A lot of my family lives nearby. So, when the time came to let everyone in on our baby news, I let my kids concoct a plan for spilling the beans. Charlotte and Elijah discussed their ideas for several days before deciding their scheme.
This was the plan:
Elijah was to make Charlotte a "Big Sister" shirt to wear at the Mother's Day party, after the swimming was done. Very curious. Charlotte was to draw up a mysterious note for Granny announcing our news. The note would distract Granny from noticing the "Big Sister" shirt at first.
Then, when Granny looked up after reading her note, any confusion would be quickly dispelled when she saw Charlotte's shirt. Charlotte, a big sister?
In the end, the reveal went down perfectly as planned. Though I think the giggling may have given away as much as the tee shirt and the creatively-spelled letter did. While Granny was reading, my older brother Matt said, "Hey Charlotte, what's up with your shirt?" It wasn't long before the whole crew caught on. Mystery solved. Like a good episode of Scooby Doo.
Here is Charlotte's note. On the envelope is a picture of Red Riding Hood on her way to Granny's house with an idea to share. Awesome. The note inside translates to, "This is how many people are in my family -- 5. No really. I love you Granny, so much."
Elijah made the purple "Big Sister" shirt by himself. (I had made a similar shirt for him to wear when he met Charlotte in the hospital for the first time. I'll try to track down the photos. He was very proud of that shirt.)
It's a miracle my leather couch is still intact. My mom stopped by the afternoon Elijah was prepping the letters, so he ran upstairs to finish his work without her glimpsing it. Later, I discovered him kneeling in front of the couch, running sharp scissors along the smooth leather cushions to cut out each letter. "Whoa, hey, what's going on up here!?" To his credit, he was properly penitent. I think he said something like, "You're right. What was I thinking?" Or did he argue first? I can't remember.
It was fun to watch these kids hatch out a plan together. I figure they are old enough to remember a lot of this experience -- why not get them involved. A 14-year-old, a 6-year-old, and a newborn. It's going to be an interesting dynamic.
Oh! I have to tell you Elijah's response when we first told him about the baby. This is classic -- especially considering his age and his commensurate understanding of the subject. I asked him how he felt about the news and he replied, "I'm surprised... I'm excited... And I'm a bit alarmed."
Congrats! That's a very cute idea!
Posted by: marybeth | June 13, 2011 at 02:10 PM
i love the t-shirt idea! and the 14 year old 'and i'm a bit alarmed!' bless him! lol, congrats!
Posted by: jopsy | June 13, 2011 at 02:11 PM
Congratulations! I had suspected when I saw you at Market :) So wonderful to have a new sweet baby!
Posted by: mo | June 13, 2011 at 02:13 PM
Hoe cute! All of it! Congrats!!!
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | June 13, 2011 at 02:18 PM
This is all just so awesome - you must have an amazing family, thank you for sharing all this - gives me warm cozies!
Posted by: kathryn | June 13, 2011 at 02:19 PM
Sorry! That was suppose to be how cute!
Posted by: Nancy Wyatt | June 13, 2011 at 02:20 PM
Oh Elijah, too funny! I love Charlotte's artwork...I miss those kids (and you guys too)!! And a BABY!! Wow! Congrats Heather and Isaac! So happy for you! :D
Posted by: Tara Breslin | June 13, 2011 at 02:22 PM
What a great brother-sister plan!! So creative.
Posted by: Jordan | June 13, 2011 at 02:35 PM
awww congrats!! Such wonderful news.
Posted by: Kat - @CalicoCaliDsgns | June 13, 2011 at 02:38 PM
Alarmed - oh, that is so funny! How lucky this new baby will be to join such a fun family. :-)
Posted by: Kelly | June 13, 2011 at 03:01 PM
What an adorable post, letter, shirt and story. Congrats Heather! So exciting!
Posted by: Simone Howell | June 13, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Yay an baby!! I wonder what inspiration this will bring. God Bless
Posted by: Dawn | June 13, 2011 at 03:17 PM
Love Elijah's response. When my middle child (of 3) was learning about the "birds and the bees", he said...Oh mom, I cant believe you did THAT 3 times!
Posted by: Bernie | June 13, 2011 at 03:36 PM
How adorable! M will never remember how we told his grandparents about N - it's so special that both of yours will remember.
Posted by: Mary Anna | June 13, 2011 at 03:58 PM
hee hee, his response is classic!! Congratulations again to all of you, may you and baby keep healthy!!
Posted by: heather from arizona | June 13, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Congratulations to you and your family! What a cute idea the kids came up with...they must be really excited. Nancy in SO Cal
Posted by: Nancy | June 13, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Congratulations! I love how creative your kiddos were! Having another baby gives you the perfect excuse to make adorable baby items and use yummy baby fabrics. What a blessing all around!
Posted by: Sarah H. | June 13, 2011 at 06:08 PM
Congrats! I love the letter - thank you for sharing:) Kids is funny!
Posted by: Allison | June 13, 2011 at 06:57 PM
oh my goodness I missed the baby news! congratulations! how exciting!!!!!!!! and I love your son's reaction - priceless. Keep that one for his 21st party!
corrie:)
Posted by: corrie | June 13, 2011 at 07:06 PM
Congratulations! I have a ten year spread between by oldest and youngest (currently 19, 17 and 9 years old). My oldest, a daughter, had a similar reaction when we first told her. Then, she went on her 4th grade class field trip (to the state fair) the day her little sister was born. When she came home, we were a family of five. She had to write a short paper about that day for school and she went on and on about the fair but not one word about her mother giving birth while she was riding the ferris wheel. I'll put that in someone's baby book, not sure whose yet!
Posted by: millie | June 13, 2011 at 07:46 PM
Congratulations! I love your son's reaction to your news! Thanks for sharing!!
Posted by: Sarah Froese | June 13, 2011 at 09:08 PM
you make me giggle.
:D
awesome plan. fab execution.
I wish you were my neighbor. really I do!
Posted by: jen shears | June 13, 2011 at 10:32 PM
So very happy to read your great news!!
Its so special! I had a similar history ending up
With 2 boys 6 years apart-they were great
Together!!
Ps-my book post
If someone is recommending Sandra Dallas
Then consider the reader!:-)
The Persian Pickle Club is the best of hers!!
Persian pickle is the name of a fabric
In the book- quilt anyone???
A Vintage Affair by Isobel Wolff
The Dressmaker by Elizabeth Oberbeck
And Meg Cabot's Queen of Babble Series
About Art Fashion History/Designer Lizzie!!
Also loved Charlotte Collinsand downloaded
Maria Lucas by Jennifer Becton onto my
Kindle. Stephanie Plum is a great character.
She always wanted to be a superhero also
Sara Donati, Diana Gabaldon have great series
Of wonderful intelligent fiction then a new
Series I also loved by Deborah Harkness,
With the first book, a Discovery of Witches
Published this year-could not put that one down!
( this is not about evil witches by the way and
NEVer thought I would read a book with a
Vampire in it!!
Posted by: Lori | June 13, 2011 at 10:57 PM
Posted by: Lori | June 13, 2011 at 11:03 PM
How fun and clever - love the idea! :-)
Posted by: tina jo | June 13, 2011 at 11:09 PM
That's a great response, and the type of response that makes me feel good for future responsibility.
The shirt idea is really cool. I'm glad that they had fun sharing the news.
Posted by: Seanna Lea | June 14, 2011 at 02:51 AM
Elijah had the same response I had when I learned my younger sister, who has never really wanted children, was pregnant. She's having a girl at the end of August, and now I'm a little more used to it! ;-) Congrats, Heather! I hope it's a smooth ride! ;-)
Posted by: Hattie | June 14, 2011 at 09:12 AM
That is such a cute story!
Posted by: Donna | June 14, 2011 at 09:51 AM
That is too funny and cute and wonderful. Congratulations!
Posted by: amber | June 14, 2011 at 02:02 PM
How exciting for you and your family. Congratulations. I love what your kids did with Grannie and I love your son's response to the new baby.
Posted by: SuzK | June 15, 2011 at 11:03 AM
Congratulations! That is so exciting!
Posted by: Saige | June 15, 2011 at 04:31 PM
oh! I missed your baby news - because I was in hospital having a baby! We called him Elijah :)
congratulations! your kids are just gorgeous.
Posted by: renae | June 15, 2011 at 05:39 PM
SO cute! I can't wait to hear more :)
Posted by: Chantelle | June 16, 2011 at 07:09 AM
Ahhh!!! Congrats!
LOVED how you spread the fantastic news : )
Posted by: dianna | June 16, 2011 at 09:12 PM
COngratualtions! I have loved your fabric for awhile now and I just found your blog! I shared your site and blog with my readers today on my Friday finds...at SugarFoot Designs...hope thats ok.
Posted by: SugarFoot Designs | June 17, 2011 at 07:46 AM
Congratulations! We welcomed our own baby boy in December and his 6 yr big sis and 8 yr old big brother couldnn't have been more thrilled! Although they didn't do the announcing, we did let them name the baby (we just 3 wks to go we figured he needed a name!). I think Charlie (Charles Thomas) will be happy with his name & he'll never have to let on that his middle name is after a train!
Hope the last couple months of your pregnancy go smoothly!
Posted by: Tricia | June 18, 2011 at 07:32 AM
CONGRATS guys!! Charlotte must be SO excited!!
Posted by: Sharlene | June 20, 2011 at 09:17 AM
so so happy for you and your entire family! my own daughter's family has a 13 year old and 5 year old sisters, so it goes and life is great!! Congratulations and many blessings
Posted by: Lou | June 20, 2011 at 11:59 AM
What a gorgeous way to announce your news!
Posted by: Kate | June 21, 2011 at 12:03 AM
CONGRATS!!! such big news!
Posted by: elliemoon | June 24, 2011 at 04:18 AM
congratulations!!
Posted by: andrea | June 28, 2011 at 06:03 AM
Hi Heather,
I visit your blog every so often and I am so happy to hear the baby news!!
I wish you and your family the best!
Blessings,
Rosanna
Posted by: Rosanna Pereyra | June 28, 2011 at 02:35 PM
So thrilled to hear this wonderful news! Congrats to you and your lovely family!!!
Posted by: The Dreaming Bear | June 30, 2011 at 04:43 AM
So cute! Follow me, I think I could learn from your experiences..
Posted by: Edith | June 30, 2011 at 12:22 PM
I have been following you for some time! Sounds like there will be lots of love to give, as your children sound great! I hope they get to enjoy him as much as you, lots of memories! Wow, you will really be busy now!
Posted by: Kathy McMahon | June 30, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Love the patriotic fun on your latest post, but no ability to comment! I'm hoping to finally get some trash ties for my daughter soon. At 6 years old she still has baby fine hair, but I hope these trash ties will give us the ability to 'create' with it!
Posted by: Kathryn | July 05, 2011 at 06:41 AM
Yay Baileys! Congratulations! Heather, when is your little boy due in August? I'm pregnant also, with a little girl, and due on the 18th! SO happy to hear your news - miss you guys, and hope everyone's doing well. -Linds
Posted by: Lindsay Sherman | July 25, 2011 at 08:29 AM
Congrats! I recently (unexpectedly) discovered that I'm "in the family way" and I think my hub's response was about the same as your son's!
Posted by: Val Payne | July 25, 2011 at 10:11 PM
You have a beautiful family! What a creative way to tell everyone about the your great news. Congratulations!
Posted by: Jude | July 31, 2011 at 11:47 PM
Oh how adorable. I never did anything clever to announce but my son did have a Big Brother tshirt that he just loved. He wore that ALL the time. Has your daughter taken hers off yet? LOL It's such fun to watch how excited they get and Elijah's response to your question is just adorable. Love it. Too cute.
Posted by: VickiT | August 02, 2011 at 02:48 PM