Big Sis To Be

K and I found out we were expecting our current little bundle of joy around the 5 week mark. We knew that we wanted to tell Kaylee first before anyone else; She's only asked for a sibling (brother specifically) for the past 3 years! I had everything planned out, and couldn't wait for her reaction to this long awaited news. I knew it was going to be one of those must capture moments.

Our photographer was out of town for the weekend we had scheduled the announcement brunch with our family and closest friends, following breaking the news to Kaylee. So, unfortunately she wasn't able to be the one photographing our "announcement session" with Kaylee first thing that morning. Luckily, I was able to find someone else last minute to capture that moment for us because this was going to be one for the books!

... and in the books it went alright.

A week prior I had a cute "Big Sis" shirt made just for our little session, c/o Etsy, of course. Kaylee would wear it for a few of the pictures, and then again for brunch to announce the news to our family and friends.

    K and I wake up that morning telling Kaylee that we have a big surprise for her. We planned a mini photo shoot for her and this surprise. She's not much of a morning person - gets that from me. Our session was scheduled for 8:00am, mind you, so we were up earlier than the birds. The three of us quickly got ready, I grabbed the props, and we dashed out the door. 

We made it to the location a few minutes late, and weren't able to stop by Wal-Mart for the balloons I wanted to go with one of the props. I had to make it work without them since we ran out of time. This was our first time meeting and working with this particular photographer. Introductions were made and the spots we liked best for pictures were chosen. She first began with a couple family shots, then took Kaylee where little yellow flowers were sprouted while we prepared the chalkboard signs. This helped to let Kaylee get better acquainted with the photographer as well.

I came across this cute little chalkboard announcement via Pinterest, and fell in love with the idea. K and I made our way to Kaylee with the chalkboard and some chalk. She was eager to find out what this big surprise was, and we were ready to finally let it out... by this time I was 12 weeks along. Holding the news in for almost 7 weeks was pretty tough!

So, this is how we announced the big news to Kaylee...

In these photos, her reaction is perfect. Exactly how I expected it would go, and the entire reason why I wanted it captured. This is the reaction I imagined when we told her the news. 

Well, pictures can be deceitful at times... The smiling picture above, I have absolutely no idea how the photographer was able to capture that within the split second of these next two...

Poor thing. Long gone was that happy smiling face. When the photographer sent me the photos, I was scared to even open them and take a look. I knew there wouldn't be one of her happy or smiling during that earth shattering news, but she managed to capture that one and only split second of a smile, thank goodness! I was shocked when I scrolled through to that one picture because I don't even remember a smile after she read the "I'm a big sister" sign.

Of course, this led to her wanting absolutely nothing to do with the shirt I had made for her. Which is the reason you won't see it in any of the pictures. I had to bribe her with cinnamon rolls for breakfast to get her to sit at the table for the next pose and give me a smile, be it fake or not. She obliged, but wouldn't budge on putting that shirt on for the remaining pictures.  

I got a fake smile, but it works. I'm happy with that over the crying bit. On the ride home she refused cinnamon rolls, and cried almost the whole 20 minute drive. K and I couldn't get mad or be upset with her though. We had to put ourselves in her shoes, think of how she's feeling, and what could possibly be going on inside that little mind of hers. She's seven. It's been the three of us for the past seven years! Adding a baby into that is a big deal for an only child. 

We got home and sat in the living room to talk with no crying; asking her why she's so upset about something she asked for a week prior, not to mention the last three years. Her response being, "What if I'm not a good big sister?", "Babies are a lot of work (referring to helping with her twin cousins)." Once we were able to grasp and understand her worries, her outlook completely changed. She apologized for being upset, hugged me and kissed my belly telling the baby that she loved it. It was the sweetest thing.

Kaylee wanted to be the one to break the news to our family and friends during the brunch. We had brunch downtown, and tricked everyone into coming by saying it was "wedding related" so they had absolutely no idea. We ate and spent time with everyone for a couple of hours before making our way outside by the water fountains. K and I unrolled the shirt and handed it to Kaylee. We blocked her from view to get the shirt positioned correctly, and had her stand on one of the fountains in clear view of everyone. She then told them to "Be quiet everyone, I want to show you my new shirt!" K and I stepped to the side so she could hold up her "Big Sis to be" shirt for everyone to see and read. Mouths dropped, OMG's were said, and happy tears fell. No one had a clue, and we were able to surprise them all! It was so awesome, and such an amazing feeling. As cliché as it is to say... It was perfect.

K and I have included her on every little thing pertaining to baby. Since our family chat in the living room that morning, she has been so involved asking every question imaginable. The three of us read the weekly updates courtesy of the pregnancy app on my phone. Kaylee helped choose and vote on the name. She has nicknamed her little brother "pipsqueak", and has told her teachers and friends at school that she's going to be a big sister, along with a handful of strangers. Ha. She's excited and proud. A day hasn't passed without her kissing my tummy and talking to her brother. It's the sweetest. She undeniably is going to make an incredible Big Sister, and I can't wait for that day to come.

I'm not going to lie... being in the moment of that initial reaction, I wanted to die. I just stood there and cried while she cried. I was so upset. So many thoughts swam around in my head... "She doesn't want this." "She's not happy." "She's going to hate the baby." "What do we do now?" My thoughts were all awful, but after hearing her reason being that she was mostly scared she wouldn't be a good big sister, every bad thought disappeared.  

Thinking back on this story and at the memory we now have from that day, K and I just laugh about it. Her reaction was literally priceless. I laugh every time I tell someone this story. It's one that I can't wait to tell her when she gets older. Like I said, it's one for the books. Our books.