28 weeks

Well I thought I better update my blog since I have been slacking on it big time

I went in for my 28 week appointment on Tuesday November 29 and the babies are growing one more so than the other which I am hoping the smaller baby will catch up with the bigger one and when I say bigger one I mean bigger one it's measuring 34 weeks yes that's what the dr said when he measured it on the ultrasound and the smaller one is measuring right at 28 weeks which is where we are right now.  And the Dr is surprised that I have not had any preterm labor yet, which I am greatful for not having these babies need to cook more

I also failed my 1 hr glucose test which I took the day before Thanksgiving and on Wednesday the 30th I took the 3 hr one and passed that, I had no doubt that I would have gestational diabetes because I didn't have it with my own 3. 

update

It's been  a while since I have updated my blog. So I thought I would give you a quick update on how things are going.

B & M's babies are now 24 weeks gestation and are measuring  24 weeks and 2 days and 25 weeks and that was at the appointment we had on Wednesday the 26th. My appointments are now going to be every 2 weeks so I am hoping that I start to gain more weight than I have, gaining weight is a challenge for me even when pregnant but that is the only time I do gain weight and so far I have gained 11 pounds and the doctor wants me to gain about 40 so I asked him how can I gain weight he told me to eat more protein so that I am and I am hoping that works. my weight gain is not affecting the babies though so that's good. Other than that there is not much more to update for now

Babies heartbeats - you will need to scroll to the bottom of the blog and pause the music so you can hear the wonderful sound of the babies heartbeats

16 weeks

Well B & M's babies are now 16 weeks gestation and they are the size of an avocado. My belly is growing and I am finally gaining weight now that the morning sickness is going away. I have narrowed it down to no bread, milk and now bananas. Eventually I will be able to have them but because I am not able to drink milk I am taking calicum pills.  I just can not tell the babies get more active to where I can feel them kick and move so I can record it and send them to B & M.

14 weeks already

Well we are now 14 weeks and into our 2nd trimester. and today I went to the Dr because I woke up cramping and it was all on my right side, and come to find out it can be either built up scar tissue from previous surgeries, my appendix in 2005 and then having my tubes tied in 2007 or it could be a

varicose vein the dr was just not really sure what it is but he is going to watch it. I am just thankful that it is not harming the twins.  They are not my babies but I still want to make sure that they are save and ok as I would be doing the same thing if they were my own.  Every pregnancy is different and yes its also nerve raking as well because we want to make sure all goes well for 40 weeks or 9 months.  I am just so thankful that everything is going pretty well, nothing major and I can not wait for the 20 week ultrasound when B & M can see how much their babies have changed since they last saw them at the 9 week ultrasound, other than the ultrasound pictures that I had sent them. 

12 week belly picture

sorry about the reflection but this is me trying to take a picture with out showing my head :)

11 week ultrasound

Well I finally got my camera back from the shop so I can finally upload pictures from the 11 week 6 day ultrasound appointment.  I have another appointment tomorrow but I am not sure if they are going to do an ultrasound or not but either way it will be nice to know that B & M's babies are doing great and growing.

babies laying like they are in a bunk bed

baby b's heart rate

baby a's heart rate

my daughter's finished project

working on one of the blankets

her finished project they turned out nice, I did have to help a little

My daughter's project for B & M

                                               

the material

So today I took my daughter to Joann's Fabric since she wanted to make another blanket for B & M but instead its going to be 2 of the same kind. And I suggested it be 1/2 yard that way they fit perfect over the babies carseats because most blankets are to big and this is the perfect size.  She picked out neutral colors because they don't want to know the gender of the babies so this way its best. 

Close View of the Front



Close View of the Back

2 Peas in a Pod

Well Friday I had my 9 week ultrasound and I can finally update my blog with wonderful news. Lets just say the 7 week Ultrasound was a day of surprise and happiness for me and well I can not say for my Intended Parents because I could not tell them that they are having twins, they wanted to be surprised for when they come for the 9 week ultrasound so for 2 weeks it was so hard not to tell them anything and since I could not tell them I could not post it on here.

Yes there are 2 healthy babies and they will be babies because they don't want to know the gender therefore neither do I because that would even be harder to keep that from them so I just think its best to have it be a surprise for all of us and I am one who likes surprises.

32 more weeks

8 weeks down and 32 more weeks to go  until we get to meet this precious cargo that I am carrying for B&M

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Treasure Valley companies are now offering women an increasingly popular option for motherhood Local News Idaho Statesman

New Meds

I started a new medicine yesterday night- Nitroglercin patch, it's suppose to help thicken the lining of my uterus, as I was only a 7.1 on Monday, so I go back Monday for another ultrasound to see if it has thickened up.

I will also be starting Heprin, which is a blood thinner, it will help me from forming clots as I was told happened and that resulted in a miscarriage, and the Doctor wants to make sure that this does not happen this time, I will be taking Heprin twice a day for the entire pregnancy, I am guessing that before I go into labor they will have me stop taking it so I won't bleed a whole lot in delivery, that is what I am hoping for anyways, I am a little nervous about taking 2 blood thinners but I will do what needs to be done.

Meds came today

15 more days until the transfer but before the transfer I have to start my meds and they came today :)

Lining Check

Today I went in for my lining check it was a 7 so hopefully on transfer day its higher but that is what I have to update so far

Awesome news

I went for a water ultrasound on Friday, May 6, 2011 and because everything looked so awesome I got to start my Tuesday and Friday shots- delestrogen. And the transfer went from June 17th to June 1st. I was so happy to hear that I healed well from the D & C and that I can move forward with this transfer. I just wanted to share the wonderful news. 

Appointment scheduled

Well the appointment for the D & C is scheduled for April 5th at 2:40pm this appointment I am not looking forward to but it has to happen but I will be looking forward to the next transfer and just pray that it all works out wonderful. 

Update

Well there was a heart beat on the 11th but the baby stop growing shortly after that so I am scheduled to go in for a D & C sometime next week, and we will try again hopefully in 6 weeks.  I am hopeful that this next try will work one because I know that they have great embryos and I got prego on their 1st try.  I will update this blog later. I will get through this and will stay positive through all this it's all in God's hands and I hope he is done testing my patience. I am strong and I will remain strong.

Ultrasound tomorrow

Well I think I better update this blog since it's been awhile.  Yesterday was 7 weeks and tomorrow I have the 7 week ultrasound,  It's hard to believe that B & M are 7 weeks pregnant already.  And this pregnancy is just like it was when I was pregnant with my own 2 children- no morning sickness, food cravings, just a healthy one :)

Beta 3 numbers

Well the Beta 3 number was 760 which is a low normal but they want to to another beta Monday just to make sure that the number is doubling.  Also today B & M are 5 weeks and 2 days along, keep on growing little hiccup.  Yes, I call it little hiccup because since before I got the call from the clinic that they are expecting I have had the hiccups and they come and go and I never know when I am going to have them, I don't mind having the hiccups beats having morning sickness, wait I missed that part like I missed that part with my own pregnancies, I am not complaining I enjoy being pregnant and I am looking forward to seeing my belly grow and the happiness in B & M's eyes.  I am so happy for them words can not describe how happy I am for them.  Congrats again to you both.

today is 4 weeks and 8 days

in order to get to this point I had to do these: I will start weaning off the delestrogen & progestrone towards the end of March, and will be done with shots the beginning of April.

4 weeks and 8 days along



Lupron for  a month

Delestrogen Tuesday & Friday

Progestrogen everyday

7 Week Ultrasound date is set

Well on March 11 at 1pm J, B & I are going to the hear the heartbeat and see how many are growing inside my uterus, I am bummed that M can not come because of work and that I understand, so I am hoping that she will be able to attend the 20 week one, I am sure that clinic that does it will be able to do it on a weekend, since with my youngest who is 3 years old now we did ours on a Saturday since my husband got off work late on Friday.  I am just so happy that one of them can make it to hear the heartbeat. I am also excited that my family gets to meet B and soon M.

Anyways that is my update for now, and again thanks for reading

Today I made a scrapbook for this journey

pg 1 M & B



Cover



pg 3 Transfer day



pg 5  7&9 week ultrasounds



I made a scrapbook for B & M and now I am making one for me- this scrapbook set was given to me as a Christmas gift from a fellow girl scout leader and a great friend of mine.  I covered the pictures and the names but I thought I would share what I have done this far and sorry that the pages are out of order that was not my plan when I uploaded them I had them in order. I love scrapbooking I find it relaxing and memorable when I am finished.



Pg 2




pg 4 and an 8 cell embryo



Test results are in

Test results are in and B & M are Pregnant. I am so happy for them.

My 1st beta numbers were 9.5 and that was Monday's draw and today's beta numbers was 32. So Congrats B & M.

Levels

Well I got an email from the clinic and my levels are right where they want them so I am hoping that tomorrow's Beta #2 is gonna be positive anyways best of luck B & M I am thinking of you both

Beta # 1

Well my 1st beta test is tomorrow at 10:45am and I have to wait until Wednesday to even know what the numbers are so more waiting. I pray for good news for B & M and myself.  I don't want to let them down and be a failure for the 4th time so I just pray that we have some numbers above 5 or whatever the number would be to make it positive. I have been thinking positive and taking it easy during the 2 week wait which seems to be forever long.  And I am sure B & M are just as anxious to know as I am.  But whatever the outcome we are dealing with science we just pray that the outcome is a positive one. 

Something interesting

thanks to a fellow surrogate friend for sharing this interesting information on  a 3 day transfer

This is what happens in a 3dt :
1dpt ..embryo is growing and developing
2dpt... Embryo is now a blastocyst
3dpt....Blastocyst hatches out of shell on this day
4dpt.. Blastocyst attaches to a site on the uterine lining
5dpt.. Implantation begins,as the blastocyst begins to bury in the lining
6dpt.. Implantation process continues and morula buries deeper in the lining
7dpt.. Morula is completely inmplanted in the lining and has placenta cells &
fetal cells
8dpt...Placenta cells begin to secret HCG in the blood
9dpt...More HCG is produced as fetus develops
10dpt...More HCG is produced as fetus develops
11dpt...HCG levels are now high enough to be immediately detected on
HPT

A Dream

No I didn't write this but it is a beautiful poem though

A Dream.

Our friendship started differently
than most friendships I've had.
We had to search each other out
because of something sad.

A precious child to fill your hearts
is what you're longing for.
Infertility has made it hard
to open up that door.

And so a search began for you
to find a helping heart.
So similar to my own search
not knowing where to start.

For me the search is special
it requires such great care.
A couple to help have a child...
the fruit my search must bare.

Now we've found each other
so much more real it seems.
Through faith and hope and honesty
we're moving toward your dream.

But the dream we have,
it is the same,
a dream that's filled with firsts.
First smiles, first laughs, first steps, first words....
all starting with a birth.

Often times I find myself
wondering what it's like
to have to trust a stranger
with such a precious life.

And though I can't imagine
all that you've been through,
I've been so blessed in my life
I'm drawn to helping you.
And I hope you know I'll do my best
to bring a child to you.

Some people call us Angels
us surro-moms to be.
But I don't feel Angelic,
I just feel like me.

Our journey is just starting,
and no one knows the end.
I pray it brings to you a child
and brings to me a friend.

A week from today

Well today is day 5 since the transfer and well a week from today we will know if B & M are expecting a baby. This 2 week waiting is so not so much fun at all. Being patient and relaxed is the only way to get past it so I have been watching the 1st season of Glee and getting caught up on that to keep my mind off of this waiting.  I am sure that B & M are just as anxious as I am to want to know the results. 

Home resting

Welll I made it home and is in my room resting and taking it easy. My wonderful husband took care of the kids and house and well I have nothing to worry about but rest which is nice.  I am so greatful that he is very supportive of me and my decision to be a surrogate. If I need anything all I need to do is pick up the cell phone and calls his and tell him what I want. I have everything that I need right by my side.

Beautiful Sunset

Another beautiful view from the hotel room the sunset

A beautiful gift from B & M

      When J and I came back to our room from the clinic this is what we seen.

Transfer Day



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Embryo Transfer



Well today's the big day, We had the embryo transfer at 9:30am. The doctor transferred 2 great looking embryos. I  am glad that they came in to see it all take place, I asked for a picture of the embryos after they were transferred. And J was nice and took one off the monitor for me so I can post it on here.

And a picture of me before the proceduce all dressed in green.

I was told by other surrogates to wear green because it's a sign of good luck and since we need good luck I went all out and wore green.





View from my hotel room

A beautiful view that I will enjoy while being on bedrest for a while. I also met B & M and what a wonderful couple they are, I am really blessed to be the one who gets to be their surrogate. They are a wonderful couple.

Time for travel

Well today is the day that I am heading to my destination and meeting B & M for the 1st time. I am sitting in the airport waiting to board the plane.  I am excited really to finally put names and faces together.  I am with J from the agency, it's gonna be nice to be able to hang out and chat about whatever. Thanks J for coming with me. 

Time Flies

It just dawned on me that it's been 3 months since the day I had been interviewed with B & M and in 2 days I will be meeting them for the 1st time and I am looking forward to that, we talk on the phone and we email but never actually met so this is exciting for all of us, them, me and someone from the agency.  You don't realize how fast the time goes by until you think about it. I was counting down the days to when I go for the transfer and can you believe it- it's in 3 days, and I have faith that this is it.  Everything is going good and no stress nothing it's just perfect and I love it.

Got my bags packed with everything I need now and my carry on bag is ready as well.  When I come back home Sunday I will be on bedrest still if not I am still going to be for a few extra days and taking life easy for awhile hopefully past my 2 week blood draw.  We will know on the 16th of February if I am knocked up with B & M's baby(ies). I say baby(ies) because they are going to transfer 2 embryos so maybe they will have 1 or 2. Time will only tell and let me tell you the 2 week wait period is the hardest part.

Transfer Day is set

I got a call from the clinic and the Intended Parents- the transfer is set for Saturday, February 5, 2011 at 9:30am. I am so excited to start this journey and get knocked up with their baby and in 9 months see them become a family for the 1st time, writing this makes my eyes water because I am just so blessed to be a part of it all, to help them become loving caring parents to a child, as they are loving caring people towards me.


I have not met them yet but when we talk on the phone they are so sweet, caring, loving people.  Who I know will be wonderful parents.  I am just hoping to be "knocked up"as we say it at support group with their baby and in 9 months see the joy and happy tears fill the room as they welcome their little one they have waited so long to have.  That there is well PRICELESS and I am excited to be apart of that.






Something made just for B & M

 front

This is a blanket that my daughter is making with my help, we had to redo it because the blanket stitch idea was not working as the ends were fraying so we sewed it inside out and left a little opening so we can make the pretty side show, and now we are sewing the squares to the back and front will look like a quilt, this is something that a 10 yr old is doing for a girl scout badge requirement, she is making it to donate and decided she wanted to donate it to B & M which I think is very nice and thoughtful. This is how much we have done so far,and no we didn't sew the squares together it came like, but that is what the plan is though.

 back

Getting to know B & M

I am starting to talk to my B & M more and I am loving it and I am thinking they are to, it's so nice to be able to talk and get to know them better, I am sure they are getting to know my family as well as when we talk on the phone my kids are loud and fight over who is going to play the wii, but they understand they are kids and the phone is a magnet in our house, they are nice and quiet and get along but once the phone rings they are loud and bug you for something and my youngest son who is 3 is good for that. I even asked him if he wanted to talk to B and he looks at me like who? all 3 of my children know of B & M and seen pictures of them, so hopefully when they meet B & M they will know they are. I am sure my family will like them as I already have, I am very thankful and blessed to have been matched with them they are a wonderful caring couple.

YAY

I am right where the doctor wants me to be so far, today I had an ultrasound and my lining has thickened up to a 10 and the little bit of fluid that I had is gone.  I am ready for the transfer as the nurse that I am working with says.  I am getting excited for this whole journey.

day 4 of delestrogen shot

This is the needle with 1.5 delestrogen

giving myself the shot & taking this picture

Today is day 4 of my Tuesday & Friday shot and so far so good, I have not made myself bleed or bruise so I must be doing it right.

Doctor Update

Well I got an email from the clinic and all is good with my blood work, that is a good sign so I don't have to change the dose of my delestrogen. I will continue with the protocol.  I am looking forward to the next 16 days.

My Journey Scrapbook

The cover of my book

one of the pages

Today I came up with something to put on the cover of the scrapbook that I am made, now I just need to add pictures to it.  I have one page where I can journal with what the picture on the other page is about.  This is something that I want to treasure and share with my kids as they get older. Scrapbooks make great memories.

another one of the pages  

Start New Shot today

Today I went in and had a baseline ultrasound and my lining is 4.7 which is thin, it will thicken from the new medicine that I start taking today. It's delestrogen or aka Estidol Valtrate. I take .15ml twice a week- Tuesday's and Friday's.  I am glad that everything is going smoothly. 

I am right on track

I am so glad that I am on track with the calendar, everything is going just the way the clinic wants it and I am thankful for that :) because I know that is a good sign.

It's A New Day

My January Med Calendar

I received the rest of my beginning medications that I will start taking in February and hopefully they will continue until 12 weeks of pregnancy then I will wean off of them. It's all for a wonderful cause that I will call a miracle of life, because a baby is a miracle and a wonderful gift that will forever be treasured.

my meds before I organized them

I  received some meds  that I have never taken before and that's alright with me, new meds for a new journey.  With my meds I got 2 bags of needles one size to fill the syringe and one size to give myself the shot for both the delestrogen and the progesterone, I thought that was weird but I am alright with that then there is no confusion on what needle goes with the delestrogen and the progesterone. 

my meds after I organized them

I organized my meds and put the progesterone with some pink needles for the drawing of the medication and some with blue needles that I will use for injection into one container and then in another container is the delestrogen some pink needles and some blue needles, in the top container I have all my other medication expect for the ones that needed to be refrigerated.

A month from today

I can not  believe it, a month from today I will be having my embryo transfer in Reno and will be meeting my intended parents for the first time.  It will be an exciting day that I am looking forward to and I am sure that they are as well. 

What a small needle can do

Well 2 days ago I gave myself a bruise and then again today. How can such a small needle do this, who knows but I am sure these won't be the last ones I get as I will get some on my rear starting next month.

my bruises-the small one is today's

the needle (insulin) I use .10 of Lupron