Wednesday, January 07, 2009 The luckiest girl on the block Let's get the excuses out of the way... I lost my writing mojo, plain and simple. I wanted to continue blogging about infertility but 6 months into life with Livy, it was no longer at the front of my brain. I should have continued to post updates, even if they were mind numbingly boring updates about poop and pee, but after a while I couldn't find anything worthy to write after not writing for so long. I'll be honest and say that I hate it when a blogger falls into oblivian so I'm pretty embarrassed that I did it. It is not fair to ask people for support and kindness, and then just drop out of there lives. The best way to put it is to simply say that I am sorry. Before I give you a proper update, I must give a quick warning. One of the reasons I found writing so difficult is that I didn't want to gush on about the joys of motherhood while so many of you are still working towards that goal. The rest of this post is going to be 90% gushing so if that's not what your in the mood for, you might want to stop reading. Life with Livy is heaven. If I were to describe my dream child before I had her, I am sure the description would have been exactly as Olivia is. There is so much to say about her that I don't know where to start. Let's start with her physical being. She is a total peanut and there are few parents that don't envy the use I get out of clothes or the lack of backache when I carry her. At almost 21months, she only weighs 21lb. Despite that, she is as healthy and as strong as can be. She has hit most of her milestones right on schedule and has never (knock on a big ass piece of wood) given me any health scares worse than a snotty nose. She has a smile that can brighten the worst day and hearing her little "I love YOUUUUUUU" is the sweetest sound my ears have ever heard. The easiest thing to do is a picture update so I'll do that a little further down the page. As for me, 2008 had it's trials... I lost two of my best friends in '08. First, I lost my Grandma one year ago. She was one of the few people in my life who loved me unconditionally and I miss her terribly. My only comfort is that she did get to meet her only Great-Grandchild and that Olivia brought her joy in the final year of her life. I also lost my very best friend in the world, my Hercules. Losing Hercules to cancer in May was devastating. It all happened so fast that it still feels unreal. Grandma and Hercules loved each other so all I can do is hope that somewhere Grandma is giving him a belly rub and he's giving her some of his famous furry kisses. Grandma and Hercules I went back to work at the end of April. It killed me. The year I had off with Olivia was the best year of my life. The domestic goddess crown fit my head well and I miss baking homemade muffins as much as my husband misses eating them. I was lucky enough to negotiate coming back 4 days per week which is the only thing that made my return bearable. We made the best arrangements we could. My husband stays home with Olivia on Monday, his parents come to spend the day with her on Tuesday, she goes to day-care Weds-Thurs and has mommy day on Friday. As much as I hate working, I know that we are lucky to have flexability with our schedules. I've gotten involved with our local YMCA. I joined there running group and have since becoming an addict. I went from being someone who got a side stitch if I tried to run down the block to running a 10km race in 1hr! The running helped me shed the last of the baby weight so quickly that I kick myself for not starting sooner. I am a true testament to the old "If I can do it, anybody can do it". I also started volunteering at the Y as a group instructor. I teach both step aerobics and an ab's conditioning class. My dream would be to eventually work in the health and fitness field so I think volunteering is a good first step. As for infertility, we took once last ride on that coaster. We decided to give our last two frozen embryo's a try this past November. Just pressing the elevator button to go to the 9th floor was enough to send me into a panic attack. All of the old hopes and fears returned, although I can say that for me, secondary infertility is certainly the lessor of two evils. The cycle had it's ups and downs, almost getting cancelled after I ovulated about 6 days later than normal but we managed to continue with a non-medicated cycle (same as with Olivia). After the thaw, we were left with one super strong embryo to transfer. I stayed pretty mellow during the last 2 week wait of my life (we had decided that this was it - it either works or it doesn't). I am not sure how we became the luckiest people on earth but it worked. Today I am 8 weeks pregnant and I am due August 20. We beat the staggering odds and have gotten two pregnancies out of a single IVF cycle. So that is it. The journey is complete. We never take for granted how unbelievably lucky we are. I never use the word blessed because I refuse to believe that there is any reason we would be blessed and others would not so I believe it is luck...and an amazing team of doctors and scientists. Despite my absence from the blog world. I continue to support the world of infertility anyway possible. We are always honest and up-front about how we got pregnant in hopes that our story might help others. If you live in Ontario, you have until January 12 to fill out this survey and have your say... http://www.gov.on.ca/children/English/infertilityAdoption/index.html. You also need to go to http://www.iaac.ca/my-story/ to tell your story. The Ontario government is actually getting serious about infertility and I'm doing everything I can to make my voice heard. Please do the same. I'll conclude with the picture update. Enjoy the sweetness that is Miss Olivia. First Halloween (where we left off) Livy and my darling Hercules First Visit with Santa 11 months old First Birthday (like you couldn't read the hat) Looking cute in the Acores (our big family trip this summer) Fall fun Happy Girls Fairy Princess Second Christmas (Same Santa, bigger girl) I'll be honest and say that I'm not sure if I'll continue to update. I'm not going to make promises that I won't keep. I will tell you that I am a ridiculous facebook addict so if you know me well enough to know my name, please look me up (just make sure to tell me how we know each other because I don't accept anyone I don't know). I wish nothing but the best for all of you. I hope that your every dream comes true. p.s. - I've been checking all your blogs and I am gobsmacked by how many of us are pregnant for the second time (or have already had a second). It looks like I'm not the only luck one out there. posted by Just another Jenny @ 6:00 PM   39 Comments: At 8:52 PM,  serenity said… Omigoodness I just about passed out when I saw your post! HI! :) I'm so happy for you. I'm thrilled to hear that you're happy, thrilled to hear you're expecting again, and thrilled that Olivia is everything you ever hoped for. Awesome, awesome, awesome. I too am on facebook and would love to catch up - would you mind emailing me at serenitynowinfertile at gmail dot com and we can exchange real names? :)   At 9:21 PM,  Pam said… It was so nice to see an update from you and Olivia is just gorgeous. Congratulations on your current pregnancy as well. I hope the next 32 weeks go quickly and quietly. :)   At 10:13 PM,  sky girl said… Great update Jenn. Who knows? Maybe you'll catch the blogging bug again. I'll be keeping you in my feeds just in case. :)   At 7:03 AM,  Lyrehca said… Great photos and update. Congrats on your pregnancy thus far. If you want to link up on Facebook. email me at Lyrehca AT gmail DOT com.   At 8:59 AM,  TeamWinks said… I'd love more updates! You've been missed! I wish I knew how to follow you on facebook, but if you wish you could friend me... Rebecca Pettit Winks   At 10:17 AM,  Lollipop Goldstein said… I am so glad you made an update and that things are well...better than well! Congratulations on the new pregnancy.   At 11:57 AM,  Silver said… So glad to see you update!!! And congrats on PG#2. What a cutie! (Soralis)   At 1:33 PM,  Cassandra said… Congratulations on #2! Best wishes.   At 6:22 PM,  seattlegal said… It's good to hear from you!!! Olivia is just adorable! And congrats on the pregnancy!!!   At 6:42 PM,  Aurelia said… congratulations! I'm very glad for you, and I hope that things continue to go well.   At 7:31 PM,  Jamie said… I am SO thrilled to see you update. I was afraid something really terrible had happened to you! I am so glad you are okay (better than okay!) and happy! Olivia is a doll! I would love to stalk you on facebook. :) My real name is Jamie Weitl, give me an add. I think I know your real name from a post from long, long ago, but I'm not for sure. If you can't find me, email me at stickyfeet2 at gmail dot com. :)   At 9:37 PM,  Delenn said… Yours was one of the first infertility blogs I read and I was so happy to see you have Olivia. I am so happy for you on your second! Congratulations!   At 8:59 AM,  Thalia said… Hey there! congrats on the new pregnancy and on your gorgeous daughter. Good to hear from you.   At 1:27 PM,  Winnifred said… i'm in tears over your post... congratulations! I'm really happy for you and your family... we cycled at the same time in Nov! but ours wasn't succesful -- you are blessed :) xo   At 2:36 PM,  Hopeful Mother said… Great to hear from you again. Many of us were wondering what had happened to you. Congrats on the pregnancy!   At 6:52 PM,  Meg said… Hi Jenn! So good to hear from you on the blog again. Congratualtions on your pregnancy -that's wonderful! And I've been seeing your running photos on facebook - I am seriously impressed by that - I've been attempting running myself this year, but have been battling knee / back issues. But good on you. And great to hear from you!   At 12:20 PM,  Rumour Miller said… Oh I pop in every now and again hoping for an update... I am so glad to hear that you haven't updated because life was so fracking wonderful! Congratulations. I am so sorry about your Gramma and Your Hercules. Both very difficult losses. I would love to be your friend on FB... send me an email at the.rumour.mill@gmail.com if you are interested as well. You have been missed!   At 3:51 PM,  MoMo said… Is is so exciting to see an update. Congratulations on the pregnancy and Olivia is adorable!!   At 12:03 AM,  Brandy said… So glad to see a post again. Congratulations on your pregnancy and all of the joys in your life!   At 10:39 PM,  Seamus said… It's really good to see you in the sphere again and back in my comments. Congrats on the pregnancy! :) Olivia looks wonderful. No changes on our pup front yet, just letting the job settle down before jumping back into puppydom. :)   At 12:33 AM,  Isabel said… So happy for you. Everything sounds absolutely wonderful in your life. I think it's a wonderful time and I hope it stays that way!   At 4:19 PM,  Lut C. said… She's gorgeous and you look fabulous together! I'm sorry 2008 had it's hardships besides the good things. Wishing you an easy pregnancy!   At 9:31 AM,  Jen said… It's funny to see so many "old" names on your comments. Most of us have been here for years. Congratulations on your beautiful little girl and way to go on your pregnancy. IF sucks and there's no way around it. I've also been lucky enough to have had a baby this year, I don't blog much about IF because I am scarred, I hate it and I don't want to think about the pain. That being said, I never forget and am the "go to" person for q and A in my neighborhood. Congrats again Jenny! I'd also love to be your fb friend... mjw699 at yahoo.com (no spaces) ~jen   At 4:20 PM,  hope548 said… It's been a long time! I checked in every now and then, but never expected this update after so much time. Olivia is absolutely beautiful and I'm glad to know you're all doing so well. Congratulations on your successful FET and pregnancy. That is amazing! I wish you all the best. It was good to hear from you again.   At 11:43 PM,  Pam said… I am glad to see you have finally updated! I am sorry for your losses. Many congrats on your 2nd pregnancy. I do hope you continue to update when you have time.   At 5:19 AM,  Eggs Akimbo said… Congrats. That is great news. I hear you about work. I do three days and I feel guilty...but I also like my job so it doesn't make sense, does it? I am due June 12 with another baby so I'll be following your blog with anticipation of your news.   At 11:41 AM,  utRus said… congrats Jenny!!!! i haven't checked your blog in a year, but something made me check today... glad to get your news! my twins are now 20 months old... and i havent' been posting either - same reasons you state. :( i miss hearing how everyone's doing ... xoxo   At 9:45 PM,  Hope said… It is absolutely wonderful to hear how you are doing!! Olivia is beautiful. And congrats on baby #2!! I am so glad you decided to give us all an update. I just happened by your blog again by chance and was pleased to see something new from you. I am also happy to report we have finally made it, I'm almost 27 weeks and can totally appreciate your feelings of bliss and gratitude. I hope you continue to update periodically.   At 1:22 PM,  Piccinigirl said… I was going through old blogs to see which ones I should delete and almost gasped out loud that there was something new here, then I read all your "stuff" and I'm just tearing up with how happy I am for you, Olivia and this new baby on the way. I hope you continue to post a little bit, and let us know how things are. I've missed you, but wish you many many blessings (on top of all the ones you've got) this year. Piccinigirl...Kir :)   At 9:00 PM,  Karen said… I'm only just now seeing this update - but I'm so unbelievably happy for you that you are pregnant again - how wonderful for you and your family. What a beautiful thing. I do understand not making promises you don't know if you'll keep, but I do hope that you do find it in you to eventually post again. I miss your blogging. Karen http://chezperky.typepad.com and http://notaclowncar.blogspot.com   At 12:58 PM,  Borrowed Eggs said… I am so glad I checked your blog, one last time....you don't know it but you helped me make it thru IVF. I thank you so much for that. I too was blessed with twins, a boy and a girl. They are now 13 months old. I am so happy that it worked for you a second time. Hope you do keep blogging. Borrowed Eggs   At 11:28 AM,  Amy said… Well, I'm a few months late on this -- today is 4/16/09 and I just saw this update. But wow! Olivia is so gorgeous and I'm happy to hear about #2 on the way. I do hope you post an update. I'd love to find out if Olivia is having a baby brother or sister. ~Amy   At 11:14 PM,  Anonymous said… Hi there! Here is another Jenny from the Infertility block. I'm 30, stepmom, 2nd wife, and since relaxing didn't work we did vas reversal followed by ICSI and FET. 3rd round now and no + anywhere in sight. Going nuts. Looking at your blog really helps!! xxxoooooo   At 11:19 PM,  sue said… 徵信社,徵信,徵信社,徵信,徵信,徵信社,徵信社,徵信,徵信社,徵信,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信公司,尋人,抓姦,外遇,徵信,徵信社,徵信,徵信,徵信,徵信,徵信,徵信社,徵信   At 8:13 AM,  Anonymous said… К слову, лучший способ защитить кого-нибудь от навязчивых мобилок - купить Подавитель мобильной связи   At 6:09 AM,  Anonymous said… Nice blog as for me. It would be great to read a bit more about this theme. The only thing it would also be great to see on this blog is a few pictures of some devices. Jeff Watcerson Cell phone blocker   At 10:01 AM,  Melanie Jones said… Hi Jenny! I'm a Canadian writer working on a story for Reader's Digest Canada...tried to email you but the Yahoo addy bounced back. The story is looking at couples who have struggled with fertility and I'd love to chat with you about your process (and happy ending)! Please email me at melanie [at] melaniejones [dot] ca. Would love to connect – you've got a great story. Best, M.   At 6:03 AM,  chris said… Malhotra Test Tube Baby and IVF Clinic in India provides IVF Treatments which includes IVF ICSI IUI Treatment Cost in India, Embryo Donation, Egg Donation, infertility treatment, Male Female Infertility Treatment India. http://www.malhotrahospitals.com/   At 6:00 PM,  Kristin said… Hello! I know you don't know me, but we've got something in common. I got your blog address off the Stirrup Queen's blogroll and was wondering if you wouldn't mind helping me help a couple who is trying to add a little one to their family. We're holding a silent auction for them this weekend (Friday and Saturday) on goteamwitt.blogspot.com and need help getting the word out! 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