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#WednesdayWisdom
"Don’t be so afraid of insecurity that you avoid opportunities to expand. Your growth is often on the other side of something hard." ~ @ashleysimpo
Morning Musings
Two years ago, our second embryo transfer was canceled because there was too much liquid in my uterine lining, which I didn't even know was a thing that could happen—both about the lining and that transfers could be canceled.
Apparently too much liquid creates an inhospitable environment for the embryo and chances of the transfer resulting in a pregnancy are slim to none. Who knew?
We were devastated. The appointments leading up to the transfer hadn't been promising and our doctor warned us this could happen. After our first IVF cycle failed in March 2020, we took the summer off to rest and recuperate and were eager to restart treatment that fall.
I blamed myself. I'd taken a pill too late (or too early?). I wasn't resting enough. Of course these are all untrue and these things simply happen, but I couldn’t help feeling like I’d done something wrong.
We'd already planned to take the day off from work, so we decided to visit County Line Orchard in Hobart, Indiana instead. After a couple of friends introduced us to the orchard several years ago, it's become somewhat of a Payton family tradition.
On that day, it felt like our dreams of becoming parents would never come to fruition. Little did we know that we'd endure one more egg retrieval and two more failed embryo transfers--one shortly after my birthday in October 2020 and another one in January 2021.
We'd all but given up hope and were gearing up for another transfer that following month just to get insurance to cover additional testing. We didn't even tell our family or friends because we didn't want to get anyone's hopes up (the least of which, ours) again.
And lo and behold, that transfer was the one that led to Violet. Lucky Cycle #5.
This past weekend, we took her to the orchard and had a ball picking apples and riding the tractors. As Jeff told her that night, she won't remember this day, but we will. A lot can happen in two years and we’re so glad our little miracle baby is finally here.
Love,
L'Oreal
ICYMI
In case you missed my Twitter Spaces with Ashley Simpo of CRWN mag, you can catch the recording here.
Below are a few of my fave pieces I've written for Fortune recently:
Upcoming Events
Oct. 6: Join me and Sista Afya for a special workshop focused on overcoming imposter syndrome. I'll be sharing insight into how to trust your abilities and power to thrive in life.
Links I Love
1. Meet Princess Isis Lang, The Dancer Who Created The USC Majorette Team (Essence)
2. An End-of-Life Doula’s Advice on How to Make the Most of Your Time on Earth (Vox)
3. Why My Shrunken 4C Natural Hair Went Viral (Refinery29)
My Latest Obsession
I'm not a big jewelry person. For the longest, my main pieces of jewelry were my grandmother's wedding band (pictured here) and my engagement ring and wedding band. But a fateful trip to the Larissa Loden store in St. Paul has turned me on to accessories. I've written about the moonstone bracelet I got when visiting in July and since then I've added these pieces (Toni ring + crystal cuff bracelet) and a few more (hey, there was a sale!). I may be turning into a jewelry girl after all.
Now Hiring
Communications Assistant for United States of Care
Director of Audience Development + Analytics for Teen Vogue + Them
Senior Digital Content Writer and Producer for The National Gallery of Art
Director - Gender and Sexuality Center at the University of Illinois Chicago
Content Marketing Manager for Chani Nicholas
Creative Director for Run For Something
Production Editor at Poets & Writers Magazine
Community Engagement Editor for Prism Reports
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