It’s been five whole years since this thing began, and this is the first year I’ve remembered to mark the anniversary!
It started in such a bad place, just after my first miscarriage, when I was in the thick of panic that I would never be able to have children. Amazing how things turned out. I sure feel lucky.
So many of my bloggy friends who were there in the beginning have moved on, but a special shout-out to those who have been with me from the beginning and who are still writing (or at least whose blogs remain extant, ahem): Day, the woman formerly known as BrooklynGirl, Twirl, Jo, Mandy, Alyssa, and Sara. Thanks to old friends and to those who’ve joined along the way for coming along for the ride, and for the steady stream of support over the years. I couldn’t have made it without you.
And if you are looking for the perfect blogoversary gift, leave a comment and tell me why you read. I’m not fishing for compliments, but rather looking for feedback as, like many of my bloggy friends, I am sometimes struggling to figure out what to say lately. If you have questions or topics you’d be interested in having me address, please leave those, too!
Why do I read? I think because if I knew you IRL, we would be friends. It is fun to catch up on what is going on with you. I don’t think you have lost any….zip in your writing post- infertility drama, like some bloggers have. Maybe because it never felt like an infertility blog, but more about your life and infertility was part of it?
Congrats on the anniversary : )
I really enjoy the scope of the topics you write about…it’s fun to hear about your daily family life, but you also write about women in the workplace and infertility issues. Thanks for sharing with us and happy five year anniversary!
When I stumbled across your blog, it was soon after your first miscarriage. At that time in my life I’d never been pregnant and was blissfully enjoying “DINK” (dual-income-no-kids) life with my husband. Somehow your story and wit were what hooked me, so I kept reading. And, I rejoiced along with you when Gatito arrived.
Then. I miscarried. And then again after that. Experiences that I’d never really understood before that now changed my life so much. So then I re-read your archived miscarriage posts and that helped a little bit, knowing my crazed thoughts and fears were actually pretty common among the miscarriage sisterhood. And now? We have a lovely, clever 1 year old boy.
I continue to read your blog because I feel I know a piece of your lives, and it’s just kinda fascinating to see how families cycle through various life events – good and bad. I enjoy the Gatito anecdotes, the thoughts on adjusting to your growing family , typical parental concerns about child behavior, peer issues, etc.
Generally, I think that transparency normalizes so much for others. So I like it when other people share their day-to-day stuff…. These are the things that life is made up of, no?
I always enjoy your posts. Thanks for sharing a part of your life for these past 5 years.
Wow, I can’t imagine reading this stuff before I had kids… And I’m sorry that we eventually came to have the miscarriage stuff in common. But thanks for reading!
I read your blog because I’m interested in how you handle the work/life balance of kids and a two-career family. Also, you’re an interesting and entertaining writer!
I originally starting to read ’cause your life and mine had a lot of similarities (back in the IF days, LOL) and then, when life took us each along for a ride, I found we still had similarities. Plus, it’s nice to read about another mom balancing life, work, and parenting–it’s a full basket we carry and the eggs inside it are each special
And the last reason why I read? ‘Cause you’re awesome, plain and simple!
Awwww!
I read because you were one of the first blogs I stumbled upon when dealing with my miscarriage/infertility drama. There are only a handful of blogs I still read from that time, mostly because they have all shut it down or have moved on, but I feel like you and I have some similiarities that go beyond our experiences with conception. I also truly love reading someone’s approach to motherhood who is not afraid to “say it like it is”. You have a “raw”ness to your writing – does that make sense? It is very much a good thing.
Happy Anniversary!
I think I started reading because we were in a small group of mamas anxious and pregnant, for whatever reason. I totally related to you. Our lives have forked some time back, but I still enjoy your honest writing and your thoughts on things that pertinent to us all that you’re willing to share. I am invested in Sweet Gatito and feel like I know him after these years and want to hear about him and his successes. I think especially now that our lives are so different, I like to hear about your experiences with preschool, etc., and am looking forward to hearing about siblings. I probably found you through Kathy or Roxanne and just kept reading.
Happy Blogoversary!! Looking forward to many more years of being friends on the web!
I know, our lives really have gone different directions, haven’t they? Amazing how that happens. I’m glad you’re still here, though!
You know, and I forgot to add how I have appreciated your thoughtful responses, too, over the years. Especially in bleak times.
I’m glad I found you!
Oooh, last one, I forgot, I totally use your links all the time. I would be lost if you got rid of them. I love the blogs you link.
Happy Blogoversary! I read because you have interesting, thoughtful things to say about a big variety of topics. Our lives are pretty different, but I always enjoy hearing what you have to say!
I started reading because when my husband and I met I was 35 and he was 43, that was in 1986. He declared he did.not. want. children. because his childhood was so awful he didn’t think he could be a good dad. I wanted him thus my fate was sealed
I found your blog by happenstance. My heart went out to you. Then Gatito arrived and you took on a new life. You’re funny, intelligent, curious, willing to admit you need support and happy to accept any and all answers.
I get a delightful feeling from you, Julie and Julia what the experience is to be a real Mom by way of the 3 of you. I like that I get to add my 2 cents worth as a very seasoned babysitter and aunt. It helps soothe that ache that occasionally comes my way even though I’m 56 and have the good sense to know I would not make a great parent at this point in my life.
And OMG Gatito’s red hair, the hair I’ve always wanted. Irish/Italian I got the Irish skin and the Italian hair, bummer.
Happy blogoversary!
Oh, I just reread my post. Please excuse the sob sister attitude.
I’m really fine without kids, it let’s me be a more decadent aunt to my own niece and nephews but also to the ones I acquire from my friends. I’m blessed to be Auntie Cathy to many, many kids. I must admit though I miss being called Auntie Cakey, not cakie, Cakey.
And my husband is recovering from a VERY bad accident that resulted in a hip replacement AND the top of the bone below his knee rebuilt. I’m a BIT unsettled at present. And thus the catching up with reading.