Becoming A Mom

Well, the time is here! If you haven't heard, Jason and I are expecting our first child! We are so excited! What a journey it has become. We have been so blessed by God in so many ways, and He is using this to teacher us so much about the miracle and gift of life!

Let me share how we told the family! It was quite the occasion and it was so fun!

Jason's family found out by this t-shirt that we gave to our neice, Jordan. It says, "I'm getting a new cousin." Jason's parents and his brother and his wife were so surprised! They didn't believe us at first and thought it was a joke. No joke here! It was the real deal. =) Our little baby Hodges will be the second grandchild on Jason's side of the family. Jordan is very excited about it. Can't you tell!! =)

We went to visit my family for Thanksgiving in the Upstate of NY and told them the surprise in a similar way. My 8 year old brother, Ben, and my 11 year old sister, Caylie, wanted a new baby in the family for their Christmas present this year, so we thought we would surprise them at Thanksgiving with these t-shirts. All of my family was around the dinner table when we told them. They were all so excited! This will be the first grandchild on my side of the family. Caylie and Ben were very excited to know they were going to be an Aunt and an Uncle. My mom and dad were thrilled, but didn't start crying until they saw the video we took of us hearing the baby's heartbeat for the first time! Then the tears starting flowing a little. =)

Telling my extended family during Thanksgiving was quite fun as well, and had a few extra surprises for all. There were 38 of us crammed into Grandma and Grandpa Ripley's house for our Christmas at Thanksgiving this year. So Grandma got to find out first......

They were really surprised to see there was going to be another "addition" to the Ripley family tree. But wait, it doesn't end there........

My cousin's wife, Tegan, also had an anouncement, which they shared with the ultrasound picture that was framed and wrapped for the grandparents to open. So, there will be two new additions to the Ripley family tree this year; which will be the first great grandchildren on this side of the family. We are only a few weeks apart. Here is a picture of the happy couples as we both shared in the fun and exciting news! =)

So, at this point, starting out the New Year, I am 4 1/2 months along. Jason and I are really enjoying all the preparation and the new information we learn each week about how our baby is growing and changing. More pictures will come to show my "baby bump" and the baby room that we are getting ready to work on soon!