The Delurkification of You
For the second year running, I have managed to remember International Blog Delurking Week BEFORE International Blog Delurking Week was over. Which, in my world, is a major feat. You see, the first full week of January has traditionally been International Blog Delurking Week (I’m looking to see how many times I can use the full name in a sentence), and since I am always focused on the Creme de la Creme, I usually forget all other things. Such as showering. And packing pants. And International Blog Delurking Week.
Except that I have remembered, and my reward is that you have to delurk. I think it’s something like … a law. By which I mean, what is like a law, but the police will not enforce it?
Okay, so if it’s not a law, then we can at least all admit that this is worldwide holiday up there with all the other worldwide holidays … such as International Harry Potter Reading Day. And International Font Loving Week.
So happy International Blog Delurking Week and in honour of this worldwide holiday, please delurk because there is a huge discrepancy between the number of readers in actuality and the number of readers I actually know are reading. Or a tongue-twister like that.
It is fairly easy. Leave a comment in the comment section below admitting that you’re here. You can simply raise your hand and meekly admit that you’re here with a simple, one-word “here” comment; or you can proudly raise your hand and tell us all a bit about yourself (my preferred method); or you can tell me what type of cookie you’d be if you were a lump of cookie dough (see, I’m trying to make it easy for you by even providing a comment prompt). The point is that I want to know about the people who read me.
And that’s all you have to do to celebrate.
Oh! And the first of what will be a few giveaways for Life from Scratch just went up in the blogosphere. Click over to win your own copy…
149 comments
I’m here. I’ve been reading your blog for about 6 months now and have been slowly going through the Creme de la Creme posts. They are fantastic and I can only imagine how long it took you to go through them all. Thanks for doing this. It feels good to know that there are other women out there like me as I struggle through unexplained IF.
I’m here as well. I’ve been reading for a couple of months (right around the time I started my own blog). Your post yesterday inspired me to sign up for BlogHer.
Here!
Been stopping by for about a month. Stumbled upon you accidently. Very thankful that I did. Love what you have done with bringing people together. Until I found your site I thought I was the only single girl in the world trying to get pregnant on her own. Also love how you organize the posts. I have a very boring job where I can literally sit and surf the internet for up to 7 hours a night. The ICLW and Creme de le Creme have given plenty to keep myself occupied.
I’m here! Reading everyday. Comment every so often. Haven’t updated my blog in a VERY long time!
I’m here. I read often, comment not-so-often. I’m on the other side of infertility now… my family is complete after 6 years, 7 pregnancies, 5 losses, and 2 amazing little boys. But I’m still passionate about infertility. I can’t figure out how you do what you do, but you do it well!! Keep up the good work!
I’m here. : ) Have been blogging for just over three years, reading you regularly for about four, I think. Living childless/free after infertility & loss for almost 10 years now, but still feeling the reverberations, and the connection to the ALI community.
I’ve just recently started reading you blog. So far I like what I see. I may even enter myself in your Creme de la Creme contest.
I’m here. I read a lot of the blogs. I faced a very “easy” infertility problem compared to most of you all and am very humble with all of your experiences. I believe it helps make me a better mother knowing what you all are going through and what could have easily have been my path. I suffer from PCOS and Amenorrhea. I have successfully, but not easily, gone on to have 3 little boys, nicu, bed rest, surgery. I am now one of your audiences biggest silent cheerleaders out there!
Hi! I’m here as well! I’m Megan- mama to three. Our youngest is adopted from Africa. I appreciate all the info you put out there 🙂
http://www.millionsofmiles.com
Here. And terrible at commenting. Huge failing of mine, perhaps because I don’t have a blog of my own, so I don’t personally experience the frustration of people stopping by without comment? Anywho, I’ve been reading your blog for 1.5-2 years, before we even received our diagnosis of unexplained fertility. Stumbled upon it because someone had linked it as a blog they read. Tons of testing, a failed IVF, and an adoption homestudy later, I am officially an urban legend–8 months pregnant from vacation sex. I always tell people to please not use my story to “encourage” anyone facing infertility. If nothing else, this process has helped me understand just how much we don’t understand ANYONE’s backstory, and therefore don’t have the right to judge or pontificate.
I love your blog. You do such a service for so many of us, and it was such a salve to come here when I was in the darkest of my days. I keep reading because, despite my enormous stroke of luck, I still consider myself infertile. Please keep up the good work, Mel. You are much needed, and much appreciated.
I am here. Since a few weeks. Am in the beginning of this journey towards a baby with fertility treatments. Have lot’s to read and learn about it all. Thanks for keeping this space open to all!
I am here, though I don’t comment as often as I should. I’m still in testing, still not pregnant by any means, and still wishing I was on break for the holidays. Well, not I wish I was at least. Monday, I was ready to leave the house to espcape for 8 hours.
Oh, and I would totally be chocolate chip, Nice and buttery with the added nice of CHOCOLATE!!
I’m here. Joined yesterday. Semi- new to the IF world. Beginning #1 IVF cycle today.
Present. And I love your blog. I have so many questions but am a little star struck to ask them. Perhaps in time…
I’m new here–thanks so much for your blog! I’ve gone through 3 IUIs, had two pregnancies and two miscarriages:(, and am now moving on to IVF.
here – want to be single mom. went thru fertility treatments (up to a point) but have now moved to adoption. been reading your blog for awhile.
Yo yo yo! I’m here and love it here!
I’m here. I don’t think I’ve ever de-lurked before, even though this is probably my 3rd IBDW, since I’ve been reading every single post on your blog since sometime in 2008.
I am currently 32 weeks pregnant with boy/girl twins after a FET from IVF #2 which had first resulted in a precious singleton boy named Jack who we lost at 16 weeks in February 2010.
I am a terrible blogger and commenter, but a very diligent and loyal reader and I am grateful that you put out such a great blog for all of us to enjoy!
Here. Haven’t been for awhile, but I’m reading the CDLC. Have found some great posts so far! 😀
ME! *waving hand in the air* I’m here!!
I’m looking forward to reading your book, it’s on my Kindle, but I’m trying to finish this loooong book first. Not sure why…
I’m also going to be a mom as of next week…I’m nervous and excited. And nervous. 🙂
Hi there. I’m here. I read almost everything, comment almost never. Gonna work on that in 2011. I have a 6 year old boy and am expecting boy #2 after 3 years of unexplained infertility, a pregnancy in Jan 2010, miscarriage in March of 2010 and surprise pregnancy in April of 2010. Counting my blessings every day – but still completely identify with those on the struggle.
I’m here!
I’m here 🙂 Does it count as lurking if you comment every once in a while but not every single time? You know I adore you and am inspired by you frequently. Not to get all kumbaya on you or anything 🙂 but your blog was SUCH a fabulous touchstone for information when we were starting our TTC journey, and I found blogs so much richer a virtual world (for me anyway) than message boards. I still remember my first Virtual Lushary too. And the Blilt. That was way cool. Hoping to start savoring the Creme de la Creme as soon as time permits.
xoxox
*Waving Hi!* and Delurking! If I were a lump of cookie dough, I’d be a gingerbread cookie. Spicey and sweet all at once. 🙂
Hi! Here! New to blogging but v. familiar with IF. I start stims for our 2nd IVF Friday. Thanks so much for all you put out there, especially CDLD 🙂
ok, i did mean to leave a ~slightly~ longer comment than that!
~~raises hand~~
~~waves~~
I’m here. Blogging for 4.5 years and reading for you almost as long. I have PCOS. I have a two year old daughter and we are still struggling to build our family. Currently taking a break due to time/money constraints with BigP’s job. The break may last until October or so and that is frustrating. Trying to live in the moment and not on “the break”.
I’m here! I’ve been reading for…years, although I don’t know how many. We’ve been struggling with IF for 6 years, I’ve had my blog for almost 5 (holy crap!), so I probably started reading you just after you started up your blog. 🙂 I can hardly believe it’s been that long!
Thank you for all you’ve done over the many years for the IF blogosphere, and the IF community in general. You bring attention to us, and that’s (usually) a very good thing!
I read every post and although not a true lurker, I don’t comment often, so hi.
I’m here and I often run my mouth in the comment section. I’m a blogger (obviously), a secondary infertility survivor, a wife, a mother, a crafter, and so much more.
I’ve been around for a few years now, but was not good at commenting until I joined ICLW last month!
Thanks for organizing all of us crazy ladies, Mel! What we do without you! 🙂
http://hopefulforababy.blogspot.com/
I’m here. I read every post. I’m not always great at commenting, though!
Present! Longtime reader, sporadic (okay, practically never) commenter. Uterus retired after two kids, PCOS, two miscarriages, 3 months hospital bed rest, postpartum hemorrhage and D&C, amniotic fluid embolism, ICU, kidney failure, dialysis…
Thank goodness for health insurance!
Just finished “Life From Scratch.” Fabulous!
present.
HERE! Haha. Semi new to your blog. Just joined ICLW this month. Chose to stop IF tests/treatments and pursue adoption. We have our first class Friday.
I’m loving how great the support is within this blog network you’ve set up. I’m just barely starting so I’m working on commenting better.
Oh and I’D definitely be a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie. Mmmmmmm. I’m think that sounds like a tasty breakfast. Haha.
I’m here. Always here and at so many other places. I’ve become a silent cheerleader lately.
I’m here, lurking as usual! I’d be a Chocolate Crinkle- mint flavored rolled in raw sugar. That I made 7 dozen on Christmas Day has no influence on my cookie choice. My story: spontaneous identical twin boys while on a break (cycle 41) with DOR/POF.
I have a question for you re your book. I’m trying to hold up my end of our deal and can’t find your book. Borders doesn’t have it (online or in store), it’s not on the B&N website anymore, and Amazon is out of stock. How’s a girl supposed to get a copy? Any suggestions?
I’m here! I just finished “Life From Scratch” and LERVED it!
I’m here! I’ve been lurking for awhile and was recently diagnosed with Unexplained Infertility. I just had my first IUI December 29th and am trying to not get my hopes up too much. Thanks for all your advocacy and insight, and keep up the good work!
I have been a rabid fan of yours for over a year now. I also have the copy of Life from Scratch sitting on my desk. I have also had the honor of meeting our head queen in person. She is very nice and pretty.
Me. I read often, comment seldom.
Hi, I’m here occasionally. 🙂
I’m Missy. I’ve been following for something like 4 days. Followed a link from someone’s CDLC button and already referred your blog to a fellow infertility struggler. Infertility, miscarriage, and stillbirth on the resume so I’m always looking for people to connect with. Especially with people who compile and do all the work for me. For which I am truly appreciative!
I’ve been following your blog for a few years, but have never been a commentor. Finally started commenting after I decided to join ICLW last month!
Thanks for all you do, Mel!
http://hopefulforababy.blogspot.com/
Hi! I’m an overeducated housewife, and I found the ALI community through some comments on a series I wrote on antidepressants in pregnancy (among other things). I’ve not personally had fertility trouble, but a lot of my friends have, and it’s been helpful to know some of the right (and wrong) things to say or not say. (When a friend had a miscarriage of a much-wanted child, for example, I skipped the annoying platitudes and sent her a care package with a note that said, “That sucks. Here are some things that hopefully don’t suck. I’m so sorry.” See? We CAN be taught!
) (oops)
Here! I was around a lot last year, then disappeared a bit, and am just now trying to get into the swing of things…
And chocolate chip, because I’m kind of ‘ordinary,’ but totally chunkywith a little flava. Whomp-whomp. Sorry.
Hi there! De-lurking myself. I found you just after my miscarriage (and have read every post since), and have been blogging for, 6 posts now? 😛 I love everything you’ve accomplished! xoxo
If I de-lurked last year, do I need to do it again this year?