Is that they are totally amazing!!!! 🙂 And any trouble is totally worth it.
Girl!!!!!!!!!!!
My MaterniT 21 results FINALLY came back NEGATIVE for all trisomies! Amen and hallelujah! Though I’m definitely in celebration mode, I’m also aware that 1. MaterniT 21 doesn’t test for issues that may show up in the anatomy scan at 20 weeks, 2. cannot take the place of a CVS, and 3. is only 97% accurate in predicting female gender.
Regardless, I am in a very happy shock-like state. The perinatologist guessed boy, as did the Baby Center ultrasound guru, as did a family friend and a neighbor. This WAS an 11 week 1 day picture they were analyzing, but it still makes me a little worried that I got a false girl result (gotta fit the worry in somewhere, right!?). Either way, I mean it when I say I just want a healthy baby. Between the pain of infertility and miscarriage, I just feel so f’ing fortunate to have made it this far. I hope I never forget where I came from.
Of course I have more to fill you in on, like what having a girl means to me, like how I’m terrified of therapy tomorrow because my new therapist is kind of, shall we say, abrasive, and like how at 13 weeks today I am STILL throwing up. But I’ll save all that for another post (try not to fall out of your seat with anticipation).
For now I have a question (or ten). I’d like to do one of those cheesy Facebook announcements incorporating two things: my dogs (my first babies forever), and my struggle. I want to give a gentle nod to infertility. But how? Any ideas? Also, I need to spend some serious time googling how people make their pictures look so cool by adding elegant cursive writing over them etc.. I don’t have Photoshop or illustrator (nor do I have anything beyond basic skills to use them). I so wish I had taken graphic design classes instead of all those useless psychology masters courses. Le sigh. There’s gotta be some web-based program out there, right?
What are YOUR thoughts on pregnancy announcements via Facebook (I know they probably bug the s out of you if you’re still in the infertility trenches)? Have you seen anyone allude to their struggle with fertility in them? Any creative ideas you’re just dying to share with me for how I can incorporate dogs, struggles, and joy?
1. congrats on the gril! so exciting!
2. you can do some easy stuff with pictures (little collages, writing on the pics, etc) on picmonkey.com. Just upload the picture, play with it, save it and voila!
3. I DO hate FB announcements. Even thought Im pregnant now, I still find a streak of jealousy rears its ugly head when another announcement comes through. It’s tough. HOWEVER, I am at 24wks now and while we made the decision to not share, I am starting to feel that yearning to share my news with the world and celebrate! I may even break down and do it at some point. I mean, this is exciting stuff, and we deserve to celebrate. I’ve never seen an announcement that hinted at infertility, but I sure would love to see one. I think that that’s a great idea because you just know there is someone else out there struggling the same way you have and no one wants to feel alone…
So…what about…”So excited to announce, blah blah. We already cherish our little girl so much, especially since we traveled a long and difficult road to get here.” or. “After a very difficult journey, we are so excited to announce that we are expecting a little girl in ____.” Or, “Infertility is a bitch. But look what I got out of it! 🙂 ” Ha.
Ok, that was a long-winded comment! Congratulations!!!!!!
You call it a long-winded comment, I call it pure brilliance! Picmonkey? Thank you! That’s exactly what I’m after. And the suggestion of “After a very difficult journey, we are so excited to announce that we are expecting a little girl in ____.” And we’ll hold the dogs wearing signs that say “big brother.” And you’re right, this IS exciting stuff! Exactly why I’m dying to announce it…. just as long as I make it clear to the shiny happy Facebook world that it isn’t always easy! Congrats to you on 24 weeks! I’m thinking it’s probably prudent that I wait to announce until around that time frame.
I may use Emily’s third suggestion. 🙂 Hilarious.
Do you have an iPhone? I use the app “over” for writing and “afterlight” for edits. I also use “pic stitch” for collage pics. GL! 🙂
And congrats on girl!
Oh Steph!
I have been following your struggles and I am SO totally thrilled for you! The acupuncturist in me just wants to remind you to continue to think positive, get lots of sleep, listen to yourself, eat warm & nourishing foods and keep your feet warm 🙂
Huge congrats on the girl news too! That’s amazing!!! But even if it does turn out to be boy, it doesn’t matter, I promise! I really, REALLY wanted a girl, got a boy and am SO in love with him, I want more boys now, lol!
As for pics, there are literally thousands of great & easy to use apps out there, but I def think the best app for adding text to pics is phonto. It has the most fonts, it’s my go-to and keeps resolution high. I also like “a beautiful mess”- super cute/creative… I have dozens of apps, but like those a lot. Camera + is a good app too.
I’ll be sending you good thought and prayers for you and baby girl!
Xo, Megan C-S <3
Awe thanks Meg! Nice hearing from you!!!!
AAAGGGGHHH! a GIRL! congratulations, my friend. that is so so exciting. i can’t believe you’ve already found out. i thought i might have seen a penis in one of my ultrasound pics from last week, but it also might have not been a penis. who knows. i was so busy staring at fingers and toes and profiles that i didn’t really look closely for genitalia. we’re still not sure we’re going to find out, but when i read things like this, it makes me waver.
also, look at you in yellow! caaUTE.
DYING for your next update! Get writing Lentil – the world wants to hear all about those little beebies!
Yay! A girl! I’ve only ever seen pregnancy announcements that allude to infertility when people post them on their blogs, but they’re generally along the lines of Emily’s suggestions. I haven’t made a huge facebook announcement, but I did send a private message to family and friends where I flat-out said we did IVF. Twice. I think anything you come up with will be creative and just right!
Yeah I’ve told close family and friends, but after years of seeing those precious (annoying!) announcements I do kind of feel like it’s my turn to let he world know “we did it” but not without struggle. I get so sick of the glossy fb world and feel it’s my duty to slip some reality in there. 🙂
For the record–I guessed GIRL! Congratulations to you + Merp!
Wow! Congrats, friend! Little girls are so much fun. I definitely mentioned my own infertility struggle when I made a FB announcement and I think it’s a lovely way to acknowledge your journey and also to be gentle to those who are still in the trenches. I don’t have any great creative ideas to offer, but I know you’ll come up with something clever. And really? If you just speak from your heart (cheesy, right?!), it will be perfect.
Awe thanks! I’m working on my “announcement” as we speak. I think I’m going to let myself revel in it. Two years later, a miscarriage, a surgery, a bank account flushed down the toilet due to acupuncture, herbs, and injections, no drinking, no caffeine, etc. etc. I’ve earned the right to gloat for a minute!
Congrats on the girl!!!! So exciting! Now you can really start bonding 🙂
About the FB announcement, I really don’t have any advice as I didn’t go through the struggle with infertility, but all I can say is do what feels right to you (that sounds like cop-out advice doesn’t it?). As in – if its important for you to share with people on FB to get their support (It’s really fun), then do it. But as it’s also important to acknowledge infertility and its cost, then do that too. Do it in your style.
For sure! I’m excited and want the world to know! I also want to give a shout out to my sisters still in the trenches.
A girl! Congratulations so pleased for you.
🙂 awe thanks!
Congratulations!!!! Girls are the best! Xoxo
Congratulations! The first comment hit the nail right on the head. I want to do something similar when/if I ever get to announce on Facebook. Just a little nod towards those still struggling to help them keep the faith.
It would feel wrong not to!
Congratulations on baby girl, yayyy! I know we’ve all got our own opinions on the FB announcements… although I hate seeing them and they’ve done nothing but make me cry the past couple years, this is the way I look at it… after all we’ve been through we definitely deserve to have that moment too! If I ever get to that point, I definitely plan on doing one and just like you said, making it very obvious that it was a long, hard road to get there. I have the (kinda cheesy) idea of doing a video where I hold up cue cards that I’ve scripted, talking about how hard and painful the past years have been and what all we’ve been through, while a song that’s called “While I’m Waiting” plays. Then end with a photo announcement – most likely with my dog – as you said, always my first child! I’m sure whatever you decide to do will be perfect, can’t wait to see what you come up with!
BB – I will not steal your amazing video idea (because 1. I have too much respect for you and 2. I am horrible with video editing), but I must say it is totally perfect! Also, I have all the faith in the world that you will be pregnant and puking again in no time.
So happy to hear you’re having a girl (I just found out I am too!), and especially that the test was negative for all trisomies. Such happy news!!!
I actually really love Emily’s idea– Infertility is a bitch, but look what I got out of it! Ha ha. Funny and true.
I wrote a blog post recently about the Facebook dilemma, and got lots of great opinions, suggestions, and perspectives from people. Ultimately, do what feels right to you.
I’m headed over to your blog now about the Facebook dilemma. Can’t wait to read more!
Thrilled that we are both having girls! I’m so excited I can hardly stand it.
sumopaint is an online program that’s pretty useful, similar in layout to photoshop, otherwise smartphone apps are always a great way to go. Congratulations on a little girl, such exciting news!
Oooo cool! I will check it out!
Hi Steph! It’s Rebekah. We met at JP and Jaya’s engagement party. I had the most wonderful and memorable time meeting you. You were such a breath of fresh air:-). I just wanted to say I’m so happy for you and your hubby. After we met and I heard your story, I immediately searched for your blog and followed you. How exciting to find out you’re having a girl!! I continue to send you positive energy for this journey of yours. Best,
Rebekah
Hello my dear! How are you!!!!? What happened with your pregnancy? Feel free to find me on facebook and add me as a friend – Steph Mignon is my name there too.
I saw your post that you’re already nominated, but too bad! I’m still nominating you!
Hello friend! I nominated you for a “Sunshine Award”:
http://mylifeasacasestudy.wordpress.com/2013/10/28/sunshine-awards-nominations/
The rules are that you should answer my questions and then pass the award along to 10 (or however many) bloggers who have not already received it, with a link to my blog (for nominating you) and a link to their blogs, and 10 questions for your nominees to answer, and include the ‘Sunshine Award’ icon in the post.
Congrats on the girl!! I didn’t realize you could find out that early? Awesome!