Telling the Family

Having not enjoyed my first few weeks of life in sunny California I was looking forward to plans to head home to Utah for a week with intentions to attend my 10 year high school reunion. The reunion being more of an excuse to visit home than anything else. Knowing that I wouldn't be able to hide the pregnancy from my parents once I was with them we decided to break the big news. Parents first, of course. While in Oceanside we had a t-shirt screen printed with the words "I knocked up your daughter". On a Sunday evening we skyped my parents while Chris was wearing the shirt, though at the beginning keeping it hidden with crossed arms. My dad doesn't usually get into the skyping as much so it was perfect that both he and my mom were there. After a while of chit chatting Chris uncrossed his arms. As my mom was chattering about something, my dad took about 2 seconds to read the shirt and asked if 'this was a pronouncement or something?' My parents were thrilled and we gave them the rundown of the past weeks since we had found out ourselves. More than anything I was glad to not have to pretend to my family any more.

Chris, in his usual nonchalant manner spread the news to his family in a reply to an email about when would be a good time to go to Cape Cod next summer.

Late July to early August would probably be best for us. the official end date here will be July 8th I believe. Also, another piece of this puzzle is that Paige is pregnant, about 10 weeks along now and due in early March. So we'll be toting around a 4-5 month-old. Not sure how that will work, and if you guys will even want a kid that age around, but if everyone else is there then we sure want to be as well. Plus, I still don't know what my work situation will be at that time but if we make plans now I can account for that when I set things up this winter. But we at least would like to have some time for the move and such, so again late July to early August would be ideal. Hope this doesn't complicate things too much....

C & P

It was funny to see the responses from his family as they read the email in turn.

From Joe:

….HELLOOOOO Chris! What a way to announce it…I mean c’mon, man! Get a little pumped! I mean I know you’re a fairly laid-back, unexcitable dude but holy cow!

Um, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!

Btw….see what you can do about a March 19th EDD….

From Molly:

Yay Paige and Chris! Woot woot! (picture me fist pumping…..or better yet, raising the roof). So excited for you guys! What’s the actual due date?

From Jim:

Congrats Chris!! I’ll be a little selfish and suggest that you absolutely need to bring the little one with you net summer to the cape in order to meet aunts, uncles, cousins, etc…!!!

Jim

From Lucy:

OMG! Congratulations! How's Mommy feeling? Hopefully not too crappy. Are you so excited?! Are you going to find out what you're having? Can I ask any more questions????? You're going to have to take pics to document the pregnancy as you go along. I want to see the ones right before she's due! :)
So, to answer your question, no, that does not complicate things. Late July, early August is fine. I'm going to plug for early August myself. Water's warmer then! Very important!

From Barbie:

Congratulations Paige and Chris! That is BIG news!!!! We are so excited for you guys! What fun that will be to have a baby on the Cape - all will be fighting over him or her! We will be sure to keep Paige and the babe in our prayers!

Love,

Barby

Chris called his parents the same day to tell them the good news. They were very excited to have another little one to join the family.

On our family website we got a lot of encouraging responses from friends and family.

From Laura Horne:

This is the best news EVER!!!!! I am so excited for you guys. Of course, I am sorry about the sickness and all that, but you are going to be the best parents. I am not sure the world will know what to do with a baby that beautiful though.

Congratulations guys!

From Curtis and Kristen Black:

YEAH! Congratulations! We are so excited for you guys and know that that baby will be blessed with an excellent family!

From Megan and Ben Wallace:

Yah! The news I've been waiting to hear over your blog. I am so happy for you and glad that I still have good prego radar! Haha!

From Nicole McConkie:

Oh, Ah... That is just such a cute photo. I am happy you posted it. Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better!

From West and Jami:

Congrats Guys! west, Jami and the girls

From Jason and Tricia Leak:

PAIGE! That is soooo exciting! Congratulations to you both! I can't wait to hear if it's a boy or girl! :D

From Ky and Spencer Stucki:

YEA!!! Congratulations you two! That is such exciting news. Whatever the gender, it is going to be one beautiful baby! Glad to hear your feeling a little better Paige. I hope you've been enjoying California-