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About Me

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Caledonia, Northern Illinois, United States
I am a Thirty-Something mother of four beautiful girls. My love for them, and the joy I've experienced during this crazy ride called motherhood, has inspired me to help make the dream of a family become a reality for couples through gestational surrogacy. I've proudly helped A&T, as their lives were forever changed when they welcomed a son in April 2010 and K&S were blessed as parents in Sept 2012 when we welcomed their twin boys. I completed my final surrogacy journey Nov 2015 when I helped a wonderful local couple J&W and Big Brother add their family with the birth of twin boys. I am so very fortunate to have wonderful relationships with each one of my surro-families and continue to share in their lives.

Monday, March 29, 2010

35 weeks

Today was another appointment day and it was uneventful and quick. Hoping baby went through a lil growth spurt because I was up a few pounds ... I'd feel better knowing we shared the gain. ;) Everything else looked good, his heart rate was 144 bpm and the doctor reminded us that in two weeks we'll be full term (37wks) so after that if I go into labor the show is on! Wow, when did we get so close?!?! Today I also had the Group B Step test done...oh joy! Although I've been negative in all my previous pregnancies that could change so once results come back we'll know if antibiotics are necessary before delivery. We'll be doing a final u/s for growth and a cervical check at our upcoming appointment second week of April. The baby showers are just days before that so hoping he stays put till then so A&T have some time to organize and prepare all the new things for his arrival and to ensure he is fully "baked".

Yesterday a few of my closest friends, my mom & sis and IM enjoyed brunch together in "Celebration of Motherhood". It was so nice for those that have been my support system throughout this journey to have the opportunity to meet her and share their excitement and best wishes. Thanks again to all you special ladies, you mean the world to me.

Just weeks to go!

Monday, March 22, 2010

34 weeks

I'm getting fat! I'm over 5lbs and quickly running out of space in here.

The comment above was from baby but I you could say the same about me ... whoa I'm feeling huge. The days are getting longer, the nights more restless and the floor and my feet are just too far away these days. LOL Don't get me wrong though, I'm still so excited to be a part of this miracle!

A&T and I all attended a birthing class on Saturday. I found it to be entertaining being in a room of a bunch of first timers. IM and I found it funny that the other moms-to-be seemed most terrified of the IV and spent a good amount of time asking questions and fretting over it ... believe you me the IV will be the least of their worries when it comes time to deliver. LOL

I don't know what it is about me but the thought of labor/delivery actually excites me, it doesn't invoke any fear at all. Of course I could do without the pain part but really it is such an amazing experience from beginning to end. The human body is just incredible!

We are down to just a few last appointments and a couple showers/celebrations before he arrives. After that all we need to do is pack our bags and wait!!

Monday, March 15, 2010

33 weeks

Since there were two updates last week I don't have much to share. Thought instead I'd post the video to a song that makes my heart swell each time I hear it. I'm so excited to be sharing in this miracle with A&T and can't wait for them to begin their journey as parents. Only 6 weeks to go Mom & Dad !!

Please excuse the advertisement ... I couldn't find a clip without one.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Countdown is nearly here!!



Today we had a great 32 week OB appointment with an u/s too. The "lil" guy is measuring in the 77th percentile and a good two weeks ahead. His estimated weight was 4lbs 14oz with another 7 weeks to go (any guesses?). The fetal heartrate was 166bpm. He was a bit more active this time, last u/s he was sleeping. He must have been getting tired though, he was yawning throughout the u/s and it was too cute. I've shared a couple images with you. The top one is of his face head on, you can see his right eye, nose, lips and chubby cheeks pretty clearly. The other image is of his profile. You can't really see it in either picture here but he has hair and looks like quite a bit of it too.

As for me things are going well. I have started to slow down a bit and I am getting a lil more uncomfortable doing daily tasks. I'm so blessed to have a husband who helps out a lot and a wonderful daycare assistant (my sister) who both take over for me when I'm just not feeling up to it. Everything checked out great at the appointment; urine, blood pressure and even weight gain are all on target.

We also had the opportunity to go over the birth plan with our OB and she was on board with most all of it. Following our appointment there we headed over to the hospital (RMH) and had a Pre-Admission Interview. Everything went great. A&T got a lot of useful information and we were able to discuss our expectations with the staff, lay out all the details before the big day and get a tour. It was reassuring to know they've worked with surrogacy situations before so hopefully everything will go smoothly and we all have an amazing experience.

Afterwards A&T, Jason and I went out to an early dinner. We always have lots to talk about and enjoy chatting about anything and everything ... and now there is lots of baby talk too. Sounds like they are getting things ready and have a couple of baby showers to look forward to as well. How fun!!

Next weekend we'll be seeing one another again already, we've decided to all take a birthing class together. Just a little over a week after that is another OB appointment so they will be visiting a lot from here on out. Just another few weeks and it will be time to pack the bags and start the official countdown!!

Here's my latest pic taken this morning at 32wks 3days.

Monday, March 8, 2010

32 weeks

My skin is turning from red to pink!! My fingernails really need cutting soon!

Into the 8th month we go! I know I say it ever week but man, I just can't believe we are here already. It feels like just yesterday we hit the halfway point (20wks) and IPs were beginning to share the news with friends and family. To think that was nearly three months ago now really puts into perspective how quickly the end is approaching. Of course the plan is to get to full term (37wks+), which shouldn't be an issues based on my previous pregnancies, but to think that realistically he could be here and in the arms of A&T in as little as 5 - 7 weeks is just amazing.

We have a big OB appointment coming up on Thursday so I'll be sure to share the details about that later on this week. At that time we have another growth ultrasound so I'm excited to see his sweet lil face again and to get another estimate on his size.

More to come on Thursday.

Monday, March 1, 2010

31 weeks

It's been a quiet week here. Everyone keeps commenting on how close we are getting, OMG 9 weeks or less!!! I'm not ready for it to be over, I really am enjoying most every moment but I'm sure A&T are getting impatient and excited for their son to be in their arms. I'm getting bigger but he still seems to have plenty of room to move around. It's fun trying to figure out which baby bit is poking me, sometimes it feels like he's got his hands,arms, elbows, knees and tiny feet jabbing me all at once. He also gets hiccups on a regular basis.

I haven't talked to my IPs this week. They decided to take a trip to their original honeymoon destination before baby arrives and I didn't want to disturb or alarm them with a phone call or text. :) Looking forward to hear how the trip went. We'll be seeing one another next week and nearly every week after that until the end.

Sending out some birthday wishes to "T" (3/3) .... Happy Birthday Daddy!!!