What are you doing on          September 8???

 

OH MY GOSH!!   I have been dying to share this with all of you…my wonderful friends and followers!  Now, I finally can!   I’M GOING TO BE A GRANDMA!!!

My only child, Katie, and her husband, Anthony are expecting their first child.   This is not news that has been easy to contain…let me share my journey!!

When Katie & Anthony got married, November 10, 2012, visions of grandchildren danced in my head.   However, I knew my daughter…she had things to do and I knew my son-in-law, as an engineer, there was always a plan.   On one of our “girls trips” Katie shared that she was on the 5-year plan for getting pregnant.   This would put her at 29 and 5 years into their married life, which seemed logical for them.  (I had to agree even if it killed me!!)

Fast forward to their fifth anniversary…I waited anxiously for the phone call for one year, telling me she was pregnant!   I never asked, although I wondered daily.   Her father wasn’t quite as timid about asking.   He asked regularly.   She wasn’t a fan of that, so I chose to keep my mouth shut.   Eventually, he did the same.

We then celebrated their SIXTH anniversary!   What in the world???   What was the problem???  I wanted to ask…but I didn’t!!   So, I kept quiet.   Because Katie and I are super close, I did know they were trying, but gosh…what’s the holdup???  *INSERT MOM'S IRRATIONAL WORRY!!

The holidays came and went and I had hoped that we would have had an announcement at that time.   But still, nothing.   Then, on January 16, I checked my mail, and found the most wonderful news I had ever received!   KATIE WAS PREGNANT!!   She sent me a caricature of her from one of her shows when she did summer stock in Maine.   Her first line in that show was, “I’m Pregnant!”  I remember dying in my seat that night, knowing that her then boyfriend, Anthony, was seeing her in that show.  

Her roommate, Sandy, had drawn an adorable picture of her with the long dark hair and the blue nightie she wore, and she had the words coming out of her mouth in bold letters…I would love to have attached it to this blog today but I know the picture often pops up on the Facebook page when I share, so I thought better of it!!   If you ever want to see, just ask me...it goes everywhere with me!!

When I opened it, and saw the picture, I cheered out loud and of course, on the note, it said “CALL ME!”  I immediately called her and we shared happy tears, all of the details about when she found out, and how/when we were going to tell everyone.   It was a phone call that I wish everyone could experience at least once!

Okay, so that was January 16..."Mom, you can't tell anyone.   We're going to tell everyone at the Gala and we'll tell Dad on that Friday night before."    WAIT, WHAT???   January 16 until March 2?   Does she even know her mother???   This was not going to be easy for me.  But, I knew I had to keep it to myself.   After all, she was barely pregnant on January 16.  And so it began...keeping this amazing secret all to myself!   I may have gone to Buy Buy Baby to pick out a few things, and I may have ordered some things online, but I kept the secret to myself!!

I did share with one person...but I will never tell...and she has been sworn not to tell as well.   Of course, at the Gala, I had to tell a couple of others because I had to setup the game plan for the announcement.  

We had a celebration cake, decorated with pink & blue baby feet and rattles.   At just the right time, we had a friend ready to videotape and the photographer for the Gala there to capture the announcement.   My parents (Pappaw & Betty Boop), my brother and his partner, my sister, and dear friends were there for the big reveal!   It took my Mom a minute to realize what was going on but she was so excited and needless to say, the whole table erupted in happy cheers and tears!   

I was then able to share on a limited basis as they were telling Anthony's family the next weekend and work friends and such!   IT WAS NOT AND STILL ISN'T REALLY FACEBOOK OFFICIAL, although I was given permission to share in my blog.  Please do not tag her on Facebook.   She would love to hear from you in a private message if you wish.   With the craziness of social media and the lack of control we often have, I am trying to respect their wishes.  We know it can get crazy...just trying to keep craziness to a minimum.   If she were to post something on Facebook herself, you are welcome to connect...just please DO NOT tag her or post on her page...You can certainly comment on the blog via my page though!  

This is by far one of the most amazing times in my life.  As you know, life is full of ups and downs and the past of 30 months (yes, that's how I track this time of my life!) have been a lot of downs, but today, I celebrate and cherish the next few months as I get to watch my family grow!  My daughter is going to be a mom!   I can't imagine any greater joy.  

As I work through tears, just typing this, I am so glad to have had the chance to share with you all.   Oh, and just in case you were wondering, there is an app (actually I'm sure there are several apps) for pregnancy journeys and this week, our Baby T is the size of an avocado!!   AHHHHHH!!!   I CAN'T WAIT!!!   I'm going to be a GRANDMA...
More later on my "Grandma" name!!   This is a real thing!!  Hugs!!!