Hurt and gratitude
A new life coming into the world. A beautiful baby to celebrate. (Aren't all babies beautiful, really?) You would think any time a person says, "I am having a baby!" that you would congratulate the mother or father. It's the polite and reasonable thing to do -- even if you are a stranger who doesn't know the person.
We rejoice with those who rejoice.
Except for JP's sister.
When JP told his sister the news that we are expecting another baby, she made a rude and untrue comment to him. Then she sarcastically said, "Congratulations," and cut off the conversation.
That was one of perhaps five times I've known my husband to cry.
Not every family is perfect, and relationships can be fragile. Something, somewhere, went wrong with our relationship with JP's sister. We don't know what that is. But I certainly never expected her to make her brother cry when she should have been sharing in his happiness.
As disturbing as this is, I am overwhelmed by your comments and good wishes -- overwhelmed and grateful.
Thank you.
We rejoice with those who rejoice.
Except for JP's sister.
When JP told his sister the news that we are expecting another baby, she made a rude and untrue comment to him. Then she sarcastically said, "Congratulations," and cut off the conversation.
That was one of perhaps five times I've known my husband to cry.
Not every family is perfect, and relationships can be fragile. Something, somewhere, went wrong with our relationship with JP's sister. We don't know what that is. But I certainly never expected her to make her brother cry when she should have been sharing in his happiness.
As disturbing as this is, I am overwhelmed by your comments and good wishes -- overwhelmed and grateful.
Thank you.
Labels: family, hurrahs, kick in the teeth, pregnancy, The Husbland
posted by Damselfly at 5:16 PM
30 Comments:
Some people ... I am VERY happy for you if that's any consolation :)
first...i'm SO happy for you both, and delighted to hear the news.
as for the sister, i'm sorry. i will say, having spent a lot of time over the last few years in the grief/loss online community (which overlaps with the infertility community) that if that's part of the story with JP's sister, don't take it personally. it's not nice for people not to be kind, of course...but i was amazed to find out how many people out there are daily confronted with pregnancy news that cuts them like a knife.
if that's not part of the story, well...she's just mean. :) and either way, you don't deserve it.
here's to a happy healthy pregnancy!
Adding more congratulations! it's hard, but try to forget the comment by JP's sister. Like Bon said, there may be unrelated things (to you) happening, even if there's no excuse for such rudeness. Much love to you!
You poor guys. It's so hard when there's a split in a family. I hope it's able to heal.
I'm terribly excited for you, and I don't even know you. I wish you all the best for this pregnancy!
I'm sorry, I can't even imagine how it must hurt to have family attack you for something that brings you such happiness. Fear of that happening to me is actually why I haven't made any effort to tell my dad that I'm pregnant and why I won't contact him after the baby is born... I don't know how I would handle if he rejected her the way he has me.
What Bon said about JP's sister is the first thing that popped into my head. I know when I was struggling with infertility I probably reacted less than enthusiastically about hearing yet another person announce their pregnancy. Although I don't think I ever said anything attacking anyone. That's definitely uncalled for. I'm sorry that she tried to put a sour note into such happy news.
It really is joyful news. Some people are just very jealous I suppose.
Can't wait to see photos of the new insect! (ha ha)
As I was telling someone the other day: Just because they're family doesn't me they're not a$$holes. So sorry!
That's too bad...family can really say such hurtful things sometimes.
This just gives me a chance to say congratulations to you again!!
That is horrible. Truly horrible. You deserve better.
Try not to let it get to you. Some people just do not know how to be happy. There are many people out here, including me, that are thrilled for your family.
My FIL did something similar. When we found out we were expecting our oldest we called them one morning to tell them the good news. This would be their first grandchild after all. I was on the phone (he did not know apparently) and the following words to my husband "Oh, SHE'S pregnant?!" I got off the phone quietly and went to cry. After that I told my husband that they best watch it or else SHE would not them THEM near HER baby!
Hugs to you and remember the important thing is you are expecting another miracle and your family is thrilled :)
Oh my goodness - I'm so sorry to hear that. It's so sad when people don't know how to be nice. Whether there's a reason behind it or not, she's just being a big bitch.
I am happy for you!
When I announced I was preg with my first(after taking fertility drugs for 4 months) a coworker glared at me and said, "that figures" eye roll and stomped off. She, too had been thru infertility and wasnt yet successful. The thing is, I really did FEEL HER PAIN. I guess sometimes you just dont know what people are thinking.Well I for one am tickled for ya! DH and I are on the fence about trying for #3....jury's still out...Hope you are feeling well.
Oh my*!* I haven't been around~Congrats to all of you :)
I'm sorry you're having family issues during what should be an only joyful time. It's unfortunate because you can't escape it and it's a shame it's having such an affect on your Hubby.
Sending prayers and good thoughts...
So sorry that she wasn't nice.
That's no fun, at all.
I'm so sorry your husband was hurt in such a way. That's not right. I am really happy for you both. I get to watch the growth of this child before he/she joins your lovely family and big brother.
I am so sorry that this is happening for you! You are right- no family is perfect- it's so much easier to be selfish towards your own family members. She will probably regret this hurtfulness toward you someday. And I hope she comes around sooner than later. I hope you and your hubby continue to rejoice in that growing blessing!
Steph
Is it jealousy? The people closest to us are the ones that can most easily hurt us, sad but true.
At any rate...
I'm so excited for you! Hurray, a baby!
The people we love the most often hurt us the most, but family members should be ignored. Perhaps, she is going through something completely horrible and took it out on him.
I am very excited that you are having another baby! Focus on the good! YIPEE!
Well, I am very happy for you! You deserve to be happy and so does your husband. I know it's hard but don't let her bother you.. either she'll be happy with you, or she'll be mad by herself.. there's not much you can do to swing her vote.
ENjoy the pregnancy and enjoy the holidays.
arg it frustrated me so much when personal pain is inflicted on others like that. So sorry for you and your husband. Be happy and hope that she can get over herself!
I'm so happy for you!
Wow! Some people just don't get it... Even in the least promising of situations, a new life is always a miraculous gift from God. And your situation seems to be quite promising!
Well, congratulations are definitely in order - way to go, Fly, on that big sibling status! And hope you are feeling well and taking good care of yourself... :)
I agree with so many of the others. Family stress is so hard and she must be hurting quite a bit to strike like that. I hope you'll be able to heal the rift and celebrate with joy when the new baby arrives!
Awww....that is discouraging, hey? The comments like this that come from family (even if they're not your fav. family members) really do hurt. **Hugs**
I'm sorry that happened to you. I don't know your SIL's back story, but as someone who suffered through years of infertility, and listened to dozens of friends and family members announce their pregnancies, I think my reactions probably weren't what they were looking for either. That said, if infertility or pregnancy loss isn't her issue, then just remember you are the better person here.
We are born into one family and then we take all of who we are and nurture another family, some are lucky enough to blend the two, and others of us are not. Hold tight to who and what you've grown.
So sorry and so blessed, my friend.
I recall my dear sweet mother-in-law (and I call her that in all sincerity) when she heard that her nephew and wife were being blessed with child number five:
"What do they think their doing having another baby? Four is enough!"
I asked her if they were bad parents. No. Were they financially stable? Yes. Did their marriage seem secure? Yes.
Then what was the problem? "Well, five is just too many!"
Oh.
My mom's reaction when we told her Silly-Head's name just hours after she was born: "Eeew! gross!"
It takes all kinds! I'm sorry your sil was so hurtful. people REALLY should think before they speak!
Sounds like it's her, not you :(
Is she married, happy, having babies, or are you both living her dream ?
Whatever the reason, there's no reason to be nasty. I hope she can see fit to apologise, and you can all work through it :(
I'm so happy for you all.
I'm sorry JP's sister was so hurtful. Like the last commenter said, it sounds like it's her, not you.
I'm thrilled to pieces for your family. Fly will make an awesome big brother!
I'm sorry to hear that she reacted in such a hurtful way. My sister in law was the same. She was four months along in her own pregnancy when we told her (we waited out to tell our friends and family a little longer than we normally would have in order not to steal her thunder in her first pregnancy) but even then the conversation went like this:
my husband: we've got some wonderful news.. Michelle is pregnant!'
her: oh. I thought she might be.
Us: stunned silence
Conversation carries on for a few minutes before finally she offers us a weak congratulations. She barely spoke to us during her pregnancy.
My mother in law wasn't much better either. We told her I was expecting another child and she says 'oh no, that'll be so expensive having three grandchildren' COULD.NOT.BELIEVE.IT
Good luck in your pregnancy! Fly will be an awesome big brother!
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