to shower, or not to shower

I'm starting to think about baby showers. Actually, my friends are starting to ask when the shower is, so I now have to think about it.

Is a shower appropriate for the third kid?

The first one was nice. I was so young and excited, and the shower was like a right of passage. I think with the first baby we want to do all the little things, like showers and registries.

The second one was great. No one actually thought to throw me one, and I didn't mind, but at the last minute a friend decided I should have one, and so I did. Having the first two kids so close together, the shower was a god-send. Diapers for two are expensive, and everyone brought a pack of diapers to the shower. I was most grateful.

So here I am, kid three, five years later, and I don't know what to do. I don't feel that crazy excited new feeling like I did with B, and I don't really need anything. I think it would be nice to have a little get-together after she comes, so everyone can meet her. But a shower? I don't know. Do I invite a bunch of people over, who will feel obligated to bring a gift, to sit around and eat cake and play silly games involving baby bottles and clothes pins?

Hold that thought. I totally forgot. Cake!