Sister in Law Is Pregnant with First, How Can I Say Congrats 'Creatively'?

I, too, would recommend you hold off just a little while longer before sending anything out (I know y'all are so excited, but maybe wait until the end of her first trimester). That being said, I have two fun suggestions, 1) a Rockabye Baby CD - these are lullaby renditions of rock songs, for example, U2 songs that are played to sound like lullabies. They are so cool, and you can find them on amazon.com. 2) an edible fruit bouquet (much like a cookie bouquet but far healthier). You can find these at www.ediblearrangements.com.

Warmly,
S. Mesh
Development Director
Cultural Care Au Pair - www.culturalcare.com
____@____.com

My sister in law sent me a bundt cake (www.eatmorebundt.com) with a note that said "Congrats on your little "Bundt in the oven". It was cute and delicious. We got a chocolate one and it was great.

Best wishes to you, too, on your impending baby.

If she hasn't heard or seen a heartbeat yet, I'd wait, but I'm assuming it's all good. I had a sister-in-law who sent me a plant and congrats. Really simple, but I loved that plant. It moved several times with us. (Just make sure it's something hearty and eatable.) You might get her a little outfit that could go either way to give her something more tangible to imagine that little one. I know after my first miscarriage, it really wasn't until we reached the point where the baby could survive that I started to relax. As it is, we still don't tell until we've seen the heartbeat or are past 17 weeks, unless I'm in maternity clothes, so be sensitive if she's struggling to a certain extent. Even with my third, I still felt nervous. A really cute summer maternity outfit might be fun, too, if you know what size she is. Have fun!

L.,
I would advice a little caution. Your sister in law is probably still walking on eggshells right now with this pregnacy. It's great to show excitement. I would suggest being a little more low-key.
With my whole heart, C.

9 weeks is very very early. I would not celebrate yet. How far along was she at the other miscarriages? I'm surprised they even told people yet. I would keep this very low key, not talk about the pregnancy and wait until they are sure the pregnancy is well established. I didn't even find out I was pregnant until 8 weeks with my first. you don't hear a heartbeat until 14 weeks, I think.

Then, my family gave me a surprise baby shower when I was pregnant and my favorite part was this great game - they had ten jars of baby food, labelled with numbers on the top, but they peeled all the labels off and you had to guess what the food was from a list of names! It was hilarious! YOu keep a master list, of course. You wrap each jar separately. It's adorable. Try to get jars of combo foods too - you know, apricot banana string bean. No one can ever ever guess! I thought it was great.

I agree that nine weeks is still early, but here is an idea. When I told people I was pregnant, my friend sent me a card "from the baby." It had a picture of a baby on the front and was blank inside, but she had written a note from baby. The note said how thankful she was that I was going to be her mommy. It quoted Psalm 139 which talks about how God knits us together in our mother's womb. I loved the visual of God's hand at work on our baby! I still have that card today (10 years later) although it is in a box somewhere because we have recently moved.

I had a miscarriage before this baby and we didn't tell anyone until I was 12 weeks along. Most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

T.