Expect The Unexpected

Well as with most things in life you have to expect the unexpected and that's just what happened this past Saturday, July 6th. I woke up to some light pink spotting. I contacted my mid-wife and based on our conversation she determined it best if I went to the ER to get checked-out (she was out of town). She and I were both worried about the possibility of preterm labor as my Braxton Hick contractions were more frequent and I had been feeling a lot more low pressure in addition to the spotting. I hadn't had anything like this with my own so we felt better to play it safe with this special baby on board. 

I have never been in an ER so I was really freaked out, thankfully I had my husband and IP's with me who were all smiles trying to keep me calm. To relax myself as I was wheeled through hallways I tried to picture myself in a really good episode of Grey's Anatomy. They did a sonogram, urine & blood work, cervical check and gave me a IV of Saline (my first IV) to help with the Braxton Hick contractions. All in all baby was great, cervix was closed and no infection was found to keep me so I was discharged after a 4 hour stay.

My midwife had me rest with no activity on Sunday and I went in to see her for an appointment on Monday. On Monday, she did notice that my cervix is soft and baby G's head is far down. She estimates baby G will be at least 8lbs. (my own babies were in the 6-7lb. range). This might be why I feel such low pressure lately and could have been what brought on the spotting. But since we are only 33 weeks baby G can't come just yet so I have been put on 'sitting-rest' for the next 3 weeks. We just don't want a lot of pressure and/or friction on my cervix. 

My husband has been wonderful. He has had to take over the groceries, dinner making, laundry, housecleaning, etc. so I can sit as much as possible. My mid-wife said when I go to Target I should be the pregnant woman in the motorized cart, I am not so sure my pride will let me do that so Target might have to miss me for a few weeks (really it's me missing Target). I still tend to our 3 kids during the day but I try to stay sitting at whatever it is we are doing and I make it a priority to get back home after a few hours to rest on the couch.

It's definitely an adjustment since those of you who know me know that I am very active with my kids' but it's just for a few weeks and it is so worth it. I care so deeply about my belly buddy that I want the very best for her and I know right now the best thing for her is growing inside my belly for a few more weeks. So bring on the re-runs of Sex and the City (the weekend), Tia & Tamara (this is always on from midnight to 2:30am when I can't sleep), Little House on the Prairie (late afternoon) and 90210 (in the morning) cause I have a daily appointment with the couch.

Here is a quick picture of me from today.

32 weeks and Growing Right Along

How did we get to 32 weeks already?! Time has just flown by (probably more for me than the IP's) and here we are now finalizing the last of the birth plans for delivery.

Last Saturday, June 29th my family and I attended the IP's family baby shower. It was such a nice shower. I really enjoyed getting to meet their family and see how excited everyone is to meet baby G. Baby G sure is one lucky little girl to have so many people who already love her.

S & E received some really wonderful baby gifts. My family and I gave them a bath themed basket full of some baby bath essentials such as a pink Blooming Bath, Aveeno bath set, owl hooded towel, owl washcloths and a shampoo rinser. I was the most excited to give them a Blooming Bath, it received all star positive reviews and can you imagine the cute baby bath pictures? Here is a picture of me at 32 weeks just before we went to the shower.

Today my 3 kids and the IF joined me at my 32 week, 5 day mid-wife appointment.  Baby G measured 34 weeks (I always measure a little ahead), heartbeat sounded great and we got a couple more things in order for our birth and after birth plan. 

I often get asked if I will be a surrogate again, even my oldest daughter asked me at lunch today if I will do this again and my reply is yes. If I found the right 'match' and my family was in support I probably would. I cringe a little bit when I think of the medications I had to do before and early on in the pregnancy but of course it's all worth it in the end. 

Years before I started this journey I always had a feeling I would be a surrogate, it just felt like something I was meant to do. But before I can even think of starting this process again I will need to lose this baby weight, I will be pumping milk for baby G, of course give my body enough time to heal itself and enjoy some time with my family minus the baby bump and all that comes with it. 

I can't put into words the joy that fills me to know that I am helping grow a family. I feel so fortunate to have been matched with such a great set of IP's who care so much about my family and I and over our journey together we have all become such close friends. Although the journey doesn't really ever end because once I put this sweet baby girl into her parents waiting arms I will get to watch her grow and know that I helped bring this precious baby girl into this world. So amazing right?!

Body Butter and Hansen's Drinks

I had my 30 week, 5 day appointment last week on June 19th. My husband took this picture of me just before I went to the appointment. I was grateful he was around since I still struggle getting a good self picture in the mirror. The appointment went great. My labs all came back good, baby G turned and is no longer breech, her heartbeat was perfect and she is measuring a couple weeks ahead (typical for me and I have always delivered a couple weeks early...I think I just bake them a little fast). I have another appointment next week.

I have been having more Braxton Hicks contractions. I also had some issues with Restless Leg Syndrome making it impossible to get to sleep at night but thankfully the degree in which it happens varies and I don't deal with RLS every night.  I still use and find much comfort with my Snoogle pillow each night.

It's summer and with that comes entertaining my 3 kids (ages 9, 6 and 3) and trying to stay cool in this HOT TX heat. Most days are spent chillin' by the pool or fun indoor (air-conditioned) activities. 

I don't have much in the way of cravings right now (although I still love all things with avocado) but I was excited when I tried this yummy caffeine free Hansen's drink yesterday and told my husband we had to get some for the house. I am drinking sooooo much water throughout the day to stay hydrated so this will be a nice addition in my day. I need to try some of the other flavors. I wish I would have found these earlier in pregnancy. Another must have is my coconut body butter which I ran out of so I had to get another tub of it from Trader Joe's, it's so soothing on my expanding belly. 

The IP's are having a co-ed shower this Saturday and my family and I will be attending. I have had so much fun shopping for this baby girl. I can't wait to see E & S get spoiled with baby gifts, they have waited so long for all of this. My family and I couldn't be more excited that in 7 or so weeks they will have their sweet baby girl in their arms.

The 3rd Trimester

Whew what a busy week... I had two appointments and it was the last week of school for my kids. On Tuesday, June 4th the IP's joined me for an ultrasound. Baby girl is growing perfectly and already showing us she has a little weight to her. They estimated her weight to be 3lbs. 9oz., although I usually find that growth scans tend to estimate on the larger side as all of my kids were said to be 'big' yet all 3 were in the 6-7lb range. But who knows since this isn't my baby so it is possible baby girl could be a little larger but my guess she would be in the 8lb range at most. This could be me staying optimistic since she will be a natural birth and I can't fathom carrying a 9-10 baby on my 5'3 frame...eeeeep!

So frequently I have had a lopsided belly where baby girl is all shoved on my right side and on the ultrasound I got to see why... it's because baby girl likes to put her feet above her head. She is still in breech position, although she has plenty of fluid and plenty of time yet to turn herself around. It was so funny to see her doing it and see my belly raised on my right side. The IP's got some great 3D pictures of baby girl. She has the cutest chubby cheeks, a sweet little nose and I loved her little lips. I can't wait to meet my belly buddy in person.

Then on Thursday, June 6th I had an appointment with my mid-wife. Kathleen ran the Glucose screening which came out great and baby girl's heartbeat sounded perfect. They also scheduled me for all of the appointments until delivery. 

This past Sunday, I enjoyed a wonderful lunch with IM. We caught up on everything and discussed our birth plan. I am going to give birth in the tub {water birth} at the birth center so we had to figure out where everyone in the 'team' will be. My team will consist of: my husband, the IP's S & E, a birth photographer (I gifted one to IM for her Mother's Day gift) and of course my mid-wife and her assistant so it will be a full bathroom to say the least. 

I can't believe how fast time is passing, seems like just yesterday this little embryo snuggled in and now she is almost done 'baking'. It feels so empowering to have come this far and to know that in just over 8+ weeks I will give birth to this baby girl and create a family....how amazing and life changing is that?! I can't wait!!!

Here is a picture I took on June 1st at 28 weeks. 

I have a Snoogle, do you?

So here I am today at 26 weeks, 5 days pregnant. I am definitely slowing down now that I have almost entered the last trimester.

Today I enjoyed a yummy lunch with two of my good surro friends who are also pregnant. My recent cravings include: avocado, Granny Smith apples, watermelon and freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.

I have been having more trouble sleeping at night so husband surprised me and got me a Snoogle pregnancy pillow, which I have found much comfort sleeping with the last couple of nights. I wish I would have had something like this when I was pregnant with my own. My youngest calls it the 'candy cane' pillow and happily entertained herself for 30 minutes this morning while I was getting dressed. This pillow is definitely getting some good use.

It's starting to get hot here in TX; I am trying to ready myself for the long hot summer. If you need to find me this summer I will either be at a pool or inside somewhere with air-conditioning.

I make families. What's your superpower?

I had an appointment with my mid-wife Kathleen today, the IP's S & E joined me. Baby girl's heartbeat sounded and measured perfectly. S & E shared with Kathleen and I that they have started to pick items for their baby registry. I am so excited for them; I can't wait to see them put all the baby goods to good use.

I feel so fortunate that we were matched for surrogacy but also grew a beautiful friendship during our journey together. My kids always ask about when they will see S & E next and are anxious to have another friend to play with. I can't wait to watch S & E become parents and watch this beautiful baby girl grow.

I have noticed a significant growth in my belly the past couple of weeks so it's time to make another trip to the maternity store to get some tank tops to cover it. This sweet baby girl moves all day and night, many of her movements can be seen on the outside of my belly now. Baby girl does have a name, although I can't share it with you I can tell you it's super cute and unique.

I get to tell more and more people who ask, that this baby I am carrying is not my own. It feels really good to educate people on surrogacy. I just feel like even if surrogacy isn't something they could do or would do maybe it will inspire them to do something... donate blood, donate organs, donate to charity, volunteer or just do something to help someone else.

                                                                 23w,5 days pregnant

"I want to know what it's like to give life to a dream"

My blog title is from this song by Kellie Coffey. One of my surro sisters shared this heart wrenching song with me this week. I posted it on my Facebook along with my feelings after I first heard it below...

It gave me the chills....I LOVE what I can do...what I CAN change....the family I am helping CREATE ♥ I feel so lucky and honored to be a part of something so special and amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqfGqOx2iDQ

I had a really nice weekend filled with some wonderful people. On Saturday, my husband and I dropped the kids off at daycare to attend a luncheon that was put on by the agency I am with. We were joined with the IP's S&E and I got to see a handful of my surro friends that are also with the same agency. I also saw Dr. K who if you remember was my Dr. at the clinic and who performed our successful IVF transfer back in December.  S, E & I took some great pictures together and one of my favorites is the picture above. It just shows how much love this baby girl has and I can't wait to put her into her parent's arms. To top off this fabulous lunch I won a $100 Amex card...woot woot!

On Sunday, I got together with a large group of local surrogates whom I chat with daily in a private Facebook group. I can't imagine not having these women in my life. Ya know it isn't like you have a 'how to' book to read on surrogacy because each journey is different so they have been an invaluable source of information and support as I have gone through my journey. I am almost at a loss for words about how these women have all impacted my life, I feel so lucky to be in the same group as them.

I am in the turquoise blue dress, jean jacket with striped shoes in the front. With me being 5'3 I am often the one getting shuffled in the front for group pictures. I am now 22 weeks pregnant.