Thanks to Sydney! Stylish Blog Award...

When I started this blog, I didn't know where I would go with it. I really just started it because I wanted a way to journal about my life raising small children - the good and bad. At the time, we weren't thinking about number four and tackling another high risk pregnancy, so when the time came, and we learned we would be expecting baby number four, I thought it would be good to blog about my experiences in pregnancy, too - especially having a history of an incompetent cervix. Little did I know that I would have people reading my blog from around the world who have been affected by cervical incompetence.

So, when I sat down this evening on the couch and saw a comment from Syndey, who blogs about her daughter, Claire, saying she was giving me a Stylish Blog Award, it brought a smile to my face. I never thought about touching complete strangers with our life - and when she writes about how my blog gives her hope in having children in the future, even with an incompetent cervix, just makes me feel so good. The only way people will learn about cervical incompetence is to raise awareness - no one should have to lose a baby before they know about this. 

For the Stylish Blog Award, I must: 

1. Thank and link back to the person who awarded you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers.
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them about the award! 

About me: 

1. I have been on national television - Live! with Regis and Kelly. I entered a contest for Live! Dream Date Search. It was a total joke when I entered and never thought in a million years I'd be chosen. It was an all expense paid trip to NYC! 

I may not have won a "dream date" with the guy, but I sure did get an "unexpected" prize from it all! You can read about our story HERE

2.  I find the process of giving birth invigorating. I gave birth to all three of our girls without any pain medication. I would do it all over again in a heart beat - wait! I will get another chance. It was the most amazing experience of my life. 

3.  I have tandem nursed our girls: Mairead weaned herself at 29 months of age. It was such an amazing experience. I never thought in a MILLION years that I would nurse both of my children at the same time, but I am so glad I did. It was such a special time for both of my girls. I also nursed Lilah & Clara together, too. Lilah weaned herself at about 34 months (just shy of 3). Clara continues during pregnancy. 

4. I cloth diaper - I started when Lilah was about 18 months to try it out, and realized how easy it was! So, I bought more and have cloth diapered Clara full time since she was born. I plan on cloth diapering the little prince.

5. I miss my job on somedays, but overall, I wouldn't give up the opportunity to stay home and raise my girls. 

6. I have NEVER even tasted coffee - the smell alone makes me want to hurl - why would I drink something that smells so horrid??? 

7. I am trying to improve my photography skills so I can do some volunteer work for the "Now I lay me down to sleep" foundation (http://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/). Something I have always cherished when I had these "special" patients/families. If I am not working, this is something I can do to help make a difference. 

Now, I have to list 15 bloggers whom I follow who deserve the Stylish Blog Award! 

1/2. Tatespace/TheRealBean: Brenna, a family friend who has also dealt with infertility, incompetent cervix, and losing her three precious boys at 20 weeks. She has gone on to have a beautiful baby boy a year ago and eloquently writes two different blogs about the new love of her life and how she continues on to remember her three little angels. She is another who shows it is possible to have a beautiful baby after a loss to IC.

3. Bakingdom: Like to bake? A fun blog about baking some pretty awesome things! Whenever I am hungry or looking for a fun recipe to make with the girls, I go here....it also helps that she's a fellow coastie wife, too! 

4. Asleep or Awake: Another fellow cerclage mamma who is currently pregnant with her first (and found out about her IC by accident, sort of like I did)...and on the road to having her first beautiful baby girl - once again proving that IC does not mean a life without children. Love her poetry and originality in her blogs! 

5. Enjoying the Small Things: I am sure this blog is not new to a lot of people, but I love to read it...it's a beautiful story, and a beautiful mamma who puts amazing things into perspective, and writes about her title...enjoying the small things. I am sure she has received tons of awards for her awesome blog! 

6. My Expected End: Another incompetent cervix blog who lost a precious angel, but is now pregnant and having a successful pregnancy thus far! Love reading all the wonderful posts recently! 

7. Savvy Little Women: I stumbled upon this blog from the recommendation of a friend. She has five gorgeous little girls and is expecting a little BOY fairly close to the time we will be expecting ours! I really relate to a lot of her posts with having several small children close together - all being girls! It's a fun, witty and realistic blog - and love to know I am not the only one out there! 

8. The Meanest Mom: What can I say about this blog? I think the name just says it all.  She's not a newbie to the blog community, so I may not to say much...Any blog that I can personally relate with, I like - there aren't many in my "real life" who are living life with having 4 children who are all close in age.
9. Three Cheers for Babies: I started reading this blog while I was pregnant with our third. I found their blog through an incompetent cervix community while she was in the hospital trying to prevent the birth of her triplets. I believe she was due around the same time I was with Clara.
10. It's a Crazy, Beautiful Life: Yet another blog I can thoroughly relate to...love reading about real life chronicles!

OK, OK...I'm not a cop out, and I am not that lame but I just don't have 15 blogs that I am so familiar with that I could give them an award! Maybe I should jump on the band wagon and start reading more?!?!

Thanks again, Sydney for the award! It was a great surprise to end the day with.