PAIL

I recently came across PAIL: Parenting After Infertility and Loss, and I am so glad that I did! Prior to Aynsley being born, but especially prior to adopting Jaxson, I did a lot of infertility blogging. Although I chose not to share those posts with anyone I knew in real life, I found that blogging and networking with complete strangers was such a support to me, because these people knew exactly how I was feeling. After Aynsley's birth, I started to drift away from the infertility blogging community because even though I could relate to how others were feeling, most of them couldn't relate to me. Plus, what infertile girl wants to read about someone's two kids, even if they have dealt with infertility?

I realize that right now, our family does not look like the poster child for infertility. Unfortunately, I will always be infertile, and I know that it will plague me again the next time we are ready to welcome another child into our home. I have come to realize that the pain of infertility never completely fades, or if it does, it takes a really long time. It is different now; instead of longing for a child, it presents in other ways...wishing that I could perfectly space out the time between kids, sadness when I see someone complaining about their pregnancy.

So, back to PAIL. PAIL is a list of blogs that are written by people who now are parenting after infertility. I was so happy to recognize many of the people that I used to follow when I was writing on my infertility blog. I am really looking forward to getting in touch with some of these ladies again.

As an added bonus, this week is National Infertility Awareness Week.  I would encourage everyone to take just a minute and learn a little more about infertility. Did you know that infertility affects an average of 1 in 8 couples? Chances are, you know someone besides me that has been affected by it.

I don't mean to get on my soapbox, but this is an issue that has affected me and is dear to my heart. Thanks for listening to my ramblings. :)