Utter chaos is the best way to describe telling my family about my baby. I was already on pins and needles to begin with when I got to my parent's house. As I walked in the house, I found myself feeling even more nervous and anxious as I felt my pulse and heart rate quicken. At the front door, I slid out of my jacket and shoes, as I was greeted warmly by the men of my immediate family.
From there, I then made my way through the noisy and bustling living room to the kitchen where I found my mom, Lana, Nancy, and my niece Megan busily moving about and chatting, putting together dinner.
"Need any more help?" I asked, letting my presence be known.
"Aunt Jo-Jo!" Megan greeted me with a squeal of delight. She hurriedly jumped down from the bar-type stool she'd been occupying, and barreled right for me at full force, wrapping her arms around me as I scooped her up in my arms.
"Hi, Megan." I replied, looking into her sapphire-blue eyes and smiling at her. I looked in her eyes, and couldn't help but to think about how much she resembled my brother. "How's my girl doin'?" I wrapped my arms around her to draw her closer to me.
"I'm good, Aunt Jo-Jo, but I wanna open pwesents, though."
I couldn't help laughing at her response. At that time, she was only four-years-old, and the innocence in her eyes made me hopeful about what was ahead for me.
"Megan Renee Benoit… you were told that you, David, and Damien had to wait until after dinner to open your presents."
I set my niece down and turned to see Chris and my brother-in-law, Mark, standing with my nephews in the entry-way of the kitchen.
"Okay, daddy." Megan then followed Chris, Mark, and my nephews out of the kitchen.
With my niece's abrupt departure, that left me alone in the kitchen with my mom, Lana, and my sister-in law, Nancy. I was so uncomfortable that I don't even think I could find the words to adequately describe it.
"Hey, Jo-Jo. How ya doin'?" Nancy greeted me.
"I'm good, Nancy. How bout you?"
"I'm good. Been busy with Chris and the kids."
"I see that." I replied with a smile. I then turned my attention to my mom and Lana. "I see Chris and Nancy aren't the only one's busy with kids and all that fun stuff."
The evening went on in much of the same way, with conversation flowing throughout the entire house. I found that the uneasiness I felt walking in the door was unwarranted and it began melting away bit by bit. I felt myself letting my guard down as the night wore on.
