Baby shower for baby number 2?

So I just got invited for a friends baby shower by the baby mama herself! Normally I'd be excited but this is her second baby & plus it almost seems like she has a major hand in organizing it as well which seems a little taboo to me. I understand if somebody else was doing all the showering for her. Hey, why turn down a party if when you're the mom to be and go along for the ride. Plus I really don't think there's a need for another baby shower. I mean she already has everything she needs for the baby minus diapers.

Now with all of the above, I actually won't be able to make it as I have a wedding to go to but I have no idea if I still need to get her a gift or let it slide. And if I do get her a gift, what sort of gift should I get? A gift for the baby or perhaps a gift for the mom? Perhaps this is a situation where a gift card is appropriate.

I am at that age where people are just starting to get married so I don't have too much experience with baby showers and don't know what the protocol is. Perhaps I am just over reacting, so folks please enlighten me.

Gifts

Went to the mall & pretty much left right away. The malls are still insanely packed. I am assuming w/ people looking for post-boxing day sales. Kids screaming & scarce parking was enough to have me leave. However I need to brave the crowds tomorrow to pick up a gift for a friend.

What's a good generic gift for a girl you have no idea what to get? Besides off course the basket of body lotions or candles which by the way I think is just as impersonal as a gift card. With that being said, I am still thinking of perhaps getting a gift certificate to Sephora. What girl doesn't like Sephora? & my budget is ~$30 since I've got 2 other small things to give to this person already.

I also realized I have not factored gifts into the budget I created yesterday. It's hard because it varies by person. Some people...I plan on spending ~$100 and others I plan on spending $20 & off course there's ranges in between. But there's only 5 yearly recurring gifts I buy. So perhaps I could create a yearly number and then divide by 12.

Even though it's technically not January yet, I've decided to start tracking my purchases. i.e. gas has been updated to reflect my $26 gas purchase. Yup $26 to completely fill the tank which was almost empty.