Bump

32 weeks, about another month till we meet these babies!!

More Fall Fun (GS#1)

We were able to sneak in a visit to a favorite fall destination, Goebbert's Pumpkin Patch over the weekend.  This time we were joined by my first surro-family - Giovanni and his parents A&T.

It was a beautiful day and the kids had fun as usual running through the haunted house, jumping on the bouncy pillow, visiting the exotic animals and playing in the corn crib.

Mr. G is now in Kindergarten and the transition went well.  He's enjoying school and making friends.  IF couldn't wait to put Giovanni in soccer so he's being introduced to that now and having fun with it.  The family also recently moved out of the city and more towards the suburbs closer to grandparents.  We are looking forward to seeing their new space when we visit again in December, which will be here before we know it.

I have a few pics to add to the photo album, can't believe how big this special guy is.  He's grown so fast!

Pumpkin Patch 2015 (GS#2)

Although we just saw the boys recently at their 3rd birthday party, we were also able to sneak in our annual Pumpkin Patch visit with the twins last weekend.  It was fun to see Ryan and Mason and Daddy.  The boys enjoyed pony rides, inflatables and snacks and kept us all busy as they explored with our girls.  This year we opted to stay a little closer to our hometown since I'm carrying J&W's lil ones and feeling very pregnant these days.

Here are a few pics of our day.

Mason taking the lead pony

Howdy Mason

Giddy-up Ryan

An Incredible Loss

Yesterday evening the surrogacy community was rocked as news poured in that a fellow experienced surrogate from Idaho had just lost her life near the very end of her current journey. She was 37 weeks with twins, scheduled to be induced today, but suffered from complications yesterday and could not be saved. She leaves behind a husband and 3 boys. The surrotwins she was carrying, who were delivered by emergency cesarean, are in critical condition and fighting for their lives.

This outcome is rare, the first I've heard of in the eight years I've been involved in this process, but the news comes at a vulnerable time seeing as I am 31 weeks pregnant with surrotwins myself.

 While we surrogates understand that there are risks involved when helping others expand their families, we make informed decisions along the way and have many backup plans in place just in case, knowing its all worth it to help ease the heartache of an infertile couple. Until the worst case scenario does happen. My heart is so heavy over this situation. Please keep this family, and the twins family, in your thoughts and prayers.

(Nearly) 30 weeks

Can you believe we are headed into the home stretch!  At one point this pregnancy felt like it was going to go on forever and now here I am packing a hospital bag and making arrangements for delivery day and IPs are painting the nursery and moving in furniture!

Baby A (top) Baby B (bottom)

Babies are very active and continue to grow and grow.  We have another visit with MFM coming up for a growth u/s to get an estimate on their sizes.  Here are a couple of sweet images from the last OB appt.  Getting a lil baby squish on them now!!!  Aren't they just too cute!!!

Things are going well.  I did end up not passing the 3 hr GTT so I've been diagnosed as having gestational diabetes (GDM).  This is a first for me and although it comes with a few risks to myself and babies, if well controlled we all should do just fine.  My OB suggested I start modifying my diet about 6 wks ago and that was going well but, unfortunately with the GDM diagnosis not only do I have to watch what I eat but I also have to monitor blood sugar levels so, on Friday I met with the dietitian and picked up my glucometer.  I take my blood sugar readings 4x daily, once after waking up and then an hour after each meal and I also have to document what I'm eating throughout the day.  If anything the dietitian was concerned with how infrequently I was eating so I'm being very diligent about taking in enough nutrients by getting in three decent meals and a few snacks while still keeping a close eye on my carb(sugar) intake.  I follow up with both my OB and the dietitian in about a week to find out if the GDM is being controlled well enough by diet alone or if we have to consider medication.  Fingers crossed for a good update.

Just for fun I'm adding a baby poll to this post and it will also be available in the sidebar with the full blog layout.  Would love to hear your guesses.  Remember, full term due date is December 11th but due to being multiples, if I don't go into labor on my own before 38 weeks (November 27th), my OB will deliver babies via c-section right around that date .  Babies have been measuring big and we DO NOT know gender of either A or B.  Have fun!!!!

Big Milestones (GS#1 & GS#2)

There have a been a few big milestones with my surrofams these past few weeks.

Giovanni started KINDERGARTEN!!  Mom and dad weren't quite ready for this.  Despite them both having jobs that keep them busy, they've been able to avoid daycare over the years and besides some help from Grandma Lou, he's been home with the two of them until this transition.  We have a trip to the apple orchard planned in a few weeks and I can't wait to hear how everyone is adjusting. (Picture in GSx1 photo album)

This past weekend my family and I made our way to Chicago to help Ryan and Mason celebrate their 3rd birthday.  I just can't believe it, three years since these beautiful little boys stole away our hearts and K & S were blessed by their arrival.

Momma held their party at a pizza place downtown Chicago complete with balloon twister to keep the kids entertained.  Some of his creations were pretty darn cool.  She also had a professional photographer on hand to capture memories from the day.  We bribed the boys at the end that they could open a gift if they smiled nice and said "cheese" to get a pic with me.  Oh man did they ham it up!!  The photographer said I got the best pics of the day with them.  I can't wait for IM to share those.

Ryan (L) & Mason (R)

We have another little get together planned in a few weeks at the pumpkin patch that will allow me a little one on one time with these goofballs.  Can't wait. :)  Here's a pic of the silly three year-olds till then.