I've always been a "crafty" person, and about 10 years ago, I started scrapbooking. I've been systematically documenting my life and the life of my family. When the infertility monster entered my life in the fall - I stopped scrapbooking. An activity that used to make me so happy only made me sad. I realized at that time that I wasn't scrapbooking for me, I was scrapbooking for my future children. Preserving my memories and telling my stories stopped having meaning. Who was going to care about my life after I was gone if I was never a mother?
I've started to get back to it a little lately. But, I've tried to change my focus. Instead of preserving memories for my future kids, I'm preserving memories for me and my husband. I've focused on vacation memories and other small projects.
One day, I hope I can go back to telling my family story and have it mean something afterall.
Hmm, this is interesting. I started scrapbooking about 10 years ago, but stopped about three years ago. Just kind of trailed off, and now I'm so far behind I'm not sure what to do. I never thought about the break being connected to our infertility, but that makes a lot of sense. How many freaking Christmas layouts can I do with my nieces and nephews before I lose it!?!
ReplyDeleteI like your new focus. I'll have to think about getting back into it too.
I've never been a scrapbooker...I do think I'd get started with it if I ever have kids...
ReplyDeleteAs for the drug protocol, we're actually pretty much on the same thing. Follistim and Gonal F are the same (FSH), my only added difference is Menopur, which contains FSH plus a small amount of LH--the IVF nurse said it helps to 'calm' the stimulation process and helps decrease the risk of overstimulation....
But the bottom line is...personal preference. They all seem to do things a little bit different.
Hi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through Murgdan's. That's an interesting thought on the scrapbooking. I have boxes and boxes of photos that may never even make it into albums, let alone scrapbooks, while my uber fertile sister is a scrapbooking queen.
Good luck on your IVF. We're just starting our first one, too. It's a scary, yet exciting ride!
C