Come on get happy!

KH826

Alright, so it has been a tough time around here for a number of us lately. A lot of us are feeling highly emotional, maybe even raw, and perhaps worn out for various different reasons. The common thread seems to be that this lovely little group has collectively been experiencing some difficult times as of late....

Well, let's see what we can do to be there for each other, and remind ourselves what we have to be happy and thankful for right now. I would love for this to be a thread of positivity and support...

So, in the spirit of Thanksgiving (for the Americans on the board!) next week, I am issuing a special challenge to my friends here:

1. Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.)

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile!

KH826

I will start, since this was my silly idea!

1. Today I am thankful that I had a relatively decent night's sleep last night. Not something I have been having a lot of lately. This month I am thankful that I have successfully completed the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and that I will be entering the second trimester at the end of the month. This year, I am thankful for my wife and for our collective family. We have had a lot of loss over the last 18 months (over 6 family members between our two families), we have also dealt with the seemingly increasing likelihood that we will lose my brother, and we have had a long series of financial expenses over the last 6-10 months that have seriously depleated our savings. It hasn't been an easy year. I am thankful that my wife and I are strong in our relationship and have been there to support each other through the ups and downs that life has thrown our way.

2. I am most looking forward to December 23rd. That is our next OB visit, and hopefully the day we find out the sex of the baby. My wife and I will both be officially on our holiday vacation by that day. We have planned a nice breakfast in the city, followed by our appointment, and then we will be driving to Boston later that day to spend Christmas with my family. I am very much looking forward to all of it.

3. Last night my wife called her god mother to tell her that we are pregnant. Her god mother is her mother's first cousin, and we all call her Aunt. We were planning to tell her on Thanksgiving, but we found out that she won't be able to make it to Thanksgiving this year (she lives in FL). She was so incredibly happy for us and said the sweetest things. She also wants us to tell her as soon as we know when a baby shower will be, because she wants to be sure she plans her spring trip up to PA around our shower. It was just so nice to hear the genuine excitement in her voice, and it reminded me that we have a lot of people that love and support us. Those are the people that matter.

4. There are SO many people that I admire, respect, and would be honored to call my IRL friends, so this is really hard to just pick one (I know, I know... I came up with the question! HAHA)... So I am going to go with @2mamazinseattle. You are such a smart, strong, thoughtful, unique person. There is so much "you" in everything that you have to say on this board, and I respect and appreciate that. I respect your opinions, and I respect the way that you articulate them here. I also respect that you are a strong career woman, but that you always have your eye on trying to find the elusive work-life balance. Overall, I just think you rock, and I am glad to "know" you! 

5. This is a PIP of our dog Reese the day we brought her home. She was 8 weeks old and only weighed 2 lbs. Honestly, other than this baby I am currently growing in my belly, Reese is the best thing that my wife and I have ever done together. Getting that dog has changed our lives, and she is just the bestest! I could gush for hours, honestly... Looking at pics of her when she was a "baby puppy" just warms my heart every time. I can't believe we have had her almost 5 years...  

YBnormal85

Great idea!!

1. I am most thankful for a wonderful wife, and for the wonderful life we have made together.

2. I am looking forward to spending the holidays with our families, especially my little neice Tinleigh, it's her first Christmas!

3. My recent happy moment was when I called my grandparents yesterday to see if they wanted to get lunch. This is something I very rarely do..anyways my grandfather asked how I have been feeling.I was very happy he was acknowledging the fact that I am pregnant as I was unsure how that side of the family would be taking the news. Sometimes they just ignore things that they don't accept..so I was happy he asked

4.I'm not sure I can pick only one person. I am just grateful for this board as a whole..and even mentioned it on my Facebook as one of my thankful statuses this month

5.My beautiful neice Tinleigh

YBnormal85

@KH dec 23 is a wonderful day..my wife's birthday! Seems like a great day for such an exciting appointment for you two!

trisholio

KH826 for starting this thread

1. Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...

First and foremost I am thankful for my wonderful wife.  She is my rock.  There are days when she drives me up the wall, but I remind myself that she is my world.  She always makes me laugh and our friends comment regularly that we are such a great couple.  We compliment each others strengths and weakness.  We had neighbors over last night and talking about hearing noises thru the walls and both of our neighbors said they hear us laughing the most.  That made me so happy.  We do laugh alot :-)  I am also thankful for my friends.  They are my chosen family and keep me sane.

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year

I am looking forward to our "Friendsgiving" celebration this Friday and also hanging out with @firstcomeslove and @doodah on Sunday.  We are going to partake in some good wine because we can ;-)

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile

I want to share a little bit of a bittersweet moment last Friday.  My wife ended up staying home with me and I was babysitting the little 7 month old little boy.  My wife had tried to get him to sleep and he was fighting it.  I took him, snuggled him and put him right to sleep.  My wife calls me the baby whisperer because I am great at putting babies to sleep.  My wife looked at me with so much love in her eyes and said "you are going to be an amazing mother" I immediately started crying.  I let myself cry while holding the baby and my wife was holding me.  It was a little sad because we want a baby so bad, but it was such a sweet moment because my wife believes in me and it made me feel like I can do anything.  

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.)

This is so hard because there are so many amazing people on this board.  I really don't think I can pick just one.  There have been so many folks that have taught me so much, been so supportive and others that always make me smile.

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile! 

Here is a picture of my wife's little sister and our furbabies.  They tolerate her laying on them, pulling at them and chasing them non stop.  I have many pictures of them all cuddling but this is one of my favorites.  I hope it makes you smile

ball.and.chain

@KH826, I don't think this is a silly idea at all -- I think it's a great one.

1. Today I am most thankful for the fact that I am not having any spotting. This month I am most thankful for this pregnancy, even though I am not yet confident it is going to stick around. This year I am most thankful for my wife, who has held my hand through all the shit, and for the people on this board who have provided support in some of my best and worst moments.

2. This is tricky because it is contingent on things going well. If I don't end up getting an ultrasound this week, I will definitely have one next week; I will also probably get one at or around the time of my first OB appointment. If this pregnancy stays viable and healthy, I am really looking forward to seeing a healthy baby on the screen. It is also possible I will get prenatal testing results by the end of the year, and if those are good, I look forward to that too. On the other hand, those could all be negative experiences and I'm not ready to assume they won't be. So, I will go with our holiday party with our friends, which I hope to enjoy regardless of the status of my pregnancy.

3. When we got our cat, I bought her a nice plush kitty bed, which she rejected in favor of an old bath mat in the corner of our bedroom. Last night we were starting to fall asleep and heard a thumping sound. We turned on the lamp and found the cat lying on her side, hugging the bath mat to her body and kicking it repeatedly with her back feet (what we call "bunny-kicking," which she does to anything she is playing with: a toy, a tennis ball, our feet). It was pretty funny.

4. This morning I was texting with @2MamazinSeattle about scheduling an ultrasound this week, and how I don't think my wife is going to be able to come (it's a crazy work week for her, which is why we originally scheduled it for next week). Of course 2Mamaz said, "If I was there, I would go in a second!" and I know she would. Also, since I can't pick just one, @herbabymama always tells me that I am brave and she admires me, and it makes me feel like I am stronger than I think I am! It always gives me a boost.

5. I am going to PIP a goofy picture of our kitty when I get home, but it's too hard to do on mobile!

ATXmommas

1. Today I am thankful that it is the last day of work before baby comes (and a half day at that!). I am also thankful that I am feeling good both physically and emotionally and at least for today am at peace with going beyond my due date.

2. Looking forward to LO being in our arms! We are so eager to meet him and learning how to be moms to a baby on the outside.

3. I've has lots of reasons to smile lately. Last night Z and I giggled a lot. After her panic attack in the morning, Z reached out to her doula. The doula sent her a link to an audio file with relaxation techniques we could do together. We started playing it and saw that it was 30 minutes long and the woman's voice was so dry. We just looked at each other, like, seriously are we going to spend the next half hour doing this? Which made us both giggle. Not knocking relaxation techniques - I live for my yoga classes right now! But, this particular method was sooo not us and the fact that it made us laugh was relaxation enough. Really, though, my wife is such a nut and makes me smile and laugh all the time!

4. I too could rave about so many people, but can I say that @KH826 seems to me to be an incredibly sensitive and thoughtful person. Always looking out for other people and sending supportive and encouraging words to those who need them. I wish she gave herself as much credit as she gives to other people.

5. I'll follow KH and share pics of our first meeting with Bama 4.5 years ago. As y'all are probably well aware, Z and I are obsessed with our Bama boo. She's just the best dog ever.

StacyLH24

1. Today I am thankful for having a new and improved uterus! This month I am thankful for all the love and support we receive from my family and C's family. I feel very blessed that both are accepting and love us both very much. This year I am thankful for my wife. She is my best buddy. We are inseparable, which sometimes creates bickering, but I miss her a lot when we aren't together.

2. I am most looking forward to my follow up appointment with our RE and getting the official green light for our fourth IUI. I have such a renewed hope in this process. When C told me about the septum and that it was fixed, I was so excited. Even while all drugged up. I made her give me a high five for baby making. I know it still may be a long road ahead of us, but at least now I actually have a chance.

3. My boss is so supportive of this whole process. I texted her this morning and gave her the low down on the outcome of the surgery. I told her I felt like a new woman with my fixed uterus. She responded by saying basically that it was like I was one of those rich ladies who goes in for a new and improved vag. C and I both laughed at that.

4. I agree that it is difficult to pick just one person. I have a few folks who I admire very much here for many different reasons. My first thought though was @ball.and.chain. You have been through so much and seem very strong. You aren't afraid of being honest, but do it in a way that is never harsh nor ungrateful. You are an inspiration to me. I am pulling very hard for you to have a healthy and successful pregnancy that results in a happy and healthy baby!

5. I was going to save this for tomorrow, but I will post it now. Not the most flattering picture, but this was right after my family was allowed to see me after surgery. Shortly after this, I wasn't feeling so well. This was one of my super excited moments about my new ute...also still heavily drugged

newmompeanut

1. Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...

I am most thankful for my family.  Just recently I realized how important my family is to me.  I know I'm a bit late in this realization, being that I'm 25, but I'm hoping to make the most of it now that I realize it.  B, my girlfriend, is nothing short of amazing.  I can always count on her for anything.  I love just being around her. N can always make me smile.  Whenever I'm having a terrible day I know that seeing N will immediately turn my day around.  N is always smiley and happy to see me and that's the best thing in the world. 

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year

B and I are hosting Thanksgiving in our new house the weekend after Thanksgiving.  Both our families will be together and be able to get to know each other even more.

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile

B and I took N to the mall for pjs with Santa and R, N's dad, met us there.  R is REALLY into Batman.  The night before B and I were walking around WalMart getting groceries and B spotted some Batman pjs and put them in the cart for N to wear to pjs with Santa as a surprise for R.  It was really special that B was thinking about R and did something just for him. 

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.)

There's so many people on the board that I think I could be friends with IRL.  I really love that most of the "veterans" know everyone's story and can keep the stories straight.  They all seem to comment and specifically address each one of us.

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile! 

This is at the end of the pjs with Santa night.  Both B and R chose to sit down together and feed N her bottle.  I NEVER thought I'd see the day where they were both in the same room, and definitely not sitting next to each other, talking, and smiling.

doodah1013

1. Today- I am thankful that my boss isn't at work, so that I don't have to put on a happy face.  I am also thankful that my wife is making her special low-fat "KFC" recipe chicken for dinner with mashed cauliflower.

This week- I am so thankful for this board and everyone who listened to my rant yesterday and offered their support.

This month- I am thankful to get to see my parents for Thanksgiving, because we haven't seen them since September.

2. I am looking forward to my birthday... the big 3-0.  I just know 30 is going to be better than 29.... and I think A has a really special party planned, because she won't tell me anything about it.  I love surprises, so I am usually coming up with my own ideas of the best way to surprise myself, but no one has ever been able to actually surprise me with much... so we shall see

3. Yesterday, I went for an 8 mile run.  I haven't run in 3 weeks, and 8 miles is a long way.  I wanted to run long enough that the physical pain would overtake the emotional pain if just for a little bit.  By the end of the run, the sun had gone down.  A picked me up in the park, and I told her I wanted to come home and take a bath....  she said she wished we could share the bathtub (it is really tiny and not even very comfortable for one).  Then we hatched this ridiculous idea to go to the gym and use the post-work out Jacuzzi.  It made A smile so much, and I knew in that moment that things were going to be okay.

4. I gotta give some love to @ATXMommas!  Always so ready to say something positive for someone else, and seems very humble.  Although she wasn't on the board for her TTC journey, I felt like she was very sensitive to many people's struggles, and it always willing to open up and talk about the things she has been though.  Also, gotta keep some love amongst runners, right?

5. Okay... Here is my picture.... This is me and my father dancing at our wedding.  So there is that whole "Daddy/Daughter dance" thing that happens at a wedding, and since I have never really been my Dad's "Daughter", when it came time for this is was SOOOO ridiculous.  My Dad was like, "Are you supposed to lead, or am I?" and I was like lets just dance like idiots until the song is over.  So we did.... This is him doing an airplane move, I guess.  We laughed the entire time. 

trisholio

. 3. My boss is so supportive of this whole process. I texted her this morning and gave her the low down on the outcome of the surgery. I told her I felt like a new woman with my fixed uterus. She responded by saying basically that it was like I was one of those rich ladies who goes in for a new and improved vag. C and I both laughed at that. 

Not a lot of people know that we are ttc, so the day of my surgery my wife posted on facebook asking for prayers and such.  I told her if people asked what surgery I was having to tell them I was having vaginal rejuvenation, haha.  Then when the nurse came in to bring me to the operating room she verified the surgery I was having and I said "uh no, i thought i was having a vaginal rejuvenation!"  both of the nurses died laughing and asked if that was a real thing, lol  I am so glad that you two can laugh thru a hard time too :-)

doodah1013

@KH826.... What a great idea.  I needed this... and I am sure many others did as well... 

Also this:

@herbabymama

"I also want to acknowledge all the new people that are joining and so excited to be trying to get pregnant. It is bittersweet for me to read those messages, because I remember the initial excitement and enthusiasm of "we are trying!" and it is such a huge step. I didn't know what a long road it would be for me (failed IUIs, loss, surgery, then IVF) and even though I'm reaching the finish line with my pregnancy I can't forget how hard it was to get here. I feel for all of you that are struggling and my heart is warmed by those who are truly excited and enamored with the idea of creating life. It just seems to take what it takes, and some paths are easier than others. I'm just glad to have others to share this journey with :-)"

 

Good call.  I think sometimes us TTC-ers feel like when people "graduate" to pregnancy, they forget about us.  Now I know that isn't true (its just a normal human jealousy reaction)!  Of course its not, but I like it when you preggers reflect on your own process.  Makes me thing that MAYBE one day I will be there in your shoes.  I am more worried about what will happen when all of our November people will start having their beebs!   Watching your journeys from beginning to end has been amazing... and it feels like the end of an era.

firstcomeslove2013

@KH826 what a wonderful idea. You are so thoughful and sweet. After this week, I could really use it.

1. Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...
Today- I am most thankful for this board. Everyone is so supportive and wonderful. I am so thankfulfor the support and love that I feel when I come on here.
This Month- I am thankful for a supportive and wonderful family. I feel so lucky to have a supportive group of people behind us. Our families are not all "in the know" when it comes to our TTC process but they are so wonderful and we love them so much.
This year- I am thankful for my love, C. We have such a a dynamic relationship and I feel so blessed and lucky to have what we do. We struggle with our TTC process but it makes us stronger. 

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year- Family and the holidays and seeing friends! We have a lot to be thankful for, so I need to remember that. I am also looking forward to finishing my ornament for my elf buddy! C and I came up with an awesome idea and I am really (and a little embarassingly) excited!!!

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile: My niece makes me smile everyday. C recently taught her to sign "I love you" (not actual sign but to cross her arms over her chest). She makes me laugh and she's so silly. Watching her use her "I love you" sign makes smile.

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.)There are so many people on this board that I often think "I wish we were real friends"...if I had to pick someone it would be @Healz and @Manada (they are two people but I would pick both of them). I feel like they are so supportive of each other and others on the board. They are funny and so darn cute...hope this little swoon doesn't make me seem creepy.

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile! This is me and the little one that makes me smile!

shelly2314

I love this...Great idea!

1. Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year... I have a lot to be thankful for. I have an amazing wife, wonderful family, and fantastic friends. M and I have stable jobs that afford us time to spend with each other and to do the things we want. Today I am thankful for the fact that we have the week of next week for Thanksgiving Break! This month I am thankful for the chance to create a new life

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year I am looking forward (hoping, wishing, praying) to be able to tell my family that I am pregnant.

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile When I got home from work today my boxer, Maddox, was so happy to see me they were dancing around the room. It made me giggle

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.) I do not have just one person. You all are amazing and wonderful!

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile! I so would do this if I could figure it out.

 

shelly2314

Wow...I was finally able to do the PIP

ball.and.chain

@ATXMommas called me out for not posting this like promised so here you go...this is June getting up in my phone's business.  I laugh every time I look at it.

Jazibel

@KH826 thanks for thinking of us (as you always do!!) What a great idea :-)

1. Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...

Today - This board, just read @ATXmommas birth post with her beautiful family photo and it just reminds me how amazing this journey is, however windy and crooked the road.  It makes me grateful to be able to share it with everyone on this board.

Month - My family. I love my mom and I appreciate that I've reached a place in my life (from their perspective) where they don't question or seem to visibly judge the decisions EV and I make.  I feel like a real adult :-)

Year - Hands Down my own immediate family.  EV & K are the center of my life. I love them so much. When we're all together is when we're at our best, when K's happiest, when I think we are all happiest. I look forward to long years of life with these individuals and I'm excited to meet our second son next Spring.

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year

EV and I being on school break. Hopefully having successfully completed our classes and ready to rest, relax and have fun for a few weeks. I miss family time and look forward to the holidays, and the various activities surrounding the holidays this year.

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile.

Every night before putting K to bed we run over to where EV (his "Aya") is sitting to get a good night kiss. Tonight he was extra snuggly and giving lots of hugs and kisses to his Aya, and then stuck his tongue out and was licking her face. So funny. I grabbed the camera to make a video.  I love that EV and K love each other so much.

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them
There are seriously too many awesome people for me too pick. Everyone who has been selected so far would be on my list, and I'd throw in some of the newbies whom I can tell will be a great part of this community :-)  I've been around here for a while sometimes more active than others. (I took a mental space break after my loss, and later when I had a newborn).  But every time I've reconnected its been amazing, and I am so grateful to have meet so many wonderful people on this board, including those that have moved on. 

Photo:  This is from a while back (maybe last fall/winter?)  But seriously this is how we spend our weekend nights now (except our toddler is running around - we're still on the couch)  ;-)

2MamazInSeattle

I know I'm late but I wanted to play too!

1.Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...

Today - that it's Friday and I'm having a little getaway this weekend!

This month - that J's newest coffeeshop is really picking up and she is less stressed.

This year - Most definitely grateful for the baby we lost. I was so crazy in love with him and though we only had him until 16w, and losing him was awful, it was still a gift that I had him for as long as I did, that I got and stayed pregnant, and had the experience of a little being in my belly. I'm also grateful we could and did get married - but baby was a bigger deal, we both agree on that.

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year

I am excited to do our FET on 12/5 - if it works, I'll be so happy! If it doesn't, we are doing another cycle and I'll be excited to go shopping for eggs and sperm. I do love to shop .

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile

I posted this on the "how we met" thread - but J suggested for Christmas we donate to get a tile in the new KEXP radio station location and she wants to put a quote on it that is a line from a song we both love, that she texted to me after our 3rd date. It was how I knew she really was into me. And once in a while she will still text that to me now... "Then I'll dig a tunnel from my window to yours" - so we are getting the tile for each other for Christmas, helping something that we think is soooo important to the world (music saved both of us as teens who were not in the happiest of places). Yay!

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.)

Oh how do I pick just one? I heart @ball.and.chain, it goes without saying she is my people! Further, I dig @herbabymama and am a fan of @manada and @healz413 and secretly stalk a few others of you too, including @KH826, @doodah1013 and @firstcomeslove2013. Oh and @trisholio. I wish we could all meet IRL!!

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile!

I'm PIP-less atm.

trisholio

2MamazInSeattle said:

I know I'm late but I wanted to play too!

1.Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...

Today - that it's Friday and I'm having a little getaway this weekend!

This month - that J's newest coffeeshop is really picking up and she is less stressed.

This year - Most definitely grateful for the baby we lost. I was so crazy in love with him and though we only had him until 16w, and losing him was awful, it was still a gift that I had him for as long as I did, that I got and stayed pregnant, and had the experience of a little being in my belly. I'm also grateful we could and did get married - but baby was a bigger deal, we both agree on that.

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year

I am excited to do our FET on 12/5 - if it works, I'll be so happy! If it doesn't, we are doing another cycle and I'll be excited to go shopping for eggs and sperm. I do love to shop .

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile

I posted this on the "how we met" thread - but J suggested for Christmas we donate to get a tile in the new KEXP radio station location and she wants to put a quote on it that is a line from a song we both love, that she texted to me after our 3rd date. It was how I knew she really was into me. And once in a while she will still text that to me now... "Then I'll dig a tunnel from my window to yours" - so we are getting the tile for each other for Christmas, helping something that we think is soooo important to the world (music saved both of us as teens who were not in the happiest of places). Yay!

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.)

Oh how do I pick just one? I heart @ball.and.chain, it goes without saying she is my people! Further, I dig @herbabymama and am a fan of @manada and @healz413 and secretly stalk a few others of you too, including @KH826, @doodah1013 and @firstcomeslove2013. Oh and @trisholio. I wish we could all meet IRL!!

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile!

I'm PIP-less atm.

2MamazInSeattle.  Just come to Columbus, Ohio and you could see me, @doodah1013, @firstcomeslove2013 all at once!  We are having a "wine party/we aren't knocked up" gathering on Sunday.  You are def invited! :-)

2MamazInSeattle

@Trisholio, unless you can road trip to NYC (where I will be on Sunday) I have to regretfully decline - but - I grew up just over in the border in PA, and so maybe next time I go back east for family time we could have a Cleveland area meet-up (meet 1/2 way ish)! Hopefully we'll all be pregnant and can have a sparking water party instead.

trisholio

2MamazInSeattle said:

@Trisholio, unless you can road trip to NYC (where I will be on Sunday) I have to regretfully decline - but - I grew up just over in the border in PA, and so maybe next time I go back east for family time we could have a Cleveland area meet-up (meet 1/2 way ish)! Hopefully we'll all be pregnant and can have a sparking water party instead.

That sounds awesome!!!

doodah1013

trisholio said:

2MamazInSeattle said:

@Trisholio, unless you can road trip to NYC (where I will be on Sunday) I have to regretfully decline - but - I grew up just over in the border in PA, and so maybe next time I go back east for family time we could have a Cleveland area meet-up (meet 1/2 way ish)! Hopefully we'll all be pregnant and can have a sparking water party instead.

That sounds awesome!!!

We are so doing that.... A's family is from Akron so we are up there all the time anyway. The great Cleveland meet-up!

healz413

Maybe we could invite ourselves from Toronto to the Cleveland meet up too

2MamazInSeattle

healz413 said:

Maybe we could invite ourselves from Toronto to the Cleveland meet up too

Oh my i had always hoped for a IRL Bump Vaca - but Cleveland hadn't been my first choice. Alas. Hehe - and of course if we did that, you two would HAVE to make the trip!!

CageyMack

1. Tell us what you are most thankful for today, this month, this year...

Today, I am thankful that our older child overcame her fever and returned to school and that the baby has not yet contracted the fever--touch wood!  This month, I am most thankful for amazing friends--they are making work bearable.  This year?  Oh, moon and stars, our new son.  That and my wonderful marriage. 

2. Tell us one positive thing that you are most looking forward to between now and the end of the year.

Visiting our home state!  We get to be there for two weeks!  Amazing.  I am beyond thrilled!

3. Share with us a recent happy moment that made you smile. 

Watching my wife and son exchange super-belly laughs.  They cracked me up while they cracked each other up!

4. Please select one other person on this board and say something nice about them (something you respect, something that makes you laugh or smile, something that makes you wish you were friends with this person IRL, etc.)

I have to agree with some of the other ladies that all of us here help make the community what it is--hard to single out one person!

5. Share a PIP with us that warms your heart and will make us all smile! 

The pic is one that shows how little respect the baby gives to his furniture.  He also likes to flip the whole thing over.  Pretty much down with that Neglect-O-Matic!