Hey all you Lovelies!
Short little micro today, just getting back from vacation and need to do some general housekeeping on the blog.
1st: I desperately need more squawk box posts! I love the days that I get to share other peoples stories with the broader infertility community! I think it is important and invigorating. It’s even more important as a way to keep this space current and focused on community, especially now that I’m expecting myself. This blog is about INFERTILITY, and there are many stories that aren’t showcased through the journey I’ve had. So please, think about writing a peice for Squawk Box. Usually they are 1-3 pages typed by you, about any aspect of infertility that you want to share and help others. We take happy, sad, grateful, fearful… you-name-it- posts! Send yours to: [email protected] I can’t wait to read and share them!
2nd: Huge shout out to continued community! The infertility community is huge and varied and somehow we all try to understand everyone else’s trials and be there for them. It’s amazing to be part of such a kick ass community. It is brought about through intense pain and suffering, but I am seriously honoured to know all of you! I’m still looking for new ways to advocate this year. I will be speaking at some universities again once the school season is upon us, which will be amazing! Keep me posted if you have any speaking opportunities that would work with my advocacy or any other way I can personally help your infertility fueled projects! Reach out to me at: [email protected]
3rd: Quick note on all the feels and my progress. Now that I am back from vacation I’m needing to seriously tackle all the actual baby planning things. Like finish my registry, look at nursery furniture, paint colours, make preparations to transfer my work and responsibilities to other people… etc. It’s all feeling very real. I will likely write a post on this in the coming weeks once I get further into it all. I also did my maternity photo shoot in week 20 while on vacation. It was a spectacular shoot and I will be sharing those photos on the blog as soon as I have them in my possession. I am now 22 weeks pregnant, have a sizable bump, can feel baby moving daily and am still mostly just in awe at the whole thing. Ok… That’s enough of all that.
TTFN,
The Chicken
It IS an amazing community. This common experience brought us together, and I think that our corner of the Internet is a close knit one in comparison to others.
Mel,
It so is! I am so blessed to be a part of it!
XOXXO, The Chicken
You are completely right about this community. We may have our ups and downs at times, but that comes from enduring incredible pain. For the most part, it is a welcoming, understanding and compassionate community, and it deserves a shout-out!
Sounds like you had a lovely vacation, and now you’re into the home stretch … enjoy!
Mali,
Absolutely, the things we go through make us a bit sensitive. However, we are sensitive in the very best of ways too! Vacation was nice enough and now it’s time to be super on track. Thanks for the support.
XOXXO, The Chicken
Congratulations on 22 weeks!!! Equally awesome that you did your maternity shoot. May those photos be equally amazing as the shoot itself.
Cristy,
Thanks! I really wanted to have them as a memento after working so hard to get here! I want to remember how great I’m feeling now.
XOXXO, The Chicken
Hi! I am not infertile, but I just found your blog and have so many friends that are struggling with infertility. My best friend struggled for years to get pregnant and we were ecstatic to learn that she and I both got pregnant around the same time. We ended up having our daughters about 26 hours apart and were actually in the hospital at the same time. All that to really say congratulations on your pregnancy and although I don’t personally know the struggle, I my heart goes out to each and everyone who does.
Kayla,
Thank goodness for friends like you! I hope you found my story inspiring and educational! Best of luck to your friends. It will help them so much to go through this knowing they have your support!
XOXXO, The Chicken
Yes, it is a great community! I like the fact that even though people come from so many different backgrounds (infertility doesn’t discriminate, at least not as far as I can tell) it is possible to connect compassionately with each other. I was so intimidated at first by all the medical terms and treatments and challenges, but others’ stories taught me that I could move through my experiences and still be *human*, if that makes any sense. Not just a statistic or a diagnosis. I’ll think about whether there’s something I want to guest post.
Turtle,
Absolutely! What bad ass people we are, all laid equal by IF. Luckily it means there are a lot of us at a similar place in order to draw help from the collective experiences. Having the other people around has mad a large difference for me as well.
XOXXO, The Chicken