When I first started Edspire it was a website for my Year 5 class to use as part of the curriculum and in ICT clubs. They each had a page of their own to edit and publish. It was a great success and was loved by parents and pupils alike. The name Edspire comes from combining education and inspiration, I had planned originally to develop and share inspirational, educational resources. I moved schools and the Head at my new school did not like ICT or people who used their initiative and so Edspire died a death even though again the parents and pupils raved about it as a resource. Edspire lay dormant for over a year as David and I battled with IVF and then I enjoyed my pregnancy. When Esther and William were born I wrote a journal of their time in NICU. I wanted to publish the diary online for my family to read and in the hope that it would help others who had to go through a similar experience to mine. Welcome to the World Esther and William was the original title of the blog and it was hosted by WordPress.

As I blogged I began to make virtual friends and had genuine messages of kindness from random strangers. I found a community where I felt that I belonged. Blogging became my ‘me time’ when the babies were home. My blog is my quiet place, my thinking place, my own space that no one can invade. It is where I rant and rave but also where I hope and dream. It is where I communicate with others and document details for the generations to come.

The blog evolved from welcoming Esther and William to the world to observing them in their world. I moved the blog to my fiance’s hosting and reclaimed the name Edspire. It seems appropriate somehow. I hope that our story can inspire and educate, Esther and William are learning every day, so am I, the people we meet through our story are inspirational and so Edspire just really does seem to fit.

I often feel that I do not do my blog justice. I have so much that I want to say but never enough time to say it. There are some things I want to say that I can’t because they would offend the people around me. I wish that I could find the time to record every detail of every day with Esther and William for them to look back on one day.

This is for them, every word.

They are my inspiration and every day they teach me something new about life, about myself.

This is our story, my blog, Edspire.

If you have enjoyed reading this post, sharing our story and following our blog then please do vote for us to win MAD Best Baby Blog of 2011. It really would mean the world. You can vote right here. Thank you x