30 weeks strong!

It's hard to believe that I'm 30 weeks along right now. It was just yesterday we transferred two embryos and now they are strong growing little babies. I have an ultrasound on Monday to check on the babies and their growth. I always get excited for my ultrasounds to see how the babies are doing. I also Skype with the papas during the appointment as well.

Yesterday I signed all the pre-birth documents and got that taken care of. My attorney kept mentioning having the babies at the end of November, which is crazy because it's NEXT month! When the father's arrive, I will be 36 weeks and 5 days along. It's hard to predict when these babies will make their appearance, but Brandon guessed they would come shortly arrived the papas arrive.

I sent the ladies at my agency an e-mail with a belly photo and an update. I also wanted to thank them again for matching me with a wonderful couple who we consider family now.

I will update again after our ultrasound on Monday. Happy Friday all! Enjoy your weekend!

Why I chose to be a surrogate and what it means to me.......

Photo taken 4/1/14 the day we transferred two beautiful babies into my uterus

This journey has been such an amazing learning experience so far. A lot of people who aren't familiar with surrogacy usually have a lot of questions or make assumptions, which at times can be very ignorant. The very deserving fathers that I am carrying for are from France, a country where surrogacy is not accepted. They have to constantly fight for their rights to have a family of their own. It breaks my heart to see such discrimination in our world. I never gave it a second thought to carry for a same sex couple. In my eyes, they are no different than myself and my husband. Love is love and they deserve to have their own family.

I decided to write this blog post about WHY I chose to be a surrogate and what it means to me.

After having three amazing children of my own, it truly makes you realize that we are on this earth to make a difference in some one's life. I knew that I wanted to help a couple in a extraordinary way so I looked into becoming a surrogate. A couple years of research and after having our last baby, I knew it was my time to help another family.

I don't take this journey lightly. One thing that means a lot to me is to have a close relationship with the parents. I want to be a part of their lives, not just for the 9 months I'm carrying their babies for but for a lifetime. I want to watch the children grow up, have them know who I am and that I helped their parents become a family. This means so much to me that it's difficult for me to find the words to describe how I feel, but I can tell you this.... I am SO proud to be a surrogate for two amazing people who are going to be incredible fathers to their babies. This has been far from easy for them and I know what a journey it has already been. I'm so happy to be heading into my 30th week of pregnancy with their babies.

With so many advancements and miraculous achievements our world has created and a country such as France with great accomplishments all throughout history, one can only hope that sooner rather than later one of the greatest medical achievements of modern science (in my opinion) would become just as normal and accepted as it should be.

The papas recorded a bed time story for them so they can hear their voices.

#proudsurrogate

29 weeks tomorrow!

This is why I don't blog, it's been over a month since I posted an update! Shame on me.

I'm happy to report that everything is going well so far. The babies are constantly moving around.

Last week I did the two hour Glucose Screening. After I drank the glucola drink, I felt like I needed to throw up. I kept gagging. Brandon had to grab me some water as we were waiting. I didn't want to start over again. Unfortunately my fasting glucose level was 95 and they want it at 93. My levels after drinking the glucola came back as passed both times. Now I have to poke my finger 4 times a day and monitor my blood sugar levels at home until I have the babies. Not going to lie, I'm not too thrilled about it but I'll do whatever I have to. Once I get in a routine, it's easy. So far my numbers have been good.

Only 55 days until the papas arrive to Portland! And 77 days from my due date, December 18th. Time is flying by with this pregnancy. Between all the appointments, the kids, and just being busy it's going by quickly.

At my last ultrasound a couple of weeks ago, both babies weighed over two pounds each and baby girl was head down and baby boy was still transverse right underneath my boobs. They still have a lot of time to move around. Hoping and praying that they both get in good positions to have a vaginal birth. As long as baby girl is head down, we're good to go!

I've been doing a lot of thinking on my birth plan and what I would like to decline etc. Hospital births are SO much different from home births. I'm learning a lot as I go. I'm excited that the papas would like to be in the room when their babies are born. I made sure to ask just in case. I wasn't sure if they would feel uncomfortable or not. I'm totally fine with it and I'm glad they are too. To see them meet their babies for the first time is going to be priceless! I can't wait!

N & F are in Portland!

Yesterday we had the pleasure of spending half of the day with N & F. Our trio got to meet them for the first time. It took them a little while to warm up to them, but once they did the girls wouldn't leave them alone! (in a good way)

We went to my ultrasound and Crystal, my Doula & friend met us there. She met the guys for the first time and sat in with us during the ultrasound. The ultrasound went beautifully. Both babies are doing great and growing well. Baby B, the boy is measuring a little bigger but he has been this whole time so it wasn't a surprise. Both babies are over a pound each! They got some great photos of both babies to take home with them.

We took them to Benihana's for dinner. We thought it would be fun and entertaining for them and the kids. They've never been to Benihana's before and really enjoyed it. Before we ordered, they gave gifts to us and the kids, so sweet! The kids loved their gifts. After dinner we took them to Lake Oswego and we walked around and took some photos. Then we took them to Tryon Creek to go for a little hike. Even with a maxi skirt and flip flops on, I made it! It was a lot of fun and heart warming to seeing N & F with the kids. So many smiles and laughs throughout the day. They are going to be amazing fathers! The babies are so blessed to have such loving papas. I'm so excited for them!

A little collage I made that sums up our day together. 8/19/14

Any Difference?

So I thought it would be great to post about the number one question people ask me which is, "Do you notice a difference carrying twins versus one baby?"

Yes and no. Going into this journey, I knew carrying more than one baby had more "risks". So I almost feel like I'm overly cautious with this pregnancy because of that. I'm definitely more tired and feeling "big" already at 21 weeks (tomorrow!) but other than that, there hasn't been much difference.

There's definitely a party in my uterus though. Every night when I lay down for bed, both babies just start dancing away. They must know I'm trying to sleep. =)

I'm excited that in less than two weeks the papas will be in Portland visiting!!! I'll be sure to update and let you all know how it goes.

Almost half way there!

One of my guilty pleasures is surprising people. I LOVE surprises myself so I know the feeling of getting something unexpectedly and it makes me feel SO good inside.

I sent the papas a goodie box with the ultrasound photos of their babies, some clothes for the babies and a candle for them to enjoy. It took about a week to get there, which isn't that long for sending something international. I didn't realize that for customs you have to complete a form and list everything in the box you're sending, so much for a surprise!-haha they loved it anyways.

I was surprised, yet so happy to see that both fathers announced the pregnancy on their Facebook pages. I know how much of a big deal this is so it made me feel so happy for them that they are at a place now where they can shout it out to the world. They are going to be fathers soon!!! YEAH!

This is the photo they sent me when they received their package

They will be coming to the states in less than a week to have a last vacation before the babies arrive. I'm excited because they will be stopping by Portland before they head back to Paris. They will also be at my next ultrasound on August 19th which will be awesome! We always Skype during the ultrasounds, but this time they will actually be in the room. I'm so excited for them!

I've been feeling pretty good lately. It's warming up again, but I've been staying in and enjoying the air conditioning. I can not wait for the Fall and Winter to be here already. Thursday marks a big milestone, 20 weeks...Half way there!

Taken yesterday morning 7/28/14, the surrobabies and I enjoying a mocha

Almost 19 weeks strong!

Time is flying by! With keeping busy with my kiddos, appointments, getting together with friends and spending time with my family time is just going by quickly.

In September it will mark one year of the start of this remarkable journey. It will be bittersweet when the babies arrive. It will be the end of my pregnancy, but the beginning of their papa's lives of being parents for the first time. To be a part of this, is such an honor. I say this a lot because there's no other word that defines it better.

I will be 19 weeks in a couple of days, almost halfway there! I've been feeling pretty good. The weather was warm for about a week and I wasn't the happiest camper, but now that it's cooled down a bit it's much better. It's a nice break from the heat. Pregnancy + heat = no bueno.

The anatomy ultrasound a couple weeks ago went perfectly. Both babies look great! Baby A is definitely the girl and Baby B is the boy. Our next ultrasound is on August 19th. And I'm so excited that the guys will be in town to be there for it!

Taken on 7/20/14, 18 weeks and 3 days