Over the past few weeks I've been nominated by some of my sweet blogger friends, Aubrey, Well-Intentioned, Holly, and Kasey for the Sunshine Award and the Libster Award. Thanks ladies!! I know they probably thought I was ignoring them, but I wasn't...I kept track! I was so focused on our cycle that I couldn't put two sentences together that wasn't related to that. I tried to mix up questions from everyone.
But NOW...I've got nothing but time!! So let's do this!!
The rules are as follows:
1. Include the Sunshine Award icon in your post
2. Link to the person who nominated you
3. Answer 10 questions about yourself
4. Nominate 10 bloggers to receive the award
5. Link your nominees and let them know they've been nominated
1) If you had to choose one person, other than your significant other, to live with for the rest of your life, who would you choose?
That's easy, my sister. She's 10 years younger than me but I can't remember a moment since she was born that we haven't been super close. She's hands down one of my favorite people.
2) What do you do for work (I'm always curious to know what everyone does all day long)?
I work for an ad agency. Though sadly, I'm the lone "non-creative" person and I'm nothing like anyone on Mad Men. I'm the Controller, so I just handle the money and HR (crack the whip/party pooper, because no, you legally can't say that to your co-worker no matter how "creative" it sounds).
3) If you could choose any 1 person to spend a day with - dead or alive - who would you choose? What would you do?
I would most definitely pick my mother. I'll spend the rest of my life wishing I had just one more day with her. I wouldn't want to do anything but spend the day outside talking to her. Telling her what she meant to me and how much I loved her. I'd want to tell her about my wedding day and how happy I was, but it was bittersweet without her. I'd want to tell her about all the loss and heartache of our infertility. We'd laugh and we'd cry, most likely with my head on her lap and her playing with my hair. (I never did out grow that)
4) Who is your best friend?
Jill. Who would have thought when I met her more than 8 years ago that she'd become one of the most important people in my life. We're kindred spirits and we crossed paths for a reason. No doubt about it. Pretty sure I wouldn't have survived the past 5 years without her.
5) What would you say is the best piece of advice for someone who is just beginning their journey in the land of infertility?
That's such a tough one. I think I would tell people that decide to wait until their older to find out about your fertility at an earlier age. I think I'll always advocate that from here on out. I would say find a support system. Whether it's friends, family, forums or blogging. You need that. I also think you should never be afraid to challenge the doctors. They don't always know what is right for YOU. Sometimes that means a second, third or fourth consult. Always, always be your own advocate and educate yourself.
6) Are you a cat or dog person?
I love both. I grew up with both. But as an adult, I've only had cats. This little guy is a giant lump of love, and kind of a weirdo.
7. Do you have any tattoos and what are their significance?
I have 2. One I got right after my divorce when I was only 23. It's on my back (it's small) and has no significance other than it was me "moving on" at a difficult time of my life.
The other is a butterfly on my wrist. The main color is teal which is the color for Ovarian Cancer. I got it the summer my mother was ill.
8. Where did you come up with the name of your blog? This intrigues me?
When I first started TTC, every other day they were talking about the celebrity "baby bump" watch. That was how I chose "hoping for a baby bump".
9. Why do you blog, and will you continue to blog when (I'm being positive for ALL of you!!) you get pregnant/have a baby(ies)?
I would love to continue blogging. I started this blog because I wanted an outlet. Just to be able to get my feelings out because very few people in "real life" know or at least knew of my struggles at that time. I still keep my blog mainly private to only a few people that know me. Those that do know me and read my blog, have also struggled with infertility and understand the sensitivity in which I write about. I do hope to continue blogging. It's become very therapeutic for me. I hope that my topic isn't always about loss and grief, but rather happiness and fun...so yes, my goal is to be able to move my blog into a "pregnancy" blog one day.
10. How did you and your husband meet?
I actually married very young to my high school sweetheart. That marriage was over by the time I was 23 because of drugs, alcohol and cheating. Not many fond memories of those times. However, when I sold the home I had with my ex-husband, I moved into an apartment over Trevor. A few "spottings" and run-ins at the pool and guess who knocked on my door one Friday night!? That was 12 years ago!! We dated for 10 years before finally tying the knot!
OK, here are the bloggers whom I've
nominated for the Sunshine Award:
So sorry if I duplicated anyone!!
My questions for you all of you:
1) Was there a particular moment in your
infertility journey that made you realize that you wanted/needed to start
blogging?
2) What was your favorite vacation spot
ever?
3) What food could you never live
without?
4) If you could spend one day with anyone
(dead or alive) who would it be? Why? What would you do?
5) Favorite article of clothing?
7) Your child's 16th birthday present...a
new car or a nicely wrapped stack of fertility bills and bus pass??
8) What one thing would you go back and
tell your 20 year old self?
9) You are going on a trip and lose your
suitcase. What one item are you going to replace first the second you get where
you're going!?
10) What is the best part of blogging your
IF journey?
Feel free to answer any questions in the
comments if I missed you!!!
Aaaaaaannnnnnd GO!