I have always been a firm believer that most things in life take a full cycle (or year) to fully figure out, get a grasp on and understand. Starting a new job and learning the busy and slow times of the year. Working in Admissions and learning how fall looks compared to spring and summer. Or even having your first child and learning as you go.  

My wife and I learned early that wanting to begin a family can take more than a cycle in itself. From trying, to appointments, IUI, and then the surprise of a natural positive test weeks before our third IVF transfer; we had started the next step in the journey. Fast forward to last year and my wife (Sam) and I welcomed our first child named Crew.  

It is crazy to think how in 34 years of life I have been able to experience so many emotions from joy, sadness, pride, regret and everything in between. However, for the first time in 34 years, I still get the opportunity to experience a new feeling and emotion that I never knew existed and I will never take that for granted. It is tough to explain how you can feel so happy when they reach a new milestone in life and at the same time you are equally sad at the realization that you are moving on from a milestone that you once looked forward to. 

With all this being said, Crew will turn one year old this June and I can confidently say that parenting will definitely take longer than one cycle to figure out. We are looking forward to as many cycles learning with this little guy as this lifetime will allow us; and we have never been more excited to learn as we go.  

To those of you with kids of your own and those of you hoping for kids of your own; we are sending all of our positive thoughts and wishing you nothing but support and good luck throughout the journey.                                                              

Sincerely,
The Poldervaart (Crew)