Announcing IRL

vampirina

Hi Everyone -

I'm curious about how everyone is planning on (or already went about) announcing their pregnancy to friends and family in real life (as in, not facebook, instagram, etc, ... unless that was your primary method for telling everyone?)? I'm not typically a cutesy-announcer - when we got engaged we just told everyone we were engaged, but it just so happens to be my mom's birthday this Friday and my brother conveniently arranged a breakfast for her on the weekend we were already planning on telling everyone (week 12). And to be honest, I'm not 100% sure I'll be able to spit out the words "I'm pregnant" to my mother. I'm curious to hear how you guys shared or are planning on sharing your news!

vampirina

On another related note, but not necessarily something I'd like to dominate this thread, one of my besties just got engaged. We all already know about it (she couldn't wait to tell us so she snapped us a pic!) but my group of friends are planning on celebrating her engagement at a  wine & cheese party that was planned well before she got engaged, which was also where I was going to announce our exciting baby news. Do you think I'll be stealing her thunder by announcing then and maybe should hold off or just go full speed ahead? I have no issues waiting, it'd just be convenient to have everyone already there.

AnnaS930

@PoodleDoodleOoo - if it's a breakfast I would throw it out there casually and see if anyone picked up on it. "Mom, could you pass the maple syrup! I'm starving over here.. eating for 2 is no joke!" Then hesitate and wait for the WHAAAT?!? YAYYY!

I also wouldn't want to say "I'm pregnant" ... it goes along the lines of keeping the focus on the baby and less on me (I'm not always the AW that I am on the bump)

mamajen10414

I'm like you and the thought of actually saying those words terrifies me, no clue why. With my parents I practiced with my son to point to my stomach and say baby.
With our older kids we sat them down and we're just going to tell them but then my oldest said 'last time this happened you were pregnant with Camdon' lol so that was really easy
With my inlaws the kids made posters that said 'guess''what' and then yelled I was pregnant. 
So basically I had the kids al spill the beans lol. Can you wrap something up since it's her birthday, ultrasound pic? Onesie? That way you don't actually have to to tell her

edit: bumping from my phone sucks

JennM205

@PoodleDoodleOoo Since it's her birthday, can you give her a gift/card that announces her grandchild on the way?  Then you don't have to say anything at all!  I did that a lot (when revealing to various people) when I was pregnant with DD (similar to you, I felt the words, "I'm pregnant" were just too strange).  You can get a card and simply sign from X, X and Baby X.  Or you can buy a frame, put an u/s pic in it and wrap it up as a gift.  Similarly, you could wrap up some baby booties or anything baby related or give her a "Grandma" mug or something. 

As for your get-together with your friends...I think I'd still announce there.  Since it's not an "engagement party" and was planned before she got engaged, I think it's safe.  If you're unsure, just test out the waters when you get there.  See what the vibe is and go from there.  When DH and I got engaged, we were going to announce to his family at his Grandfather's 70th birthday party.  Everyone was gathered and we made our big announcement and all was well.  A while later, DH's cousin announced that she was pregnant.  I never once for a second thought she stole my thunder.  It never even crossed my mind to be anything but happy for her so when, later, she approached me hesitantly and asked if it was all right she had announced, I was so confused!

vampirina

I love all these ideas - thank you!

Tippy05

****TW****

I was nervous to tell my parents this time, don't know why.  I guess it was because of our recent loss, I guess I just didn't want to "disappoint" them... I don't know, it's dumb.  I just managed to work it into the conversation at dinner one night we were visiting.  I did something cutsie for the first two but especially after our loss, we were very cautious about "announcing" it this time around.  I like the idea of wrapping up your u/s picture, in a frame or something.  She'll love it!

As for friends/co-workers, I don't know.  I feel like it's kind of weird to just say "hey, so guess what?" but there's really no way to tell them that isn't kind of awkward and "fumbly".  I'm going to tell them after our 12 wk scan so I have 2 weeks to figure it out.

Does your engaged friend know you're pregnant?  Maybe tell her first and see if she minds you announcing your news at the same party.  

AnnaS930

I've seen a lot of things on pinterest too, like giving parents a gift of a wrapped package of pacifiers and asking the grandparents to hold onto it for baby in case they need it when they get here. The phrases are cuter than my paraphrasing, but lots of cute gifty ideas.

danielle1290

I also feel weird about just coming out with the "I'm pregnant!" announcement, it just feels awkward, I like pictures/shirts, etc. to do the talking for me. DH and I ordered DS a shirt that says "This boy is getting promoted to big brother" with thumbs (I attached a picture of it) and we are going to have him wear it to Easter dinner since that's the next time all of the family will be in one place. I haven't decided how to tell my boss/co-workers or my friends yet, possibly send a picture of DS in the shirt to friends.

 

LizC216

We are going to tell my in-laws on Easter. I'm going to buy a bigger plastic egg and put a onesie with the word "ten" inside of it. This will be their tenth grandchild. I'll have to include some sort of note because I have a feeling this will go over their head. 

We weren't able to announce to them in a cute way before, so I'm trying to make it special.

My immediate family knows already and I did it out of need. I was getting so sick in the beginning and I needed help. They pretty much got a text, "I'm pregnant, I have a horrible migraine and can't stop puking. If any of you felt like stopping by, please do." 

Sporty1216

I think a gift for your mom is a great idea! I think it's weird to say "I'm pregnant" too--for me, I think it feels just a hair away from discussing my sex life with my parents or something.  I dunno.  We just told them via skype since my folks live far from us.  They knew we were trying, so we just told them "guess what! you're going to be grandparents again!" and took it from there.  I think @Tippy05 makes a good point about asking your engaged friend about how she would like you to handle an announcement (or not) at that party.

As for co-workers and random acquaintances--I'm finding it super awkward! Mostly I'm just saying, "so, thought I'd share the latest news with us.  We're expecting baby #2 in september." And then I wait for their eyes to (inevitably) travel to my belly. (not my favorite part).

However you decide to announce, have fun!

camichael84

With DD, we called my parents, grandparents, and in-laws the morning I got my BFP and just said I was pregnant. We tried for a year a half. At that point, I'd waited so long to say I was pregnant, it was amazing to finally be able to. For my brother and SIL, I told them I had to show them something then handed them the u/s. My nephew was born the day before we found out I was pregnant, and when we visited BIL and SIL, BIL said something along the lines that he dared DH and their sister to have babies as cute as his (not knowing I was already pregnant). So DH texted him the u/s along with the message "Challenge accepted". 

This time, it was just a "I'm pregnant." It's not our first and people knew we were planning on trying for another this year. It just didn't seem like as big of an announcement this time. (Typing that brings all kinds of mom guilt that my poor second child is already getting a short stick of things.)

Before I was pregnant for my first, I loved the idea of buying a grandma, grandpa, aunt, uncle, ect mug or photo frame and giving it as a way to announce to family.

LakeR2014

@PoodleDoodleOoo When we told my parents it was a little over two weeks after Christmas.   We wrapped a onesie in a box and wrapped with Christmas paper.   We said it was a late Christmas present that just arrived.   My mom opened it, pulled it out and was confused, my dad got it quickly and screamed 'You're Pregnant!' then mom caught on and it was a lot of laughing and tears.     It was a great way to announce and nice that I didn't have to 'announce' it.  You could always do something similar for a gift for her birthday.   It was great to see the surprise on their face after opening the box.

crispy11

PoodleDoodleOoo said:

On another related note, but not necessarily something I'd like to dominate this thread, one of my besties just got engaged. We all already know about it (she couldn't wait to tell us so she snapped us a pic!) but my group of friends are planning on celebrating her engagement at a  wine & cheese party that was planned well before she got engaged, which was also where I was going to announce our exciting baby news. Do you think I'll be stealing her thunder by announcing then and maybe should hold off or just go full speed ahead? I have no issues waiting, it'd just be convenient to have everyone already there.

If the wine and cheese is now likely going to be a celebration of her engagement, I would tell people ahead of time and instead of announcing there.  Depends on the friend, but I'd air on the side of caution and not announce a pregnancy at an engagement celebration (even if was just a celebration first). 

As for family, we just told them either in person if available or over the phone for long distance family.  I wonder if announcing #3  is less exciting than announcing #1, though to be fair to my babies, I did just tell people the first two times around as well.  As for friends / acquaintances, my almost 3 year old and 4.5 year old are taking care of telling everyone they come in contact with, haha! 

tinypikachu

TW: Loss mentioned 

For our first pregnancy, we found out and that same day my brother decided it'd be fun for all of us siblings and family to go out to dinner that night, so DH and I decided it'd be the perfect occasion to announce! I'm a graphic designer so I quickly made some cute cards for them, one saying that the best brothers are promoted to uncles with a pic of two large chairs and a little one in the middle. The other card was a job posting looking for babysitters as of our due date. We put them in envelopes and told everyone that we wanted to thank them for being so supportive during our hard times (I had been struggling with health issues) as an excuse to give them the cards.

Since we lost that pregnancy, we were really scared and cautious when we got pregnant again because we weren't really trying, we were going to wait until January or February to give it another shot. I started getting a weird feeling at about 6 or 7dpo and just knew. My dad was in town and he was talking to me on around that day telling me we needed to wait 3 or 4 months to try again (he's a doctor) and I just burst into tears and told him I might be pregnant but that we wouldn't know for another week. So not a fun surprise! Once we got a BFP I was super gross and just showed my dad, a brother and my SIL my pee stick and my dad and that brother were really reserved and didn't get excited until about 8 weeks. They were concerned for me because I didn't handle the loss well... this is why we didn't want to go for a full blown cute announcement again. We probably will next time!

Caroline7703

I bought super cute scratch off cards on Etsy and gave one to my mother. It was a plain card (it actually had a plane on it, so that's kind of funny) and then you wrote the message in sharpie and put the scratch off over it like a sticky. My mom scratched it off and had no clue and when she read it she burst in to tears!

My father lives quite a distance from me so I also got from Etsy this cute little box that was sent to him and inside it had a little penny with a foot print stamped out and it read "We got lucky! Baby S coming Sept. 2016". He and my step-mother loved it too! Both might make good birthday announcements and you don't have to say anything out loud!

AmMcc12

We made a couple 4x6 copies of the us and gave my parents on in a card (they are big on cards) and have been handing it to people saying that we wanted to introduce them to their (fill in blank) whether is be grandchild or whatever's relation to that person. 

jhems776

Every time we "told" people except for two we didn't actually say anything lol. The u/s picture is what was used to tell most people except his mom in which we gave her a baby knitting book.  The two times I verbally told people it was so awkward and weird.  I didn't think it would be, I'm not a shy person who rarely thinks things are TMI but saying "I'm pregnant" has been a struggle for some reason.  With a couple friend this weekend we were out and only had one drink menu and they kept trying to let me look at it first so I tried to be witty/cute and started with "I'm not drinking cocktails" and then it just went downhill into jibberish....

Ah825

PoodleDoodleOoo said:

On another related note, but not necessarily something I'd like to dominate this thread, one of my besties just got engaged. We all already know about it (she couldn't wait to tell us so she snapped us a pic!) but my group of friends are planning on celebrating her engagement at a  wine & cheese party that was planned well before she got engaged, which was also where I was going to announce our exciting baby news. Do you think I'll be stealing her thunder by announcing then and maybe should hold off or just go full speed ahead? I have no issues waiting, it'd just be convenient to have everyone already there.

hmmm! At first I thought hold off, but then re read and said it was planned BEFORE her engagement. I think you should wait a little bit after everyone embraces, congratulates her, and hangs out for a little bit then go for it! Lots of exciting news in one outing.

AnnaS930

For coworkers who are non-baby people that walk up and say "I hear congratulations are in order?" I keep saying something awkward back like "oh, because I'm knocked up again?" Then there's a weird pause where they don't know if I'm happy about it or not.. and I really really am and don't usually talk like that. What's wrong with me?!?! hahaha

Thscary

When I told my parents i had them both open gift bags together. In my dads bag was a onesie that said "grandpas sidekick" and in my moms was a bib that said "grandma loves me"- there were instant tears. It was great. We did the same for DH parents and told everyone else in  family nonchalantly. I am not sure about coworkers but i might steal the munchkin donut idea that has been floating around. And for friends I will just tell them over the phone since most of them live far away.

camichael84

So I realized I don't even remember how we told people this time. We did do it verbally in person, but to most I said, "McKenna is going to be a big sister" instead of "I'm pregnant." It just seemed fun to have her included in telling people.

SarahDarah333

My mom was easy- she and my sister do these idiotic "tricks" and film them, post them on Facebook, so when I wanted to tell her I got my sister in on it. She came up with the "no thumbs" trick. I taped their thumbs to their palms and they had to compete in competing a list of things like writing their name, turning lights on and off with no hands, etc. The last task was open the oven using your teeth and get the prize- which of course was a bun. My mom was hilarious- we asked her what she got and she goes "it's a roll!" UGH! My sister said "I don't know, mom, that looks like a bun to me..." My mom goes "ok, it's a bun." We all waited a moment. Nothing. So I said "SO what did you get?" Mom: "A Bun." Me: "Where did you get it?" Mom: "The oven.. OH MY GOOOODDD!!!!" LOL! We recorded the whole thing, it was hilarious! I used the video to show my aunt, who already had an inkling. I'll definitely be posting that on Facebook when I'm ready for "the world" to know.

My siblings- only one knows right now because we are the closest (in age and in general, the rest are much younger half siblings who I still adore). Two will be together this weekend and have been fighting, so I'm making them mason jar mugs that say "Aunt Emma" and "Aunt Olivia" and making mixed drinks for all of us when we get together to ease the tension (except mine's a mocktail of course). The other two live out of state at college, so I'm not sure how to tell them yet. And then my grandparents- my one grandma lives up the road, not sure how to tell her yet but I want it to be special. The others live far, so again, not sure how to tell them. 

I'm with you on not wanting to say "I'm pregnant"- but somehow it has fallen out of my own mouth with each of my two bosses. I get too nervous I don't know what else to say lol. Announcing at work, I'll be using the donut idea but with munchkins- bring in the box and tell them I can't be the only one getting fat now that I have my own munchkin on board. Cheesy, but whatev.

Good luck!

Sporty1216

@SarahMConnors --that is hilarious!

and, now that several of you have mentioned them, what are munchkins? Like donut holes or something? I wonder if they (or the term) are regional?

blondie080300

We told our parents on Valentine's Day using these cute pregnancy reveal cupcakes I ordered on Etsy. I called my siblings later to tell them on the phone. Then last weekend we told some of DH's best friends at a small dinner we arranged at a restaurant for my birthday. This Saturday, we are telling my closest friends and a few more of DH's at a pajama party birthday party for me (a week after my bday). DH ordered a cake that said "Happy Birthday to Me, I'm a Mommy to Be!" with our due date or month on it. I'm not quite sure since he ordered it. I think we have a few calls to make after that and then will do FB next week at 13 weeks. I am telling my boss this Friday (12 weeks).

@Sporty1216 Yes, Munchkins are donut holes from Dunkin Donuts.

Thscary

@Sporty1216 they are donut holes sold by Dunkin Donuts under the name munchkins. They come in a cute little carrier box too.

JennM205

@Sporty1216 "Munchkins" are Dunkin' Donut's term for donut holes.  

Sporty1216

Thanks, all! We only recently got Dunkin' Donuts here (travesty, I know).  Clearly I've got some visits to make so I can learn about these wonderful little items.

pourmeanothermocktail

*dirty lurker-July*

So many people have loved these shirts that I wanted to share - I got them on Etsy.

We invited family over for dinner to see our new home and just as people were sitting down we real quick changed shirts in the other room.

frogdog06

I'm soooo tired -- started these after work when I got home..will finish tomorrow. I'm hoping to get these mailed out by Friday. I'm horrible at announcing things in person (aside from telling my boss) so will send these to family and friends. (Eff you Pinterest! Haha.)

camichael84

@frogdog06 What is in them?

SLou24

I love some of these ideas!! We just aren't cutesy announcement people though, I don't know it just feels awkward to me. With my best friend and my mom I just told them flat out (and yes, it is painfully awkward to say those two words, "I'm pregnant!"). We plan on telling a few more close friends and family after our US on Friday as long as all goes well, so I think we'll just let the picture do the talking at that point!  

frogdog06

@camichael84 there's confetti and a slip of paper rolled up and inserted with a toothpick. Paper says we're expecting. Baby girl due. And our website with password. On the website, I've uploaded our ultrasound pictures, a video of baby in action during an ultrasound, and a sound file of the heartbeat.

camichael84

@frogdog06 That's awesome! They look great, too!  

LakeR2014

@frogdog06 So crafty!  Way to make it fun for people and allow them a little window into your excitement.   So cute!  How many of those are you sending out?

frogdog06

Agh, sorry so big! I uploaded from my iphone. @PoodleDoodleOoo I think, do whatever feels most comfortable to you. People will be so excited regardless of how the news is revealed. (Sorry, no hijacking!) I'm the kind of person who doesn't take compliments irl well, so people getting super excited around me is a little awk...therefore, I went the crafty route.

@camichael84 @LakeR2014 thank you!! I found the idea off Pinterest. I didn't want to drain 40+ eggs, luckily found confetti eggs at Michael's that were already dyed, and repainted them with acrylic (3 coats of white and 1 coat of pearl with a sand overlay for texture). I'll be sending out about 30-35 of them. I'm swinging by UPS on my lunch break to get a quote on a single box; I can update you if you'd like.  

Here is a screenshot of the website, created with Wix (free!). Once baby arrives, she will have her own Facebook account (so that I don't flood my own with pictures). Links on top include: gallery, about us, guestbook, and contact us. 

LakeR2014

@frogdog06 I love the eggs and the website!  Such a great, creative idea!

superscarf

With DD we just called our immediate family since we didn't live in the same town as anyone. At the time my parents had 3 grandkids so I said you ready for a 4th? With this pregnancy I'm hoping for an Easter reveal when we'll be around a lot of our family here (we moved to the same city as my family a few years ago). For DH's family (all out of state) we'll do some FaceTime calls. I'm thinking of getting DD a big sister shirt and then doing an FB announcement that goes with it so we don't have to really think of anything specific to say. Hopefully I'll get my Materniti21 results by then so we can reveal the gender as well. Only missing piece will be that my mom passed away 2 years ago and the anniversary of her passing is coming up. Though I know she already knows because she's never really left me. 

Jenay25

We announced it at my son's first birthday party because all our family and close friends were there. After my LO devoured his birthday cake we took him upstairs to get cleaned up and brought him back down in a big brother shirt. I specifically handed him to his God Mother because I knew she would see that he was wearing a different shirt. 

SarahDarah333

@Sporty1216 Thanks! And yes, munchkins are donut holes- they sell them at dunkin donuts in a ton of flavors  

@frogdog06 you have the patient of a saint!

@ridenrunmomma that is SO CUTE!

I'm trying to come up with a way to tell my grandmother before I tell my sisters Saturday- which will be tough because I'm working every day including Saturday- and I'd like to tell her before in a more special way. 

steminist

I know I'm now reviving a thread that's been down a couple of days, but DH and I are in the process of figuring out how to announce at his birthday dinner next weekend.  We'll be in public, so no chance for any real advance set-up.  My current idea is adapted from a gender-reveal thing.  On the back we'd have a note saying "Find out in September!"  (Also, sorry if the pic is big!)