01-2-2011 - 32 Months

My mood while writing this blog: Ok

32 Months, 1006 Days of IAP

If someone would have asked me 1007 days ago if I would participate in an online mommy forum, I would have laughed and said, “no way.” Why “no way”? I was such a techno-phoebe then. I remember the day I decided to finally join this site (instead of just lurking), I was so nervous. I was actually shaking as I started my profile. I didn’t want to give out any personal information. I even considered giving us all pseudo names. 1007 days ago, you could never have convinced me that I would make so many close friends, those who I would be comfortable sharing so many personal details with, experience emotional highs and lows, and feel support, love and comfort that is beyond comprehension.

1006 days has taught me that this world is really small. And that many of our life experiences are very similar or just not very different. I never would have imagined that I would meet wonderful mothers from all over the United States, the UK, South Africa, Australia, and more. I would have thought it impossible to connect with these same mothers in such a profound way. Yet, we all opened up. We had this protection behind our screen names that would allow us to share things that we couldn’t share with our closest friends or our spouses/SO. This level of security allowed us to be US. Once we were comfortable and the level of trust expanded so exponentially far…we really opened up. We gave our real names. We exchanged email addresses. We gave TBT our addresses and phone numbers. Some of us met!

So now, our babies are 32 months! I smile as I write this because the last 1006 days have been so full. Think of all of the stories, the milestones, the heartbreaks and the laughter we have shared. Yes, we have laughed so hard on here that our co-workers probably thought us nuts and our husbands confused. Ha! I am laughing right now as I remember the stories I shared with my husband and the screen names I knew you all by! CM, Momma, MIL, Queen, Pixie, 3girls, NMCK, EM, Cherry, Henrys, Brax, Aimes and so many more. A bike, a basket, and a baby! Who knew? Sorry Monkey, but that was a highlight from the early days.

I just want to thank you all for making these last 32 months something I will cherish for a lifetime. We have an amazing bond, one that is really remarkable because we do come from different countries, states and cities. We have different backgrounds, education, religions, family structures, and parenting beliefs. Yet, we all show compassion, tolerance, and unconditional support. Because of all of you, my eyes have been opened, my heart has been filled, and my life has been blessed.

We are in this together. We are Mothers.