My newest post for Fertility Authority (about some reflections I had on Mother’s Day):
The Perfect Timing
Go check it out! 
Enjoying the Holidays
The Perfect Timing
Happy Mother’s Day!
Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms, moms-to-be, mother-in-laws, step-moms, grandmothers and great-grandmas, to those celebrating their first or their fifty-first, to those with mommies in heaven and to those with babies/children in heaven, to those who nurture animals, plants, & adults, and to all those who play a motherly role like teachers, nurses, & doctors! And especially to those who have been struggling, waiting, and hoping to be a mom. You’re all amazing women! Appreciate the day for what it is worth. My love, my hope, my heart goes out to all of you today.
Lots of Love to Go Around!
Here’s my Blog Love post to all of you! You are strong, bold and beautiful. Keep smiling, keep reading…Thank you for stopping by! I love you!
Tomorrow is the big day for love and affection…and well, you may not be feeling in the loving mood this year. Perhaps your infertility has robbed you of that ultra sexy feeling because there’s been way too much pressure in the bedroom. Maybe money has been tight because of treatments or adoption preparations and with money stress comes every day stress and nit-picky fights. Infertility has the power to take over our lives and change relationships we have with others. But, it should never take away all you have left in the love department. Here are some simple ways to spread some love tomorrow and anytime, (even if there’s not a lot of money to go around). Remember, love is always FREE!
- First, love thyself. Need a good pampering? Go ahead and splurge a little on something you’ve been wanting for a while now. Money tight? There’s plenty to do on a shoe-string budget from home spa treatments to taking a leisurely stroll during a ‘mental health day/hour off.’
- Love thy neighbor. Your neighbors and friends may not be able to relate to your infertility, but they mean well. Keep them at arm’s length but pull them in to be your shoulder to cry on when you need it most. Showing this vulnerability will not only show them you are in need, it flexes their friendship muscle and helps you see who’s truly on your side. Include them in some Valentine’s Day or anytime love by giving a card, a heart box of chocolaty goodness or a simple thank you to show how appreciative you are.
- Love thy spouse/partner. Remind him/her that you really do love and appreciate all that he/she does for you. Sometimes, it may be hard to rekindle some romance but some soft music, candle-light and a nice home cooked meal can go a long way. If you’re feeling creative; a poem, a scrapbook/slide-show, a special song or even a dedicated blog post can erupt a sea of emotions. Before I was married and totally broke, I once made my husband a painting with swirls of red paint and used Chinese characters that meant love, loyalty and devotion, among others. He loved it and it still sits by his night table!
Happy Valentine’s Day! 
Creme de Le Creme and The New Year
Before we begin here, have you heard about my InJewels giveaway? It ends December 31st! 
Have you heard about Stirrup Queens’ Creme de le Creme list that goes up every January for the past 6 years? Basically, she wants you to pick your very best post of 2011 and submit it here and that’s it, you’ll be on this amazing list. It’s for anyone in the ALI community who writes a blog (even if it’s a pretty new one)! How awesome is that? I am a bit out of the loop so the deadline to be on the list by January 1st was December 15th….but you can still submit until January 5th to be on the list, it just may be a little while. Also, there’s a whole bunch of cool prizes you can win! I just chose the post I thought was my best in 2011 and submitted it. Now, it’s your turn! Take a look through your archives, don’t be shy, and put yourself out there! Oh, and read the Creme de le Creme post to learn more about it!
And after reflection on the past year, we’re about to start a brand new one! So…
Happy New Year!
*Whether you get all glammed up, go out and party like a rock star until midnight, or get jammied up, stay in and cozy up to the one you love while you count down the night–>make it magical.
There’s something to be said about New Year’s Eve around the world. It’s the one day when you can reflect on the past year and look forward to a new beginning. It’s like starting all over with endless possibilities! So, dream the night away and toast to peace, love and happiness in 2012. Cheers!
*recycled from a past post
InJewels Giveaway!
OK! Are you feeling a bit bah-humbug rather than ho-ho-ho jolly? Want a little stocking stuffer to lighten your mood? Here’s a little Blog Love for you! I am hosting a giveaway with InJewels! They have an array of creative jewelry pieces that I know you will love! I love their fertility bracelets. There’s so many to choose from. What I especially like is how they incorporate specialty gem stones that have fertility boosting powers.
The Moonstone Fertility Bracelet is their most popular style (pictured to the left). It has a lotus flower which is a symbol for the sun, creation, rebirth, divinity, and fertility. And the stones are the moonstone (said to regulate a menstrual cycle and boost female energy), rose quartz (said to encourage fertility and emotional stability), clear crystal quartz (said to have healing, protection and balancing properties), and aventurine (which supports women’s reproductive health and the green color symbolizes a fertile earth).
They also have awareness bracelets, healing bracelets, love bracelets and freindship bracelets among others (including pregnancy bracelets if you have found yourself lucky enough to be wearing one of those! ). I also love one of their inspirational necklaces called Believe pictured below. It has a “Believe” Tibetan charm, a creamy fresh water pearl, and your choice of gemstone (The amethyst is pictured).
The best part about this giveaway is that InJewels is letting you choose which piece you would like to have! Yup, that’s right, simply go to their website and write a comment below, telling us which piece is your favorite. That is the main entry and must be included to win!
Go to –>http://injewels.net/, then comment below!
For extra entries: (it MUST be it’s own SEPERATE comment below!)
- Follow this blog or subscribe
- Follow me (@stressfreeIF) on Twitter
- Like this blog on Facebook
- Follow @InJewelsDesign on Twitter
- Like InJewels on Facebook
- Tweet about the giveaway with a link back to this post. (Please include both @stressfreeIF and @InJewelsDesign) You can do this once per day!
- Blog about the giveaway! This counts twice. Please mentioned you blogged and then tell us the url.
That’s it! The giveaway ends December 31st, just in time for the new year! Good luck!
10 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays
I’m recycling my list of ways to enjoy the holidays yet again this year. I know many of you come and go and perhaps my newest followers missed these. Believe it or not, these were my very first posts in 2009!
#10: Rule out the perfect gift
#9: Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
#8 Bake Cookies (while listening to holiday music) <–includes a family recipe!
#6: Take Pictures
#5: Make a scrapbook or slideshow <–Check out my new business ready to launch soon!
#4: Go to a show!
#2: Make a list of resolutions
#1: Make it magical
Enjoy!
Believe!
It’s another special blog love post for this month. I know with Christmas less than 2 weeks away and Hanukkah in 8 days, it may be hard to have happy thoughts and feel merry and bright. All the commercials are centered around happy kids waiting for Santa, the mailbox may be filling with holiday cards adorned with adorable baby pictures from your family and friends, and every-one’s talking about the perfect gifts to give. But your perfect gift isn’t the one you can wrap up with a big bow and leave under the tree. And most likely, you’re having a hard time believing the happy family holiday you once dreamed of will ever happen. Well, I’m here to boost your beliefs.
One Christmas (not too long ago) I was feeling very low. Although I already had my one little IVF miracle, I had tried all of that year unsuccessfully with 6 months of natural trying, a chemical pregnancy from a fresh IVF cycle, and a negative result from an FET. I found it hard to believe that we could be anything more than a family of three. And, then the next FET we did after the holiday worked and the following Christmas was the first for my twins who are now 2 years old! Believe in miracles!
I am leaving you this video I had linked to last year. It is a powerful one. My wish is that it gives you some hope…I believe that there’s a change around the corner.
Giveaway Winner & Family Reprieve
So, since there was only one entry for my Godspell Giveaway, then there can only be one winner! Congratulations Emily from a Blanket 2 Keep. I really hope you enjoy the show! Don’t forget to try out Toloache when you’re in the area. It’s a fabulous restaurant!
Thanksgiving weekend has come and gone and while you may be still eating left over turkey or busy gloating about Black Friday deals and steals, you may also be still fuming from family drama. Your family are the ones who are supposed to support you in every way. But sometimes they have the power to get under your skin and cause you more stress especially when it comes to your infertility ~ something they most likely know very little about. This can make your holiday experience (a time that is already full of emotion and stress) even more stressful and upsetting. Well, hopefully you have a family reprieve (at least for a short while) until the next big holidays come. Until then, enjoy my past posts about family support.
Family Support
Facing the In-Laws
Surviving the In-Laws
The Lurky Turkey
So the holidays are nearly upon us. And as family (and their children perhaps) gather next week, you are most likely slinking inside with avoidance. I remember all too well the dread of holidays while suffering through infertility; foreseeing the happy, adorable children of your family members and crying inside, dodging the predictable questions people will ask like, “So, when are you going to have a baby?” over and over again and not knowing how to respond. Well, don’t be the Lurky Turkey in the room! You can avoid and smile or be your own advocate and seek support. I definitely suggest the latter. You may be surprised at how supportive your family can be. (This will be one of many posts that will hopefully inspire you and support you through this time of year.)
I am linking to an article from Attain Fertility about surviving the holidays. Happy Friday!
Holiday Craziness: Coping with Infertility
*If you would like another way to de-stress during the holidays, why not enjoy a spiritually uplifting night out to see Godspell on Broadway. If you’re not in the NY area, perhaps you know someone who is! It would make a great gift! I’m giving away tickets to see the show!
