Room for interpretation

 

 

After we found out I was pregnant, we were itching to let our parents in on the news. With just two days before we were going to leave for Florida, the time to tell them in person before our trip was not easy to come by. So, we tossed around some ideas of things to do while we were there, perhaps writing it in the sand while we were on vacation and sending them a photo for the reveal, but ultimately we decided, we wanted to let them know before we left. Randomly, my mom asked to stop by and see the girls before we took off, so Jeff and I sprung into action before she got to our house. We quickly did a little costume change on Vivi, hoping she would let my mom in on the news right away while sporting a big sis shirt. Mirabella also wore a bow in her hair with the same words.

 

My mom greeted the girls with big hugs as Jeff and I looked on eagerly, smiling in wait for her reaction. Nothing. We made small talk in the hallway until Viviana said, "Look at my new shirt, Grandma!" "Yes, I saw that, " my mom continued with a grin. She went on talking as if not to completely notice until by our reactions, she could tell this was not just a hand-me-down shirt, but one that had some meaning. Finally it sunk in and shock filled her face! No way. Are you serious? "Yes!" we replied. "Oh my gosh!" my mom said, still not quite knowing how to react. We knew the feeling! She was happy for us though, but I don't think the surprise left her for some time, maybe for her whole visit. Maybe for days! Weeks! But above all else, she was excited knowing a fifth member of our family - a fifth grandchild for her - was on the way. (Forget the fact that when she was walking out the door of our house to go home my mom told me I may have to become a "lady of the night" to help afford having another child. Seriously, my own mom uttered those words!)

 

We invited my mom to join us for dinner and as we talked, we spoke of wanting to tell my dad and Jeff's parents, but didn't know what to do since seeing them would be difficult. Right there Jeff said, "That's it, I'm sending my mom a picture (the one above) right now," hoping the reveal was going to just happen right then and there. Not entirely how we had hoped to tell them, but without another thought, Jeff took the photo of the girls decked out in their big sis gear and hit send to his mom's phone. Alhough it did not go exactly as planned.



 

As I recall, the text message exchange went a little something like this:

 

Jeff: sends photo

Tricia (Jeff's mom): Great! (Then she continued about something else, totally unrelated.)

Jeff: Did you see the picture?

Tricia: Yes. Cute!

Jeff: Ask Dad to look at the picture

Tricia: He wants to know why

Jeff: Just ask him to look at it

Tricia: Ok

Pause...

Jeff: Did you read Viviana's shirt?

Tricia: But Vivi is NOT the big sis

Jeff: Until now

 

And then we called. Or maybe they called us, but however it went down, it took a while to get the point across! Total shock absorbed the phone. I think the first words were, "Well, that is some way to let us know!" Oops. I was feeling like not only were they apprehensive about what we had told them, further, they were perplexed by how we let them know. The phone call was brief, but they did congratulate us and the next day when Jeff's dad drove us to the airport, he explained how they didn't know what was going on and were taken off guard! Saying they were surprised in that moment was an understatement, but since, they have reiterated many times that they are looking forward to being grandparents now for the third time!

 

Jeff called his brother shortly after and both Tom and Jackie, Tom's girlfriend, were enthusiastic with their congratulations. This coming off of Jeff and I almost losing our minds because of an extended temper tantrum that had happened with one of our girls (who shall remain nameless) while we were all together a few days prior during one of our weekly Sunday dinners. Though they didn't convey it in the least, I was picturing the conversation between the two of them once they hung up the phone and the possibility of them thinking we had completely lost our minds! The phone call to my dad came later that night and interestingly enough, he didn't appear to be surprised in the least! Just happy for us. "I figured you'd get your way eventually!" he said to me. As much as I wanted to go on about how this was not my way, I resisted and laughed. He went on to say that Jeff and I are excellent parents and that this was really great news. Aww.

 

We took off for Florida and thought while we were there we would send some kind of a picture to my brother, Tanya and their boys to let them know about the baby on the way. While I was relaxing on one of the house's decks - in heaven sitting quitely by myself - I saw a photo op and sent this:

 

 

Me: Just enough room for the entire Jiovanazzo family here in sunny Florida!

A few minutes pass...

Jason: Great! Enough room for baby #3!

 

I couldn't believe he got it so quickly, and secondly, that the conversation ended there! I waited for a congratulations phone call and when it didn't come, waited for another text. Something...anything. Nothing! So I called.

 

Me: "Can you even believe it?"

Jason: "What?"

Me: About the baby!"

Jason: "What do you mean? Wait, you were serious? I was just making a joke!"

 

Geez Louise, people!

 

My brother quickly put Tanya on the phone and we continued to conversation on speaker. They were full of joy for us! Surprised, yes, but their spirits were high. After that conversation, our immediately families knew what was to come and it felt comforting to have their love and support. Subtlety did not so much work for us when sharing our baby news, but in the end, everyone was delighted by the upcoming arrival of our third baby!