Spreading the News!

Dear Mary Brooks,
     After finding out that I was pregnant with you, both your dad and I wanted to tell our parents right away, but we just couldn't imagine sharing such exciting news over the phone. Since we had just purchased a new house, we decided to take Boom Boom and ReeCee out to dinner that week under the pretense that we needed to talk to them about house stuff. They probably thought we were going to ask to borrow money...haha! I had gone by the paint store before dinner and picked up a bright pink and a bright blue paint chip. After everyone got their drinks and we were waiting on our dinner to arrive, I passed the paint chips under the table to your dad. He pulled out the paint chips and said "So we were wondering if you could help us pick a paint color for the nursery". Boom Boom and ReeCee weren't sure at first if we were just planning ahead or if we were really pregnant. But once they figured out we were pregnant they were, of course, thrilled! Aunt Brie and Uncle Mario were a big help in keeping our little secret during our summer boating trips on Lake Murray. Aunt Brie was also pregnant with cousin Marchal,  so she shared her non-alcoholic beers with me so our friends wouldn't be suspicious. I had to peel the label or hide it in a koozie, or our friends would have known immediately.

 ReeCee and Boom Boom relaxing at the lake!

Now it was on to telling Mimi and Papa. It just happened that the Sunday after we found out we were pregnant was Father's Day, June 19, 2011. We had already planned to visit Papa in Hilton Head for his special day. I decided to order his favorite cake... carrot. I had them write "Happy (Grand)father's Day" on the cake.

When we arrived, I took the cake into the kitchen and told them to come in and smell the cake because it smelled so yummy. I really just wanted them to come look at the cake. We knew they weren't going to get it right away since Papa was already a grandfather to Landon, but I was hoping that if we insisted that the cake was from your dad and me that they would get it eventually. Although it did take them a moment to figure out the meaning behind the cake, their excitement was immediate and overwhelming. Mimi starting screaming with joy, which you will quickly learn she does a lot of when it comes to you, and Papa's face lit up and he was smiling ear to ear! That evening Mimi, Papa, your dad, and I went to dinner with Landon and Uncle Trey. Mimi had taken a picture of the cake to show to Trey. When Mimi shared the picture with Uncle Trey it did not take him nearly as long to understand its meaning. He was shocked but very excited!

This happiness is nothing compared to the day they found out about you!

 We decided to wait until after the first trimester to tell our friends. As you will soon learn, our friends are like our family to us. You have lots of aunts and uncles who love you already! So you can see why waiting to share the news with them was very difficult for me. I used the excuse that I needed to do work around the new house to avoid the girls as often as I could during those first few weeks. Finally, when the time came to share the good news with them I invited all your aunts over to "see the new house". After about an hour of mingling and showing everyone the new house, I passed out cards. I told the girls they were "We've Moved" cards because I wanted everyone to have our new address. I think I did a good job of playing it off. The girls causally opened the cards and excited shrills filled the house!

 

I can't forget to mention your brother and sister, Flopsy and Lucy. Flopsy has enjoyed checking out all your new accessories that have started filling the house.

Lucy is afraid she will miss something so she follows me around wherever I go. I have a feeling she will want to be a big helper for me when you arrive!

" Hey, don't forget about me!"

Now we are just patiently awaiting your arrival.  Take your time, we will be waiting with open arms for you whenever you're ready.

I love you forever and always,
Mom