Telling Mom

Although I didn't get to tell my mom under the best of circumstances, I did manage to make it fun for her. I had just flown home at the last minute to see my Nana in the hospital. We weren't sure if she was going to make it through the weekend, and I didn't want Nana to leave without her knowing that I finally did it.

Mom and Ray picked me up at the airport and we went immediately to the hospital. Nana was in ICU, so we had access to visit at all hours of the night. I was glad that Ray came too, so I could tell them at the same time.

Ray pulled up in front of the hospital, and was letting us out. I had to tell them before I went up and told Nana, so I stalled by saying I had something for them.

I had given them a book about retirement, since they are both considering it this year. However, I replaced the first page in the book with my own text. The question I posed to them was "What's the first thing you should do in retirement?"

There was a card below beckoning them to lift it. My mom thought I was going to give them financial advice. (Where would she get that idea?) But when she lifted the card, she saw "Play with your grandchild!" and a picture of the ultrasound.

Again, and just like Ginger, no sound came out of my mom's mouth. In fact, it was quiet for a while as she processed the info. (In retrospect, I think it's cuz the baby doesn't look like a baby, but a bean shaped smudge. But jeez, these women worked in a hospital, you'd think they know what an ultrasound is!) My mom can't do that neat white person neat where the eyes become bigger than the mouth like Ginger can, but I've never seen her smile so much and hug me for so long. She exclaimed, "I am so happy!!!"

In fact, Mom has pretty much been in a good mood ever since. Ray is offering to pay me to stay pregnant. I think I'll pass. After all, I live 500 miles away and morning sickness sucks.

The next day, Kami took one look at the ultrasound declared that the baby has the same head shape as John, so at least I was faithful. She's right, on both counts.