Telling Our Families

There's no question telling people has been one of the most exciting parts of this whole process right now. Especially family, because they're so happy for us... And close friends... And you of course! I wrote down the experience of telling our families the day after we broke the news so I'd remember.

5 Weeks 3 Days written October 26th and saved for today.

We told our parents last night. I'm SOOOO much more excited now, it feels real, and I'm feeling more confidant about it all! I do worry a little still about having to share bad news. Believe it or not I feel like it would be easier to share with you than with family just because I know so many strangers out there know what it feels like... And I wouldn't feel like I was letting you down. I worry about letting family down. It seems easier to express my feeling with people I don't know sometimes.

Anyway, I'm sending those negative thoughts away and bringing positive ones in!

It was so fun hearing the excitement in our parents' voices! In no particular order of reenactment:

I called my mom and was passed around to a few of my siblings before talking to her, then when she took the phone I said "Hi grandma!"

"Grandma?"She said. "Why are you calling me that?"
"Cause I'm 5 weeks pregnant!"
"5 weeks?! Why are you just now telling me?"

I'm glad we didn't wait until Christmas... I wouldn't have been able to do it... I'm not secretive, I'm not private, I want to talk about it and get excited!

My dad kept saying "Wow, that's all right, that's all right..." But picture that in a happy grandpa-sounding tone. And he told me how proud he is of me, and how happy he is to see how things have turned out for me. It made me feel so good!

It was so fun telling my husband's parents. We knew Sunday night the family would be spending the night together watching their current favorite television series. It's a tradition started a few years ago when 24 first came out. I'm not sure what they're watching now, and I knew we'd be interrupting but I also knew it would be worth it.

My husband thought of a clever way to tell his mom while she was on the phone and she yelled the news back to the rest of the family... I heard the applause.

A few key phrases stick out from that conversation:
"It's about time"

"She's in labor RIGHT NOW!"

"Your prize is going to be one spoiled grandchild"... Followed by a loud response from my SIL "NOOO!"

And one of my favorites: "She's probably updating her blog as we speak."

Yea, you'd think so, but look how long I kept this in! I told family first... And I'm proud of myself for that.

How did you tell your family?

Announcing...

With all the traveling we've been doing I got behind on ordering our birth announcements. I got to choose some courtesy of Tiny Prints. I had over 100 pictures of my little girl to choose from since I went crazy taking pictures with Tara, and more than 100 designs from Tiny Prints. I narrowed it down to my top 5 and my husband chose this one! We even got matching return labels.

Cute huh? So, it took me two months to order these, hopefully it won't take me another two to send them!

If you live in Central Texas be sure to check out Tara from Forever Bliss Photography and her new facebook page (she has photography packages starting at $75!).

And of course, no matter where you live check out Tiny Prints for your exciting announcements!

Also, I have a few extra so if you want me to send a real one your way let me know!

What did I make this week? Plus an Announcement!

What did I craft or cook up this week? Nothing. Absolutely NADA. Unless you count turkey sandwiches, but I didn't take photos so I'm not sure that counts.

It's ok though. It's been one of those weeks. I'm working 6 days in a row, and feeling worn out to the max. BUT there are some good things happening.

Lil' J is OBSESSED with buses. She yells and points every time we pass one like she's trying to catch it. We've taken the bus to the park three times now and she asks about them daily. I have tons of pictures I need to share and blog about this cheap fun idea but until then, here's a few of our most recent trip taking a bus to a concert.

Waiting at the bus stop.

Checking herself out in the driver's mirror.

"WEE!"

Shawn from Boyz II Men

The concert we were riding to see? Boyz II Men! Saturday night we had VIP clearance at the Austin Urban Music Festival. I was literally a couple of feet away from touching Shawn, my longest-lasting crush. I told Lil' J to waive at him. She was watching the whole thing from my backpack carrier. More on this later!

Getting a look for herself.

Another positive? I picked up the keys to our new place yesterday. I still haven't packed a single box but we have a month of overlap so I'm not exactly freaking out yet.

I have a strange impulse to collect as many boxes as I can, before packing any. *shrug*

And finally, for the announcement...

I hinted to an exciting project I've been working on for months, long ago. Today it launched on Parenting.com and it's sponsored by Hallmark. I haven't been doing my 365 Love Letters on this here blog because I've been working on capturing 365 Moments there. I'm so excited and I hope you'll follow along and even add your own photos capturing special moments in your family's life. One could even be published in Parenting Magazine! I'm crossing my fingers I'll get to see Lil' J in there one of these days.

I imagine a lot of photos coming up will be of moving boxes. OY!

Just because I didn't make anything crafty doesn't mean I don't want to see your domestic skills. Link up and share!