Last February on my last trip to the US, I happened to get some blue decorations at Michael’s without knowing specifically what occasion I would use it for.  In April, Aki discovered she had conceived in March and several weeks ago, she discovered she would have a baby boy!

Over the weekend through yesterday, Joi planned the details for Aki’s baby shower including a diaper cake and the blue Michael’s decor while Sachi, Kind Yuka, and Funny Yuka made origami paper cranes, an auspicious symbol for the Japanese.  With Alicia, the ladies decorated the semi-private room of Tapenade, Discovery’s lovely Mediterranean restaurant on Wednesday morning.

Meanwhile, Aki and I checked out the American Women’s Bazaar at SMX and then headed for lunch at Discovery Primea.

Upon arriving at Tapenade and being led to our table, Aki took half a minute to process why her Filipino friends, American friend, and Japanese friends were at the same restaurant at the same time on the same day…

And then she discovered…

Sign made by Joi

Her Surprise Baby Shower!!! Aki’s Priceless smile:

The LIC (Ladies in Cahoots) at our sweet little private space:

Ann led the prayer for Aki, her baby, our time together, and our food:

Thank You for the food before us, the friends beside us, the love between us, and Your presence among us.

And oh, what yummy food. The Tagliatelle pasta was so flavorful and perfect. Also enjoyed the Tomato Risotto, Quattro Formaggi Pizza’s authentic cheeses blending so well… the crust obviously made from scratch with that wonderful texture.  The freshness and quality of the dishes are excellent, even just the extra virgin olive oil with garlic and herbs for the house bread is delectable!

Tagliatelle Bolognese

Even the garlic olive oil is so delish

Spiced Lamb Kebab with Orzo al Pesto, Herb-yoghurt Sauce. Lemon

Tomato Risotto

Spaghetti with Seafood

Salumi Pizza with Italian Guanciale, Fennel Sausage, Bacon, Salsiccia Picante, and Mozzarella

Quattro Formaggi Pizza

Orzo al Pesto and Herb Yoghurt Sauce Dips for the Lamb Kebobs

Happy Ladies:

It was time to guess the girth of Aki’s tummy!  It was a close competition between Alicia and Funny Yuka. After the suspense, finally, Kind Yuka won!

For dessert, couldn’t make up our minds which, so we went for “one of each.” My favorite was the Gianduja mousse cake with feuilletine, and salted caramel banana with that pretty goldleaf swoosh.

Gianduja Cake chocolate hazelnut mousse with crunchy praline, salted caramel banana

One of each with the Coffee Tiramisu

Crema Catalana (sesame cookies and tahine custard)

Turkish Baklava

Manchego Cheesecake, Berries, Coulis

Mascarpone Pie with Caramellized Oranges

Joi asked us to write our guess for Baby’s Delivery Date on one of Sachi’s paper cranes with our name on it. The winner will get a prize from Aki… after the delivery! 🙂

One last dash to this room before our afternoon tasks. Guess where? It’s the elegant and pretty restroom! Love love the details and the immaculate cleanness!

Glad we chose this place for Aki’s Surprise Baby Shower… the delicious food, classy sophisticated interior details (we just had to have a photo in front of the wallpaper too!), very attentive service, the private space, easy parking, and central location. What a lovely time it was!!

Here’s the sign that Joi made:

I agree!!!

Dear Baby Boy: You are fully known and fully loved!

A Passage for You:
Psalm 139:13-14
13 For God created your inmost being;
    He knit you together in your mother’s womb.
14 We praise Him because you are fearfully and wonderfully made;
    His works are wonderful, we know that full well.

For Aki:

3John 2 Dear Aki, we pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

“Therefore you are to love the foreigner, since you were foreigners in the land of Egypt.” Deut 10:19 CJB