Baby Website - Personal Stories

How I told Kamal...

It was our 3rd anniversary and what better occasion than that to break the news.

We decided to go Maestro's in Newport Beach for dinner, since I had been wanting to try it for a while. I had a huge gift bag which Kamal was mortified that I was bringing in with me - little did he know about the news it carried.

When dessert rolled around, I couldn't wait anymore and handed him his gift...first he read the card - ok, so no big surprise there - just another anniversary card. Then he opened the Macy's box and inside was baby booties, a rubber ducky, a rattle and of course the proof - the positive test.
It took just a minute to sink in, then a moment of disbelief and then joy! With tears in our eyes, we hugged and celebrated.
Unfortunately, in typical Zainab fashion, I had forgotten to bring the camera to capture this moment but it will live on in our memory forever! (And Kamal will remind me forever that I forgot the camera:)

How we told HIS family

We had just found out a few days prior to them leaving for their trip for Hajj. Normally, we would have liked to plan something for a surprise to let them know they would be Dado and Dada again...but there was no time and we didn't want to wait till after they returned from Hajj.

We decided the only time that would work, when we were all around and in one place would be right before they left for the airport...as the days leading up, they were out shopping for this and that.

As it turns out, everything got late the day of....we had ordered dinner...and planned to bring the cake out after dinner and take some pictures. Dad was in usual fashion cleaning until the last minute, as we were anxiously hinting to sit them down for dinner, watching the time approach as we had to leave for the airport. Finally, with 15 mins to go...we got everyone to sit down to eat, and then quickly brought out the cake....Dada/Dado were surprised....though Dado said..."i knew it"...guess its hard to keep anything a surprise for too long....

How we told HER family

We were in Houston for my family reunion over the holidays and took the opportunity to break the news to them at this occasion.

We also decided to get a cake to celebrate the moment and Kamal after much searching found a bakery in Houston that would make this customized cake. Well, let's just say that the cake was not very well made and on the way from the bakery to my Mamoo's house suffered considerable structural damage and resembled more the Leaning Tower of Pisa than a baby block. (see photo).

Anyway, we took it to the family gathering - we gave my mom a present from Rayyan and baby to be...and then made Rayyan say the much rehearsed lines. Rayyan had been prepped to answer the question: 'What's inside Mama's tummy?' to which his prompt answer was 'baby' followed by a 'I am going to be Big Brother'.
Needless to say, my mom was overjoyed and announced the news to everyone.

Then out came the cake which by now had completely collapsed. Well at least we didn't need to cut it and the kids got a good laugh out of it:)