Ask her how she's going to decorate for the party, what colors she's chosen, or if she has a theme. Then proceed from there.

im the one hosting... food will be italian. there will be gelato and mom to be's favorite cake-chocolate..  invites were brown with a pink dress and shoes

Try Google Images:  Brown and pink baby shower cake.

Tons of ideas come up.    I'm sure you'll find something there to inspire you.

i have looked at pinterest and google... (nothing is "special " to me that makes me want to bake/decorate a cake like it..)

i guess my question is if there is nothing on those sites, pictures from a book or magazine, ideas from a client- do you just whip up something out of blue?? are you generally more open to like what you created or do you analyze each thing when you try to "copy" it

I usually use invitations for inspiration.

... maybe i  can make a cake off the games we will be playing--matching animals to their family name,mother goose scramble, price is right, how sweet it is(candy related to pregnancy game)

i dont know why i am having such a mental block when it comes to this cake...

you could do baby blocks , they are many great designs for baby showers out there I am sure something will come to you soon