In which things all began

So, you're doing what, exactly?

Jen here. There's always talk of a big plan, and in this case, we have an admittedly kind of crazy one.

Step One: waste spend your time looking at the local options, only to find out that they are way too expensive, and the wait times for us would be somewhere along the lines of 6 months to a year. Fun fact, we contacted them in 2014 and still have yet to even get a call back. Wallow in despair. As a sidenote, for anyone wondering, we are pursuing IUI rather than IVF, as we don't have any known fertility issues, other than being two ladies.

Step Two: begin to look at international options, and discover that Guatemala has everything we need. Research into the clinic tells us it is a part of the American Reproductive Society, or some voodoo, and the doctor at the clinic gives us prompt responses over the phone and via email. Rejoice!

Step Three: big decisions in the who and when department. We know that we both want to get pregnant and give birth, but it's a question of who first? We decide that we should both try at the same time. The reasons behind this are numerous: we would have a year off together for maternity leave, the kids will be similar in age (and half siblings), we won't have to decide who has to be "breadwinner" and who has to be "stay at home", and because we hope this is our only try. We are going to try three cycles of IUI each, six tries in total over 72 days, and if it results in two babies, awesome!! If it results in one, well, pretty rad! If it results in none, we live the lives of rich, early retired, world travellers with no kids. But seriously, the first one is my fingers-crossed-come-on-let-this-work option.

Step Four: come back to Canada and figure the rest out while we go! We are going to try and keep our minds open and try and have as much fun as possible during this process. While we might not be sipping mai tais ( or maybe non alcoholic ones) we will be on the beach and will be enjoying a full two months in Guatemala with family, and most importantly, with each other. Whether it works or not, we always know our bottom line is we are taking a huge step in the right direction.

Step Five: Start a blog instead of packing. Oh. Check!