The big ultrasound was today.
My husband, Beatrix, and Archie were in the dark room with me and my gooey belly. The four of us were the first to know if a little brother or sister is on the way. The baby looked great—Moving, holding feet, sucking, waving, bouncing, thriving. Baby has a four-chambered heart, full bladder, two kidneys, and a nicely shaped noggin. Go, baby.
Everyone else was at school. I tried to think of a clever way to tell them when I picked them up, but blurting it out as they piled in the van seemed anti-climactic. It’s wonderful news, but it could have been lost in the din and shuffle of weary children. I am also conscious that baby #8 may tend to get lost in the shuffle, so I wanted to do something a little more memorable.
Inspiration struck while I was contemplating what to do for our casual Friday night dinner. Pizza, of course. What is more memorable than spelling the baby’s sex out on crispy bread with cured meat? I placed the order, along with a very unusual request:
Pizza Hut was happy to indulge my whim and the guy on the phone offered his congratulations. A few minutes later, he called back and asked if it was okay if they didn’t slice it because they were afraid it would destroy the effect. I said yes. I can slice.
When it arrived, I gathered the troops for the unveiling. Sam was the first to realize the pizza was bearing a message. He started whooping and jumping up and down and around the kitchen, clapping wildly. The other kids must have thought he was slightly crazy because Sam is notorious for not liking pepperoni. Aidan was the next to realize what was going on, followed closely by Ryley and Tommy. There were high fives, hugs, and squeals of delight.
It was a joyous moment.
It was a little disconcerting when I sliced BOY in half.
He’ll understand someday.
That’s so wonderful! I love the way you broke the news.
I am soooo excited for my new nephew!!!
Congrats to the happy family. Now the name game gets serious!
How exciting! And the photos are perfect.
I love it! I also love that Pizza Hut was happy to go along with the idea. And I love it that the kids were all so excited. Congrats!
Oh!!! I love it! I am so excited for you!!!!
Steph
.-= Adventures In Babywearing´s last blog ..some thoughts and confessions. =-.
Oh yea! Congrats! This is such a fun thing to do.
Which was worse – cutting BOY in half or eating him?
.-= Anonymouse´s last blog ..it was fun =-.
this is awesome. you are awesome. I have a huge grin right now….congrats!
.-= designHer Momma´s last blog ..Bye Bye Soggy Bottom Birdie =-.
What a great idea! So glad to hear that the new little man is cooking up properly! 🙂
.-= Amy´s last blog ..The Furry House Guest =-.
Congratulations on Baby Boy Lifenut #8!
You make the most beautiful children. Not to mention smart and well-mannered. You just keep going!
.-= Annie´s last blog ..American "Idol, Whooz Ur Daddy?!" Tim Urban =-.
What a great way to share the news! Props to Pizza Hut for playing along! Congratulations!!!
Congrats! That is way cool…so creative.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..Thunk Thursday =-.
Clever announcing! And congrats on the ultrasound views…glad to hear Mr. Baby is looking good.
You are awesome. Just…awesome.
Congrats!!
Congratulations. Loved the way to tell!
Man, your 7 are sooo cute. Their dark hair and look alike are just amazing.
Congrats Hon!
JoAnn
I love those pictures! And congrats, of course. Now what would be miraculous is if he came out blond with brown eyes.
Great idea.
Love it! Congratulations.
Very clever of you and of Sam in reading his pizza.
Good thing 8 is a boy or you’d have to find a restaurant that makes bigger pizzas.
.-= Lori Lavender luz´s last blog ..Answer me this #15 =-.
Oh sob!!! That’s beautiful!!! What great news and photo’s!!! Love it!!! Have a fun weekend!!!
.-= se7en´s last blog ..The Quickest Pinata in the World in Se7en Steps… =-.
Gretchen – you guys are the COOLEST PARENTS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The photos are amazing… might just keep a smile on my face all day….
wow!
.-= Jill´s last blog ..Clever title eludes me… =-.
You are adorable. What lucky children. You are such a memory maker. Congratulations!
.-= Erin´s last blog ..BEAVO =-.
What a fun an unique way to announce the news! Pizza Hut was great to do that for you.
.-= Barbara H.´s last blog ..Friday’s Fave Five =-.
Hooray!! how fun! What a great way to tell the kids. Congrats.
.-= Aubrey´s last blog ..Fun with a basket. =-.
Number one: You have great taste in pizza. Pizza Hut is the best.
Number two: That is awesome. Congrats to the boy team.
Number three: Those are great photos of your crew. Adorable.
.-= Heth´s last blog ..Googling =-.
Congrats!!!
What a neat way to tell your children. Also, in years to come when the boy is able to read, he will be able to see the picture. Sweet!!
.-= Viki´s last blog ..Friday random thoughts – Mom + 1 =-.
Congratulations Gretchen! How exciting. And that is one of the most creative tellings I have ever seen.
I am so happy for all of you! I just kept smiling while reading your blog and drinking my morning coffee. Lovely photos and even more lovely writing – my favorite blog:)
Tears! Tears! Tears! A boy baby! I’m so thrilled for you, sweet friend. Sweet CLEVER friend, that is.
.-= Megan@SortaCrunchy´s last blog ..Weekend Notes and Links =-.
Congrats! 🙂 LOVE that picture! My goodness, life at your house is going to be a lot of fun 🙂
.-= edj´s last blog ..Hair Raising =-.
A baby boy! I LOVE how you told the kids….congrats to you and your beautiful family…can’t wait to hear the names!
.-= Pamela´s last blog ..On Praise and Recognition =-.
Oh, Gretchen! I absolutely love this! Congratulations on a precious baby boy. He’ll be the perfect addition to your beautiful family. (And those pictures? PRICELESS!)
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Direction =-.
What a cute way of telling the kids! Love it and congratulations on another little boy!! 🙂
LOVE the photos, and the wonderfully creative idea. I’m sure the folks at Pizza Hut were happy for a break in the monotony! Congratulations!
Love that! I’m so excited for you! Is it weird that I’m wondering how many pizzas you have to order?
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..You Might Think I’m Crazy =-.
Congratulations! I love that you shared the news that way. How fun! You can just see the joy in the faces of your children. What a beautiful family!
In reference to your most recent post, how heart-breaking that must have been. I have never lost a child (SO incredibly blessed, I know), but I have been in the office when hearing those sobs from other women. My heart breaks for them. I offer a prayer for them and a praise for my situation. So, so hard to understand why some of us are spared and others must endure such tragedy.
.-= nicole´s last blog ..Sinking In =-.
Creative idea! Congratulations!!!
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..Remodeling Blueprints =-.
HOORAY!
EVERYONE I know who is pregnant is having a boy this year. It must be something in the water! And look at your gorgeous children!
.-= Beck´s last blog ..A Hard Post And Five Years =-.
this is so cute! what a fun way to break the news! congratulations!
What a great way to tell them! and I love that you got the Pizza Hut guy in on it. You made many people’s night better.
Congratulations on your son. Blessings on you all.
.-= Kira´s last blog ..This week, no stickers were stuck to anyone’s butt. =-.
Late chiming in, but congratulations! You are so creative and I love that the kids are so excited. Props to Pizza Hut also!
What a fun way to break the news (I’m a little late, here…)! It actually creeps me out slightly, because I was once asked out via a pepperoni pizza. Broke that guy’s heart.