Shower ideas for subsequent children

Hi!  My name is Marilyn and I'm new to Blissfully Domestic and I'm supposed to be filling everyone in on all things pregnancy and baby.  I've been a bit behind since having my own little bundle of joy six weeks ago but the lovely women here have been fantastic about giving me time to find my feet.  And I was thinking, what better time to make my debut than during Baby Shower Week!

I want to talk about an issue near and dear to my heart as well as keeping with this week's theme of all things baby.  When you're pregnant with your first bundle of joy, often the offers for baby showers come pouring from friends and acquaintances that want to celebrate your pregnancy.  But when you're pregnant for the second time, that's when things get a little confusing.  Is it "okay" to throw a shower for a second child?  How about a third?  A fourth?  A FIFTH?  There are those in the die-hard "no more showers!" camp and there are those that think there can never be enough showers.

Personally, I think every child and every pregnancy deserve to be celebrated.  However, I can understand those that think you shouldn't need a boatload of onesies for every baby, especially if you have plenty at home.  So the question becomes: How do we celebrate subsequent children without making it look like we're asking for gifts?

Luckily, I think I have some answers to that dilemma:

• How about having a "diaper shower"?  Ask the guests to bring a package of diapers for the mommy-to-be.  Because it doesn't matter how many kids you have at home, you ALWAYS need more diapers!
• Have a barbecue to celebrate and invite the whole family, instead of just the women! Then, have all the parents who have more than one child at home give their best advice on how to juggle multiple children at one time. 
• Throw the mama a food shower!  It doesn't matter whether this child is your first or your fifth, it's always a struggle to get meals on the table those first few days home from the hospital.  Have all the guests bring their favorite casseroles and freezable meals to give to the new mom.  This works best if she has a deep-freeze or extra freezer storage at home, of course.  If she doesn't maybe have guests sign up to bring her meals to her home after the baby is born.
• Throw a "Pamper Me" shower!  Focus is first and foremost on the new mom, but everyone can get in on the fun here.  Give each other facials, backrubs, paint toenails and try out new makeup.  Have everyone come wearing their comfiest pajamas and slippers.  No one would want to miss out on a shower like that!

Do you have any great ideas on how to shower a mama who is expecting her second, third, fourth or fifth (dare I even mention sixth??) baby?  If so, drop by the Blissfully Domestic Forums and share with the rest of us!

Also:  Remember to stop by Mrs. Fussypants Baby Shower blog and shower her with some good wishes!

You can find Marilyn most days over at her blog, slackermama . com, up to her ears in baby goodness.