Thanksgiving - Part 4

I had decided I would tell my family about the baby after my 12 week appointment.

Thanksgiving fell 2 weeks before that. My brother moved into his new house that week, it was one of our slower times at work, and I had not been to OH to my parents' house in quite sometime. We typically met in Indy.

I decided to take the whole week off, and enjoy one last week and one last holiday with my parents as just "me" because I had no idea what would happen when I told my very Catholic parents who had never even met JPI, that I was pregnant, but I knew life was never going to be the same again.

It was nice, but felt a little weird.

I had been waking up early and ate cereal after dad left for work but before mom got up. Then mom would get up and I would eat with her. One of the days we were headed to help my brother with a few last things, but I needed a fax machine because I cannot get TOTALLY away from work, so met my dad at his office. I finished around noon, so we went and grabbed a sandwich for lunch. Got to my brothers as they moved the last thing in - perfect timing - no heavy lifting for me! Mom and I helped him unpack, chatted and she left. Matt was hungry, so we went for a late lunch. That night I got back just in time for dinner. Lots of food for my new appetite! At one point mom mentioned that I was eating more than normal. If she only knew!

My mom is not one for touchy-feely girl bonding. She is not a shopper like most moms. But THIS week, she wanted to shop. We shopped and we shopped. We even shopped in the infant section at a store for what seemed like FOREVER for a friend's new grandchild. Needles to say, I was a bit exhausted and overwhelmed.

A few times I considered telling them. But I was not ready. I think mom suspected something was up, but I am sure she did not have a clue what exactly. We ended the weekend with my friend Derik and his sister from Springfield stopping in for the last night. He was moving back from New Jersey, and it was fun to have them get to hang out with my parents. My parents also always loved having a house full of their kids and our friends.

While things ARE very different now than they were that Thanksgiving, I could never anticipate how much BETTER they are - with my parents with Jax and with the relationship my mom and I now have. Life was not always easy with the rocky road my mom had experienced in her youth. And very few have witnessed the rough days, but I know one of my dear Lisa's has, and I knew she understands and I love her for it. There are still rough days, but many many more good ones.

Jax not only brings me tremendous joy, but also has brought my mom and I CLOSER than we ever were. And for them, I am eternally Thankful.