Telling HIS parents & family – she's a BIG COUSIN!

Originally written July 12, 2013

Trying to find a weekend as soon as possible to get to Jacksonville to tell Kevin’s parents was quite the momentous task. We already knew how we wanted to tell them.  Kennedy, age 8, is currently the only grandchild.  So, our plan was to make an “I’m a Big Cousin” shirt for her to put on at a specified time when the whole family was together! 

I used printable iron-on paper on a little white tank.  This was apparently cheap paper because it started cracking as soon as we stretched it over her head.  But it served its purpose!

Let me preface this with quite the story. So on Father’s Day, Kevin dials his Pops for us to wish him a Happy Father’s Day.  Typically this is accomplished with speakerphone, but Kevin handed me the phone instead (which I bet he regrets).  After I wished him a Happy Father’s Day, he proceeds to tell me that Kevin and I will be able to celebrate next year and that he was very excited.  Of course, me taken a little aback, I ask “what are you talking about?” “You know what I’m talking about, Kevin told me and I’m very excited for you two.”  “Oh he did, did he?” [cue piercing glare in Kevin’s direction as he pretends to be occupied skimming the pool.  He knew he was in for it.].  Kevin's dad proceeded to ask how I felt and tell me that he would keep the secret until we were able to make it up to Jacksonville.

To Kevin’s benefit, he said he had wanted to call his Pops about the early Ultrasound we were sent in for.  Ok. Maybe that will fly. MAYBE.  He still will never forget it. 

Anyway, with Kevin coaching baseball several weekends, it was difficult to find a weekend to “run up” to Jacksonville.  After a couple of weeks of discussion we finally found the perfect weekend to go.

The whole family was gathering at Kevin’s sister’s house (where we were staying) to celebrate Kevin’s brother’s birthday. It was perfect!  We had already planned out HOW we wanted to tell the family, we just didn’t know WHEN.  At this point, Kevin’s Dad knew, and so did Kevin’s brother and his girlfriend (they had visited us in Cape Coral the week prior), so they were all there to help, but also increased the likelihood of someone slipping!

So when time came to eat dinner, we all served ourselves and sat down to eat.  I wasn’t sure exactly why, Kevin’s brother was kicking me under the table… I asked him out loud why he was playing footsy with me.  Oh duh, perfect timing.  I ran upstairs to grab the shirt and had Kevin tell his niece to meet me in her room.

I filled her in on our little secret and asked for her help to tell the family.  She was wearing an adorable dress at the time, so she’d have to put on a pair of shorts to go with the shirt.  With a little hesitancy (and I believe a desire to make sure it was OK with her mom to change), we were ready to confront the dinner table.

We walked out and she immediately ran over to her mom’s side where everyone began to read.  Kevin’s mom chimed out “WHO'S PREGNANT? YOU?”  Yes us! 

It was a wonderful moment to share with the entire family on a relatively unexpected trip to Jacksonville. I was surprised they hadn't suspected something was up.