When it rains it pours....

I (we) am so excited that both Sarah (late July)and Erin Paige (late August) are expecting their first babies!  One of the last lines in our Christmas letter was:  So far all the kids have stayed too busy to produce any grandkids, so we continue to wait patiently to spoil our many future grandchildren.  I’m glad to see that my “suggestion” produced such quick results!  I never guessed that I could be so persuasive!  Maybe I should have said something earlier.....

One of the reasons that I am excited about this public news, is that it was getting hard to keep track of who knew what, and what I could say, and to whom!  So, for the benefit of my reader(s),  let me tell you this story about what I knew, and when, in chronological order.

We love Christmas, as it’s the best chance we have of getting all the kids and their spouses together at the same time.  In 2012, all the kids spent Christmas with their “in-laws”, we all planned to get together in Edmond for New Year's, and we looked forward to that. 

Jordan and Erin Paige arrived the day before the others, after visiting Erin’s parents and grandparents.  We were sitting in the living room chatting, when Jordan said he had some news for us.  As the lease on their apartment is going to be up in June, Susan and I were wondering if they might be coming back closer to home, so I thought I knew where this was going.  Instead, Jordan surprised and delighted us by announcing that Erin was pregnant!  Of course we are thrilled and excited with the  news, as we know that they’ll be great parents (and shucks, we’ll be great grandparents.  I guess, in this case, my parents and Susan's mom will be great-grandparents, so we'll just be very-good grandparents).  They went on to say that they were thinking the timing would be late summer, but they requested that we not say anything or make any announcements until they had confirmed all of this at their upcoming doctor appointment, back home in California.  Of course, we agreed.  Each couple has to decide when and how to pass on this news, and we were happy to comply.  We were, and are, terribly excited for them! 

The next day Sarah and Ryan, and Erin and Hutt arrived the next day, so we had a houseful!  That was also the day we agreed to do our Christmas gift exchange.  So everyone grabbed a seat, and the piles of gifts grew as Erin handed out gifts, and then gradually got smaller as we each opened our presents.  Towards the end, Ryan, who is always a good joke teller, announced that there was one more present, but that it would be delayed until July for delivery.  Now, we’ve all had gifts over the holidays that don’t make it on time, but a July delivery deserved more explanation.  To which, Ryan held up a Sonogram picture and said: “Merry Christmas!”        

Of course, you can imagine how happy we all are for the Rat Pack!  Everyone clapped and cheered and hugs went all around.  They told us that they were thinking that the timing would be late July, and that they had been saving the news for Christmas as a surprise!  What exciting news around the room! 

 

                              

Now here comes th complicated part.  Of course, Jordan and Erin Paige had just shared their news the night before, but had asked to hold off with public announcement.  Susan said she was worried that I would say something like “You too?” and spoil the surprise, but I didn’t.  Jordan and Erin Paige were great sports, congratulating and complimenting Sarah and Ryan, but knowing their announcement day was coming someday soon.  But all of the surprises weren’t out yet  (No, I’m not announcing that Erin and Hutt are expecting too!).   Susan, later, told me that she has known about Sarah’s pregnancy since Erin and Hutt’s wedding, all the way back in November!  I can’t believe that she kept this secret for so long without telling!  As excited as Susan is about the prospects of grandchildren, it must have been so hard for her to not leak the news!   I’ve underestimated her “secret-keeping” capability!    I won't any more.....

Since Jordan and Erin Paige have returned to California, they have now had their doctor appointment, and confirmed dates.  They have also, now, shared their wonderful news with everyone. 

Make no mistake;  I am very excited about the upcoming grandchildren (and that these two grandchildren will have built-in cousins the same age)!  But, I am also glad that I don’t have to worry about who knows and who doesn’t.  Or, who I can talk to and who I can’t talk to! 

Many of us in this part of the country have been experiencing a long-time drought conditions.  It seems that we all need rain these days.  It’s true;  When it rains it pours!  All I can say on the grandkid front, is:          Let it Rain!