How to Announce Baby 2. - Lorain,OH

Congrats. I wish I had some advice. We are preg with number 2 and my daughter will be one at the end of the month. We had to do IVF both times so I didn't get a chance to do something like that. Maybe buying cards or bibs. I don't know who they are for. They have bibs that say I Love grandma and stuff like that. Good luck.

M. in Medina

That's awesome E.! I'd say let your daughter have all focus ON HER at her birthday. Of course this is just an idea-there's no wrong way to celebrate new life.

Wait awhile to send thank-you's (it'd be great to have an ultrasound as another mom suggested to make sure Baby#2 is all safe and sound....or isn't arriving w/ Baby#3 also as in my case!) Say something clever like "She'll enjoy sharing this w/ her new baby brother or sister this winter/I know my second baby will look just as darling in this hat as she does..." If you get an ultrasound, send a copy w/ the thank-you (or a pic of the pos preg test if you can) and say "Look what else she got for her birthday!"

You're opposite of me...Baby #1 was a surprise (but very welcomed) and I tried VERY hard and LONG for Baby #2, thank goodness Baby #3 came along w/ her!

K., Ohio

Try hinting by cooking a meal consisting of all "baby" foods ex. baby corn, baby carrots etc.

So you might think this is gross, but I thought it was a cute idea - a friend of mine used the pregnancy stick as a stake to hold up an orchid and gave it to her mother. Toook her mom a second to figure it out, but when she did, it was a great surprise. Good luck to you!

When I found out I was pg with #2, I went to the hospital gift shop and bought a t-shirt for my (then 3 y/o) daughter that said I'm the big sister. We visited each set of parents separately on the same day and made sure that my daughter pointed out her new shirt to everyone. My mom was kind of funny, she read it and out loud and just said, "well that is a pretty shirt." Then my dad told her to read it again, and she did, but still didn't get it, but of course he did. Then he told her to "READ IT AGAIN GRANDMA," and she finally got it. Congrats on your exciting news!

I had our families over for a cookout and then when I took our son up to change his diaper I put him in a onesie that I had used washable marker and printed on it "I'm the big brother".

Congratulations! Don't worry how it will be received. As long as you are happy, it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks!

E.
Hello my name is A.. I did this to tell everyone we were pregnate with our first child. I bought picture frames for the grandparents and the great grandparents and gave them as gifts. They said something about congrats you are a grandparent or Grandchildren are special. Everyone really seemed to enjoy them. They are all still up in everyones homes.

Wait until you are half way or more through the pregnancy then, tell them. Be sure to add "Isn't it great?"
I never wanted my kids to feel unwanted, but our second came sooner than expected (they are 17 mos apart), so I recommend not telling people that it was an "accident". Just be happy you didn't have to "work" at it again. It'll be nice having them close together.

you need to have a shirt made for your daughter that reads "I am going to be the big sister" and have a get-together and see who the first family member will be to notice.

Why not type up a cute statement, with pictures of a toddler looking at a baby crib, and say something like:
For my birthday mommy and daddy found out God is sending me a playmate?
Just a suggestion.

Congratulations! Are you over the shock yet? How about showing up at a family gathering (assuming you have family in the local area) with your daughter in a "Big Sister" t-shirt? If your family doesn't live nearby, what about sending them a photo of her in a "Big Sister" t-shirt. Perhaps the cuteness of her in the shirt, along w/the instant connection of how great it will be for your daughter to have a sibling will help ease some of the shock that they might otherwise inadvertantly take out on you. Good luck to you.

With our daughter, we bought a plush Dale Earnhardt car and put a sticky note on it saying something like "I saw this and just had to get it for you. I thought of it all by myself. From: Your Grandchild" This was to my mom.

With our son, I took a picture of the pregnancy test and mixed it in with a bunch of pictures on our digital camera. I took the camera and told my sister-in-law we had some cute pictures for her to look at. She about flipped when she came across the pregnancy test picture.

A friend of mine who tried for over 10 years for her first child suddenly found herself pregnanat again with another miricle baby. To announce it to famiy and close friends, she bought "I am the BIG BROTHER" t-shirts for her baby. When they went somewhere, he was wearing it. She allowed the surprise to take a while until someone read the t-shirt. even Daddy was told that way.. she had to say Joey go show daddy your new t-shirt.... he read it adn said oh thats nice and then did a double take and had a glorious freak out! Good luck and congtratulations!

when we were pregnant with our baby i wanted a creative way to announce it. so....when we went to dinner at our families house i offered to bring desert! on the cake i brought i wrote "we're prenant!" :) it was a hit!

Get or make your daughter a T-Shirt that says "big sister". See how long it takes them to catch on... LOL!

Congratulations E.!!!

We just had our firt baby in May. I don't know if you are crafty or not, but this is what we did. To announce to the grandparents to be, I made a mini scrapbook. And I mean mini, it was maybe 2 inches square. It's a Kolo (http://www.kolo.com/shop/albums/?pl=35). On the cover was a place for a picture...I put one of me and my husband. Then on each page I put one cut out letter and spelled 'WE'RE PREGNANT'. On the last page was our due date. It was quite entertaining watching them try to figure out what it said...my mom got so flustered...I think because she couldn't believe what she was reading!!!! It is a great keepsake for them and something that they shared with friends and family. Good luck with coming up with a unique way to share your wonderful news!!!

When we found out we were pregnant with our second, here is what we did:

I looked online and found someone who makes t-shirts. I had her make a t-shirt for our oldest son (who was 2 at the time) that said "I'm gonna be a big brother". I took a picture of him wearing the shirt, had it made into a post-card, and mailed it out to everyone. Then simply wait for the phone calls to pour in :-)

To tell my husband (you could do this with anyone), I've done it a couple of ways: One, I bought a "Big Brother" book and had our older son reading it when my husband came home from work. The next time, I made a scrapbook page about finding out that I was pregnant, then was like, "Honey, look at this page" (I always show him the pages I've made). He was shocked both times :-)

First off, congratulations!! I'm also pregnant with number 2, and was just as surprised but still overjoyed. What I did to announce it to the family was I went to Joann Fabrics and bought an iron-on for a t-shirt that said "I'm the Big Brother" and made a little t-shirt for my son...I put it under a button down shirt and then casually unbuttoned it as the day went on, I then had my husband tell my brother in law to check out our son's new shirt when everyone was seated around the table...they were confused at first but then a lot of screaming ensued...I found that if you google "Pregnancy Announcements" there are also plenty of neat creative ideas. Have fun!

I LOVE your name first off... that's my Middle Name :)

Second... cook them a dinner that consists of "Baby" back ribs, "Baby" carrots, "Baby" corn, etc...that's a cool way to tell your family :)

Good Luck,
:)

Wow, your story mirrors mine!! Congratulations! My daughter was 9 months old when we found out we were pregnant with #2. My husband had a shirt made for her that said "Big Sister, 2002", which was when I was due....we went to a family function, but didn't say anything, took off our daughters jacket and just casually let everyone see it on their own. It was very fun and exciting and people were super surprised. We had fun with it!

When we told our family that we were pregnant, we gave them a baby picture frame. Then, when we told them the sex of the baby, we made a home-made puzzle which had baby clipart, baby pictures of myself and husband, and a check box with boy or girl checked. The puzzle went over very well and all had fun. We put a piece of puzzle in everyone's Christmas present so all members of the family could be included.

I was in the same situation with my two children. They are now 6 and 7 years old. My kids are 1 year and 9 days apart. The second pregnancy was a bit of a surprise for us too. However, we always knew we would have at least two children so it did not really matter to us when the 2nd one came along. We just let nature take its course and we were blessed with a 2nd child. Now, after the two, we intervened a bit with nature! Anyway, I think you will love having them close. They have such a special relationship with one another. I am sure your family and friends will be supportive!

First off, CONGRATS!!!! My sister-in-law and her husband announced it at there daughter's 1st birthday, by wearing a shirt that said, BIG SISTER. They had another shirt over it and about half way though, they said that their daughter had an announcement and took the took the over shirt off. It was a really surprising way to do it. I thought it was really cool.

What an awesome surprise for you and your family! Some friends of mine made a sign that said "I am going to be a big sister!" and let their daughter hold it and took a picture (she was less than a year old like your little girl!). They e-mailed the photo to friends that don't live nearby - it was the best e-mail and cutest photo. I laughed and cried at the same time! Of course, e-mail isn't the way to tell your family and close friends but you could make the sign and say, "Grandma, look what your granddaughter made you!"
I found out I was pregnant just before Christmas so I made a card out of my first ultrasound (done at only 6wks) and put it under the Christmas tree. I made sure it was the last present to be opened so I had everyone's attention. My whole family was there - it made for a very memorable Christmas!

Congratulations!!!

OK - I have never been very creative, but what I have seen from my friends that were cute ideas:

- Putting a "I'm going to be a Big Sister" shirt on your little girl. If people are far away, take a picture of your daughter in the shirt and send it via e-mail as a note from your daughter.
- If there is a family event coming up soon, presenting family members small "baby" gifts; like spare wipes for them to have around with #2.
- Along those lines, I have also seen friends make a "Keep up with #2" kit with Aspirin, a can of Red Bull, a sleep mask, hand sanitizer, vitamins, etc. for the adults who will be enjoying the baby in their life.
- I have also seen some cute shirts now for women that have sayings like "bump" or "bun" and pointing to the tummy; you could wear that to an event.

Have fun! Two is crazy, but I wouldn't trade it for the world!

First, I'd probably wait until you're at least 12-15 weeks along - just to have fun with it.

Like other's have said, the ones I've liked include:
* "I'm the Big Sister" shirt for your daughter
* "baby on board - coming soon to a hospital near me! (insert due date)"
* Get a "supply kit" for your parents - include wipes, diapers, baby powder, booty ointment (desitin, Bag Balm, whatever), a thermometer. Tell them they need to find a place for this before Easter, just in case. (then leave it at that.)
* Then there's the favorite - "So...know of any good names for kids?" and be sure to have a HUGE smile on your face when you ask. OR "Wonder how much Cribs cost these days?"
* Better yet - have your daughter (if she's old enough) skip through the house at your parents or at the next family event singing, "I'm gonna be a big sister...I'm gonna be a big sister..."

Our second was an early surprise as well:) I just want to throw in that you might want to wait. A friend of mine tried for 10 years and had given up then she found out she was pregnant. They assumed #2 would be hard and weren't preventing, but she got pregnant. However, she miscarried at 11 weeks. So, I would advise you to wait through the first trimester and ultrasound before you tell anyone you wouldn't have to go back and tell about a miscarriage.
I don't mean to put a damper on your joy, just trying to head off any extra hurt that could come with trouble.
I hope everything goes well and you don't have to think about it! Good luck:)

I was in a similar situation going from one to two. What I did was, at my oldest's 1st birthday party, I wrapped up a present that was a tee shirt that said "I'm the BIG sister" on it. We sat my daughter on my MIL's lap and told her they had to open this present together. Well at first my MIL didn't understand, and then they opened the present. She took out the shirt, and looked at it, puzzled. Everyone was looking at her trying to figure out what was going on. It was a big hit. Since everyone was together for the birthday party, I didn't have to worry about anyone feeling left out either.

Good luck and congrats!
S.

We were pretty much the same way. Got pregnant with our 2nd when our 1st was 10mos. We bought a shirt that says "I'm the BIG brother" for our son. We had him wear that shirt under another at his 1st birthday party. Then, when it came time to do the birthday cake, I acted like I was taking his (top) shirt off so it didn't get all messy. Then I just stood there with him wearing the "BIG brother" shirt until someone noticed (figuring the spotlight was on him)and everyone figured it out. It was a big surprise, and fun to see everyone's reaction at the same time!! <I told my OB we were going to tell everyone at the party and he had a quick ultrasound done to make sure things were good before we did so.> Good luck and enjoy, whatever you do! And I think you'll be happily surprised how great it is to have them so close. I wanted to cry when I first found out about our 2nd (we, too, had problems getting pregnant with our 1st) but am so completely in love and thrilled with both now!

CONGRATULATIONS on baby #2. I know the feeling of being very surprised with baby #2. My daughter and son are only 10 1/2 months apart. I don't have any interesting way to tell family but I know my family was very surprised. GOOD LUCK:)

E.:
Why do you feel you owe anyone an explanation about being pregnant?

I think it's great your daughter will have a sibling to grow up with. An only child grows up too fast from being around adults so much. You are smart having them so close together also.

Joke-time -- I would explain what causes pregnancy - but I have a feeling you already know - so I won't waste your time. LOL

Wishing you the best;
D. Y.

Dear E. Surprise Surprise :-)
First of all we were told due to my female condition it would take a long time to get pg. then oops it happened and we got our daughter. We misscarried two times and finally 8 1/2 years later we got our son. I had to take shots to help me carry him and was in bed the last full month. Well much to our surprise in less than three years here came another son which was a total surprise in that I worked hard outside helping my husband build a cement apron for our garage and a flower planter so I was scooping rocks etc and using a wheel barrow. NO problems carrying him. After our daughter was born two years later I had to have an overy removed so I had two son's with only one overy and it wasn't in good health.
Now about you, I know my situation is not like yours but everyone was so happy that we could get pg. again so I bet that will be your case so be happy and they will be too. The idea given about your daughter and the T-shirt that says I'm going to be a big sister sounds great. Good luck with your family and your new baby to be. God Bless K.

Hi E.,
First Congratulations. God wants your little girl to have a playmate. Our last pregnancy was a HUGE surprise. Against doctors advice and everyone elses. We were very careful. And because of my health, I could not use birth control. Anyway, this is how we told our family. We "luckily" had an ultrasound done, so we had a picture. If you don't have one done of this pregnancy, you could use one from your daughter's and cover up the date. Then we wrapped it up and gave it to our parents. It was at christmas time, so it was a perfect time. We got pictures of there reaction as they guessed everyone but us. And when they did guess us, their look wasn't of excitement, it was of horror. It was funny. But they were scared. My son is five now, and he is just a bundle of joy and full of life. To this day, none of my siblings, and there are eight, have been able to top that gift. Not that I was trying to out due anyone. Good luck.

T.

i got my son the "author's new baby" book & read that to him. you can also try buying her a little babydoll if she doesn't have one already and explaining that way. i don't think she'll completely understand since she's so young. we opted to wait until i was about 5-6 months along to tell our son just incase something happened.CONGRADUALTIONS!!!!!!! good luck & God bless

yeah! Congrats! Two close together is hard at first but great in the long run! There will always be someone to play with! How fun! With our 3rd child I sent out Party Invitations to all my friends and family. The front said Come Party with US. Then inside I filled in all the required fields... like WHEN... I put my due date and WHERE... I put the hospital name.... WHAT... To celebrate the birth of our newest addition. I included a picture of the two kids we had holding up a little sign that said " We're getting a PUPPY (then I crossed out the puppy) a BABY."
It was cute... I sent them all at the same time and most everyone got them on the same day so I got flooded with calls. I knew that some of my family may be a little worried that I was pregnant again, especially since I had some complications with the first two... so this was a great way to let them know that, although unexpected, we were thrilled and wanted everyone else to be happy too! PLus it takes people a few minutes to really get whats happening when they get the card... everyone said that they had to read it three and four times before it sank in!