Friday, August 30, 2013

Facebook Announcement

It hasn't been a secret for a few weeks now, but I was still intent on not posting on Facebook.  There's just something about letting the WORLD know about our pregnancy and knowing that there is always a chance that something could go wrong.  I also am not big on being the center of attention.  Okay, I admit, I like it to be all about me sometimes (lol), but it's also kind of uncomfortable and awkward at the same time.

Hubby was ready to tell our families after our 9 week appointment.  I wasn't ready and he agreed to wait until we reached the second trimester.  Although, we did let a few people know before then, like our parents, and a few aunts and uncles, but mostly we kept it to ourselves.  Once we made the big announcement to our families, Hubby immediately wanted to post on Facebook.  I made him wait some more.

I saw another IF friend's announcement picture, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I saw it!  It was perfect.  Not too mushy or cutesy, and it screamed Amber and Tony.  I thought it was a PERFECT idea.

Part of the reason I hesitated to make the FB announcement was because I have learned how hard those are on so many facing IF.  I've never really been bothered by the baby announcement, pictures, etc, but I know that there are many that feel a crushing blow every time they see one.  (The one exception for me was learning my cousins were pregnant via FB when they KNEW my story.  I really thought I should have been told before seeing it on FB.  FYI, I am over that now though.)  I wanted to make sure that my announcement was sensitive to others, and also maybe help bring a little awareness toward infertility.  I also needed to keep it short and sweet, as Hubby is a fairly private person and I wanted to respect that as well.  He told me I could put whatever I wanted, so I did have his approval, but it still took me awhile to come up with what I wanted.

Without further ado, here's what I posted:

16 years of marriage
14 years of trying for a baby
2 years of medical intervention
2 losses
which finally = 2 babies arriving January 2014!
 
 
 
 
I have to admit, it was a LOT of fun after the post was made!  Within seconds the "likes" and comments started rolling in.  Of course, a lot of people already knew, but many were shocked and excited to hear the news.  As of right now, the status has received 195 likes, and we have well over 100 congratulations.  Amazing!  It makes me feel a little self absorbed to tell you those stats, but I can't help it.  Hubby and I had so much fun reading all the comments and are blown away by the support.  I suppose I didn't expect anything less, but it is fun to finally share our news and feel the love come pouring in.  We also have received several texts as well.
 
I even had one person send me a private message, telling me about their miscarriages and reason for it.  She asked if I had a similar issue and what sort of medical treatment did we get.  As it turns out, we don't have the same IF problems, but I was able to refer her to our clinic and offer her some advice.  It felt so good to be able to help someone else.
 
It was a lot of fun and I am so glad that I finally broke down and made our news officially official, now that it is on Facebook.
 


35 comments:

  1. That's such a cute announcement! Congratulations on finally making it official!

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  2. It's funny, I've been advising patients on when to tell friends and family and when to announce on facebook. The facebook announcement has such significance! I love the creativity, the honesty and the excitement that it entails. Sending you a double thumbs up like!

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    1. I am very curious as to the timeline you tell your patients? Thanks for the double thumbs up! :)

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  3. Awesome announcement! We're big Beaver fans in this house too. Are you going to the game tomorrow? Such a small world.

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    1. We actually decided not to renew our season tickets this year. For the first time in 17 years we will not be going to every home game! It's sad, but we made that financial cut back for these babies :) It's nice to know another Beaver fan!

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  4. I loved this post! I was so happy to see it on FB and the responses! How amazing. Go Beavs- although, I have to root for the CAL too, by default!;-)

    Congrats again!!!

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    1. Thank you :) And of course you have to root for CAL this year! I would do the exact same thing if I had a nephew playing for them!

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  5. That post was perfect. It spoke to your struggle, but it was still so full of excitement. LOVE it!

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    1. Thank you so much! That's exactly what I was trying to go for.

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  6. I love the fact that you are celebrating where you are while at the same time still acknowledging where you came from. I hope it helps others, or at least makes them think twice at some point the next time they go to a couple and say "so when are you two going to have a baby?"

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    1. We spent years of having people ask us that question. They finally stopped asking a few years ago, but then it just switched to people asking "do you have kids?" Or sometimes people just assuming we had kids. Ugh.

      I hope it helps others too! I think it's always nice when you can relate to someone else going through the same struggles, and I hope that we can do that for others.

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  7. If I had facebook I'd add another 'Like' and 'Congratulations!!!!!' comment :) I love this announcement. I love when fellow/past IF'ers incorporate part of their struggle into their announcement to bring awareness to infertility. So excited for you! XOXO

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    1. Awww, thanks Aubrey. That really means a lot. Hugs to you and lots of good luck this week!

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  8. How exciting!! So happy for you two :) and what a cute announcement!

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  9. such a sweet and beautiful announcement. just keep enjoying all of this stuff it is so wonderful!

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    1. Thanks! I'm trying to enjoy it as much as possible, in between stressing and worrying, lol.

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  10. Such a cute announcement. I had such a hard time deciding what to put in ours. I'm so glad you are getting to announce to the world and take in all the love and congratulations. You deserve it!

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    1. Thanks Jen! I'm sure you came up with the perfect announcement as well! It was hard knowing what to do though. I guess that's what helps make it so exciting when you finally decide!

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  11. This was a very cute announcement! And holy "likes!" So many people cheering you guys on, Amber. :)

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    1. I know, right? I am shocked with how many people responded to our announcement!

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  12. Love this! How fun to see how excited everyone is for you two. It's got to be a great feeling. :)

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    1. It really is a great feeling, and a little overwhelming at all the love. Amazing.

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  13. Good grief, I don't even know 195 people, let alone having that many likes!! Too cute! Love the little Beaver outfits. Sorry about the loss on Saturday - I am a Colorado fan and can certainly commiserate (our test comes Sunday afternoon when we play Colorado State). Hope everything goes smoothly and can't wait to see pictures of the babies when they get here.

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    1. Lol, well, we know a lot of people from coaching softball over the years! Oh boy, the loss....yeah, the Beavers aren't looking too good. Good luck to your Colorado team on Sunday! Hope they fair better than the Beavs.

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  14. Super approach, and very cute photos! You'll have to give us the final tally on your likes and comments - that's amazing so far. But I'm not surprised :)

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  15. How exciting! I love the way you did it. Completely perfect.

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  16. ADORABLE!!!! A whole lot of likes!! I was amazed at how fast they were coming in too! I think there were 85 when I first noticed the post and before shutting it off it had already jumped to like 91!!! And I don't spend a lot of time on fb!! Has to make you feel loved and appreciated!!! Auntie

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  17. What an awesome announcement! I'm still mulling this over in my head. I would like to acknowledge our treatments but haven't figured out a good way to do it, something that, as you say, just fits you as a couple.
    Coincidentally I also have cousins that are going through IF, and I need to think of a way of telling them before posting it...

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  18. I think that was just perfect!! So glad for all of the wonderful support you are receiving :)

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  19. Awww thanks for sharing!! That's such an awesome idea!! <3

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  20. I love this announcement! I want to make others aware about IF when I post ours somday as well... so those still in the trenches can have renewed hope instead of pain. Congrats!

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