So, the first to know was, of course, Royce. Then our friends Alex and Kyle. During the week, I just had to tell people, I was bursting! On Tuesday, I excitedly told my mentor, Katrina, and my friend Mui, who was excited to pass it along to the rest of our teacher-peeps. Wednesday, I told a co-worker, Annette, who told me that she had wondered because I was practically glowing. It was also my class night, and I did so well through class to not let on, but after class, when it was just us girls, I couldn't hold it back! So, Lori, Laura, Jan, Karen and Jodi now knew. And they were all so excited for me! Thursday night, I could finally tell my best friends at work, Jenni and Linda. Friday, I told another co-worker, Shanda.
On Friday, we were anxious to tell my parents!! I had bought these adorable books a long time ago and written a heartfelt message in them for all of our folks.
Royce had also had me print off a listing for a '32 Ford to give to my dad. We wanted to be nonchalant about asking them to dinner, then we would wait until dinner was over. And I guess it worked with Mom, she was clueless, expecting that we wouldn't know anything until Saturday. Dad had his suspicions, but he didn't let on, and when I asked AJ and he declined because of cost and I offered to pay, he nearly said, and I knew he nearly said "Wow, you must really want me to be there for some reason..." but instead he just agreed. As we walked into Iggy's, some friends, Joe & Jenny, were sitting at a booth. We visited and they started talking about Jenny's retirement, and mom said "I'll retire as soon as Tracy has a baby." and they started asking me "Oh! Have you been thinking about it?" and I nonchalantly said "Yeah, we've been trying..." Later, Dad said he figured that if that was why we were here, that is when I would have said something. As we sat down at the table, we chatted about everything and nothing. Then we realized that some more friends were behind us, Blake's family. Mom got into a conversation with them about Blake's pregnant wife. When she turned back to the table, I just couldn't help it... even though I knew Royce would be bugged that I didn't wait until after dinner. "So, Blake's due in March, right?...
'Cuz we're due in September." It was priceless. Dad and AJ got it right away, but I watched mom as she counted in her head to see if that would be right. When I said "Yup. We're gonna have a baby." She got teary-eyed and just couldn't stop smiling. Dad too. After some hugs and congratulations, mom turned to Blake's family and said "Me too! Grandma in September!!!" then looked to me and asked, "Can I go tell Joe & Jenny?!?" and almost before I even responded, she was climbing over my dad and the table, running to their booth and just sobbing to them. So, I guess she really wasn't all that excited... ;) It was a great night! After dinner, we stopped by Grandma and Grandpa Perkins' house to tell them.
At Iggy's, after the announcement.
On Saturday morning, Royce went and worked on my bike at Gary's shop, where he told Gary and Rich. Later we had a car club scrapbooking party. Royce said that we could announce, but that I had to wait for his ok. We got there and as people were arriving, I was whispering in his ear, "Now? Can we do it?!? They need to know!" And he kept saying "Shhh! Not yet!" Finally, I just settled down and started scrapbooking. Finally, he came in, and when everyone (Brockmeiers, Cooks, VanAusdals, Blues, Beardes) was seated and said "So... Tracy wanted to tell ya'll something..." and everyone looked at me expectedly and I said "YUP!! I'm gonna be a mommy!!" I got lots of hugs and congratulations. This kid is gonna be LOVED. and
maybe a little spoiled.
After the scrapbook party, we stopped by the hospital to see if we could tell Bob & Weezie. Weezie wasn't there, but Mike E was, so we told them instead. Big old teddy bear Bob started crying and saying "Oh, Grandpa. I like that!" Mike was excited and shared the news with Kylee. We swore them to secrecy from Weezie and rushed up to Roy so we could tell her.
But first we stopped by Royce's dad's house. As we entered the house, Royce said, "I have something for you." and handed him the book. As he was looking at it, I quietly said, "It's for your grandbaby who will be here in September." He gathered us into a hug.
After Bob's, we went to Weezie's, where Royce announced our news. She was excited, but as is typical of Weezie, she bounced from one subject to another, but she always came back to "Oh, I'm so tickled for you guys!"
Saturday was a busy, busy day! And not just for us. Mom, of course, was busy making calls to family.
Luckily, Sunday was quiet. We went over to Kyle and Alex's so Royce could help with the '33. Mat was there too, so we told him. And later in the day, I was playing on Facebook and just couldn't help but IM some of my friends. (Kayie, Elizabeth, Jeni, Josh, Jamie, Soquel).
So, Today is Tuesday and I have told a couple more co-workers and friends. And yesterday, we told a few more club members at board meeting, including Maggie who was absolutely giddy for us, and Royce called his sister and nephew. The word is officially out!
Except for my mother-in-law. We weren't sure what we were going to do about that, but we finally decided to just write a letter. It is so impersonal, especially with what else we had to say, but at least she won't read it on my blog. Now I've just got to drop it off at her house with the book and wait. Wait and see if
she decides to do anything about it, or if this will be the last contact we have with her.
Everyone is so genuinely happy for us! But most importantly, we are so very thrilled for ourselves, and for this precious baby. We are gonna be awesome parents. This kid is gonna be LOVED.
