Sharing Surrogacy

It's a snow day here in Northern Illinois - schools are closed and several businesses including the dental office I work at.  I figured this would be a good time for me to catch up in the blog world and see what all my fellow surrogates have been up to.  That's when I came across a post that I wanted to share with you all regarding talking to others about surrogacy.

Just like my fellow surro-sister and blogger Jeni (Love Makes a Family), I get emails frequently from both woman considering to be a surrogate and woman (men)  looking to build a family through surrogacy.  I find great joy in answering questions and helping them navigate the complex world of surrogacy.  I am an open book and I'm proud to share my experiences and also the knowledge I've acquired over my almost six years in the surrogacy community.  My dream would to be able to do this as a job, perhaps working for or owning an agency but, until then I'm content connecting with these women in my free time.

I hear from hopeful intended parents praising me for what a selfless thing I've done but, I always respond by saying that my life has been enriched by surrogacy just as much as the couples I've helped.  It's an amazing process that has helped me grow emotionally and challenged me to be a more loving, caring, understanding person.  I also love to share my experience with other woman hoping to follow in my footsteps and become a surrogates themselves.  I can't say I've ever convinced anyone to be a surro, it's something they already feel and have a passion for - they just sometimes need a helping hand navigating the process and an idea of where to get started.

The following post has a lot of useful information and tips about how to broach the topic of surrogacy and discuss the subject with others.  Love Makes a Family - Talking With Others About Surrogacy

As always, please feel free to email me - surrogates & intended parents alike.  I love hearing from blog readers and being of help if I can.

Time for a Mini Update

Hello there everyone!  I hope the start to the New Year has been treating you all well.  We've been very busy getting settled into our new life and routine.  I've been back at my old job at the dental office for several months now and I really am enjoying it.  Getting accustomed to the new schedule is another thing, I'm not use to being away from home and the girls so much but, we're chugging along.  We LOVE our new home and hosted a housewarming party last weekend with a wonderful turnout.  Thank you so much to all who joined us or sent their congrats.

Besides the obvious day to day stuff that's been keeping me busy, I've challenged myself to become more fit and spend several hours at the gym each week.  Although I feel comfortable in my own skin and think that despite 6 pregnancies and 7 babies over the last 18 years I'm doing alright, it is my mission to get in even better shape so that once I reclaim my body for good it will be one I am proud of.  (Yep, I'm not done with surrogacy just yet but no details to share at this time).  I've got some great motivators that keep me going and make the workouts fun.  Five months postpartum with twins and I'm a good 5+ pounds below my pre-pregnancy weight now, 10 pounds from my goal weight and gearing up for my second 5k in a couple of weeks with several others planned for later in the year.  I'm working on increasing my speed before considering longer distances, not sure I'll ever be a "runner" but for now this works. :)  Our family adopted some new eating habits while I was pregnant with the twins so this was just the next step and it's been more enjoyable then I'd have ever imagined.

Another big motivator for the "Me Revolution" was when K&S invited Jason and I to spend a week with them  and the babies in Cabo as our Christmas gift!  We are floored by their generosity and feel so blessed that they have continued to be so kind and so grateful for our role in their journey to become parents.  We are Mexico bound in just 6 weeks and can't wait to spend this time with them enjoying each others company and the sunshine.

Just after our return we'll be visiting with A&T to help them celebrate Giovanni's 3rd birthday - WOW can you believe it!

I'll be sure get lots of pics and I'm sure will have some great stories to share after both visits.  I'm hoping to get us ALL together this summer here at our home too - I'd love a picture with all SEVEN of the "babies" I've had a hand in bringing into this world.

To be continued ...