Reflections, An Award and a Virtual Baby Shower

Thank you to all who participated in National Infertility Awareness Week. I've been enjoying reading all the posts floating out there. You can continue reading and supporting other Bust A Myth Blog Submissions at any time, click here.

Although this was not an Australian event, I felt compelled to submit my slice for this amazing and supportive community. Thank you to the bleeps who also made the effort and commented on my post. I must say that my head grows a few inches when comments to me are so full of praise and encouragement. However, I would love to know from bleeps who have not experienced IF what your thoughts and opinions are regarding my post or others you have read. It will be interesting to learn whether any myths were busted or what your take is on this community.

I wanted to also add that the last paragraph written Really. Did. Happen. The couple (of all people) are my brother in law and his wife. 2 people who were very aware of my infertility struggle and miscarriage. In fact, their third child was born the same day of my miscarriage which they ignored when they broadcasted the birth to us. Insensitive and careless arseholes.

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I'm also very blessed and humbled. 5 inspiring and talented bloggers have awarded me with this Award:

Thank you to Tee from InfertiliTEE, New Year Mum from A Year On... Our New Beginning (Hopefully), Ants from Making Baby Giraffes, C from As Good As It Gets? and Pursuing Parenthood. Please check out their blogs for they provide me with some valuable support and inspiration.

Sorry I've been slack in acknowledging this award sooner. I've been in a rut and can't even begin to think of something useful, let alone as the rules state, 7 things about me. However, here's something interesting about me. I'm a Pisces and this summarises me perfectly:

"Pisceans possess a gentle, patient, malleable nature. They have many generous qualities and are friendly, good natured, kind and compassionate, sensitive to the feelings of those around them, and respond with the utmost sympathy and tact to any suffering they encounter. They are deservedly popular with all kinds of people, partly because their easygoing, affectionate natures offer no threat or challenge to stronger and more exuberant characters. They accept the people around them and the circumstances in which they find themselves rather than trying to adapt them to suit themselves. They are more readily concerned with the problems of others than with their own."

Fucking oath. That's me.

Consequently, I award those on my Top Blogs list rather than choosing 10 blogs or is it 15 or 25? Check the side bar. Yeah yeah, lazy arse slacker that I am. Boo Fucking Hoo. "I vow to be a better blogger when I displace the proverbial stick out of my bum."

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Now lets get to the best part of this blog post.

My super gorgeous and super special virtual friend Haidee from Maybe Baby... (or Maybe the Loony Bin?) is expecting her first child. A fellow IFer who experienced 3 years of infertility and 3 cycles of IVF will finally welcome her son in July 2011. I first met Haidee on an online forum a few years ago. I was already a veteran at trying to conceive. She was starting out. Our differences connected us, but as a result we now share similar experiences. I see her as a true friend. Compassionate, supportive, caring and non-judgemental. One day I will finally meet and visit her and her baby in New Zealand. One day...

I am proud and honoured to host her Virtual Baby Shower.

This is how it's going to work. Please read the following if you have also linked in from Haidee's blog and would like to participate:

1. Email me at babyshowerhost@hotmail.com and let me know that you are participating/RSVPing to the event. Put "Haidee's Virtual Baby Shower" in the subject section. You have 2 weeks to do so. Deadline is the 16th May (AEST). Please provide your blog link only and any questions you may have.

2. Pick a gift, any special gift(s) you would love to give to Haidee. It could be a picture/photo of an item of baby clothing from your favourite store, a photo/recipe of food or sweets you would put on the buffet table for us to share, or something completely unique for either baby or Haidee. Be as creative as you like.

3. On the 19th May (AEST) I will paste all your blog links on my blog. This will allow Haidee to let loose and link/explore/receive her gifts at her leisure. Please have your blog post available on this date dedicating it to Haidee for her Virtual Baby Shower. Please also take the time to visit these blogs and have a gander at what everyone else has given.

If you do not have a blog, I am happy to host it for you along with mine. Please let me know by email.

That's All Folks.

Looking forward to hosting this for a beautiful person. I can't wait to see all the gifts! (Excuse the mess when you come over. The Boy has taken to yoghurt drawings on the walls)