Two, two, two jabs in one!

One day, that is. And two pregnancy announcements. From two close friends. Admittedly, one of them recently had a miscarriage, and has not heard the heartbeat yet for this pregnancy...but she gave me the news with her almost-two-year-old toddler running around the room, and prefaced by, "Well, since you've just given me all your fertility updates, let me give you mine." (And shortly after she had asked whether Ezra and I have considered adoption. Adoption! Why didn't I think of that? it's so easy!) I know she's nervous as all hell about this pregnancy, but it still stung a bit. And then, after I got home, friend #2 called to say they're expecting their first in October. Friend #2 also knows about our infertility

I am truly happy for both couples involved, but it stung a bit. In honor of the news, we are putting a new outgoing message on our answering machine:

Hi! You've reached the Barren Household. To tell us that you're expecting a child, press 1. To commiserate about infertility because it took you three months to conceive said child, press 2. If you think you are suffering fom secondary infertility because your first child has just celebrated his first birthday, and you're not yet pregnant again, press 3. If you'd like to share your advice on how to conceive, including basal temperature charting, OPKs, sexual position, and bedtime cocktails, press 4. If you want to know why we don't "just adopt," press 5. If you want to complain about your own children, offer them to us for a week, or tell us that we should enjoy this childfree time while it lasts, kindly hang up and go step into traffic. We will return your call as soon as possible, or never.

(with many thanks to persephone fo her help with the answering machine message)