After trying for months to figure out how to upload videos from our new camera to the Mac, I succeeded! That means I can finally share with you the video that was taken (post about the day can be found here) when we told my mom, Carole, our baby news. She is going to be so embarrassed that I shared this, but I'm pretty sure every one of you is going to fall in love with her if you haven't already. Enjoy!
Going to Grandma's House from Amy B on Vimeo.
P.S. If you are having a hard time viewing parts of the blog right now, click here. GRR!
Showing posts with label Breaking the Great News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Breaking the Great News. Show all posts
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
It's Out There (both the news and the belly!)
Given the fact that I totally "popped" this past weekend, I knew it was getting close to time to share the baby news with my coworkers. I had shared the news with my boss last week, because we sat down to have a discussion and it seemed relevant at the time. My boss, whom I LOVE, couldn't have responded more sweetly! When I'd asked him if I could talk to him and walked in to close the door, he said, "You're not leaving me, are you?!" in a panic. I told him, "Not yet!" and we went from there. When I told him the great news, he jumped up from his desk, did a little jig and ran around his desk to give me a hug and a kiss. I don't think anyone could ask for more from a boss when telling them they won't be working much longer! I feel very lucky to have his support.
On the way home from visiting my parents last weekend, I stopped in Louisville on the way to visit Brianne, a friend who I hadn't seen in a REALLY long time. Upon returning to work, one of my coworkers - a sweet but gossipy one - asked how my trip was. I told her it was great, and that it was also really fun because I got to stop to see a good friend who I hadn't seen in a long time. She said, "OH, that's great, since you won't be able to do that a whole lot..." I instantly got the sense that she KNEW I was pregnant. I mean, why else would she say it that way? I could have been wrong, but since she dates the brother of one of Mark's good friends who Mark HAD told, I knew it was time to share the news with everyone before she did. I immediately went in to tell my boss that I'd be telling everyone at our staff meeting that morning.
We got into the conference room and my boss said, "Well, I wanted to tell you all that, come September, Amy will no longer be working with us....Amy? Would you like to fill them in on the details?" I felt shy suddenly, but squeaked out, "Um, I'm going to have the most important job there is...I'm going to be a mom!" It was so dorky, but certainly did the trick. Everyone seemed happy for me and I was glad to not have to suck in my gut anymore, since it was suddenly near impossible to do, anyway!
Now that my coworkers know, I'm pretty much open with everyone about it. I haven't broken the news on FaceBook yet, but I think I will after our 16-week prenatal visit on the 8th.
The one thing I find so strange about telling people I'm pregnant is that I always instantly feel as though I might as well be saying, "SO...I HAD SEX!" I know this is silly and isn't at all what people think when they hear this, but I can't help but have that cross my mind every time. I know, I know...you think I'm weird. Wouldn't be the first time!
On the way home from visiting my parents last weekend, I stopped in Louisville on the way to visit Brianne, a friend who I hadn't seen in a REALLY long time. Upon returning to work, one of my coworkers - a sweet but gossipy one - asked how my trip was. I told her it was great, and that it was also really fun because I got to stop to see a good friend who I hadn't seen in a long time. She said, "OH, that's great, since you won't be able to do that a whole lot..." I instantly got the sense that she KNEW I was pregnant. I mean, why else would she say it that way? I could have been wrong, but since she dates the brother of one of Mark's good friends who Mark HAD told, I knew it was time to share the news with everyone before she did. I immediately went in to tell my boss that I'd be telling everyone at our staff meeting that morning.
We got into the conference room and my boss said, "Well, I wanted to tell you all that, come September, Amy will no longer be working with us....Amy? Would you like to fill them in on the details?" I felt shy suddenly, but squeaked out, "Um, I'm going to have the most important job there is...I'm going to be a mom!" It was so dorky, but certainly did the trick. Everyone seemed happy for me and I was glad to not have to suck in my gut anymore, since it was suddenly near impossible to do, anyway!
Now that my coworkers know, I'm pretty much open with everyone about it. I haven't broken the news on FaceBook yet, but I think I will after our 16-week prenatal visit on the 8th.
The one thing I find so strange about telling people I'm pregnant is that I always instantly feel as though I might as well be saying, "SO...I HAD SEX!" I know this is silly and isn't at all what people think when they hear this, but I can't help but have that cross my mind every time. I know, I know...you think I'm weird. Wouldn't be the first time!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Start Spreading the News
We told our families the great news today! First up was a trip to Grand Rapids to see my mom. I'd called to ask her if she would be available for a Valentine's Day lunch and she was all for it. Mark and I grabbed the video camera, an orchid and a homemade card (which played a key role) and off we went. I was soooo nervous on the way there! I'm not sure why, but maybe because it made everything that much more real. We got to my mom's and walked in, giving hugs all around, after which point my mom picked up the homemade card I had put on the table and started to open it (we were due to leave for lunch). I felt a bit panicked because, you see, this card was THE THING that was going to share the news about Chickpea, and when she opened it so quickly, it didn't give Mark very much time to flip on the video camera to catch her reaction! He managed, however, and we were able to - somewhat shakily - capture this adorable exchange:
Going to Grandma's House from Amy B on Vimeo.
It was so, so fun to finally have our news out there! My mom's reaction was exactly what I was expecting, and I'm so glad we were able to get it on camera. Someday we'll be able to show it to Chickpea and they will be able to see with their own eyes how excited their grandma was to meet them.
(And YES, my mom is totally embarrassed about it, but C'MON. Can you get any cuter and sweeter than that? I think not!)
After that, we went to lunch at this little cafe that used to be the library I grew up going to. Walking in, I instantly recalled all the times I had rode my bike there to get another stack of books to read, which was one of my favorite things to do. I remembered the day my mom took me there to get my OWN library card, and how proud I was that I could now check out books all by myself. And then, as is the natural order of things as a pregnant lady, I had to go to the bathroom. When I got to our table, I sat down and a few minutes later, a cute couple with their children got up from the table next to us and said, "Congratulations!" to me before walking away. I looked at my mom with a "Uh...what was that?!" look, at which point she confessed that while I was in the bathroom, she couldn't help herself and told our dining neighbors that she'd just found out she was going to be a grandma again! So funny - and soooo my mom. I loved it!
After lunch, we took a trip to my sister Alicia's, where we visited with her, her husband Joel, and my four sweet nephews Jacob, Nolan, Caleb and Gavin. My eldest nephew Jacob is just a few weeks shy of turning 14 years old. FOURTEEN! Just to give you some perspective, I got to watch him have his first bath at the hospital way back when, and now, just as I was 8-weeks pregnant with my first baby, his voice was getting all "Peter Brady*" on us and changing right before our ears! Hee!
We sat for a bit and chatted, talking about school and work, etc. Finally, after what felt like an hour, I said to my sister, "SO. I think I'm going to need help painting that spare room soon..." (she had offered when she found out we were going to start trying to conceive). She looked at me with a grin and said, "Oh yeah?... I KNEW IT!!" Haha! I'm not sure how she knew, but I'm pretty sure it had a lot to do with the fact that I didn't order a drink on this day. BUSTED!
We later called my dad, stepmom, and little sister Rachel, and Mark called his mom, dad and brothers. Everyone was so excited for us, and that excitement just made ours that much stronger. I've said it before, but MAN, this baby is so loved already! It just makes me want to cry happy tears when I think about it. What an amazing time, and what a great feeling to know we have so many people around us cheering us on during this monumental time. *SIGH*
*Speaking of the 'Brady Bunch,' my dear husband has never before seen an episode of it. Yes, you read that right. Never before has he seen the Brady Bunch. Not the "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha" one, not the "OW, MY NOSE!" one, and not the one where Tiger goes missing and knocks up the neighbor dog. Believe me when I say it's hard to accept. I will one day rectify this, however, by letting Chickpea watch as many reruns as I can get my hands on! Have no fear, our child will not go without. ;o)
Going to Grandma's House from Amy B on Vimeo.
It was so, so fun to finally have our news out there! My mom's reaction was exactly what I was expecting, and I'm so glad we were able to get it on camera. Someday we'll be able to show it to Chickpea and they will be able to see with their own eyes how excited their grandma was to meet them.
(And YES, my mom is totally embarrassed about it, but C'MON. Can you get any cuter and sweeter than that? I think not!)
After that, we went to lunch at this little cafe that used to be the library I grew up going to. Walking in, I instantly recalled all the times I had rode my bike there to get another stack of books to read, which was one of my favorite things to do. I remembered the day my mom took me there to get my OWN library card, and how proud I was that I could now check out books all by myself. And then, as is the natural order of things as a pregnant lady, I had to go to the bathroom. When I got to our table, I sat down and a few minutes later, a cute couple with their children got up from the table next to us and said, "Congratulations!" to me before walking away. I looked at my mom with a "Uh...what was that?!" look, at which point she confessed that while I was in the bathroom, she couldn't help herself and told our dining neighbors that she'd just found out she was going to be a grandma again! So funny - and soooo my mom. I loved it!
After lunch, we took a trip to my sister Alicia's, where we visited with her, her husband Joel, and my four sweet nephews Jacob, Nolan, Caleb and Gavin. My eldest nephew Jacob is just a few weeks shy of turning 14 years old. FOURTEEN! Just to give you some perspective, I got to watch him have his first bath at the hospital way back when, and now, just as I was 8-weeks pregnant with my first baby, his voice was getting all "Peter Brady*" on us and changing right before our ears! Hee!
We sat for a bit and chatted, talking about school and work, etc. Finally, after what felt like an hour, I said to my sister, "SO. I think I'm going to need help painting that spare room soon..." (she had offered when she found out we were going to start trying to conceive). She looked at me with a grin and said, "Oh yeah?... I KNEW IT!!" Haha! I'm not sure how she knew, but I'm pretty sure it had a lot to do with the fact that I didn't order a drink on this day. BUSTED!
We later called my dad, stepmom, and little sister Rachel, and Mark called his mom, dad and brothers. Everyone was so excited for us, and that excitement just made ours that much stronger. I've said it before, but MAN, this baby is so loved already! It just makes me want to cry happy tears when I think about it. What an amazing time, and what a great feeling to know we have so many people around us cheering us on during this monumental time. *SIGH*
*Speaking of the 'Brady Bunch,' my dear husband has never before seen an episode of it. Yes, you read that right. Never before has he seen the Brady Bunch. Not the "Marsha, Marsha, Marsha" one, not the "OW, MY NOSE!" one, and not the one where Tiger goes missing and knocks up the neighbor dog. Believe me when I say it's hard to accept. I will one day rectify this, however, by letting Chickpea watch as many reruns as I can get my hands on! Have no fear, our child will not go without. ;o)
Thursday, February 11, 2010
20%
As of today, I’m eight weeks along. For the math geeks, that equates to 20% done, 80% to go! When I think about the 20%, it seems like it’s flown by already. Then I think about the 80% left to go and I feel tired and antsy.
Also making me antsy is the fact that Mark and I are planning a trip to Grand Rapids to break the great news to my mom and sister this weekend, followed by calls to the rest of the immediate family on both sides. I’m not going to lie: this stage not only excites me but also makes me a bit nervous. I simply can’t wait for our loved ones to know about the incoming baby in our life, but I also feel stressed about telling everyone and having them tell everyone else so soon.
For example, my mom is one of the most excitable, infectiously happy people on Earth. When she hears good news, she wants the WHOLE WORLD to know! And who would blame her this time? Her baby is having a baby! Still, what if something tragic happens? This information can’t be untold. I promise I’m not dwelling on the bad that could happen, but it DOES happen, you know? Still, it’s driving me nuts to not have our closest people know this information, so tell we will.
I’m still mulling with creative ideas of how to tell our people. For most, it will have to be shared via phone, since they are out-of-town or state. For my mom, though, I’d love to do something special. I’d REALLY love to capture her response on camera, too, if we can swing it without making her suspicious and ruining the surprise. If you could have heard her reaction when I called to tell her I had gotten engaged (which was a complete surprise to even me), you’d totally know what I mean. She pretty much did this hybrid laugh/cry/hyperventilate thing that still makes me smile to this day just thinking about it. It was really too freaking cute.
It’s great to know this baby already has so many wonderful people who will love it before it’s even here. This is the fun part of things, I know. I just have to let go and trust that it all works out the way it should. If not, it’s also really comforting to know we have plenty of people to lean on. And that’s a blessing of the greatest kind -- just like our Chickpea.
Postscript Update:
My mom managed to keep our secret for over a MONTH after we told her the news! I have NO idea how she did it, but I was super appreciative and impressed! She said that people would ask her about me and she would tell them something in a way that didn't tell them the truth, but also was never lie. Like one time, someone asked, "So, when you talked to Amy last, did she have any pregnancy news?" and she said, "Why yes, as a matter of fact, she did - she just found out one of her friends is expecting and she's very excited for her!" HEE! She's so cute. :o)
Also making me antsy is the fact that Mark and I are planning a trip to Grand Rapids to break the great news to my mom and sister this weekend, followed by calls to the rest of the immediate family on both sides. I’m not going to lie: this stage not only excites me but also makes me a bit nervous. I simply can’t wait for our loved ones to know about the incoming baby in our life, but I also feel stressed about telling everyone and having them tell everyone else so soon.
For example, my mom is one of the most excitable, infectiously happy people on Earth. When she hears good news, she wants the WHOLE WORLD to know! And who would blame her this time? Her baby is having a baby! Still, what if something tragic happens? This information can’t be untold. I promise I’m not dwelling on the bad that could happen, but it DOES happen, you know? Still, it’s driving me nuts to not have our closest people know this information, so tell we will.
I’m still mulling with creative ideas of how to tell our people. For most, it will have to be shared via phone, since they are out-of-town or state. For my mom, though, I’d love to do something special. I’d REALLY love to capture her response on camera, too, if we can swing it without making her suspicious and ruining the surprise. If you could have heard her reaction when I called to tell her I had gotten engaged (which was a complete surprise to even me), you’d totally know what I mean. She pretty much did this hybrid laugh/cry/hyperventilate thing that still makes me smile to this day just thinking about it. It was really too freaking cute.
It’s great to know this baby already has so many wonderful people who will love it before it’s even here. This is the fun part of things, I know. I just have to let go and trust that it all works out the way it should. If not, it’s also really comforting to know we have plenty of people to lean on. And that’s a blessing of the greatest kind -- just like our Chickpea.
Postscript Update:
My mom managed to keep our secret for over a MONTH after we told her the news! I have NO idea how she did it, but I was super appreciative and impressed! She said that people would ask her about me and she would tell them something in a way that didn't tell them the truth, but also was never lie. Like one time, someone asked, "So, when you talked to Amy last, did she have any pregnancy news?" and she said, "Why yes, as a matter of fact, she did - she just found out one of her friends is expecting and she's very excited for her!" HEE! She's so cute. :o)
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