A few weeks ago, I was racking my brain for a creative theme for my friend Jen’s baby shower. I considered a puppy theme, a football theme, a jungle theme…
And then I realized – a triathlon theme would be PERFECT! After all, Jen is an accomplished runner and triathlete who’s managed to rack up the miles through her pregnancy.
Jen and I even did a triathlon relay while she was in her second trimester – crazy, right?
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I ordered customized Jen’s IronBaby Shower race bibs from a bib website (they were SO confused when they got my order – hah!) and used them to create fun banners that I hung up around her living room and kitchen. Her baby’s name was written on the bottom – just like a legit race bib!
Like a real triathlon, our IronBaby shower had three ‘legs’:
Eat
Play (shower games)
Love (unwrap presents)
The shower was a potluck – all sixteen attendees ended up bringing VERY yummy dishes! Quiche, potato salad, quinoa butternut squash salad, and chilled orzo with arugula. Yum.
Let the chocolate fountain flow. I always have to resist the urge to stick my face under a stream of chocolate when I’m around one of these things.
Dessert included pumpkin dip (pumpkin puree + cream cheese), as well as chocolate fountain dippings.
For drinks, I made Boozy Arnold Palmers and Booze-Free Arnold Palmers. In the Boozys: ice tea vodka, sweet tea, sparkling lemonade. In the Booze-Frees: sweet tea and sparking lemonade. With many lime and lemon slices. I was a little heavy-handed when I poured the Boozys – it was STRONG. Whoops.
Time for Part 2 of the IronBaby Shower – GAMES!
This activity was my favorite:
I bought a pack of newborn diapers and colorful markers, and everyone wrote funny messages on the front and pack.
My personal favorites: My shit don’t stink…. and I poop gold.
Everyone guessed Jen’s bump in inches (around the waist), as well as how many miles she’s run since Week 14 with spawn… What’s your guess?
The answers: 39 inches and 254.75 miles! <— AMAZING!
Our very last game was the classic Candy Bar Diaper game. I bought 10 different types of candy bars, melted and mushed them up in numbered diapers, and then passed them around for people to sniff and guess.
So gross. Yet so funny.
A few people managed to guess ALL 10 candy bars correctly! I was impressed. I put the candy bars in the diapers and still couldn’t figure it out.
And last, but not least, Part 3 of the shower: the opening of the presents… Jen got some wonderful gear. I am just SOOOO happy for Jen and Jeff. Especially after they struggled to get pregnant – this shower seemed particularly special.
Can’t wait to meet you in December, little baby boy!







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{ 74 comments… read them below or add one }
How cool!! Whats the babies name?
All of her friends know (hence, why it was on the bibs), but it’s not ‘public knowledge’ yet.
Oh got it!
Eeek, it looks like you did an amazing job setting up this shower! It seems totally cute and fun. And I starred this post in my GoogleReader so someday if I ever get to throw a shower I’ll have some clue of where to start
This totally beats any baby shower I’ve ever attended! Great ideas!
I’d especially love the Arnold Palmers! That is my favorite summer drink!
That is such a good idea! I need to forward this to my sister to keep it in mind for mine! Well, when I actually get preggers.
Adorable. PS so’s your dress! Where is it from?
A few years living in Alabama gave me a soft spot for houndstooth.
H&M! Just bought it. $17!
What an amazing baby shower!!! You did awesome!!
Thanks
That’s so sweet! I love the tri theme – it’s so fitting. Looks like you really made a special day for her
This looks like an amazing and fun shower you put on for your friend! I love the race bibs decoration – and would love to consider using it for an upcoming party (actually, my wedding) if you share the source! So far we’ve just been playing around with ideas of using the race bibs we’ve collected over time!
Here you go : http://bibnumbers.eventsonline.ca/site/home/
i love it!!! this is the most creative shower i’ve seen!
love the theme!
Great job, Caitlin. It was lots of fun, and I think Jen had a great time.
Such a cute idea for a baby shower and what an inspiring mommy-to-be!! If I am ever pregnant I want to be all active and fit like her
Oh and I haven’t got off Reader and on to your blog lately but I love the new look!!
I love the decorations and theme that you made for the shower. Definitely one of the most creative themes I’ve seen and perfect for Jen and her husband.
I love the theme! It sounds very Jen and very fun!*
What a cute theme! Looks like you did a great job!!
You did such a great job, Caitlin! Everything was so thoughtful & I had so much fun!
What a perfect baby shower for Jen! I love the tri theme- So cute
That looks like a seriously fun baby shower! Great job planning it! And congrats to Jen on her little guy
Awesome theme! I guessed football, but Ironman is way cooler
What an adorable theme! That was so nice of you to throw that shower, and it looked like a great time! I love the messages on the diapers!
That is the BEST looking baby shower I have ever seen. So cute and fun!
This is the cutest, most thoughtful shower. And a beautiful mommy to be!
Is his name Wyatt???
Great job on the shower…what a fun day for everyone!! She’ll always remember this day so fondly
Love the “that was a marathon poop session” diaper! Looks like a fantastic shower…you did a great job!
Sorry if someone has already commented on this, but a “boozy” Arnold Palmers is also know as a John Daly – he’s an other golfer that has a history with adult beverages…
The bibs are the cutest thing I’ve ever since. Very nicely done.
Nice! Now I know
What a great theme for her, good work! It looks like the party was lots of fun.
omg this baby shower is AMAZING!!!! you are so unbelievably creative, it’s ridiculous! and AWESOME! i seriously LOVE THIS!
Woo hoo! Another December baby! I’m due Dec. 8th. And ironically, I threw a shower for another mom-to-be of a Dec. baby today. The theme was “lil pumpkin”
Very cute theme
Adorable! And the diaper candy bar game is the most wonderfully hilarious thing I’ve ever heard of!
What a fun shower!
Oh my goodness! That was such an incredibly thoughtful baby shower!!
The bib banner is awesome, and the games are incredible!
I love the idea of writing fun and funny things on the baby diapers!
And the candy bar diapers—-FABULOUSLY HILARIOUSLY FUN!!!
I’ve never heard of any of the great things you did (except the “guess the inches around the belly” game).
You are an incredible friend!
So cute! i love the theme.
SUCH a cute theme!! That’s perfect!
Where did you get your top?? I love it!
Its a dress from H&M!
Love the sporty theme! What a great idea!
Hee at the chocolate fountain – they always remind me of the Vicar of Dibley!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-wwbO4LUMY
You did a great job with the theme!
I am DYING over “my poop is beautiful”!!!! I hope that was yours!
That looks like such a fun shower. I bookmarked this post for future ideas, I had never seen the diaper messages or the melted candy game. Genius!
What a fun idea and so personal for Jen! You are truly creative!
Aww, that is such a cute party idea – I love that you even had 3 legs!
Oh my, chocolate fountains are always such a challenge!
what a fun shower!! so happy for jen.. and you are such a great friend to host this beautiful celebration
omg! Love that baby shower theme. I have only been to a few baby showers but all of those games seemed SO original!
What a fun time
Wow you put so much work into this and it really shows! Jen is so lucky to have such a great friend!
I’ve never heard of that candy bar diaper game – I’m kind of grossed out by it haha!
You did such a great job with her baby shower! I love all of the personal touches and how you really customized everything to her. And writing funny messages on the diapers? Awesome idea!! I’m sure she’ll appreciate those down the road.
You’re an awesome friend, and this was well themed and planned Baby Shower! Nice work!
Love those diapers, hahaha … Marathon Poop session …
It looks like you guys all had such a blast =D! I love the poopy diaper notes haha.
IRON BABY Shower Indeed! How awesome and great ideas! Congrats Jen!
You did an amazing job hosting your first shower! How very clever
Such a cute theme! And, oh my gosh, I have that maternity shirt that Jen is wearing!
that has to be the most perfect baby shower idea ever! and i love writing messages on the diapers, too cute.
I LOVE the tri shower idea; I’m so stealing this for my (distant future) bridal shower!
That looks like so much fun! Love the theme idea.
I just have to say – you are such a thoughtful and caring friend!! What a terrific party – I LOVE the customized race bibs : )
Love this! That is the best theme ever good job:)
This is such a wonderful idea!!!!!!
I just don’t understand why such a pregnant woman would jeopardize her baby’s health by running that much, especially if she had trouble to conceive it in the first place. All that bumping and shaking around can’t be healthy for the baby.
She has cleared her running and mileage multiple times with her doctors, including her fertility specialist. There is a great deal of evidence that cardio, including running, does not harm the baby at all and actually can help with delivery.
You should do research so you know what you’re talking about before you post stuff like this.
Running while pregnant is TOTALLY fine. Babies are VERY protected inside their mothers womb. They are not bumping and shaking around. There have been numerous studies that show that mothers who exercise during pregnancy have easier labors and faster recoveries, along with many other positive things.
Such a perfect shower! I love you <3
That is the cutest themed baby shower!! 254 miles run?? She’s a rockstar! Her baby is going to come out running.
You did a great job on the shower, absolutely perfect! Jen is amazing and I’m really happy for her too
Omg what a fabulous shower! I remember you tweeting about getting ideas! It turned out so great!!
Love the diaper writing!!
Oh, I love this!! We struggled to get pregnant, too. Congratulations to the very sweet and happy couple!
Looks so fun! And I love the theme–that baby better be athletic haha.
awwww that is SO sweet! What an awesome themed party