Hey y’all…. It’s (virtual) baby shower time! And, this is not just any baby shower. This is a Texas-themed baby shower for Amber!
You know Amber, right? If you don’t, you should. She is the fabulous blogger behind Bluebonnets & Brownies. And, (more importantly) she is also a great friend of mine! We met at the very first Big Summer Potluck over three years ago, and we were fast friends.
Amber is the authority on Tex-Mex food (don’t mess with her breakfast tacos, people), and she’s an amazing baker. If you’re not already familiar with her Movie Theatre Cookies, please go check them out ASAP. And, don’t bother with a single batch… You’ll want two. At least. Thank me later.
In addition to our love of food, Amber and I connected on a more personal level a few years ago as we were both struggling with fertility issues. We’ve both had our ups and downs in the last few years, and I’m so grateful that I have had Amber by my side along the way. She’s one of the most encouraging and supportive people I know. She was there for me after my major abdominal surgery two years ago when I was told by numerous doctors that my severe endometriosis left me with little chance of ever having children. And, she celebrated with me when I found out that we were miraciously expecting a sweet baby girl last year. Though we lives miles and miles from each other, she is one of my closest friends!
So, now that Amber and her hubby James (the Brit) are expecting a sweet little boy in October, I am so thrilled to be celebrating with them. I understand the emotional roller coaster of pregnancy after waiting and praying for years. And, I know how exciting it is to finally set up a nursery and celebrate with friends and family when you thought that you probably never would.
Of course, I am not the only one who loves Amber and wanted to celebrate with her! As soon as we heard that Amber was expecting, Tracy, Jamie, and I started plans for a virtual baby shower since we knew we wouldn’t all be able to celebrate with her in person. When we sent out the shower “invites” via email, we immediately had lots of excited responses. It turns out that a lot of people were just as excited as we were to celebrate the baby on the way.
Amber, today is your day… We are all overjoyed to help you welcome your sweet little EJ! Congratulations!!
(Onesie template from The Little Dabbler… Used with permission.)
A Texas-Themed Shower!
Anyone who knows Amber is aware of the fact that she is a proud Texan, so we thought it was only appropriate to throw a Texas-themed baby shower to celebrate her soon-to-be little Texan.
Sugarcrafter | Breakfast Tostadas
My Baking Addiction | Texas Sheet Cake
Simple Bites | Grilled Shrimp Tacos with Charred Corn Salsa
Stetted | Queso Mac
Food for My Family | Texas Pepper Barbecue Sauce
Dessert For Two | Frito Chocolate Chip Cookies
Confessions of a Cookbook Queen | Coconut Tres Leches Layer Cake
TidyMom | Pizza Bread Sticks
Miss in the Kitchen | Blackberry Milkshakes
Art of Gluten Free Baking | Peach-Pecan Pie, Gluten-Free
Bon Appetit Hon | Cheddar Ranch Crackers
Food Babbles | Southern Pecan Pie
Jelly Toast | Peach Iced Tea
Sweet Adventures of Sugarbelle | Decorated Elephant Cookies
i am baker | Texas Brownie Cake
The Kitchen Trials | Coca-Cola Cake
Cookies & Cups | Sticky Toffee Pudding Cookies
A Farmgirl’s Dabbles | Peanut Butter Bonbons the Size of Texas
Steph Chows | Fiesta Dip
Baby Texan Cookies…
Of course, I had to decorate cookies for the baby shower. How could I resist the opportunity to decorate some baby Texan onesies?
I’ve said many times that I love to cook and bake because I love the way it connects people. It’s no fun cooking for myself. But, seeing the look on someone’s face when they take that first bite of a dish you prepared for them is priceless.
That’s the reason I love decorating cookies. They make people feel special… and loved. It’s not every day that someone decorates cookies just for you. And, Amber, these ones are for you.
I always have to laugh at the sayings on baby onesies. In addition to decorating onesies that looked like the Texas flag, I had to write on a few of them. I imagine that Amber would love to have EJ remind the world that she is from Texas.
Introducing… Evan James!
When it comes to packing a hospital bag, I am probably not the person to ask. I spent weeks and weeks before Maddie’s arrival trying to figure out what I would take. I packed much more than I ever needed… And, I ended up sending my hubby home for plenty of things I forgot.
One of the things I think I got right, though, was that I had treats for the doctors and nurses, as well as our friends and family who came to visit us in the hospital. Everyone loved the cookies decorated with Madison’s name on them.
So, when Amber let the baby’s name slip in a blog post a few weeks ago, I knew I had to make some cookies for little EJ’s arrival, as well.
I love the name Evan James… And, the nickname EJ. Could it be any cuter?
Since I think it’s a much better idea for Amber to relax on the couch with her feet up (and, I don’t recommend decorating cookies in your third trimester… I’m just saying), I decided to wrap up all of the cookies and send them Amber’s way. The onesie cookies are for snacking right away, and the cookies with EJ’s name on them are packaged and ready for the freezer so that they’ll stay fresh until he arrives in a few short weeks! (Amber, I included instructions for freezing and thawing!).
After all, what fun is decorating cookies if you don’t get to SHARE them?
These are SOOOOOOO cute!!! I love how you personalized them! What a fantastic job! :)
These cookies are so so adorable! Amber is going to be so touched :)
These cookies are absolutely adorable and perfect for the shower theme, Jen! It’s even better that you’re sending them off to Amber & James to enjoy. Thanks so much for bringing your gorgeous cookies to the virtual shower! :-)
These are so dang cute!
Adorable cookies, and so extra special for Amber. Love these!!
Absolutely adorable Jen.
These cookies are adorable! I am in awe of your decorating skills :)
Oh Jen. Oh oh oh.. Now where do I find REAL onsies likes these?! They are just perfection. I’m so glad that we’ve been able to be support for each other over the last few years, I’m not sure I would have made it without you! I can’t believe you’ve made me cookies for the doctors and stuff, that is above and beyond friendship, girl. Thank you for celebrating Evan – you know exactly how much it means. Love you!
Jen, you are the sweetest ever!! Amber is so lucky to have you as a friend. And these cookies are PERFECT!! So, so adorable.
Okay these are seriously too adorable! I love them :)
I can’t say how much I love these cookies! They’re BOYO D
perfect. I think “tiny Texan” is my fave!
These cookies are so adorable and absolutely perfect for Amber’s baby shower!!
Okay, those are just crazy cute! And they would be perfect for a baby shower!
So cute! I love the little guy’s name.
How absolutely stinkin’ cute!!! Oh my goodness, you sure are talented. These are so perfect for Amber. What a wonderful addition to the baby shower and even better that you sent them all her way. How thoughtful!
You are sooooo amazing!! I can’t believe these cookies. And I love that you sent them as a gift. Talk about a sweet touch. <3
These are such precious cookies! And your story about your shared trouble with infertility that has ended in such sweet joy for you both brought tears to my eyes. Your friendship for each other really shines through this whole post. And I just love the whole ‘virtual shower’ idea. I am going through each of the ‘gifts’ and they are all so clever!
oh my heavens Jen! These are ADORABLE!!!
Oh my goodness! How cute are these? You’ve done it again, Jen! Yum and beautiful mixed together in a perfect package!
Seriously the cutest cookies I’ve seen in my life!! Wish I was chowing down on one right now!
Good gracious. These cookies are so adorable! What a lovely gift for Amber’s shower.
Cute as a button I have to say!