Mother's Day weekend

Saturday/Sunday (May 12+13)

Paul and I decided to tell our family on Mother's day weekend, as I was 8 weeks and we knew we would be seeing both families that weekend. We thought about several different ways to tell our families, but decided on a Christmas theme, since our baby is due December 21. We were shopping at Kohl's (at the end of April mind you) and happened to find some Christmas stuff that was on sale! For the Menards, we picked out a small stocking that said Grandma and for the Tischers we picked out a snowman picture frame. We made an insert for the stocking, as you pulled out the insert, the message said, BEST CHRISTMAS PRESENT EVER...Baby Menard due December 21, 2011. We placed the same message in the picture frame.

On Saturday we went to the cities for my father-in-law's graduation from Concordia-St. Paul.  After the graduation ceremony, Margie, Pierre, Renee, Isaac, Aidan, Millard, Paul and I went out to eat at Cossetta's. We had a nice meal, then began to celebrate Mother's Day. Margie opened a few gifts and I made sure to keep our present for last. I had Paul sit next to Margie and I sat across the table and was taking some pictures. My hands were shaking in anticipation as I waited for Margie to open the last gift. She opened the stocking, pulled out the insert and immediately was smiling and couldn't believe it. She started crying, and Renee and I were crying. Aidan and Isaac didn't know what was going on, so here a 6 and 9 year old are seeing all of us crying in the middle of the restaurant and Isaac said, "This is so embarrasing." We then of course I told the boys they would be getting another cousin. We surprised them and it was a wonderful reaction! They were all so happy for us!

On Sunday we met Jessica, Eddy, Isaac, Piper and my parents at a park in Hinckley. The sun was shining and we placed ourselves at a picnic table. We visited, played with the kids, then sat down for a nice picnic lunch. After lunch we moved on to celebrating Mother's Day. I was again shaking in anticipation of my mom opening her gift. My sister of course knew of our secret and that we were sharing our news, so she was ready with the camera for pictures and to record their reaction on video. I sat next to my mom as she opened her last gift. My mom pulled out the snowman picture frame with shock and awe on her face and showed my dad. They both were immediately smiling and couldn't believe the news! We totally surprised them too! And they were thrilled with our news! We then told Isaac and Piper they were going to have a cousin and Isaac stands up, looks at my stomach and said, "It doesn't look that big!" :0) The day was awesome and my family was also so happy for us

Our families have been an amazing source of support, love, and encouragement on our journey. We feel very blessed.