telling the cousins...now this was fun!

I couldn't WAIT to tell Steph, Jenn, Lauren, and Caylin. I was so ready to let them in on our little secret. It couldn't have worked out better!

I called Caylin and let her know first. I was a little worried she'd let it slip, so I asked her to keep it shush until I told all the cousins. She did so, and I was happy to let her know first, since she is the youngest and feels left out sometimes. She finally knew something that her other cousins didn't! It was fun!

So, Steph had called a few days before and wanted to do drinks. Obviously, I couldn't so I suggested a more pregnancy-friendly mexican food dinner. She mentioned I could invite Matt, although Kevin was out of town, so I nonchalantly said he may come. I called Matt and told him that time was up and Steph was going to have to find out that night, since there was NO way I could hide the fact that I wasn't drinking. I had a serious suspicion that she and her sisters already knew, since on multiple occasions I wasn't drinking and they surely noticed it. I had good excuses (bladder infection, stomach aches, etc), but those girls knew things were fishy. I was so excited to finally spill the beans!

So before we were to meet for dinner, Steph called to see if Jenn could come. PERFECT! Two cousins with one stone! This was working out great! So, Matt & I show. The two girls were already on drink #1 at the bar, and our table was ready, so we immediately sat down. I knew I couldn't order a drink, so I had planned on telling them before the waiter came. I had a dr appt that day, and we were fortunate enough to be able to record the heartbeat on a recorder (which will be used as the "heart" on baby's Build-A-Bear soon) so I knew the girls wouldn't recognize the actual recorder. I placed the the recorder on the table right when we sat down and they both looked puzzled. I was trying to play cool, but digging in my purse for something and distract them from seeing my face and expressions, but I just wasn't sure what they'd guess what that thing was. I told them to push the button and listen, and if any of you know, a baby's heartrate in the womb sounds very fast (like a racehorse) so the girls didn't recognize the sound. I asked for their guesses on what they thought it was, and Steph was the most puzzled. I really expected her to guess, since she is a NICU nurse, but I guess she wasn't putting two and two together. After their puzzling looks and confusion, I told Steph she really should have guessed it right away, and then their blue eyes got real big and Jenn yelled out "BABY!" Their arms went in the air and we all laughed. It was a great moment! It was perfect!

Too bad Lauren was in College Station, but I did the same thing over the phone with her and she thought it was a machine gun. I let her in on the fact that it was a heartbeat and she was so happy. It was sweet.

I then called Tante Karen and immediately played the sound and told her that her girls didn't do too well guessing, but Karen knew instantly. I laughed and chuckled and she did too. It was fun!

Telling is a lot more fun that I thought it was! Luckily, I have a supportive family that is happy for us!

Ultrasound at 11 weeks...

Baby is healthy! YEAH! Baby's heart is a beating! We were at a healthy 166 and our followup from last week's appt told us nothing but great news. Our risks for Down Syndrome are low (pheww!) and everything looks great. We can't be more happy or excited about it all!

Telling the great grandmas!

I was finally able to get Oma Storz on the phone while at mom's a couple weeks ago and spilled the beans. She sounded very excited and even said that she was waiting for the call. She has been having some health troubles and I think this really helped her get out of her "rut". I immediately called Ellen thereafter and she really showed her excitement with a big scream!!!

GranSam was a fun one too! I had written a poem for her that she read out loud at Thanksgiving at Mom and Dad's. I don't think she was expecting to hear this news, but it sure was fun to see her eyes light up. When she got towards the end, she couldn't finish reading it, so I stood by her and helped her read the last lines asking her to be a great-grandmother to our little sweet pea. It sure was fun to see her expression and realize that she is going to be a great-grandmother for the first time.

Here is the poem I wrote her:

*****************************

GRANDMOTHERLY LOVE


You are graceful, you are kind,
You are definitely a special find.
We are so very lucky to have you,
And you’ll find we brag about that too.
There’s one thing that we need
To change something about you indeed.

Hmmm, Well…..

You are a terrific grandmother to me,
But there’s one thing that you have yet to be.
Today is the day that you’ll find,
Some news with you in mind.
We know that you’ll agree,
That you will definitely be
A great-grandmother to our little sweet pea.

*****************************************************************************

Things are really taking off! Now, hurry up 1st trimester and let's get moving to the 2nd!!!

I am still in here!

So yesterday, Mom and I went to my 8 week appointment with Dr. McClosky, who just reaffirmed why I love her so much! She spent so much time with me. It was great! My appointment was at 1:00 and luckily my boss allows me to work from home when I need to, so Mom and I met for lunch and then headed to our appt.

Our little circle has become a little baby!!! It was so exciting and amazing to see what he/she is starting to look like.....a baby and not a round circle! Baby's heartrate was a strong 177. He/she is growing fast and looks healthy. We are still a bit small, but definitely fun to see the form of a baby in that belly of mine.

Baby was sleeping and not really moving, so the dr. pushed on my tummy a bit and baby did a little jig, which is what the dr. called it. It was a great sight! Too bad Matt wasn't able to go, but I think he realized he missed out, so he has signed up to be at the next 2 appointments. Can't wait to go back. It's addicting to see our little peanut!

My First Appearance

Our first appointment was scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 27th with our doctor, Sharon McClosky. I was excited for Matt to meet her and even more excited to see our little peanut on a screen!

When we arrived, we quickly learned our doctor was delivering other babies, so we had to wait. We ended up being seen by another doctor in the practice, Dr. Storey, who graciously took into McClosky's patients.

When we arrived in the room, I could tell Matt was a bit nervous but very anxious to see his little creation. The dr. walked in and after getting me settled in place, she showed us our little lentil bean and we found out we are 6 weeks and 2 days. We even were able to see a very fast paced fluttering heartbeat. He/she looks great and we were over the moon to finally see what will be our new additon to the family!

Telling GMa and GPa Ewers (Matt's parents)

Well, since my parents knew, we had to tell Matt's as well obviously. We drove to the Woodlands on a Sunday (Oct 18) and visited while we all munched on snacks and dinner cooked. At the dinner table, Matt asked his parents if I looked any different. Mary immediately smiled (she knew what was up) but Mike had a bit harder time. "Is it her earrings?" He couldn't quite figure it out. Poor guy...he was trying. Mary was giggling; she knew, but just wanted to hear it said. So, I told them they were going to be grandparents. And Mary immediately said "I told you!"

They both were very excited and happy to know they soon would be grandma and grandpa...although we are working on their names. Not sure if grandma and grandpa fit.

We called Brandon on the way and told him as well. Too bad it was a phone call, but he had finals to study for. Now, we stay mum for a while until we get a bit further along.

Telling Mom, Dad, and Niels

Well, I had to tell Mom almost immediately because she and I were both "single" one week, as our husbands were out of town. She decided to come hang out at the house, watch a movie and spend the night. It was Wednesday, the day after we found out. She came over and we were chatting, and I just told her! So, her plans for wine turned into a martini, since I couldn't share the bottle with her. We enjoyed each other's company and I was excited that Mom was in on the secret from the beginning.

Telling Dad was a bit more difficult. We had my Aunt Claudia's surprise 50th birthday party to attend. It wasn't easy to hide our new secret from the entire family, but I got through it fairly painlessly. Matt and I left the dog at Mom and Dad's with the intent of telling Dad when we went back to the house to pick her up after the party. Problem was, we couldn't get Dad out of the party very easily. He was having too much fun evidently. We finally were able to get him home and after sitting around the living room and visiting, Matt came out and said it. I think Dad was a bit shocked that Mom knew "all along"!! Shouldn't have been at the deer lease all week! :)

We then decided Niels needed to be in on the scoop, so Taryn suggested a family dinner a few weeks later at Ra Sushi. Unfortunately, M&D were "lost" so they weren't able to see it all go down, but it still was fun. Matt and I arrived a bit early with a baby bottle in hand that had "You are going to be an uncle" in the bottle itself. After Niels ordered his beer, the waiter apologized for not having a clean glass, but that Niels could use "this" and then handed Niels the baby bottle. At first he thought it was a joke from the waiter, but after reading the bit about being an uncle, he got it. It was a fun way to let him in on the family secret.