Snuggles with the Christmas Elf

The family and I had a great holiday visit with A&T and Baby G. On Wednesday we went into Chicago for the evening and enjoyed a nice low key night with the surrofam. Mr. Giovanni greeted us at the door and before I even had my coat off was reaching out to me. **love** Either this lil man doesn't have a hint of stranger anxiety yet or he still recognizes me. We've been keeping our visits so regular, the longest has been 6 weeks, that I wouldn't doubt he finds me familiar. He spent a lot of time in my arms as we chatted in the kitchen while FIF prepared dinner. We then went downstairs to get my girls comfortable in the family room where I set Baby G down on the floor to join them. He didn't hesitate in showing off his crawling skills. He's got his own individual style, one knee on the floor and but he uses his foot on the other side to propel himself, it gives him a lil more speed. :) He's getting more steady when he stands and still loves to jump. I see steps in this guys future before his first birthday for sure.

After some visiting Giovanni went down for a little snooze, the girls played with all his toys and the adults enjoyed a delicious dinner and some great conversations.

After awhile baby got up from his catnap so we decided to exchange gifts. FIPs gave the girls some fun toys that kept them busy. They generously gifted me charms for my Pandora bracelet and a Pandora necklace so my collection can continue to grow. They are beautiful and I'm so thankful for their generosity. Jason received a book "1001 MOVIES You Must See Before You Die" so that should keep him busy for awhile. LOL They also gave us a copy of Cinema Paradiso, the movie they watched together on their first date. The movie is set in 1980s Rome, Italy, and tells the life story of a famous Italian film director through flashbacks. I know a bit about the movie because it was playing on the DVD player while I was in labor ... I didn't get to watch much of it though. Perhaps now I can sit down without any interruptions. ;) I do remember the soundtrack to the film was beautiful, that was playing during the actual delivery and one the nurses even commented on how lovely it was.

The evening ended with some more chit chat over dessert. Finally about 12:30 AM we decided it would be best to head home with our sleeping brood.

It is always so great to spend time with A&T and of course get in snuggles with Baby G too. This past year has brought them so much joy and I know they've treasured every minute and I'm so honored to have been a part of it all. Seeing them as a family enjoying the holiday season just makes my heart so full. I am very grateful to have them all in my life and that they continue to share Giovanni with me. It has been an amazing year with so many blessings.

Preheating the Oven (again) !!

Today I met with K&S and I'm very excited to say we are matched!!!! Our face to face meeting was great and we both expressed we'd like to move forward before even leaving Family Source Consultants [surrogacy agency]. I know for Jason and I it was very relaxed and warm and we enjoyed getting to know this wonderful couple.

I mentioned before that they are from Chicago which will allow them to be very involved in the journey. I'm excited to share another close relationship with my IPs, something we both seem to agree on. We have a lot in common too so I have no doubt we will have an easy time developing a friendship over time.

They've been through a lot in the last two years while struggling with infertility but have such a positive attitude and outlook. Unfortunately K&S have been dealt more than their fair share of disappointments which have included two dangerous ectopics, an early miscarriage as well as several failed IVF attempts. They've come to a place where they can either continue to gamble with the odds - which haven't been in their favor - or go with an option that has a more predictable outcome. Surrogacy will allow them the opportunity to still have a biological child and hopefully avoid more heartache. The decision of using a surrogate is not an easy one I am sure and I was impressed with how at ease and comfortable K&S are with the decision. There are still many variables and unknowns but hopefully with some faith we can see their dream of a family come to be. I'm very honored that K&S are willing to put their trust in me to carry and care for their lil miracle(s).

So where do we go from here? We will begin getting all the preliminary things checked off the list; medical clearance, psychological evaluations, contracts and more. The process is a little overwhelming but from experience I can say it's not all that bad. Once we complete all that it may be a bit of a wait before we transfer in the spring (my request) but hopefully it will go by quickly.

Here we go!!!

Searching ... Finding ...

Over the last week my profile has been viewed by a few different couples. Exciting! I've gotten great feedback from each one which was wonderful but, a lot goes into a match so sometimes although every thing seems great one small detail can mean not being a perfect fit. For me the one thing that's setting me back is that I don't want to transfer till spring, after my surrobabes 1st birthday. Realistically May isn't all that far away but, to a couple anxiously ready to get the process started, waiting even an extra month to transfer after getting all the preliminary details out of the way can feel like a lifetime.

So, this Thursday I got a call from my agency to say that one couple in particular is very interested in meeting me and willing to wait on my time line. They [FSC] thought we'd make a very good match so late the other night I was forwarded their profile and some pictures. After looking it over Jason and I had a great feeling about moving ahead and setting up a face to face.

My only hesitation was wondering if I should, for lack of a better phrase, "shop around". Not because I'm unsure about them, only because this is the first profile I've viewed since I started working with the agency again. However, I reminded myself this is one of the reason I'm working with an agency. They look over a number of IP and GS applications alike and then present each party with only the potentially good matches dismissing the ones that aren't a good fit. There really is no need to view multiple profiles if all the criteria are there. Getting an initial good vibe after looking over a profile is just icing on the cake. With that in mind I have no problem jumping in with both feet and making the next move. Besides, A&T were the first ever IP profile I saw and look how amazing that turned out.

I'm looking forward to meeting K&S, a Chicago couple in their mid/late 30's who have gone through so much in the past two years trying to achieve their dream of a family. It is stories like theirs that inspired me to be a surrogate and I'm honored that they are considering me to help them create their family.

Anniversary of Sorts

Today couldn't have been a better day to wake up on an air mattress in my surrobabes nursery. Three years ago today A&T, two ladies from FSC, Jason and myself all sat around a large conference table for a match meeting. It was awkward, it was emotional, it was exciting. I remember it like yesterday. Three years ago we began working on a dream and the beautiful journey that brought Baby G to A&T's arms.

I enjoyed a slumber party with my surro family last night following a concert attended by myself, a good friend and FIM. The music was great, the food good, and the company was perfect. We ladies had a wonderful time sharing margaritas and then back to join FIF (who was on baby duty) for some late night (morning) conversation. We woke up early and I was happy to get in some snuggles with Baby G and gush over some goofy baby grins & giggles before heading home.

Three years ago ... Wow, once again amazed.

Also just a quick Baby G update. His 6 month appointment went well ... still at the top of the charts 18lbs 12oz (75th) and 28 inches (90th). His new highchair has arrived and he'll be enjoying his first home cooked meal tonight, butternut squash. He also got to test out the new bouncy I got him .. pretty fun stuff!!

Another Journey ???

I wasn't sure where I wanted to share this ... Here? Another separate blog? Well, for now I'll keep everything in one place ... somewhere familiar.

Let's see where do I want to start. First I'll begin by saying ... I shared some news prematurely on my last entry and have since edited it. Here is where you will find "the latest" so read on.

I guess I'll first rewind to a few months ago when I was contacted by a wonderful traditional couple about being a gestational carrier for them. We talked via email and phone multiple times and began to get excited about potentially matching but, after some consideration we decided we were not perfect for one another.

Then in the midst of that I was contacted by another individual seeking a surrogate. This time it was a single intended father who is currently working with a GS friend of mine. His baby boy is due in March and he wanted his family to continue growing with out much delay and was interested in starting a second surrogacy, a "sibling project" in the spring. We discussed matching and decided to move forward with a "match meeting". Over dinner we got to know one another, it went great and we decided to move forward. My desire was to not start the process till after the New Year so for the time being things were on pause. In the weeks following our match I began to do some soul searching and decided I wasn't entirely comfortable with my choice. My original inspiration to pursue surrogacy was my heavy heart for those couples affected by infertility. I realized I wasn't passionate about my new match and it was missing something. I made the hard decision to contact the IF and express that I just didn't feel I was the right surrogate for him.

So that brings me up to present times. I'm proceeding cautiously after now talking with two IPs and realizing that neither was my perfect match. It was just so easy the first time ... I think I expected it to be the same this go around especially considering I'm "experienced" and know (or at least thought I knew) what would be my ideal match. I try to remember that although I felt connected with A&T from the beginning we weren't instant friends. Our relationship was built over 2.5 years and shaped by our journey; the ups, the downs and everything in between. I'm anxious to find my perfect second match and have decided to go back to working with the agency I used the first go around. I know one thing, I want to be a surrogate again ... the questions is for whom?

~ Tiffany ~

" So Big "

The family and I had a great visit with my FIPs and 'Lil" Giovanni Monday night. They spent the weekend in Wisconsin and had to come through our area on their way back to Chicago so they stopped in for dinner and a quick hello.

OMG the boy is huge! I can't believe he was 6 months old already this past weekend and growing like a weed. He's mastered sitting up and has his first two teeth (bottom). Sooooo cute! His new favorite thing is to jump, jump, jump! This kid needs a Jumperoo before he wears out mommy & daddys arms. (Shhh, I already have one on the way for him **wink**)

I'm looking forward to seeing pics of him at Halloween, they are thinking he might be a baby Superman with the signature curl in the middle of his forehead or a lil Prince. IM also mentioned a classic Pumpkin but IF doesn't seem keen on the suggestion. Whatever they choose I'm positive he will be adorable.

I'm going to be visiting again next weekend already. IM, my very good friend Daisy and I are all going to enjoy a Ben Folds concert together and since the venue is just blocks from FIPs home Daisy and I are staying overnight. I get to have a slumber party with the lil man on what will be the 3 year anniversary of A&T, Jason and I all sitting around a large conference table meeting one another for the very first time. (Nov 6, 2007) Wow look how far we've come.