Wanted to share some pictures and update

Here are some photos from transfer day!

Me and IM

Goofing off

She knocked me up (hopefully)!

My husband, IPs and Me

Babies first picture

Man this past week has been SO stressful! Ive never worried so much about trying to conceive, this is a whole new ball game. Ive never wanted something for someone else SO BAD in my life!!!!! Our first BETA is 1/4 and I hope it gets here quickly. Im very optimistic and am keeping the "I'm pregnant until told otherwise" attitude. My tush is getting pretty sore from the shots, feels like something punched me so hard right in the butt cheek. Those shots are NO joke! My 4 year old keeps touching my belly and saying "hi J's babies!" She is too much. I showed her the picture of the embryos and she's just fascinated by it all. 


Hoping and praying to share some good news Wednesday, please keep the prayers and good thoughts coming our way!

Its T time!

Todays the day!  I woke up to MANY facebook comments showing love and support for all of us and it was very touching. Im pretty emotional this morning not afraid or anything just excited and touched by the amount of support we have. I want this to work so badly for J & B and Im so optimistic and positive at this point. Thank you everyone for your prayers and love. 

tomorrow, tomorrow i love ya tomorrow

We should be getting a call from the clinic at some point today to let us know what time to be there tomorrow. I thought I'd be nervous by this point but I'm really now at all. Im more nervous about that damn PIO shot and was shaking like a leaf when Brian did it last night. So far I cant complain too much about my tush, it hurts but nothing horrible like I was expecting. Than again its only been 2 injections! 


Please send prayers and thoughts our way for tomorrow. Im praying but the more the better. I want this so BAD for J & B, they deserve a baby. 

Im alive!

First PIO has been completed and I didnt pass out or die haha. So grateful J drove over an hour to come here and give it to me. Its a good thing she did because the nurse marked me way too high. When starting out my journey as a surrogate I didnt really know 100% what I wanted in IPs and said I didnt mind them being across country but now, Im 100% CERTAIN I want IPs so close! Its the best having J & B there whenever I need them and having them be able to be a part of everything. 


I must say, it feels like J punched me in the butt now haha

Last monitoring visit today

The fertility clinic just called and said my blood and ultrasound are where it should be and were all set for friday!! I was very nervous that my lining wouldnt be thick enough or something, what a relief!! Im so excited to see J tomorrow, shes coming to give me my first progesterone injection, shes the best!!!  

ding ding ding, round 2

So were on round 2 of meds! I am SO thankful my last monitoring appt was good so that we could start up again. Transfer is 2 weeks and 1 day away, it will be here before we know it. 


I took a peek at the PIO needle, HOLY COW that thing is enormous! Im a bit nervous for it but ofcourse Ill manage and be fine. I feel selfish complaining about it though. 


My birthday is Sunday and Im really looking forward to spending some time with J & B and excited for my family to meet these 2 awesome people! 

New transfer date

Transfer scheduled for 12/23 just in time for the holiday! What better Christmas gift for me than saying "sorry I must rest everyone come to us this year!" "ill be on the couch if you need me". 


I still feel awful that I messed up but SO thankful that we can still do this in 3 weeks.

I messed up :(

I took the wrong meds and now transfer is cancelled. The only good news is that it will only be delayed 2 weeks, thank God. I cant believe I did that. I feel so bad. If it was for my own baby it wouldnt have bothered me so much but its not for me, and I feel like I let my IPs down. I know I didnt because they are truly amazing people but I just feel that way. So after Christmas should be the new transfer date, Ill have a schedule soon.

10 more days until transfer

This has been my life the past 2 weeks. Estrogen, estrogen and some more estrogen! Im SO glad I havent had to do any shots yet. They come next monday! I have an appt monday to check my lining and blood work and than transfer is NEXT friday ALREADY! Seemed like we just got matched.

Im feeling a bit anxious. Im so very excited and cant wait, Im just nervous I guess of the unknown. Hopefully that is a normal feeling! Everyone around me is supportive and sends best wishes and luck to J & B. Im very lucky and very grateful for the amazing family and friends that I have.  

Count down is on...

Just 3 more weeks :)  


Heres a few pics from our trip to Disney, the girls had a blast!

vacation time

We leave for Disney friday, cant wait! Our daughters don't know yet, we will tell them at the airport. My IPs are also going to be away the same time as us. I stop BCP 11/17, have an appt for blood and ultrasound 11/22 and start estrogen :) Than 3 short weeks later we will be transferring 2, 5 day embryos. This must all be surreal for J and B because sometimes Im thinking "pinch me?!" Contracts will be signed before Friday and everything is moving right along perfectly. I totally adore J & B and am so happy to be their carrier.

It all begins now

I started birth control today which is the first medication in this journey. We got our schedule and new transfer date of 12/9. This next month is going to fly by and Im so excited for J and B!

1st visit

Everything went smoothly and we got a lot accomplished. J got to meet my mom and they hung out and talked while I was in and out of different tests. After 8 things of blood I needed food or else I was going to fall over! We had a nice dinner, thanks to J :) Everything is going right on tract just how we wanted it and it feels good. I cant express how much I am grateful for my IPs and how wonderful they are, Im very lucky. They are 2 of the most caring people I have ever met and they are going to be amazing parents. 

The start is here!

This afternoon is my clinic appt to get some testing done and go over the whole IVF process including meds. J is meeting me there, Im excited to see her! She must be feeling so anxious and nervous, I know I would if I were an IM. 

tentative transfer date

So tentatively my transfer should be December 8 which is 2 days after my IM's birthday and 3 days before mine! All good signs :)

The gift of life...

On October 3 (which is also my nephews birthday), I got a text from Kristen saying "I think this is it!". Sure enough labor had started! By the time Kristen got to the hospital she was 7-8cm and just about in transition. I got there a few minutes later. I would never have imagined that a labor and delivery could have gone so perfectly, so smoothly and just how mommy wanted. Kristen was absolutely amazing and so controlled and focused, I cant get her face out of my head. That had to be one of the most amazing experiences Ive ever been a part of and I dont think Kristen will ever know how much it meant to me that she wanted me there. At 4:45am Mason Gavin was born, less then an hour and 45 minutes after getting to the hospital. He was so tiny and precious and his parents instantly fell in love.  Their faces were simply priceless. 

I cant wait to see J & B's faces when they first meet their new baby. 

Kristen, Mason and me

Clinic appointment

IVF clinic appt at Cooper is set for October 24. Brian can't leave work early so my mom is coming with me and my IM is coming as well. I gave her the option on being present at any and all appointments, I want her to be a part of everything. I'm really liking how our relationship is going, everything is falling into place nicely.

Things have been quiet

All the beind the scenes work is getting done by the agency and I feel like I should be doing something. Cooper, the clinic, should be calling this week to talk and set up an initial appointment. I *have* to get in there this month because November is crazy. Brian goes away a few days, comes back for 1 day than we all leave and once we return I should be starting meds. Im hoping for a 2nd week in December transfer since my birthday is the 11th and exactly 2 weeks later is Christmas, thought this would be the best Christmas gift yet! We'll see. J and I have kept in touch and send texts every so often just to basically say hi and that we were thinking of one another. I look forward to spending time with J & B soon. 


I started reading "Surrogacy Was the Way" and OMG was the the perfect book to be reading! I think every intended parent and surrogate should read it. I find myself crying during each story, they're all so touching. 


Hope to have a timeline of events soon!

Kangaroo Care

I had my 3 day doula training course this weekend, my brain hurts!! I learned so much good info and I cant wait to help someone. I also learned some important bonding things that will help J & B with their baby. Kangaroo Care. Its an amazing thing!

we're a MATCH!

Last night was awesome! J & B came here hung out for a half hour or so, even brought the girls gifts! we went to the mill street pub which is a local restaurant here in town and is so good! we talked and talked and talked for hours, 3 1/2 to be exact! It was super comfortable and felt like we felt like we've known each other forever. Dinner was delicious and they insisted on treating us . we spoke about what brought them to surrogacy and how their families felt about it and conversely how I came to become a surrogate and how our families felt. We ended with J saying "were going to contact Blair monday and tell her we want to move forward and you decide when youre ready". I was like umm were SO ready!  So next step is the RE doctor to go over IVF and learn about meds and how to administer them. Im so excited and no longer the least bit nervous! I cant wait to spend time with them again!

Its all making sense

My sister told me yesterday that after thinking about WHY I choose to do this, that she is so proud of me and no longer afraid. She supported me like she does with everything in life, but knowing that I have her FULL support and that I make her proud, it means the most to me. I look up to her and I always have and to make her proud, it means the world.


Last night at a wedding, Brian and I were sat at a table away from our family which we thought was odd. Than towards the end of the night it all made sense. There, at our table were IPs, not my IPs but some other lucky surros IPs. I didnt know them yet we managed to be at the same table. The bride introduced us and we started talking. It was nice to hear from an intended moms stand point, her fears and desires and the excitement on her face speaking of her little girl Mia. That did it for me EVEN MORE if thats possible. Hearing her made what Im doing seem so much more real and life changing. She said they went through 3 other surros that backed out, that broke my heart. After they spend a lot of money to get things started these women left them. I think that its mainly the agency's fault (i started with this agency and RAN fast away from them). 


A lady that goes into my moms work, she also has 2 little guys via a surro mom in CA. Those little boys are so stinking cute!! Their mom was nice enough to respond to my message on FB asking a few questions, she answered them and some more. She even gave me her # and said to call anytime. Im learning that this "surrogate" community is very welcoming and very close knit. Having her in my moms life has helped my mom to understand it all which is awesome, I believe she was put into my moms life for a reason. 


At church a few weeks ago, the Pastor stated that God put special people on this earth to carry out duties for him, that someone somewhere is depending on you. It all makes sense, J & B need me and in reality I need them.

Its all set

Next Saturday J and B are coming here! Im super excited :) 

meeting

Just got an email that the IPs want to meet with Brian and me! Planning on this weekend if our schedules coincide at some point. This is great news :) 

possible match ????

The conference call was awesome, went perfectly!  I was SO so nervous and I just know my voice was trembling at the beginning lol. The couple is perfect, they share the same views as us pertaining to all aspects of surrogacy, they have great jobs and are very intelligent, have a great support system and seem like all around wonderful people. the intended father said to me that they saw tons of surro moms profile but once they saw mine they knew I was the one. That made me feel SO good :)  I gave my go ahead and now we're waiting on theirs. 


I feel really really good inside.

1st phone conference

Its scheduled for tomorrow at 7. Im so nervous and so excited.  T from the agency will be on the line with the 4 of us to facilitate the convo, thank God! Will update tomorrow :)

First profile for potential IPs!!!

I received my first profile on potential IPs and I am so excited!!!! There just a state away but not far at all. I have to show Brian their profile and let him read it and see what he thinks than the agency will set up a conference call to speak with them. From what Ive read they seem wonderful, I cant wait to hear more about them.

:)

Records are all cleared and Im ready to move forward to the matching process!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So excited! T from the agency sent me gorgeous multi colored roses in the mail today. I must say Im really liking this agency and how Im being treated!

todays the day

I should have all my records cleared by today!! YAY!!!


In other news the hurricane is coming, just lovely. For those that refuse to evacuate than be sure to put your name, ss# and next of kin on paper in your left shoe so your body can be identified. This is crazy!!


I NEED some good news today, cant wait for T call me!

waiting waiting waiting

I'm NOT a fan of waiting. Still waiting on clearance from my records, which chould have been done friday or today the latest. Patience I need patience.

What a great night!

T from the agency came last night and I felt like Ive known her for years! She brought the girls cupcake scented chapstick which anyone that knows my kids knows that chapstick is just so cool! She stayed 2 1/2 hours, answered tons of questions, gave Brian some of the husband perspective on things based on her husband. Casidee acted out a bit at first, when new people come over she goes into this show off mode and embarrasses me the way she acts, she spit at me!!! OMG I was mortified! She wanted attention I know but not that way! Emilee was her usual laid back self and hung out and played, could really care less. Towards the end T and I played Barbies with Casidee while talking and that made Cas's day. 


Clearance from my medical records and labor & delivery records should be done today or monday the latest THAN the fun begins! MATCHING! 


She said Im very lucky to have such a great support system and I am very thankful for my family and friends. If I ever needed you, its now. 

Thursday visit

T, from the agency is coming to visit/meet us Thursday evening! By than my medical records should be all cleared and ready to match with IPs. As Ive learned on the Surromomsonline website, this is a hurry and wait process, something I'm learning to deal with! I normally need things to be done ASAP and hate waiting but for once Im taking it all in and taking my time. Until I match these posts arent going to be very exciting, sorry!

Visit from the agency next week!

My contact from the agency will be coming over one day next week to meet with Brian and me, and the girls too. I thought that thats pretty cool, this agency goes through a lot of steps before starting any matching process. Even cooler, she is 2 time surrogate. Feels nice to know that this person Im counting on to guide me and "hold my hand" through it all has been there and done that. Im excited to meet her! 


All paper work on the girls have been received, just waiting on my OB records to get to the agency. Come on snail mail!

Medical Records

The records are taking FOREVER to get to the agnecy, gah! It's the last thing on the list to do and it's out of my hands.  It's friday so I'm assuming they wont receive them until next week.  Patience is not a strong suit of mine.

Why, people want to know why

Well like I've mentioned already, I want to give the gift of life to someone who wouldnt otherwise experience that miracle.  I've always been interested in surrogacy and now that my family is complete its time for me to help build another family, for deserving people.  I cant imagine what infertility feels like, I never want to know. I do know someone personally who has tried IVF twice and will start again in a month, and she and her husband want a baby badly. You can see the pain in her eyes when she talks about it.  If I can in my life make someones dreams come true, I can live knowing that I made a difference. That I have done something that most woman wouldnt even consider doing. The end result chokes me up and I cant wait to do this!

Just starting out

I have complete all necessary paper work and am just waiting on the records from the OB and hospital.  I want to start telling people but the reactions that I've gotten from a few have made my stomach hurt and I'm afraid now.  I dont know why I'm afraid, I am the one doing this amazing thing for someone else. Why cant everyone accept that? Haven't you known someone who couldn't conceive and desperately wanted to be a parent? That thought breaks my heart. Not everyone is as lucky as you and I. They say it takes a special person to even become a Surrogate, I totally see that now.  But does it take a special person to see the beauty in it? To see how awesome that is? 


Other than that, this has been pretty good so far.  Once all the medical records are received than they will be reviewed and I, hopefully, will be cleared to start speaking with IPs (intended parents).  I feel really good inside, its hard to explain but everytime I think about "my" IPs holding their baby that I grew for them, I cant help but tear up.  Not because Im sad but because its the best feeling ever to be a mom.