Sometimes I can’t believe how open and honest I was during my struggle with infertility because as a general rule in life, I am a very quiet and private person.

I know my boldness to share my journey through infertility came straight from the Lord.

Over the life of this blog, I’ve received numerous negative comments. Until this time, I’ve never mentioned one word about it on my blog.

My way of dealing with negative comments is quite simple: I read the comment and then instead of clicking “publish”, like I do for the majority of the comments that come in, I click “reject”.

Problem solved.

I take into account that negative comments stem from one of two things: 1) ignorance, 2) people who draw conclusions without knowing all the facts.

Since Little Bug’s birth, I’ve not been completely 100% open and honest about life as a mom.

I think it stems from a fear of giving the wrong impression that I am not grateful for the miracle that God has blessed me with.

I know that is the furthest thing from the truth!

I think women who go through infertility have this misconception that once baby arrives, life will suddenly be perfect because the very thing you’ve wanted for year after year and not had is suddenly in your arms.

Now I know that a perfect life after baby’s arrival is the furthest thing from the truth, as well!

I thought life would be ALL sunshine and roses once Little Bug was here! But over the past 6 months I’ve learned that I’ve traded the problems of infertility for the problems of parenthood!

I no longer deal with medications, shots, ultrasounds, growing follicles and semen samples (THANK GOODNESS!!!) but that certainly doesn’t mean my life is a bed of roses.

Parenting. is. hard. Very. hard.

The feelings of guilt that something is wrong with you because you don’t feel like life is perfect after a baby that you’ve wanted for years is finally here are REAL.

However, just because I went through infertility does not mean that my life with baby will be perfect.

I have never been so frustrated in all my life over matters concerning my Little Bug.

Why is she doing this? Why is she doing that? Am I doing this right? Should I be doing that? But I heard that isn’t a good thing to do with a baby.

I never in a million years was prepared for all the second-guessing yourself that comes with parenting.

I’m a writer. I love to write and writing helps me process.

I think this blog is going to become more about life with a baby (the ups, the downs, and all the in-betweens) because that’s where life has me now.

When the time is right to start thinking about another baby, I’m sure the blog will naturally become more about “trying to conceive” again.

During my trying to conceive days, I allowed myself to be so open and honest about it because I knew it would bring glory to God.

My purpose in life is to bring glory to God, through whatever circumstances God has me in at the time.

I’ve found that just as I needed God to get through infertility, I need God’s direction as I parent my Little Bug.

Parenting is no easy task, but I praise God He’s entrusted this little life to me and I want HIM to receive glory still through the imperfect perfect life he’s given me!

- Elaine