Happy Blogoversary to me!

5 years ago today I tentatively put my stamp on this little sliver of the blogosphere. All I was hoping for was a place to let it all out...a place where it was safe to scream and yell and stomp my feet while I raged about how unfair infertility was. Little did I know I would find so much more. I found a group of women who knew that even though there were days you couldn't seem to feed yourself more than *floor cake, you would still soldier on, you would still fight through it, all for the promise of the miracle. I found a community who supported me through my journey and who embrace me even though I've managed to have my miracle baby. I've found sisters and friends who are spread across the earth. I've found women (and men) who inspire me with their drive and determination. I've been awed by the beauty of a simple everyday story. And, I have to bow at the feet of the women whose snarkiness and warped sense of humor trump even mine.

I never would have guessed that my status as poster child for repeat pregnancy loss/secondary infertility would have brought so many riches to my life. I wouldn't wish this journey on anyone but I wouldn't trade it for anything. Thanks for spending a part of it with me.

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Now, to counteract that diabetic coma inducing part of the post, I'll share with you a tidbit that shows what my life is really like. I was sitting here getting ready to start this post and I heard a rustling in the kitchen behind me. I figured it was one of the older boys who had woken up but, when I turned around, it was Gabe. As I was asking him if he was ok, he came walking out of the kitchen bare assed with pajama shorts in hand. His response to the "are you ok" question..."Mommy, I'm stinky." Yes folks, Gabe woke up to sort of loose poop (I know, tmi) and, instead of asking for help, he elects to take off his diaper and put it in the trash. In the process, he gets said poop on his legs, on his pj shorts and shirt, and on the edge of the garbage can. I told him thank you for trying to be a big boy and clean up after yourself but, if this ever happened again, he absolutely HAD to let me change his diaper. I also told him a better way of being a big boy would be to go in the potty (he is still flat out refusing...arrrrgh). Aaaah, the glamors of mommyhood. Thank god the mess wasn't any worse than it was.

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BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY

To celebrate my 5 years blogging, I am giving away this fabulous adult sized pumpkin hat. I designed this based on a child sized pumpkin hat pattern I found. It is crocheted with a thick burnt orange chenille that should keep you warm in even very cold weather. For those of you with a normal sized head, it will be a fairly loose fit and won't completely squish your hair. For those of you with abnormally large cabezas like me, it will still fit. It will just be a snug fit.

I will also be giving away this second pumpkin hat generously donated by my dear friend, the FABULOUS Jen over at In One Ear. This hat is sized to fit a large child/teenager.
The contest starts today and will be open all week long. I'll announce the winners next Sunday. I'm keeping the entry rules simple. This contest is open to anyone and everyone who reads my blog. Even if this is the first post you have read, you are eligible. All you need to do is comment on this post. If you have a favorite memory, story, or post from my blog, tell me about that please.


*Getupgrrl, if you are out there reading, know that we remember you and your words still mean something this many years later.