2 of 4- More than a Blog

These last three are long, bear with me!

After we had been TTC for about a year, the massive Internet search began.  I have google'd the word infertility and terms associated with it more than anything.  I visited a chatboard for C.lomid success stories... anovulation success... or whatever the treatment/diagnosis at the time happened to be.  Somewhere along the way, this led me to blogs of women with similar situations.  After reading/stalking them for months, I wrote that first post and found out that one of the best forms of therapy was actually FREE (so rare in the world of IF).

Similar to relationships IRL, there have been connections here that were stronger at one point and changed over time.  I found myself in the midst of blogs where many were pursuing IUI's and IVF while I was still considering all options.  Many of them had success either through treatment (yay) or pursuing adoption (yay) but that led me to keep drifting to circles similar to my situation (baby-less!).  I saw A LOT of BFP's over that time (yay, yay) but at one point I had to take a hiatus from blogging because I was actually losing hope.

After two failed IUI's, I decided to go forward with IVF.  During this time, I found a very close knit community, and have pretty much stayed close to this group ever since.  Then after LB was here and I was holding my very own baby, I made some connections with other moms and moms-to-be.  I am grateful for every single connection.  I am grateful for a place where I could experience every emotion imaginable with people who get it. 

This blog has been much more than a shared journey.  It has been a place to cry happy and sad tears, to encourage and be encouraged, to give and gain support, to learn and to share, to virtually hold another's hand who is trying so hard to achieve the same goal.

I will inadvertently leave someone out and (repeat) am grateful for every connection, but just can't leave without telling some special bloggers, some of whom I'm still connected with and some of whom that I have lost touch with, what they mean to me.

In the beginning...
Trials and Tribulations of Trace and Heather- Tracy adopted a sweet bundle of energy after IVF posed a health risk.  Heather gave birth to twin boys through IVF.  These are two of the first ladies that I connected with years ago.  I was so excited to see those first comments and to know someone was interested in my story as well.  Although there was a time we lost touch, Heather still stops in from time to time and it meant a lot that she cheered me on long after she had her beautiful boys.

Close to home...
Although I did not meet these ladies IRL, I found support of some ladies living in the same state who were ahead of me and used fertility clinics that I was researching at the time.  Dana had a precious boy and created a new family blog and Sarah, another IVF success, used the clinic that we chose so it was nice to share stories and information with both of them.

Through participating in ICLW at the start of my IVF cycle, I met many amazing ladies.  I met some who were at the same place as me and some who were not far behind, which resulted in some great virtual friendships.
Babyhopes- where are you my friend?  We had such similar history and I cried with her when she did not get a BFP from her first IVF.  Then she became one of those girls we talk bad about (totally just kidding) and got a natural BFP while pursuing adoption at the same time.  Amazing story and lady, I have always been a big fan.
Josey- we would totally have a beer if I were a beer drinker (more of a wine girl) and talk toddler and I have no doubt it would be as if we had been longtime friends.  Josey was just a couple of days ahead of me with Ms. Stella and I'll never forget her commenting when LB was here and saying "master the latch!"  lol.  She is a strong voice and heart in the world of IF and I will be lurking for sure to welcome baby #2!  (Also, we cannot totally lose contact because our kids are going to meet and fall in love 20 30 years down the road, I just know it.)
Bridget and Fiona- These two ladies are just sweet, genuine, honest and faithful commenters..  They are there for you and I wish them all the best as Bridget has taken on the world of 2 under 2 and Fiona is pursing #2.
Stephanie and Kelly- Inspiring moms and writers who let us in on the good, the bad and the ugly (much appreciated).  If you have never read Kelly's poop-its-everywhere- post or Stephanie's wardrobe malfunction post, get ready for a good laugh.  By the way Steph, I have not heard once from you that you have been pee'd on?!?
Annie and Courtney- Two moms to little boys I have connected with who give some great advice and thanks to them I have found a new love for B.elvita and A.veda products:]  Blogs have also been a great way to find some really cool products by the way.  Where else would I have found out about the snotsucker?

And many thanks to those in my blog roll, some who were close cycle sisters, who have also followed our journey and allowed me to be a part of yours!  I wish you all the best!  (Apologies for not making these active links... ran out of time as usual!)

Waiting and Wishing, Mrs. Lydon, 3B2B1Baby, amiracle4us, marilyn, EandR, Kerrik

myjourneythroughinfertility, Marion, Marianne, China Doll, Carlia, EBC, Jen, A, Sarah, Krista, Fullbed, kkasun, SRB

IRL- 
I have given this web address and permission to stalk me to L and S, two of my closest IRL-forever-friends.  They both have kids in elementary school and were sooooo sweet to relive my pregnancy ups and downs, the name game, the birth, and those first few precious weeks all over again with me.  I don't know who was more excited at times.  I love them both more than they will ever know.

A simple "thanks" here is not sufficient to describe what this piece of the world has meant to me.

I had some comments about connecting via Faceb.ook.  Ironically, we love technology but are still out of the FB loop!  Really, it has more to do with my job and not having to deal with the whole 'students as friends' issue.  I would like to keep the blog up for awhile and my name is connected to an email that I have forwarded to my daily email, so if anyone needs me for any reason, please find me!

Now, on to my next-to-last post about what is going on in our lives right now... can't wait to put an update here!