Moving Right Along

Well, it's on to the next step. The IP couple that have been viewing my profile over the last few days have decided they want to meet with me. I am super excited about this news and after looking at their info I think they will be a great fit for me too.

A&T are in their early 40's, so a bit older than DH and I, but seem to enjoy a lot of the same things we do like food (who doesn't), wine, theater and film. I am looking forward to meeting them and seeing if we make a good connection.

They've struggled with infertility, after the diagnosis of fibroids and several surgeries resulting in uterine scar tissue making implantation nearly impossible they've decided to pursue surrogacy. I'm hoping that I can help them achieve their dream and give them a bundle (if not two) to welcome into their family. I feel excited and honored to join in this partnership with them.

Our tentative date to meet is in two weeks (November 6th). With all this moving along so quickly it could be early next year when we put everything into motion. That could mean a baby in 2008, can't wait to be praying for babydust and stickyvibes!!!

Oh the wait!!

Again, I have to remember to not get too excited. Having potential IPs view my profile doesn't mean anything really but I can't help but be happy about it.

My profile went out to the IP couple in Chicago today. The IM is out of town and won't be back till Thursday...ugh...so at the earliest I will get news back Friday.

I am keeping my fingers crossed. It would be so exciting to find a match right away. Of course I have to agree to work with them too but the agency consultant seems so optimistic. Her email today said.... "I think you guys we'll be a wonderful match -- I'm crossing fingers!" I'm keeping mine crossed too.

Moving Fast

Can I just say again how quickly this is all going!!!!

Today my agency consultant called to tell me that she is presenting the Chicago couple with my profile today. She said she is super excited because she believes we are a perfect match, so much so that it gives her chills! She went on about how she told her business partner all about what a great opportunity it is for both the IPs and myself to work together.

She is hoping to have more information for me today or early next week. If based on my profile they want to meet me we move ahead. The from there if they pick me we then go on to doing the full medical exam, psych evaluation and then sitting down with lawyers and writing up our contract.

If all of this comes together and our journey begins late this year or early next I'll be a surromom in 2008!

I'm trying too not get to excited because I know there are a lot of variables to consider but I am just giddy right now over it all.

In the Beginning

Well, I feel like yesterday my journey officially began.

The consultant (Zara) from Family Source Consultants and I met at a restaurant at a halfway point between my location and hers. I had to track about an hour towards Chicago but it wasn't too bad.

She was very friendly as I had expected. We mostly talked about marriage, family, daycare....all the ins and outs of my life. Then of course we also talked about surrogacy....I had some questions for her, she had some for me.

We got down to the details as she explained the entire process and what it entails, medical and psych evaluations, fertility drugs and injections, retrievals and transfers, Dr appointments and of course D-day too.

She has 3 different IP couples in mind for me. One is right here in the Chicago area which would be great and convenient. The other two are from out of state, on in Missouri and the other in Minnesota. This would require some travel on my part but should still be workable.

She is hoping to contact these couples in the coming days and present them with my profile. She said several times during our meeting that she is certain they will place me with IPs, it is just a matter of getting the right match.

Seems like things moved really quickly. Just one month ago I was contacting them about my interest and now here we are working towards finding IPs. It is all very exciting and I can't wait for more news.

This has been in the fore front of my mind all day long. As with most things that I become passionate about I can see myself getting drawn in to the process, craving all the knowledge, support and insight that I can. I am thankful to have found AllAboutSurrogacy.com (AAS), what a great resource. I also happened upon the journal of the surrogacy agencies consultant that I met with yesterday. It is very interesting to look into the lives of the IP/IM/IF and gain insight into their journey as well and how they came to decide on surrogacy. I can't wait to read more experiences from IP and GS/TS alike.

All the family and friends I have told so far about my/our plans have praised me, told me how unselfish I am, giving, honorable and amazing. I have heard a lot of "God Bless Your Heart" and other such comments. I guess I just don't see it. I am not anyone special, I most certainly am not amazing that is for sure. I only want to give to a couple what they deserve, to feel the touch of their child's skin next to theirs, wipe the tears from their eyes when they are sad, hear them laugh and the chance to love someone more than they could ever imagine. I want to give the gift of life, the experience of parenting, and the joy of having a family. These are the things I most cherish in my own life and I want to pass that along so others can be touched by them as well.

I can't wait for my journey to get underway!!