I am beyond excited to announce that I am starting a guest post series, Our Journey to Parenthood.
This is something that has been in the works for a long time.
After my first miscarriage (read my story here) I said I was going to write a book. Not because I thought I was anywhere near an expert on the topic, but because I didn’t want anyone to EVER feel as alone as I did during that time. I didn’t have anyone to turn to who knew what I was going through. No one who had been there. My friends didn’t know what to say or do to help, even though they tried. It was a hard time. Something that did help me was blogging. I remembered reading this post Katie wrote about miscarriage. I emailed her and she was able to help me. She reassured me that the feelings I was having were normal and shared what helped her. From there, I connected with a lot of bloggers that were going through their own struggles whether it was infertility or loss. I am still close with many of these women today. When I was ready, I shared my story and was able to connect with even more women. I am extremely grateful for the blogging community for providing support in my time of need.
I’m starting this series because I get it.
I know how it feels not getting pregnant and when I finally did, watching it all come crashing down.
I know how it feels to take a test month after month, waiting patiently for the results, over analyzing the symptoms I thought I was having, only to see a big fat negative or not pregnant.
I know how it feels when aunt flo comes to visit and a feeling of defeat overcomes you. You could always tell when that day came because of my foul mood and the mounds of shopping bags I walked through the door carrying. Shopping took my mind off it.
I know how it feels to argue with your husband because he feels like you’re paying more attention to a calendar and peak days than anything else. He was right but that is all I could think about day in and out no matter how hard I tried to take my mind off it.
I know how it feels to hear the ultrasound tech say she doesn’t seen a heartbeat and needs to get a dr. To lay on that table trying to hold yourself together, hoping there is something wrong with the machine.
I know how it feels to have your hopes and dreams crushed in that moment, questioning everything you ever believed. Why do I deserve this? Why can’t we have a baby? Will I ever get pregnant again?
I know how hard it can be to go to the store and feel like everyone around you is pregnant. Or to login to Facebook and see one pregnancy announcement after another. Even though you’re happy for them, you wonder why not me?
I know how it feels. I also know that absolutely no one should have to go through it alone. The last thing I wanted to hear was how sorry someone was for me who got pregnant on their first try and already had a child. It was easier to connect with women who knew what I was feeling, what I was going through.
I’ve been there. I’m no where near an expert, I’ve just lived it.
And as much as it seems like so long ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.
It was part of my (our) story, it was our journey. One that today I understand. One that I wouldn’t go back and change. Honestly. One that made me a better wife, friend and now, mother.
I will never forget what we went through to get to where we are today. I will never take being a mother for granted.
Every night when I lay my baby girl down, I ask for my angels to watch over their sister.
I tell them I love them. They will always be a part of me, of our lives. Always.
My goal with the series is to introduce you to different women who have their own story.
In hopes that their stories and happy endings provide support and hope for readers out there who need it.
If I could give advice to myself back then or to someone on their own journey, this is what it would be.
Come back next Wednesday for Shay’s story.
I'm looking forward to reading these! After going through our own fertility journey, I know what it's like to hope and have it not happen. It was a sad 2 1/2 years but knowing that we'll have our son in just 2 months makes it all so worth it. During that time it's hard to see the good but it's there.
I am looking forward to this series. We had two miscarriages on our journey to parenthood and I knew no one that had gone through it. It would have been nice to have some encouragement from someone who had been there. I think it has made me appreciate my little girl even more because of all the heartache we had to go through to get to be parents.
I have never gone through this and I CANNOT imagine but I will def be reading. Cant wait to hear Shay's story.
I'd love to share our story! I'm looking forward to reading these! Such a great idea because these are everyday struggles people have!
I just know this series is going to give women hope. 🙂
This is going to be amazing Leah! If you have room for more guest bloggers, I would love to share my story:)
Looking forward to this series. Although I am blessed with three beautiful girls I still think about my angels everyday and wonder about them.
This is going to be a great series. I honestly felt more comfort in the blogging world when I was struggling with infertility than anywhere else. It's so soothing to talk to women who have been there!
oh i love this!! if you ever need a story let me know!! this is great!
How awesome…this series is going to do amazing things, I'm sure!!!
Looking forward to this series girl – I haven't experienced a miscarriage but as we embark on the journey of trying for Baby #2, I am nervous and scared of so many things that could go wrong. Thank you for sharing x
What a great idea. This is going to be a great series. I am sure your story has touched so many and for you to share with others is so brave.
This series could not have come at a better time. My husband and I are going on two years TTC, and we are also recovering from our miscarriage in April. It was so heartbreaking to watch the baby we tried so hard for just fade away while we could do nothing to stop it. As my due date (December 13) approaches it is getting harder for me to deal with, and it is difficult to hang on to the hope that we will get our happy ending. Thank you so much for sharing your story!