'We should celebrate every chapter of our lives!' Pregnant Ashley James cradles her bump in a slinky pink dress at her baby shower
Pregnant Ashley James cradled her growing bump as she celebrated with friends and family at her baby shower over the weekend.
The Made In Chelsea star, 35, who is expecting her second child with boyfriend Tom Andrews, looked radiant in a slinky pink dress for the event held in London.
She gave followers an insight into her heartwarming day as she shared a flurry of photos to Instagram on Tuesday.
Ashley, who is already mum to Alfie, two, wore a floral 'mummy-to-be' sash and enjoyed a lavish meal with the pals, who had organised the party for her.
The reality TV personality topped off her outfit with an oversized teddy coat and a stylish pair of knee high boots.
Party: Pregnant Ashley James, 35, cradled her growing bump as she celebrated with friends and family at her baby shower at the weekend
Glowing: The Made In Chelsea star who is expecting her second child with boyfriend Tom Andrews, looked radiant in a slinky pink dress for the event held in London
She styled her blonde hair into soft waves and wore a glamorous smokey eye with a matte nude lipstick.
In the lengthy caption, Ashley penned: 'The best afternoon with the best group of friends. So a few months ago my friend asked if I wanted a baby shower.
'I didn't get to have one with Alf because of lockdown. But also I really didn't want one. It felt almost silly to me to celebrate it.
'I feel quite strongly that so many important milestones in our lives are overlooked and only marriage and babies are celebrated.
'But this time, I thought do you know what? How special that my friends want to celebrate this milestone.
'I can make an effort to celebrate other milestones - jobs, promotions, getting on the property ladder - and still celebrate the other chapters that I'm experiencing.
'So I said yes, but strictly no presents and no games. Because here's what I've learned from last time:
'I really really missed my friends. Especially in that first bit where baby is totally dependent on you, and you can't go out for drinks or lunches or dinners. For me that chapter was a year due to breastfeeding and no bottle taking.'
Enroute! She gave followers an insight into her heartwarming day as she shared a flurry of photos to Instagram on Tuesday
Beaming: Ashley, who is already mum to Alfie, two, wore a floral 'mummy-to-be' sash and enjoyed a lavish meal with the pals, who had organised the party for her
She candidly added: 'And also the transition from maiden to mother was so huge. I kinda thought after 6 weeks I'd be back to normal - mentally, physically, and psychologically.
'But wow does it change everything and so permanently. Matrasence has been one hell of a journey for me!
'So I loved getting to experience today! The girls organised everything - I didn't even know where I needed to go! And it was perfect! Even my sister came.'
In the lengthy caption, Ashley penned: 'The best afternoon with the best group of friends. So a few months ago my friend asked if I wanted a baby shower'
'A nice chance to dress up, be baby-free, and see everyone before the baby is here. And my friends have always and will always be my happy place and family.
'And I think we should celebrate every damn chapter of our lives, whatever that might be.
'It feels really nice to experience pregnancy again out of lockdown, and I'm excited to experience that with the baby stage with baby girl too. Mainly just love my bloody friends and baby girl is so lucky to be surrounded by so many legends.'
Pals: The reality TV personality topped off her outfit with an oversized teddy coat and a stylish pair of knee high boots
Cute: 'A nice chance to dress up, be baby-free, and see everyone before the baby is here. And my friends have always and will always be my happy place and family,' she said
Girl gang: Ashley added: 'And I think we should celebrate every damn chapter of our lives, whatever that might be'
She concluded: 'Anyway, I'm very happy - and I'm home in time to play with Alf and then it's the Happy Valley finale! Wah! So excited.'
Ashley revealed she was expecting her second child with boyfriend Tom Andrews in September, before confirming the couple were having a baby girl in November.
The reality star welcomed her first child in January 2021, just a year after she and tech professional Tom began dating.
Ashley spent six years single before settling down with Tom in December 2019, after having first met 10 years earlier.
Family time: Ashley revealed she was expecting her second child with boyfriend Tom Andrews in September, before confirming the couple were having a baby girl in November
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