Friday, May 24, 2013

A new day + a new life

Today's our anniversay. Number four, in fact. Four! Do you remember our anniversary last year? I flew away to New Orleans with my love to eat, drink, and be merry in one of our favorite cities. A year ago today I also confessed something close to my heart here, something buried and raw: our long struggle to conceive.

In so many ways it was a beginning, although I didn't know it at the time. The beginning of being more open about a problem so many couples experience yet so few discuss. The beginning to seeking more advanced treatment. The beginning to handling a new level of disappointment. The beginning of a new kind of dedication to having a family. A year later I'm more vulnerable, but I'm fuller, too.

The truth is, my heart is so full these days I feel like it might explode. It's time (once again) to let it all hang out.



(adventures in horrid office bathroom lighting!)
(omggetthatgirlahaircut)

It took us nearly three years and almost everything our doctors could think of, but today I'm 14 weeks pregnant with a little girl! It's surreal to see that in print, still. I'll share all the details soon - the how (unlike most pregnancy announcements, I suppose mine does warrant a "how"!), the ups and downs, and the now. But first, I have a date with an airplane headed once more to New Orleans, where my love and I will eat (oh yes), drink(ish), and be very, very merry.

I'm getting all teary writing this - the journey has just been so... much. For everyone reaading this who's still in the trenches, please know that you have an eternal sister in me. My path toward pregnancy changed me; it's absolutely a part of who I am today. No smug preggo here - just an eternally thankful one, without complaint and with a lot of humility and love. I wish I could hug each one of you in person, right in the trenches where you are. If I could lift you out myself, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

More soon. After the beignets and the shrimp etouffee.

xoxo

43 comments:

  1. OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG

    that's pretty much all I can say right now. SO HAPPY FOR YOU OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  2. P.S. A Thanksgiving baby!!! How fun! And how very, very appropriate.

    Squeee!!!!

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  3. Best news possible. One hundred million congratulations. And, I confess, I've suspected for close to a month now. Just something in your tone and the few snapshots.

    So happy to hear. You've made my day. I wish you and T. all the happiness in the the world.

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  4. I'm a lurker coming out of the woodwork to say I'm SO SO SO happy for you. What an amazing gift; enjoy it, mama!

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  5. YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY!!!! I am so happy for you. Ever since your post last year I've thought of you often and hoped you would post an announcement like this. Congratulations! Being on maternity leave over the holidays is the best!

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  6. So very happy for you! Congratulations!!

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  7. I don't think I've ever been so excited for an imaginary friend in my life. Congrats all around. I hope you're feeling well!
    XOXO

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  8. Oh, my. I can't tell you how happy I am for you! I'm glad you took us on your journey with you, and even gladder that it's ending (or really, beginning) in a happy place! Have fun in NOLA.

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  9. I just got chills reading your news. Congratulations!!!! I have had friends go through the same thing and I admire your strength and patience! What a lucky little girl to have y'all as parents!

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  10. MAGGIE!!! So so so happy for you and T. I got so teary as I was reading this to. Sending you enormous hugs from San Antonio.

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  11. I'm a long-time reader, never commented before but I've been waiting for this day for so long! I just knew it would happen for you and I am so THRILLED with this announcement! I'm due with my first in August, so now I can't wait to hear how you're feeling and to see you set up a nursery - I've loved watching your house and garden come together, too. Congratulations a thousand times over!

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  12. GOOSEBUMPS. AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Maggie, I have hoped and waited to hear this news for so long and I am just so thrilled for you guys! What amazingly wonderful news! And a baby girl - yipppeeee! I cannot wait to hear more about baby girl and how you're doing! Congratulations!!! xo

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  13. I have to admit everytime I've clicked on your blog for the past month or so I've expected to see a pregnancy announcement, I just had a feeling it was coming and I'm so happy to see it now! What wonderful news. Congratulations!!

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  14. Oh oh oh! I am SOOOO thrilled for you two (well, THREE!). Congratulations!!!

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  15. I am always happy to see someone finally get pulled out of the trenches. Your post last year helped me so much in how I approach my own infertility. So thank you for sharing your journey. And huge congratulations!!

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  16. I echo the above, I didn't know I would be so happy for an imaginary friend! So happy for you and this new chapter in your life!

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  17. Oh, Maggie!!! This is the best news ever!! I've been thinking so much about you the last couple weeks and I am so happy to know that you were on my mind for a good reason. Congratulations to you and your husband!

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  18. YEAH!!! I saw the title in my sidebar and thought...is this it??

    Sincerest congratulations- get ready for the most exciting, exhausting, hilarious, grossest time of your life-worth every minute!



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  19. Oh Maggie. I have chills on my arms and tears in my eyes. Congratulations, friend. So so very thrilled for you!

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  20. I just burst into tears! I started reading this post like an anniversary post and thought, "Oh, I so hope they get pregnant soon." Oh Maggie. I am unbelievably happy for you and T!

    Happiest of anniversaries to you! I know this next year will be the most special of all. You are beautiful, friend!

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  21. I don't know you, but after following for years, I feel compelled to come out of blog hiding to congratulate you! What beautiful news, and what a beautiful family you will have. Thank you for writing so humbly and so honestly about your journey. Congratulations!

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  22. I'm a longtime reader but not a commenter. Thank you for sharing your very personal story. You have been so strong and such an encouragement to others going through the same thing. I am ecstatic for you! Congratulations!!

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  23. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  24. It's been a long time since I commented and I have, whenever a new blog post showed up, hoped that there would be a bump... Congratulations and all the best!!!

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  25. I've been haunting the site waiting for this post forever! Oh do I want more details.

    Love the graphics. You are always astoundingly and charmingly unique.

    Love you. Love your family.

    Can't wait to share all of this fullness with you!

    Oh my, but the birthday parties this little girl will have!!!

    (And before that... the baby shower!?! Oh the baby shower!!! You better let those who owe you one throw you one!)

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  26. felicidades!!
    disfruta la barriga, que luego se añora mucho!!
    Besos desde España

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  27. Congratulations! That is fantastic!

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  28. Oh my goodness! I've so hoped that the sparse posts meant good news. Congratulations!

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  29. YAY. Yayayay. I'm so thrilled for you, Maggie.

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  30. Congratulations! This is such exciting news! I'm so happy for you!

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  31. Another long-time reader/first-time commenter coming out of the woodwork... I'm so thrilled for you! Best wishes for a happy, healthy, and uneventful pregnancy! I can't wait to hear more about your journey.

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  32. I am so very happy for you! I have been reading your blog since way back in the day of wedding planning, and I am so elated to see your journey following the path that you'd always hoped. Best wishes to you both in this new chapter. xoxo

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  33. YAY! I keep checking in and hoping. I am THRILLED for you! That is amazing news. xo

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  34. Congratulations! Your little one is due on my birthday. Get ready for the best job ever, mommy!

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  35. Maggie!!! I am so excited and happy for you! Wishing you all the best in this adventure - may your pregnancy be a healthy and happy journey!

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  36. Awesome news! Like so many, I have been hoping for this for you all year. Enjoy, be well, and congratulations!!!
    P.S. I think I commented once a while back about feeling oddly connected to so many angles of your story (for a total stranger)...now I am actually due with my first the day after you. Let the good times continue to roll! :-)

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  37. Also coming out of the woodwork as a long-time reader of your beautifully written blog to offer my sincere congratulations. I've been so moved by how honest you've been about this. This is absolutely thrilling news!

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  38. You are wonderful!!! So excited to see the IG news flash and couldn't be happier for you. I was running to my husband and showed him the photo and said, "See! Miracle. Boom!" Overjoyed for you and tearful in Baltimore for your love of us all still in the guts of it. xoxo

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  39. I'm behind on my blogs but I saw this and had to wish you congratulations. From following your blog I know what a long journey this has been. I'm so happy for you.

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  40. Maggieeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm sorry I'm late to the party! SO THRILLED for you guys. Congratulations, mama!

    Oh, and I'm counting you to teach that baby all things a proper southern girl should know. Mostly about sweet tea and fried chicken and grits. And how to use "bless your heart" in context. :)

    xo!

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  41. Absolutely, positively, THRILLED for you!

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