I learned something new this week. I learned that there is a National Infertility Association and this week is Infertility Awareness Week. I don't particularly like to read how others deal with infertility because I strongly believe that it's a very personal struggle and everyone handles it differently. However different, it seems the feeling of grief and pain can only be understood from those that deal with it personally.
Until this moment only my sister knew we were experimenting with different medical treatments to get pregnant. We were in the mist of a 'bigger' treatment when we found out about Madelyn and we wished with all our hearts that it would be successful because we thought it would be awesome to have two babies so close in age. Clearly it didn't work and as we move forward with the next step, the biggest obstacle I have to climb is my ignorance. I'm not ignorant about the issue but it sure is easy for me to IGNORE and forget that I have an issue. The theme for this year's Awareness Week is 'Don't Ignore Infertility'. Sooo appropriate for me since I have found bliss in my ignorance.
May I suggest reading Infertility Etiquette and When Fertility Strikes if you or someone you knows struggles with conceiving. Everyone can benefit from reading the articles because you never know, someone close to you might be silently struggling.
It's a very real possibility that Madelyn could be an only child in our family. Which would be such a bummer because Cony now wants 14 kids. We are taking the steps necessary to grow our family and we have faith there is a plan for us. We've been given this obstacle because we CAN find strength in it and become the people God has intended on us becoming. It's comforting to know she DOES have an older brother Gabriel and I hope they can have a sweet relationship as time goes on.
Being a mother has opened my eyes to love and peace I honestly didn't know existed. I feel incredibly blessed to feel that every day I hold our baby. Madelyn has filled in a hole in my heart and there is no going back to the same ol' me (or us).
Go read those articles and get educated.
She found her feet this week....