.

Fussy? This one's for you.

Think not of the nights of sleep deprivation or feedings or diaper changes. Think not of the hours of rocking and talking and whispers. Think not of the time you threw the pillows at the wall because that kid wouldn't stop yelling or go to sleep or suck long enough to soothe himself. (Oh, wait, maybe that was me?) And don't, most definitely, think not of this image:

(crying baby here)

Instead? think of this:

(red wine here)

And know we're here celebrating every day with you and every sleepless night and every joyful laugh. Every single giggle, every ounce gained, every day successful napping and every milestone. We're here loving you both, all of you, and being amazed at how you do it all.

You inspire us, Mrs. Fussypants, Ali, to be a better person, a better mom, a better blogger, a better human being. Because you do all that you do and still you love beyond your own family to a bigger audience. And you're loved because of it.

XO
Mrs. Flinger

Keep on Fussin'

har har.

I hope you have a great virtual baby shower Ali!

May the week go quick until the little dude arrives. I hope you can be as comfortable as possible with all the heat, stress and all those boys running around your house.

Thank you for all the hard work you put into Blissfully Domestic. It is an honor to be a part of it!!

Ali @ Divine Domesticity

 

Oh Boy!

Congrats on baby boy number five!  I wish you and your family all the best as you add a precious new member.
I'm so excited to be a part of the Blissfully Domestic team and hope to get to know you better in the coming days, months, and years!

Alison

Blessings for Fussy

" .. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.  She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
'Her children stand and bless her.  Her husband praises her;  There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all'" Proverbs 31: 26-29

When I read these words, Allison comes to mind.
Alli, you are awe inspiring.  You truly encompass all that this passage hails.
You are compassionate, loving, wise, humorous, smart and full of boundless energy.

Your walk with Faith and strength in Christ are apparent to all who know and read you. You are a shining example of Christian womanhood and mothering.  You are strong, yet pliant, wise, yet humble and you know that taking life too seriously will never allow you or your family to make it out intact  You are able to temper wisdom with humor and that is a trait that is not only admirable, but will serve you and your family well forever.

I sit and watch my own two heathens children and wonder if I'm doing right by them, have I made the right decisions, am I showing them the right way, am I truly being the example I want them to live... and I watch you and it amazes me how you seem to effortlessly and with such joy and pure pleasure balance 4 boys, 1 husband and now soon in a matter of a few days you will toss a 5th miracle into the mix.  You are so strong and such an amazing, shining example of mothering, love, joy, passion, pleasure and Godliness.  You give hope through your admissions of imperfection, you share advice and hard earned knowledge with just the right sprinkling of wit and laughter and it never ceases to amaze.

You are an inspiration, a joy and a blessing to all who know you.  Look how you've touched women across the world, some of whom you've never actually met.  It is an awe inspiring thing.  Especially when I think about the realization that if that is the impact you've had on people through your computer... then your children are truly blessed for they see it in action every day.

Continue to inspire and be faithful.  Your blessings are mounting daily and you are raising amazing men who will continue to change and inspire simply because they were granted the gift of Alli as their mother.

Thank you Alli.

All the blessings of love, peace, happiness and laughter to you and your family.
Not too mention a speedy, easy birth, a child who sleeps through the night and no colic!!!

Smooches and Love darlin' one!!

XOXO
Rachel

"Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.   Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."  Psalm 127: 3-5

Like Mrs. Fussypants, I am expecting baby number 5.  And I'm sure she experiences the same myriad of questions and comments  every time she is out. 

"Wow, you must be really busy!"

"Oh, you have your hands full" 

"Are you finished, yet?"

"Don't you know what causes that?"

But, even though it can be frustrating to stop and answer the thirty-third person by the fourth grocery aisle, it is a constant reminder  of how blessed I am.  Yes, I am busy.   But I wouldn't want it any other way.  My hands are better full than empty.  I don't know if we're finished.  That's one of the things that makes the future exciting to me!  And yes, I know what causes it, and heck, obviously I like it!

So, Alli, revel in all your blessings.  You are an awesome and inspiring example to us all.  With your hilarious tongue-in-cheek advice on parenting and marriage and your fighting-the-frump style guidance, you have shown us that being a "SuperMom" has nothing to do with all of our activities, and far more to do with our hearts.

God bless you and yours during this exciting and amazing time.  My prayers and thoughts for a safe delivery, healthy baby and quick recovery are with you. 

Whoa Baby!

I  moved to TN less than a year ago.  I was fortunate to be included in a blogger tea party last fall where I had the pleasure of meeting other TN bloggers.  As the party wound down, I joined a group of women that included Fussy.   I was in awe of her.  She was adorable, funny, and completely comfortable in her own skin.  She talked about having 4 children, with another on the way, and homeschooling in addition to blogging and jewelry making and husband.  I thought "I want to be just like this woman when I grow up!"  (Well, minus the 4 homeschooled children because we wouldn't all survive that.)   

I visited Fussy's blog upon my return home and was immediately horrified to realize she discussed fashion faux pas and frumpiness - I mentally reviewed my outfit that day and was relieved to realize it was probably not noteworthy enough to be remembered as good or bad.  (Fashion icon I am not - comfort and ease of stain removal rule my fashion world.)  I became a Fussy Fan reading her posts daily.  (I'm lazy so adding someone to my feed reader is a kind of a big deal.) 

A few months later, I received an email inviting me to dinner with some area bloggers.  Surely this was a mistake?!?  Fussy wanted me to join the cool table?!?  I happily accepted.  Fussy has become our social director and gathers us every few weeks for dinner.  I've come to find that Fussy is very down to earth and very sweet as well as funny and adorable.  She has this endearing way of seeming perfect on the surface but allows you to see just enough of the slightly scattered momma we all feel like underneath to put everyone at ease. 

Now Super Fussy is awaiting her latest adventures to begin.  Her 5th boy and a new home.  I have little doubt she will handle it as she seems to handle all things - with style and humor.  Good luck and best wishes Miss Fussypants!  I hope I get to meet the newest member of the Fussy Clan before you leave us and I will miss you dearly!

Love, Michelle Smiles

Ode to a Wonder Woman

Dear Sweet Alli:

Even though I have still not met you in person, I feel like I already know you.

Your kind hearted, fun loving, passionate, and generous self shines through all that you do, whether it is your blogging, your beautiful jewelry design, or your mad PhotoShop skills. Your warmth and your ability to laugh at life is contagious.

You are an inspiration and one of those people that makes the world a little, no a LOT, brighter.

I can't wait to meet the newest wonderful addition to the Fussypants Clan!

You are a true Wonder Woman!

Much love and many blessings,

Jamie

Oh, how I love thee, let me count the ways...

Fussy, I just love you for so many reasons.

I love the way you cut out your big hatted head and place it on a celebrity's body.

I love that you are sassy and fashionable.

I love that you share all sorts of inside information on marriage and that you love and support your man.

I love that you have so much motivation and moxie.

I love that you have been a cheerleader for me and that you and Meredith together basically made my blog what it is.  And gave me most of my readers.

I love that I love you.  And that if you cut in front of me in line at the grocery store, I wouldn't even recognize you.

I love that you are a boy mom who cannot wait to meet boy number five.

Alli, my BFOTI

Dear Alli,

True to my MO, I am late to the shower.  I think spam sucked up my original invite, and the second one was sent to my oft-ignored tertiary email.

But the thing is, I know you understand.  While we've never met in person, you're as (more) dear to me than so many of the  people I know in *real* life. 

You've brought sunshine and laughter to my days.  You've given me hope at times when I was running REAL low on that.  You've been a confidante and a virtual sister, and an inspiration on multiple levels.

You are a rainbow ruby jewel of a person, and my life is richer for knowing you.

This baby boy is going to grow up with cooperation and acceptance and joy and discipline and a loving, entrepreneurial, generous, tech-savvy mom and FOUR BIG BROTHERS!  And who knows how many little siblings!

I love and admire and adore you, BFOTI. 

(P.S.:   I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one day of of your monkeys marries my daughter...I know she'd be a happy and lucky woman indeed.)