What Mattered to Me About My Second Baby Shower

It’s funny how differently you approach the same milestone when you’re ten years older.

When I started planning my second baby shower, I kept saying the same thing: I just want it to feel easy-breezy. I didn’t need it trendy. Or overproduced. Or like I was trying to recreate my first baby shower from a decade ago.

I just wanted it to feel intentional.

This pregnancy already feels different. I feel more grounded. More aware of what actually matters. So when it came to planning a baby shower for baby number two, I didn’t want spectacle. I wanted meaning and comfort. I wanted something that reflected where I am now.

And that led us right back to where it all began.

Hosting My Second Baby Shower at Our Wedding Venue

We hosted the shower at Mychal’s Café and Bakery, which is where Eddie and I got married.

That wasn’t even my original plan. I just knew I didn’t want a banquet hall or a traditional restaurant setting. I didn’t want something that felt stiff or formal. I wanted light. Airy. Intimate. Modern.

When I realized the café was available, it felt like an obvious choice. If you know me, you know I appreciate a meaningful setting. Returning to the place where we were married to celebrate the baby we created together felt fitting. Not dramatic. Just aligned.

It turned this second baby shower into more than a gathering. It became a milestone layered onto an already meaningful space.

Designing a Café-Inspired Baby Shower That Reflected Me

One of the biggest differences between my first and second baby shower was clarity. With Ava, I was more influenced by what a “normal” baby shower looked like. This time, I cared less about tradition and more about authenticity.

I chose flowers over balloons because flowers feel refined and feminine to me. Balloons feel playful, but they also feel like a children’s party. That wasn’t the tone I wanted. I wanted something elevated but still warm.

Usually I order florals from Mayte at Carrillo’s Flowers, but because there were so many tables and I wanted to be mindful of budget, I curated the arrangements myself. I spent about $100 at Boulevard Florist in Hawthorne and worked with carnations, baby’s breath, greenery, and hydrangea-style blooms in whites, corals, and greens. Each arrangement included greenery for depth, then a balance of coral and white for softness.

The café naturally set the atmosphere. The room smelled like baked goods. We served salads, sandwiches, bruschetta, cookies, brownies, almond bars, lemonade, and iced tea. An 80s playlist played in the background. It felt more like a relaxed afternoon gathering than a traditional baby shower, which is exactly what I wanted.

Even the games reflected that intention. We skipped the cliché activities and chose light, low-pressure options: Mommy or Daddy, Baby Price Is Right, and a picture search game. Fun, but not gimmicky.

The Dress Pivot: From Sweater Set to Summer-Ready

Every event has at least one pivot moment. Mine was the weather.

My original plan was a two-piece sweater set. It felt elevated but cozy, and perfectly suited for a February baby shower. Except it was 80 degrees. So I adjusted.

I wore a cream, knee-length twist-front dress instead. I didn’t want to wear pink simply because I’m having a girl. While I didn’t immediately love the dress when I first tried it on, it ended up being exactly what I needed that day. It was flattering, comfortable, and allowed me to move easily and enjoy myself.

A Co-Ed Baby Shower on Super Bowl Sunday

Yes, the shower fell on Super Bowl Sunday. No, that was not intentional.

I originally wanted the Saturday before, but the café was only available Sunday. None of us realized it was Super Bowl weekend until invitations had gone out. At that point, the date was set.

Some guests chose the game. Others chose to celebrate with us. That’s simply how life works.

What I appreciated most was the co-ed atmosphere. My first baby shower was more traditional. This one felt inclusive and relaxed. It shifted the energy entirely. It felt less like an obligation and more like a shared milestone.

Missing My Dad at My Second Baby Shower

There are certain milestones that make you acutely aware of who is in the room and who is not.

That morning, before the event began, I felt the absence of my dad. He would have sent a detailed, enthusiastic message early in the day. He would have noticed every small detail and made sure I knew he was proud. His absence didn’t overshadow the celebration, but it was present.

I’ve learned that joy and grief are not opposites. They often coexist. And that day was no exception.

Why This Second Baby Shower Felt Different

This baby shower felt different because I felt different. I hosted it earlier in pregnancy, which meant I was physically more comfortable. I also approached it with more confidence. I know what labor entails. I know the rhythm of newborn life. I know my mothering style. There was no anxiety attached to this event. Just calm assurance.

Having two daughters more than a decade apart feels significant in ways I’m still unpacking. As Ava steps into independence, another baby girl is entering our lives. As a mother who values raising strong, thoughtful women, that feels meaningful.

This baby was planned for, prayed for, and prepared for. Celebrating her in a space filled with light and intention felt like the right beginning.

Final Reflections on Planning a Second Baby Shower

Planning a second baby shower is different than planning the first. The priorities shift. The pressure softens. And the details become more personal.

For me, what mattered most wasn’t perfection. It was returning to a meaningful space. It was creating a café-inspired baby shower that reflected who I am now. It was adjusting when plans changed. It was honoring both presence and absence. It was celebrating restoration in a way that felt steady and sincere.

And that is what made this second baby shower unforgettable.