A Surrogate Mom's Journey

June 23rd, 2011 - Moving Notice

2011-06-23T14:08:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends...please follow me at http://surrogatemomsjourney.blogspot.com/ as I have moved. See you there!

A Surrogate Mom

January 2nd, 2011 - Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

2011-01-01T22:27:00.000-08:00

Wow....three years old today!!! Thank you R & M for sharing all the pictures of your beautiful children! (I suppose I stole this picture from your FB page, lol) It has been a joy to follow your beautiful family! Your family is truly blessed.

Don't let anyone scare you that Three's are worst then the Two's! As a parent of 4 (singleton) children...it's the 4th child that is the worst!!! ;)

Happy Birthday Xia, Ru, and Zhen!!!

HUGS!!!

Kerri, A Surrogate Mom

January 1st, 2011 - almost 3 years later

2011-01-01T09:11:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Feeling a little sad, but I think it's mostly from an article of an IM's experience. Truly well written and the only thing that stood out was this: “You may think you want to stay in touch now, but trust me, once you have your baby, you’re barely going to remember her name. I call it surrogacy amnesia.” This was the statement made by an agency that the IM had interviewed.

Here is the link to that article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/02/magazine/02babymaking-t.html?pagewanted=1

At just after 11 pm-ish on this very day...3 years ago, my water broke on Baby B. I remember pacing the hallway thinking CRAP...where's my purse with the OB's number...feeling a little panic, bags not packed (which was not unusual for me...it's not like I ever had a bag packed with my own 4 kids). I remember yelling downstairs to my husband that it was time (actually after I post this, I ought to re-read the actual entry for fun!). I remember calling R and letting him know that I was on the way to the hospital and we'd let him know what was up later. I think it was 2 am and Chuck was calling R to say they were sending me home...found out that R had been trying to get a flight out, but the first one didn't leave until 6 am his time. Anyways, so after 3 tests saying my water didn't break and me trying to be the polite New Yorker that I am (Yes, you can laugh)...I know I did not pee that much...not to mention, I remember the dog licking it up!!! lol Ok...through my insisting before I'd go home, the dr ordered an ultrasound and took one look and said, prep her quick...in a calm voice, but one where I knew it had to happen quickly b/c all of Baby B's fluids were gone. At this time, I'm thinking you have to find my husband to call R back. I remember Chuck saying...but I just called R to tell him it was a false alarm. Still makes me laugh to this day. I wasn't too scared about being rushed to the OR for my c-section...I clearly remember wondering if I'd be able to make the Bingo Buy-In at Grand Casino Hinckley that Saturday...and that the girls would miss me, if I didn't! BTW I was missed...the gals texted and left messages on my phone. Funny how we can remember things so long ago...to the detail!

Babies were all born healthy and were ready to make their appearance..even at 33 1/2 weeks gestation. Today they are just beautiful, happy and healthy as ever! At 4 am CST (guestimate) on January 2nd, 2011...these beautiful triplets will be 3 years old!!!

I still remember the day I met M and we were in the elevator and he brushed something off of R's forehead. It was touching and I thought it was true love for them. :) Too bad I wasn't there to see his reaction when R told his then "new" boyfriend that he was going to have triplets!

I remember that R didn't arrive in MN until about 11 am cst...I'm thinking he came right to my room to see me. Ok, well if he didn't, he at least came to see me right away. And that means a lot to me, after reading the article I shared above. He didn't forget me! That's all that matters! So back to that article and that statement...truly (for me) the saddest part of being a surrogate is the IP forgetting me right after it's over. I'm truly grateful to M & R for remembering me to this day. I hope we'll keep in touch but I understand that people's lives get busy and all.

Well enough babbling for today!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Kerri, A Surrogate Mom

March 10th, 2010 - 2 years old!!!

2010-03-10T02:54:00.000-08:00

Wow, where has the time gone? Xia, Ru, & Zhen turned 2 on January 2, 2010!!! Sorry for the late update. I am thankful everyday for being able to watch the triplets grow up via pictures and videos. Their daddies are just wonderful for that...as well as being parents. I'm loving every minute of watching and hearing how they experience every milestone with the triplets. Each one of them has their own personalities. It's awesome! Their daddies are so blessed. :)

Well I couldn't sleep and was thinking about the triplets, so I thought I would finally jump on here and post a quick update.

January 2, 2009 - HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

2009-01-01T23:56:00.000-08:00

WOW...Exactly 1 year ago at 2 am, as I write this, my OB was telling the ER staff to prep me...it was time for these triplets to make their entrance!!! Baby B (later known as Ru) had enough...and his water (or is that my water??? lol) broke at 11 pm, 3 hours earlier...which is when we called my IP to tell him I was on my way to the hospital! I laugh how they told me 3 times, NO your water didn't break...obviously their high tech tests failed. lol I remember I was a bit panicked when the Dr said it was time...especially after we just called the IP to tell him that it was a false alarm based on the tests. lol

To this day, I remember the first cries of each of the babies as they came into this world! Such strong healthy cries, despite the fact that they were coming at 33 1/2 weeks! To this day, you would never know that they were premies. I am so proud of these little babies, as I know their daddies are today! The picture above is of the triplets (from left to right, Zhen, Ru, Xia) on their first Christmas at Grandma's!

The tears I have as I write this entry to share with you, are those of joy and happiness that I have given to their two wonderful dads. I can just imagine the year they have had and more to come. I am forever thankful for being their surrogate, and for being able to see the triplets grow via pictures. As a first time surrogate, you just don't know what to expect, how you will feel and how much contact you want or if you can even have any.

While today is the triplets birthday, they well celebrate their first birthday on Saturday. Can't wait to see the pictures!

I would like to share that they (the triplets with their daddies) will be filming at their party for ads in repeal of California's passage of Proposition 8 (hope I worded that correctly). For more information, please go to http://www.gettoknowmefirst.org/Overview.html I too am personally sad that Prop 8 passed; it's just not right. I hope that these ads will make a difference and help others realize the importance of Marriage Equality... You have my support here in Minnesota!

Hugs to my little surro triplets as you celebrate your first birthdays! Hugs to your daddies too!!

Love Always,

A Surrogate Mom, Kerri

July 2, 2008 - The Triplets are 6 Months old today!!!

2008-07-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Are they just the cutest little babies or what??? Today they are six months old and healthy...and I personally don't think you could ever tell that they were premies!!! I know I wish that I could just hold them and hug them because they are so big and cute! Yes I miss them but I am greatful that they live with their daddies! I can imagine how busy they keep them...wait until they are mobile! That will be great for them!!! lol

I'm still freezing and sending my breastmilk once a week. We'll be stopping that in a few weeks. While I would do this until they are a year (or at least until I start my next surrogacy), it will be nice to not have to worry about pumping every 4 hours....at least I can get through the night comfortably without having to wake up now to pump. I'm not sure what I will do when I dont have to pump anymore! lol

I have healed well after the c-section. I can finally look at the incision and touch it. After 4 vaginal deliveries...I definately will opt for a c-section with my next surrogacy!!

So I guess this will be my last post for awhile... if I get more pictures at 9 months and a year, I will definately share with you all.

Thank you again for following my journey and hope that there will be a second journey. I already started my blog for that journey...just waiting now.... wish me luck! :)

Have a great day!
Kerri

The Triplets at almost 4 months old!!!

2008-05-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

Taken last month (April), Zhen, Ru, Xia. Are they just too cute. I just can't get over how big they are...you would just never know that they were premies.

Thanks to their daddy for sharing these pictures with me and my friends.

April 2, 2008 - The Triplets are THREE MONTHS old

2008-04-03T21:14:00.001-07:00

ok...so the picture of them is a couple weeks old. This one was taken on Easter. Sometimes its hard to believe that I was pregnant with triplets!

Can you believe I'm ready to go again??? While I am getting my stuff together to work with a local surrogacy agency, I might go independent with a single guy referred by my IP. My desire is to try for twins. lol yes, I 'm not interested in carrying triplets.

Well we shall see what happens! Just wanted to share this cute picture of the triplets.

Have a great day!

Kerri

March 9th, 2008 - Life After My First Surrogacy

2008-03-09T20:15:00.000-07:00

I've been putting this off for way too long. Maybe because I am sad to see that my first journey as a surrogate is over and well...I have to get a job???

I am doing fine emotionally and physically after giving birth to the triplets. I am glad I had the experience of being a surrogate. I am getting tired of people telling me they can't believe I could give up the babies. I didn't give up anything as far as I'm concerned. They were never my babies and I was only too happy to carry them for their father.

When I see pictures of the babies, it makes me feel so good inside that I was a part of helping my IP begin his family. He is so very lucky, as I remember how it was when I became a single mom. I think that is why we were a good match...him being a single dad.

Single dads can do it just as well as single moms...and probably some of them are even better single dads!

I am currently pumping my breastmilk for the babies. Its a lot of work. I pump every 3-4 hours...even getting up once during the night. I have to admit, its nicer to be able to nurse babies then to pump b/c you have to always clean the parts after each pumping. I can do it all in my sleep now too! :) I love my breast pump because its portable and has a battery pack. I take it with me everywhere....to volleyball games, bingo, church, bingo, MNOs, etc...YOU NAME IT!!! I'm ready to pump! lol

So how do I get the milk to the babies??? I freeze the milk in Medela containers or bags. Then once a week I overnight it via FedEx to the family. We just package it in a cooler and then they return the cooler so I have it to send out the next week. Pretty easy...and the babies are getting good milk! I really do like pumping for them because I am eating well...and reminds me to keep drinking my water so I have a lot of milk! lol There are times that my daughter has to run and get another bottle b/c I overflow in one pumping!!! My 3 yr old calls the bottles and stuff, "Mommy's Boobie Toys" TOO FUNNY.

Not sure how long he will want me to pump, but the longer the better...for both babies and me. I lost all the weight I gained within the first two weeks...now I'm working on the weight I gained during the time time trying to get pregnant, fertility drugs, and birth control pills. I don't feel up to exercising yet. I probably should at least walk on the treadmill. My incision area still feels wierd. Its healed and all looking good though.

My post partum checkup was at 7 weeks and my local OB said I was good to go for another surrogacy!!! Unfortunately the OB at the perinatal clinic says he won't sign a release until after 18 months...urgh...I turn 40 this year and well, would like to get pregnant sometime after June. Will have to get a second opinion or see if he will check me to make sure that I am ready. The last fertility dr had told me to wait at least 6 months after a c-section. So we shall see. I really want to be a surrogate one more time.

So backing up some...

My water broke for baby B at 11 pm on Jan 1st. An hour later DH and I made it to the hospital. Wasn't having any significant contractions. Was hooked up to monitors and stuff. They did a test 3 times that came back negative, meaning my water never broke. LOL well there is NO way I would have pee'd like that on accident! And the nurses were telling me that their tests are quite accurate...best on the market. OK whatever. So they were going to send me home...but do an ultrasound before I went. So DH calls the IP to tell him false alarm b/c I knew that he probably didn't listen to me when I said to wait about flying out until I heard from the dr. lol DH said he did make a flight but couldn't get out until 6:30 am his time (which was 8:30 am our time). Anyways...the gal was having a hard time measuring fluid for the babies...the dr comes in and says baby B has no fluid....Prep her for surgery. LOL what? You just told me I was going home and we told the IP it was false alarm. ROFL So then I was super bummed b/c I was thinking I'd be going to Bingo that Saturday! lol DH called IP back and said it was time...for real! By this time, I think it was 2:30 am?? I think it took over an hour to get prepped and stuff.

The c-section wasn't so bad. Little anxiety when they went to put the spinal block in. Then more b/c I had to move but couldn't...sort of felt like a claustophobic attack or something. lol The guy gave me meds to get over the feeling...so that was good. The babies were born and taken away to be washed up. It was awesome to hear the first baby's cry, and then the 2nd and then the 3rd. I never did get to hold the babies after they were born and I regret that. I just wasn't sure how I would feel. The nurse did bring each of them to me to see before they were taken to the nursery. They were so beautiful. They didn't need to go to NICU...they were all healthy and strong for being born at 33 1/2 weeks. I was never sad..ok, that's a lie. I was sad when I had to stay an extra day and then my husband came to pick me up...to find out that I wasn't being released for another day. But other then that, I was ok. I did want to go visit the babies in the nursery but no one asked me or took me. I did ask once but the nurse never got back to me. I didn't really insist b/c I thought maybe it was better that way. But I do regret not holding them at least once.

I recently received pictures of them which I have posted above to share with you all. It was wonderful seeing them...seeing their dad happy feeding them. I wasn't sure how I'd feel. I'm ok. Like any baby you see a picture of, it makes you want to just hug them. So yeah...maybe I wish I could give them a hug. Someday.... Their daddy had mentioned that when they are like 4 or 5, he wanted to bring them to MN to visit so they could see where they were born....and I could see them then.

My stay at the hospital (Abbott Northwestern) was great. The nurses and doctors were super nice and not judgemental about my situation. And if they were, then I didn't know. I was treated very well. I was so ready to go home.

The babies were released from the hospital just under two weeks, I think. I can't remember! lol The babies and their daddy went to stay with his aunt who is a Pediatrician in MI. Last week they went back home to CA, as his paternity leave is finally over. In fact, tomorrow he goes back to work...as a kindergarten teacher. :)

The MN lawyer for the IP was able to get us a court hearing right away. I don't know about my IP but I think it was an exciting emotional event...especially when the judge declared him the sole and legal parent of the triplets. The court hearing was necessary because in the state of MN the "birth" mother's name is put on the birth certificate. So actually before an actual birth certificate was done, we went to court to have my name taken off of it.

Minnesota doesn't have any real surrogacy laws; so being a surrogate here worked out pretty well.

I can't remember much of the last couple of months about my recovery. I still feel wierd where the incision is. I was super busy with my kids and would tire out easily, but it got better each week. I still take naps. I'm emotionally fine about the triplets, being a surrogate, etc. I think any stress or emotions are everyday things...paying bills, not having enough $$$ to go around...lol even having to say NO to bingo :( I think I'm having bingo withdrawal worse then baby blues! For real! lol

I really need to get a job but my little one won't go to school until 2010...so I've been working my hardest to book catalog shows for my home businesses (Pampered Chef and BeautiControl) (lol, trying to send subliminal messages so you will want to book a caty show and enjoy free stuff! j/k) I've been spending the days working on contacting all my old customers to let them know I'm back to "work." So hoping things will pick up again. I did do a home party for PC a couple weeks ago for a group of CafeMom moms. That was fun as I haven't done one ever...and it wasn't really a real traditional party...it was nice and informal. I liked that very much! Well hopefully in 6 months to a year I can be matched up with another family, so I can just concentrate on my family and being a surrogate again.

It was wierd after the birth of the triplets because it happened so fast. The journey was so long but then "just like that" it was over. I'm not sure if I miss being pregnant. I did enjoy it and would and will do it again! lol I liked that I was surprised with my water breaking...but that was better then having to count the days until the c-section. Oh...and I never packed a bag...meant to. lol I wouldn't have known what to pack anyways...not like I knew when I had my last 4 kids too! :)

I guess its back to my boring life...getting adjusted...getting my body back...losing the extra lbs....oh yeah...and the tummy. OMG it was SO BIG that I'm surprised that its not as bad as I thought it would be... lol

Well hope that answers your questions about how I'm feeling. I will try to post one more time as I still gather up my thoughts.

Enjoy the pics!

Have a great day!

Kerri aka A Surrogate Mom

January 2, 2008 - Welcome to the World!!!

2008-01-09T03:31:00.000-08:00

I am excited to announce the birth of the Surrogate triplets...born on January 2nd, 2008 (at 33 weeks and 3 days!)

Xia- (pronounced "sheeya") was born first at 4:05 am and she weighed 4 lbs. & 9.7 oz. measuring 18 inches!
Ru- came next at 4:09 am and he weighed 4 lbs. & 1.6 oz. measuring 17-3/4 inches

Zhen- was last at 4:12 am and she weighed 3 lbs. & 15.7 oz. measuring 18 inches

As you can see, they are just beautiful and perfect! Their daddies are super excited now that they are here. The babies did not need to go to NICU and were breathing on their own after delivery. They also scored high apgar scores. They are doing so well that they aren't even staying in the hospital as long as the doctors estimated...in fact, I hear that they might be going home this Friday (Jan 11th)! WOW!
It is just amazing and wonderful that my pregnancy with the triplets was uneventful and we proved everyone (well those who thought we were at risk if I carried the triplets) wrong. The doctors were extremely pleased for the fact that I carried the babies for so long without problems. I was even scheduled for a c-section at 35 1/2 weeks...but I think baby Ru was determined to get out sooner (and not to mention keep me from the Big Bingo Event at the Casino on Jan 5th!) lol I did go on bedrest on Nov 19th because I was so tired and worried about when I would fall asleep on my youngest who just turned 3 yrs old. The doctors felt that there was stress with carrying the triplets and I didn't need to be worrying about my little one...so bedrest would be good now to keep the babies from coming.
Well, I suppose this wonderful journey is coming to an end. I thank God for watching over the triplets and me....and for helping me bring these strong healthy babies into the world for their proud daddy. I thank my husband and 4 children for their support and patience throughout this nearly 2 year journey! Many missed events but they understood...but they also got to spend more quality time with their dad and that's always fun. Many thanks to Susie for watching my little one for all my appointments and so I could get some rest during the days! And lastly, many thanks to the babies' daddy for choosing me to be his surrogate...for all the awesome charms for my bracelet that symbolizes many events in our journey.
It is a journey that we will all remember and I'm happy that I could help bring joy and happiness for another family. It will be nice to get the yearly "Christmas pics" and watch from afar, the triplets growing up.
Good luck, my friends, and cherish every moment with those beautiful little babies of yours!
God Bless!
A Surrogate Mom

December 30th, 2007 - Happy Holidays and All Is Quiet on the Baby Front!

2007-12-30T16:35:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

Hope you all had a nice Christmas. Nothing much happening here. It was a quiet Christmas, as will be New Years Eve. DH and the kids spent last Sunday at DH's parents house celebrating Christmas. I didn't go as I"m on bedrest and wasn't really feeling the greatest to go. So it was a nice long day of rest for me. I did worry a little b/c it was snowing and it was blowing like crazy, making visibility and the roads rather dangerous. So I was relieved when DH and the kids finally made it home that day.

My last OB appointment was the day after Christmas. What a stressful morning. It was snowing and we were under a snow advisory warning until noon. Dropped dh off at work just after 6 am and decided to go straight to my appt since the roads were yukky as it was snowing and it would take me a long time to get there during rush hour. It was SO dark out and the snow was blowing. I was overly tired b/c I had no sleep b/c Christmas night I must have gotten a flu bug or something. I felt so sick and was having trouble breathing...probably b/c the babies were pushing and kicking, cutting off my breathing! lol So I had to pull over and rest...then DH told me to turn around and come back and get him from work. He would have taken me but the agency won't rmb him for loss wages, so I tried to do it on my own, but it just wasn't worth the risk that day. So he took the day off from work to take me to the appointment. I was so uncomfortable even with him driving, but was greatful that he took me.

The MAC appointment went well. Each baby scored 8 out of 10 points, so they were doing well and not in any hurry to be born. I was a bit dehydrated from vomiting since the day before....and suffering from heart burn. The dr had my blood drawn to make sure I wasn't suffering from preclampsia (sorry, don't feel like looking up the spelling, lol) Blood test came back normal. The contractions were due to be dehydrated from vomiting and not being able to keep down food and fluids. I was taking a tums about every hour to help the discomfort to then realize that I had taken the maximum allowed for 24 hours. LOL So had to call the dr at 10 pm and see what to do now b/c I didn't think I could survive the night. Thankfully, I was able to take Pepcid...and that got me through the night. I haven't actually had heartburn since then...THANK GOODNESS! Oh...so I didn't gain any weight in the week since the last appointment. The doctor reassured me that I was going to feel miserable, lol, but they would watch me closely in case I can't make it until the c-section on Jan 17th!

So today I'm at 33 weeks. This is very good with triplets. Next OB appointment is on Wed. I think they will be doing an ultrasound to measure the babies. Hard to believe that I will have 2 1/2 weeks left of this pregnancy to go. Still very nervous about the c-section and pray that I don't need a blood transfusion or die. Thank goodness my husband will be there with me. I know he probably doesn't want to be but glad he has agreed to. Heck, I want to be knocked out totally for the c-section but the dr won't let that happen. oh well. lol

And yes, I'd do this again. It is fun being pregnant...lol I think its the part where the babies have to be born that freaks me out.

Well I'm super tired...so time to lay down again and rest before bedtime! :)

Have a happy new year!!!
A Surrogate Mom

December 20th, 2007 - White Castle & TUMS

2007-12-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

Well, had my weekly OB appt yesterday. Went to the MAC first (Maternal Assessment Center). Babies are doing great. 2 babies scored 10 and 1 scored 8. 8-10 is passing. The one baby scored 8 b/c he/she kept moving around so much that they were unable to monitor the heartbeat. Nevertheless, babies are doing great, no worries of them coming anyday...lol...Just my luck, right? No Christmas babies here! My IP was wondering if he should take his bags with him when he goes to his Mom's for the holidays...NAH...this pregnancy is so boring, that I highly doubt any excitement like that happening...will just meet up with him for the c-section Jan 17th! lol

OMG...so I gained 3 lbs since last weeks appt! WOW! But then when I thought about it...that is a total of 31 lbs and I'm just about 32 weeks! lol Ok...so no worries....and the babies are nice size. The OB dr came in and joked about how I've done well to keep these babies cozy for so long...that I need to share with other women with multiples so they carry longer too! I am so glad that the OB dr generally like triplets to be born 35-36 weeks b/c I'm not sure I could wait longer then that. My belly is getting so big, its scary! lol DH says that my belly actually makes my butt look small! ROFL (Thanks dear!) So that was my appointment...boring...nothing to really report other then I gained 3 lbs! lol

Next appt is Dec 26th. I think the appt after that one, I will have a complete u/s to measure the babies.

Stopped at White Castle on the way home from the dr yesterday. I knew that probably wasn't a good idea but you know...it was just something different! lol I think the babies got a good "kick" out of it! lol Glad that my hubby thought to finally buy me some TUMS. WOW what a relief. I've never taken anything for heartburn before but I tell you...I'm glad I have my TUMS now! lol

Picked up a new breastpump from www.milkmoms.com A great place to go for your breast/nursing needs!!! I have used this lady for my last 3 pregnancies. Its nice that she doesn't live too far either. She services all over the US btw. ANyways, I plan to pump for 1-3 months for the triplets. I hope that helps me loose the weight...I'm hopeful, but after nursing my own 4 children...I doubt it!!! lol

Well Christmas is approaching...nothing done yet...well the school bus driver and the kids' teachers all got some awesome gifts from Pampered Chef this year! lol I had to drive the kids to school on Tuesday b/c the gifts were so heavy! lol I got them the PC baking stones. Hey...I think they deserved them...my kids are doing so well in school...and I know that they are smart but I think the teachers play an important part in that too! :) Oh so I'm telling you that I drove them to school b/c I was totally surprised by how nice my kids can be... Our oldest son carried in our oldest daughter's gifts into the Middle School b/c they were so heavy and she had the most to give out. Well I waited and waited....turns out, he willingly walked to all her classes to help her give out her gifts! I was so surprised that he was nice to do that...well I know he is but he just surprises me...DH seems to think its b/c he wanted his Xbox 360 online! (lol, yeah, he's been irritating me so DH turned off the wireless so he couldn't get online, lol) Then the next stop was dropping our 1st grader off...and once again, our oldest son walked his little brother (the same little brother he tends to be mean to at times) to his classroom with his gifts and stayed with him until the teacher got there! WOW, right?! lol Then I dropped my oldest son off at the High School! WOW...what a morning! BTW I sort of miss driving my kids to school :( BUT thank goodness for the school bus....I'm saving soooo much this year on gas! lol

So like I said...Christmas is approaching...no shopping done for the family yet. DH and the kids will go to his parents on Sunday to celebrate. I will stay home b/c DH's family are chain smokers and so a very good reason to stay home...that and since my suburban is not working, we are short one seat in DH's truck. So that is ok...I will stay home. :) I guess DH will do the shopping this weekend! lol I will try to go with him if I feel up to it. Walking can be a challenge sometimes. lol Oh...I wonder what our chances will be to get a Wii this late in the holiday season??? lol

Well have a great day! Time to go back to bed and rest!
A Surrogate Mom

December 11th, 2007 - I've got a Date!!!

2007-12-11T20:11:00.000-08:00

January 17th, 2008 I am supposed to arrive at Abbott Northwestern's Maternal Assessment Center at 6 a.m. for my scheduled c-section. I think the time is a bit obnoxious, if you asked me! BUT it was better then 11 a.m. lol

Had my OB ck today. All is well. The dr said that they like to deliver triplets between 35-36 weeks so if I was ready to make that appointment, then I could! So, its set!!! January 17th, 2008!!! and then I will be home by Sunday! :)

Before each of my weekly OB cks, I have to go to the MAC (Maternal Assessment Center in the hospital) for screening of the babies' activities, stress levels, monitoring their activity, fluids, etc. It makes for a long day. That appointment they schedule it for at least 2 hours...I barely made it for the hour it took today! lol

As it has been going...the MAC and OB appt were uneventful....other then that I gained 2 lbs and scheduled the C-section. :) I was exhausted by the time I got home and was so overtired, it took me the rest of the day to get comfortable and for my body to settle down.

I haven't really felt too much movement from the babies this evening...guess they are sleeping and now that I'm getting ready to go to bed...I bet they wake up! LOL

Next appointment is Dec 19th....so see you then!

Have a great week!
A Surrogate Mom

December 9th, 2007 - MADE THE 30 WEEK MARK!

2007-12-09T21:02:00.000-08:00

Well, friends, I made it to 30 weeks and the babies are doing just great....they are kicking the crap out of me, making me terribly uncomfortable while they live it up good in my belly, and so on! LOL Funny...I've been on bedrest for a few weeks now but its funny I can't stay laying down for too long because I find I get "morning sickness," heartburn, or the feeling I'm going to pass out because one or more of the babies is cutting off my oxygen level! YES its funny! lol HEY, I still will do this again...be a surrogate if another family wants me to! (Just next time I think I will just carry twins...lol. Ok I think I'd do triplets if the family could afford the medical bills since surrogate insurance no longer covers triplets) Anyways...WOW 30 weeks...its been such a long journey for my IP, me and our families. It will be so nice when the day finally comes!

At my last appointment, the dr says that they are looking for me to get to at least 35-36 weeks, but no talk of exactly when they will deliver the babies. My due date is Feb 18th, 2008! (I really hope I don't have to wait that long! lol 36 weeks is fine!) YES, AUTOMATIC C-SECTION for the triplets. They just want the babies to grow as much as they can, so they are fully developed and strong. My appointments are weekly now and they are closely monitoring the babies' activities. So maybe in a few weeks we will know. Actually knowing will really help so I can make arrangements for the kids and stuff.

I do not know/remember what the IP is naming his babies. As far as pictures, I'm not sure I can even post them, unless the IP would like me to on my blog. I'm not much into pictures and plan to have MINIMAL contact with the IP or the babies after this is over. This is MY CHOICE so please do not ask me why, because its no one's business. In my contract, I have requested the yearly "Christmas picture" card just to see the babies as they grow up. My reason to be a surrogate was to give other families an opportunity to have children, as I was lucky to have. I enjoy being pregnant, despite the days of "what the heck was I thinking of" attitude, lol. And well I wanted to help a family and then move on with my life and them theirs. I do not need to receive praise or whatever for what I have done for the rest of my life. I'm just happy to have been able to help. Well who knows...maybe things will change after the birth of the babies, but that part is private and I hope you all can respect that.

Hard to believe that in 4-6 (ok NOT more then that I hope, lol) weeks, this will be over. 30 weeks was the goal and I am greatful that the babies and I have made it this far. PLUS I'm greatful that I have NOT gained a zillion pounds with this pregnancy. Don't get me wrong...I do eat plenty...I LOVE FOOD. Just the babies and I must burn up a lot of calories! lol

Well, next appointment on Tuesday. Will post again after that!
Have a great week!
A Surrogate Mom

December 5th, 2007 - You want me to WAIT HOW MANY MORE WEEKS???

2007-12-05T17:20:00.000-08:00

Had my OB ck and another Level 2 Ultrasound done today. All is fine and boring. They say that if I get better at this bedrest thing, that I should make it to 36+ weeks! So much for the lovely thought of them coming early....like during Christmas break!!! lol

Babies are very active and I don't get much sleep. While I lay around all day and get my rest, its hard to do when the kids and hubby get home and on the weekends...so need to get them used to the idea that they are on their own now. :) Babies are (guestimate from what I remember) measuring 29 weeks 5 days (3 1/2 lbs), 28 weeks 4 days (almost 3 lbs), and 29 weeks 2 days (3 lbs). So all on target as I am 29 weeks, 3 days into this pregnancy. I haven't gained any weight since the last visit two weeks ago. :) Everything else is good. My blood pressure is good. The rash is still killing me. Need to get back to the skin specialist. The meds are costing close to $200 so that is a bit of an issue right now because the insurance sucks. I have to pay for the meds first and then get reimbursed. How stupid is that?! It wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't too expensive...and this is just generic stuff too! Some of the rash is healing but of course, scarring. At least the scarring will fade....just sucks to look at.

Babies will be remeasured in 4 weeks. I now will have OB checks every week with going to the hospital for 2 hours before the OB appts to the MAC. The MAC is where they monitor the babies' stress levels, movements, etc. Something like that. Not sure exactly but I have to go every week before each appointment. Its a long walking distance so hopefully there will be aides around to give me a wheel chair ride to my OB appt. Walking these days is uncomfortable because they move all over and get into bad positions making it hard to walk. lol

Oh and I finally said yes to the flu shot. I wasn't too interested b/c I never get sick and I think its a waste b/c it doesn't totally protect you from all flus. Nevertheless, I had the flu shot today.

Today was the last day of Logos before the holidays. If I'm still preggo in January, will just have to get a sub for me. Since there is snow on the ground, I was able to make an illegal parking space close to the church! lol You know...when an irritating person parks at the end of the row when there are no real spots there?! That's what I did. lol The kids still have to go next Wed to church after school because they both are in the Christmas pageant. DH is now taking over my carpooling for me...although he takes the oldest kid so he can go in and get the kids. Hey, it works! Our oldest daughter just started volleyball and has practice 3 times a week now, so DH will have to do that now too. :)

Got a free lunch at Chipotle today. I go there every time after my OB appointments. So they seem to like me there and were amazed I had triplets. lol I was so tired and hungry that I didn't tell them I was a surrogate. So that was fun...minus the little touch of heartburn I felt later. lol

Thanks to my IP for the foam mattress topper...not really sure what they are called. It makes resting in bed so much better. It's wierd but comfy. Sort of takes a bit for it to adjust if you move your position though...that's probably the only thing I don't like...oh that and if you're laying to close to the edge, you can roll off the bed...lol...not too good! Its very good when my little one is sleeping somewhere else and I can sleep in the middle of the bed by myself. :)

Well that's all friends....another boring week. We shall see what happens next week!

Take care!
A Surrogate Mom

November 21st, 2007 - Bedrest Finally!!!

2007-11-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

Well let's say Bed Rest doesn't mean its bad...just means I'm carrying triplets and I need some rest! :) Had my OB check up yesterday...babies are doing great, actively moving and kicking up a storm...but they are starting to wear me down, emotionally and physically. The stress of worrying about my little one during the day when I accidentally fall asleep and wake up not knowing where she is, the daily housework tires me out after 15 minutes, can't walk around the grocery store for too long because it feels like the babies are gonna fall out....my goodness, can't walk for too long PERIOD! lol I think most of it is that the babies don't cooperate with their positions and kicking exercises, so I am just miserably uncomfortable at time. I can't even sit for too long b/c it hurts my ribs. On top of that, I've been dealing with this terrible "pregnancy" rash on my legs which now I have on my tummy and arms. I think some of the tummy thing is the stretching of the skin as I get bigger! Nevertheless, its not fun and its gotten worse where it is painful. The OB sent me right over to a skin specialist after my appointment yesterday. I go back to the skin specialist next Tuesday. I feel better that I did that. Hopefully it will clear up soon...they think with the stress of the babies, my liver is not producing something (I forgot what they said) or over-producing something. Its no fun, but I'm not complaining (just telling you how it is, lol)...I'm still enjoying being pregnant with the triplets.

So to not put anymore added stress on my physically and mentally, it was time for bedrest, per the doctor. We don't want to cause the babies to come early. They want the babies to stay in there at least 36 weeks. (BTW...that's just over 8 weeks! wow!) So nothing bad about being on bedrest... I'm doing fine otherwise...good blood pressure...and gained another 2 lbs for a total of 25 lbs gained. Phew...not bad on the weight! I do eat a lot...all day...

I go back on Dec 5th for OB appt and Ultrasound to measure the babies. Then after that I will be seen weekly for OB checks, with screenings done at the hospital prior to each appointment. (I can just imagine how much my valet parking is going to cost during those visits! lol)

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving but its just another day for us. DH is working b/c he rather work then sit at home, plus he doesn't get holiday pay...nor do any of the other guys...so they all are going to work! Not making a turkey...I thought about it b/c I was wanting a turkey sandwich, lol, but no one but me likes turkey. The last few years we have just gone to Old Country Buffet. Probably not tomorrow b/c I don't feel like driving an hour to get there. The kids don't seem to mind. If DH gets home earlier enough, maybe we will catch dinner at the church. We shall see.

Well enough sitting...back to bed. The babies seem to have settled down so I might just be able to get a good rest in now. (Yeah, right? I bet they wake up and start kicking! lol)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
A Surrogate Mom

November 12th, 2007 - Confessions of a Surrogate Mom

2007-11-12T19:31:00.000-08:00

Confession 1:
For the past month, I have been eating a big mac extra value meal about every other day...that I can't believe in 4 weeks all I have gained is 6 lbs! ROFL

But I religiously take my prenatal vitamins and eat a ton of good healthy foods every day, all day. I just have had these cravings (almost every day, lol) for Big Mac meals! I always get small fries though b/c those aren't good but I need that SALT! (I don't ever salt my foods, so basically that's the only excessive salt intake that I get.) lol I can barely eat half a Big Mac, so its not like I'm eating the entire sandwich! I usually throw it away or one of the kids eats the rest. I also crave fountain pop...so a nice big Diet Coke to wash down the Big Mac and Fries works great. The good thing too is that it is NOT everyday b/c I dont always have $$$ everyday. lol My last Big Mac meal was Saturday.

Confession 2:
Yesterday hubby, the kids and I made the almost 2 hour trip to hubby's parents at 5:30 am because I needed the truck to go play bingo at noon! lol Hubby likes to lay on the guilt trip for when I do the day thing of Bingo at the Casino. Had a nice quick visit with grandma "monkey" (as the 3 yr old calls her) and grandpa and was back home by 11 am! I left the kids and hubby to go play Bingo all day...as I have been waiting over a month for this big day of Bingo! lol Our oldest daughter decided to clean the kitchen...I mean CLEAN...empty the dishwasher, fill it, wash the dishes that don't go in the dishwasher, cleaned the microwave! OMG yes, the microwave....swept up all the garbage (well you know...the twist ties from the bread that no one can ever throw away but leave on the counter until they get knocked on the ground), little kid toys, etc on the floor in the kitchen and under the table! Its nice to see my kitchen counters again! I don't even feel guilty for not being there to help. I did make a cake and two dozen cookies with my 3 year old today...I thought that would be nice for her cleaning! :) Oh...so I won during the matinee session of Bingo which paid for my bingo, some slot machine time afterwards and my dinner! lol Then the evening session was a blast...it was a $60 buy in where the games and specials pay out considerably higher then usual. I won on a game that paid out $1200...too bad so did someone else so I had to share that....better then not winning...so I won't complain.

Confession #3:
I lay around all day, in between playing with my 3 yr old, because I'm afraid if I'm too active the babies might come early. Well I'm at 26 weeks and not on bedrest, which the drs are happy with as they said to expect to be by 25 weeks!!! I guess if I had gone on with my normal routines, I would have been on bed rest by now.... :( I want my bed rest! lol Truth be told....my husband won't help out until I'm on bedrest...normally he does, so I can't complain but since he has to do everything when I'm on bedrest, he says he gets OFF TIME until that time! Well somehow I didn't play this whole poor me preggo with triplets right! lol Ok, on a serious note here...I'm glad that I can lay around as much as I do b/c being pregnant with triplets is very tiring...but an experience that I can live to tell. GOSH...how many women can say they have experience triplets without having to raise them??? lol

Confession #4:
I have my cell phone with me 24/7 so I can check my email and hope some day to get an I-phone or something where I can easily access my email and internet then on my simple phone. I LOVE to also read the news on my cell phone...I have CNN, ABC News, Newsday (a NY paper) and FoxNews bookmarked on my phone. Stinks when they don't update their sites enough during the day and I'm forced to read the international news!

Confession #5:
I am so glad that I don't have to push three babies out my butt but am an automatic candidate for a C-Section! They told me with twins that I would have to have then naturally!!! How scary is that but as these babies can come in 4 to 10 weeks, the thought of a c-section freaks me out. Think about it....they are going to cut my belly open and pull 3 alien creatures out of me! ROFL sorry was thinking of that movie Aliens where the hand reaches out of the stomach! BTW I wish they could knock me out for the c-section and it be over with when I wake up. lol

Confession #6:
I can't stand talking on the phone. Why can't everyone just have email or text messaging on their cell phones???

Confession #7:
My 3 yr old is not potty trained yet b/c I don't know how to do it. I'm waiting for her to get tired of her diapers. lol

Confession #8:
I just wrote this post because I'm really bored and napped out, but now its officially bed time...so I can go to bed! (That and I refuse to pay my husband's cable bill again...so nothing to watch b/c we get no tv signals in the country!)

Have a good night, friends!
A Surrogate Mom

November 10th, 2007 - Where the heck is the excitement???

2007-11-10T11:44:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Well I had my OB appointment on Nov 8th! I didn't have to go to my appointment that was two weeks earlier, so that is why no update. BUT I plan to make sure I make it every two weeks b/c going four weeks can be stressful...just b/c its nice to be able to know that all three babies have heart beats. I wasn't too too worried b/c they sure do move around a bunch.

Babies are all doing well. On Nov 8th they were measuring 25 weeks, 4 days; 24 weeks 4 days, and 25 weeks and 2 days. All just weighing under 2 lbs each. I will be 26 weeks tomorrow and not even close to being on bedrest although I've been in bed most of the time! lol That's probably why I'm not on bedrest b/c I have been taking it easy! lol So no excitement going on here...knowing my luck I will be delivering at 40 weeks! ROFL NOT....Well at least to 34 or 36 weeks.

I am BIG. I have gained a total of 23 pounds. At the time of the appointment, one baby was upside down vertically and the other two were laying on top of each other horizontally!!! Guess that explains why the heck it hurts under my ribs when I sit. lol I need to get some good Body Butter or something for my belly. I have had 4 kids of my own and NO stretch marks...but these triplets are about to change it now! lol I can barely see it but I can feel the stretch marks on the bottom of my belly! :( Oh well.... lol My tummy hurts from time to time and I know its from the babies stretching it out! lol

I guess I'm lucky not to be on bed rest b/c some women with multiples are on bedrest as early as 20 weeks...and then on average at 25 weeks. Of course not me! lol I was sort of hoping to be on bedrest b/c it is hard to do housecleaning and to keep an eye on my little one who just turned 3 last month. I dont sleep well at night b/c I am constantly getting up at night so then I fall asleep when I'm with her during the day. A few little stressful moments when I can't find her. She likes to sleep in her toy box with a bunch of blankies and her dollies. Another time she fell asleep behind the couch when playing. My biggest fear is that she will unlock the front door and go outside...and well this is Minnesota...its cold here. If and when I go on bedrest, I will be able to put her in daycare and that expense will be covered. As I am approaching my third trimester, I do get housekeeping so that will help out tremendously. I need someone to get me caught up here and pick things up so we can see the floor. The poor cream carpeting is just ruined from the kids b/c I haven't been up enough to remind them to not take snacks and drinks out of the kitchen/dining room! urgh! I feel like I'm losing it and I really hate living in this messy house! Here's a funny... there was a bunch of food and stuff left over from the Annual Lutefisk dinner and my pastor wanted to bring some of it over b/c he knows we are a big family. I told him NO, I'd come up to the church and get it....it's bad enough God can see my messy house, but my Pastor sure isn't!!!! LOL

Speaking of Lutefisk...the annual Lutefisk dinner at our church was Nov 1st and I was happy that I was able to volunteer as I do every year. It was fun and the terrible smell of the Lutefisk actually smelled good to me and made me hungry! lol I actually had seconds this year! My oldest son volunteered more then willingly this year...seems like there is a gal he is interested in...and sure enough she was there with her mom for dinner! :) My oldest daughter would have been there helping but she was away on the annual 6th grade Long Lake trip. So I was happy my other son was going with me. The goal for the dinner was 1000...I think they served 980 some people...well those who had tickets! Maybe next year.

My oldest daughter turned 11 on Nov 8th. That was pretty exciting. She also completed her first quarter of Middle School with a 4.0...It was 4.2 to be exact! We are so proud of her, especially when we started her a year early for school (she missed the cut off by 2 months) and some teachers from the church stressed how she wouldn't ever be a leader and would struggle. We never pushed her to do more then she could but at the time she was reading more then a first grader and so eager to learn that we sent her to Kindergarten at age 4 years, 10 months. She is doing fine academically and socially. And we are very proud of her accomplishments. Our other two sons did very well too and we are proud of them. Our first grader is reading at a 2nd to 3rd grade level and even started doing AR books which aren't introduced until 2nd grade. He loves school and doing well. Our oldest son who is in 9th grade has B and above in all classes...I think he could do even better because he just does the Bs so he can play his xbox 360 during the week!!! lol

Well, I do have some sad news...not too bad...just sad. I haven't been able to keep up with my business at the flea market and so I lost all my inventory and the space...but had to pay the unpaid rent to avoid a lawsuit (lol). I've had the place for over 3 years and was making good income every weekend. Sadly its gone b/c I have not been able to be up there to watch my spaces nor good I afford to pay someone anymore b/c there was no income coming in. :( Who would have known that I was going to be so miserable with morning sickness. While I am fine now, I get very tired after a few hours, so being at the flea market from 9 am to 5 pm just wasn't an option, not to mention I can't do lifting. BUT I had to make the decision to give it up b/c it was making me poor paying the rent with no income.

In the meantime, I have rejoined BeautiControl and hope to make a go out of that where I might not have to go back to work...meaning going back to work for the State of MN. I really dread that but I think it might be something that I will have to do until I can get back to where I was and able to afford to stay home. I still have my regular customers for Pampered Chef and other little things I do but not enough to be supportive. I can't imagine doing PC full time, even though I've been with the company since the early 1990s! wow! lol I don't spend as much time at the computer as I used to but I plan to...b/c I'm not ready to totally give up on this work at home thing! So remember friends...SUPPORT YOUR WORK AT HOME MOMS!!!! please! lol

Well hubby is doing well. He's working for some guy in Isanti. Doesn't pay like construction work does but he's happy to have a job. His boss seems pretty nice too...so better to be happy, I suppose. Its nice that he works 5 min away...it really helps on our gas bill for the truck. I think the most we spend on gas is when I take a trip to Hinckley to play bingo! lol

Gosh I haven't been to bingo much. I miss it. I do plan to go tomorrow b/c there is a special buy-in and my favorite person, Kristy, is the caller and I am usually luckier when she is caller! Heck last month I went at the last minute to Bingo b/c they texted me that it was a must go $1000 coverall....and guess what??? I won the coverall in 51 numbers! I couldnt' believe it! At 30 numbers I had 4 left and waited and waited! wow...what luck! It was fun. BTW tomorrow's coverall special is a three-part worth $5000! Cross your fingers for me!!! I'd be so happy to win even part of it! :)

Well, sorry there isn't much to tell you about the triplets...other then they are growing, they have good heartbeats and kicking the crap out of me! lol BORING....that's why all the added fluff here about me and the family. lol Oh and my Bingo hobby! :)

So see you back here in two weeks after my next OB appt!
Have a great weekend!

A Surrogate Mom

October 10th, 2007 - HOW BORING!

2007-10-10T17:16:00.000-07:00

How can being pregnant with triplets be so boring? But I guess boring is good in my case!

Had my OB appt today. Had a TVUS today....what the heck is that? Well let me tell you...its just as exciting as it looks...NOT! lol I found out the other day it means a Transvaginal Ultrasound. FUN! Well I'm happy to say that I have a healthy thick and long cervix...measures over a 4...that is really good, especially for someone carrying multiples. Ok.... so the TVUS is boring...but I can tell you its nicer then the dr sticking his/her fingers up there to feel it! ROFL

I've gained 17.5 lbs so far...my belly seems to have just popped out this past week....Its measuring at 36, which btw if I was pregnant with a singleton would me that I am measuring at 36 weeks! lol Too bad I'm only at 21 weeks and 3 days!!! SO WOW...I'm gonna get big in the next few weeks!!! lol (Might have to hint to my IP that a 5 year gym membership would make a nice gift...lol...j/k...) No pics of the babies, although, I did have an u/s done to look at each of the babies heartbeats. Two of the babies were upside down...which was sort of funny looking.

Had my 3 hour glucose test done on Monday...no gestational diabetes. I did fail the first test drawn after drinking the syrup...level was slightly elevated...so even though I don't have gestational diabetes, they are making me go in for education and nutrition. FUN, eh? I have that appointment next Monday.

So anyways...no questions, no concerns...and the dr says see you in two weeks for next OB. That is Oct 25th. Then on Nov 8th (4 weeks from now) they will do another Level 2 ultrasound. I was supposed to have that done on 10/31 but that would mean 3 weeks in a row of having to go in....so the dr said I can just have it done on Nov 8th.

So just a boring boring boring OB appt today. Better boring then something go wrong where I'd be on bedrest, right?

I'm feeling pretty good...I get tired a lot. The babies make me feel uncomfortable, lol, at times... I sleep better during the day then at night. Probably b/c I have to get up every 1 & 1/2 to 2 hours to go potty! I am feeling the babies a bit more these days so that is nice...its just hard to tell who is who.

I had to move my OB appts to Thursday because I did not get a nap today!!! lol The kids have church stuff after school, so just no time for me to nap since I volunteer at church. Naps are important! lol Speaking of church....the Annual Lutefisk dinner is Nov 1st. My daughter and I volunteer every year...well every year that we've lived in this town. Its a lot of fun and its amazing how many people from all over show up for this "smelly" event. Anyways...the good thing about being preggo with triplets...I won't be serving food this time but get a sit down job this year...I'll be doing tickets...that works.

Well, I have nothing else exciting to talk about here...triplets and me are doing just great! See ya back here in two weeks!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

October 4th, 2007 - WELCOME Janet, Chrissy and Jack

2007-10-04T09:31:00.000-07:00

lol just kidding....that's NOT the babies' names...I was just thinking THREES COMPANY.....still carrying two girls and a boy!

The pics of the babies are from my ultrasound on 9-27-07

October 3rd, 2007 - Wednesdays are Church Nights!

2007-10-03T09:54:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited....my daughter has been going to LOGOS at church since 4th grade and this is her last year. I was too "shy" to volunteer big at first, so I just did things like send in snacks and make desserts. Last year I did that plus kitchen...helping prepare the dinner....and subbed as a Table Parent....and this year, despite being preggo with triplets, I volunteered as a Table Parent. I'm a little nervous but I know I will have fun. I think I'm more nervous on the kids I might get at my table...I hope that they are good. I've really wanted to be a Table Parent but was a bit nervous of the weekly commitment. Anyways...I'm one this year and it starts officially tonight. For those of you who don't know...LOGOS is a church activity at our Lutheran church...I believe other churches have similar programs, maybe call it differently. Our program is for 4th through 6th graders...its Wed after school and there is a church bus that picks up the kids from school...and then they are there until 6:30. They have indoor/outdoor activities, bible study, crafts, music, etc and then the last hour is dinner. The kids are assigned to the same table each week and there are two table parents present. It is a lot of fun. My daughter started playing Chimes at Logos in 4th grade and loves it...I hope that she goes on to do Bells...I think she might.

Lastly....my 1st grader wants to participate in the kids church choir and they meet at the church after school until 4:15. They take the same bus as the Logos kids...AND I"M EXTREMELY NERVOUS about that for him. lol I think its the preggo hormones! His sister is in 6th grade which is not at the same school anymore, so she can't even help him. I had a hard time explaining the bus to him...the 1st grade sub teacher said he'd find out where this bus is and make sure he walked him over there for me. Still has me nervous...but this bus is there every year and I am sure the teachers all know to get the kids on it today. A lot of the teachers go to the church too...so hopefully that is helpful. Just can't help being nervous! lol I was already worried last night as how my 6th grader would get there b/c the last time I heard, the church was looking for someone to drive the van to the middle school to get the 6th graders...so I wasn't sure if she was riding with a parent or the church van...lol...of course, I think of this the night before! That is all taken care of...church van will be there...

Anyways, I was just excited to be a Table Parent and had to share...as well as vent my hormonal nervousness....lol

I am doing well with the triplets. Know that thing women say about if they are carrying high or low....doesn't work for me...never has....all 4 of my babies were all over....and well with the triplets...they are high some days, and low others....and I think they have found my bladder or something b/c they like to kick it and make it uncomfortable for me to walk sometimes...lol (Of course, I could be exaggerating....walking is not so much fun right now) Anyways....I have a little more energy these days, provided I can rest every few hours. So right now I need to go make 2 pans of brownies and shower....rest before I have to get my 1st grader from church (provided he makes it there today, lol), then go back at 5 for LOGOS dinner. :)

Oh...taking my 3 hour glucose test this Saturday, which reminds me...I need to go call the lab and schedule it. lol Would help, eh? Then I have my next OB appt next Wed.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

September 27th, 2007 - Moving right along

2007-09-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

Hi!

So had my level 2 ultrasound today. The u/s tech was 30 minutes late, so it sort of put things back and we had to wait around afterwards for the ob dr to come back from lunch....it wouldn't have been so bad if my IP didn't have a plane to catch and if I didn't have to rush back to Cambridge to get to the bank before 3!

My IP flew in last night so he could attend my OB appt. He's got the u/s pics so I will have to have him scan them so I can add them to this entry. The level 2 u/s was interesting at first but then I was bored as heck....I think it took THREE hours! Thank goodness I had to cancel my 1 pm appt with the dietician...I would have never made it in time.

All three babies are doing fine... Baby A is measuring 20 weeks, Baby B is at 19 weeks 1 day, and baby C is at 20 weeks 4 days. While all three are well and have good heartbeats....and ok....we need to watch Baby B's growth as its slowing down because of lack of room. OB dr says that if she runs out of room that will speed up the need to deliver early. Hopefully NOT too early. Ideally, 32 weeks would be convenient for me, lol, as the kids will be out of school and then I don't need to stress too much about the little one with daycare. Actually, come to think of it...that's not really a problem. Baby is going to Susi's (my friend and neighbor), so DH can just drop her off and pick her up real easily. On Friday's Susi has school so DH can just take the day off, as his boss is aware of what's going on. So that should work.

I go back in 2 weeks (Oct 10th) and in 5 weeks (Oct 31st). I also have to get in and take my 3 hour glucose test. I guess my levels were even more elevated today....probably b/c of the pint of ice cream that I ate between Monday and yesterday! lol OH....but the good thing for me...I only gained 1 lb since my last appt two weeks ago. I finally got a refill rx for my prenatals...so I guess I better go get those filled and start taking them again. lol

Well I got to the bank at 2:55 pm! phew...nothing like cutting it close! And my IP texted me that he got to his plane just in time...so that all worked out.

Anyways...nothing too exciting going on with the babes and me...so I would say that is good and I've got about 14-16 weeks to go!

Thanks for checking in with me!
Have a great day!

A Surrogate Mom

September 22nd, 2007 - 1 Hour Glucose Test

2007-09-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

Well I took the 1 hour glucose test last Saturday. Test results came back that levels were slightly elevated so now I have to go in for the 3 hour glucose test. I'm not too worried as I've had to do this with the last 3 of my 4 pregnancies and I never was positive for gestational diabetes. And if I am this time, no biggy...it happens, right? lol Anyways...got to find the time to do that one. Was going to do it today but I remembered that I'm supposed to eat certain foods and stuff prior to the testing and then fast. So will get with the nurse for that info and maybe the next Saturday or after that I will do it.

Starting to feel the babies move more and a few good kicks here and there. Need to get some heartburn stuff to have on hand. Luckily I only seem to have that problem when pregnant. I'm starting to tolerate food more and not get so sick. I still have a problem if I get up too early in the morning I get really sick. So I quick get up with the kids for school, pray that the little one doesn't wake up, get the kids on the bus and run back to bed. If the little one stays asleep, we can usually stay in bed until 10 am. LOL Then I'm fine. She has been waking up with the school kids lately...so it makes for a long day BUT she's good about staying close to me if I fall asleep. I wake up to find her babies and/or stuffed animals in my arms. I look forward to the school kids coming home b/c then I usually take a nap unless I have to do something with the kids. DH comes home right after the kids get home so that helps and he's here to do things with them while I nap.

We are FINALLY getting the baby baptized on Oct 28th. She was supposed to be baptized last Dec but I had the miscarriage and didn't feel like doing it. So now we are going to do it. Asked one of DH's sisters and her husband to be her godparents. GOSH godparents are so hard to find...I have been sooo disappointed with my so called good choices for godparents for the three older kids that I had DH's mom choose godparents for the baby...lol...I guess she will be 3 on Oct 30th, that I should stop calling her the baby, eh?

Well, tomorrow I will be 19 weeks along...so that's 17 more weeks to go...well that the drs would like me to go...I'm thinking more like 15 weeks is what I want to go! lol Well we shall see what these three little ones decide to do...just praying that they don't come earlier then 15 weeks.

My level 2 u/s in on Thursday....so will post again after that.
Have a great weekend!

A Surrogate Mom

September 12th, 2007 - I Know What They Are!!!

2007-09-12T17:35:00.000-07:00

Well, I had a nice little snore...I mean nap today! :) You know having an ultrasound at every OB visit is REALLY tiring...it takes a long time when there are three babies and as soon as I know there are three heartbeats, you've lost my attention! I have a Level 2 ultrasound scheduled in two weeks (Sept 27th to be exact) and they said it will take at least 2 1/2 hours...OMG....I am going to get a good nap at that one! I'm serious...I literally kept dozing off and the tech said she'd wake me up if Baby A decided to cooperate! lol

So Baby A is probably going to be the stubborn one of the bunch! She would NOT cooperate and let the tech take a picture of her! The picture I will post is that of her foot! You can barely make that out but its her foot! She is measuring at 17 weeks, 6 days and about 8 oz.

Baby B is the smallest of the three. She weighs in at about 6 oz, 17 weeks, 1 day. Very cooperative and got some cute pics.

Baby C was very outgoing and waving at us. He sure wasn't a shy one! He is weighing about 8 oz at 17 weeks, 6 days.

All three babies seem to be doing fine. I still have bleeding from my incident last month. Its old bleeding that is. I'm not entirely sure if they are labeling the babies the same each time b/c the tech said it was Baby A who shows the bleeding in the sac.... and if I remember correctly, the bleeding was coming from the smallest baby...so maybe now the smallest baby has grown faster? Anyways....Baby C is a boy, so at least we can always call him Baby C and not be confused.

My urine test tested positive for sugar, 1+...so that was a reminder to go in for my 1 hour glucose test...FUN. I know I will fail that...I always fail that and then have to go back for the 3 hour test....which I usually fail 2 out of 3 which means I dont have gestational diabetes but should watch my diet. Anyways...its never been a problem with my other pregnancies...but it happens. And never had any problems as a result. Nevertheless, I will do the 1 hour test locally (this Saturday morning) which is SO nice not having to make the 1 hr and 15 min trip to the cities. Abbott and Cambridge hospitals are all part of Allina system, so that works...too bad I still have to go for my appts in the cities.

I only gained 1 lb since my last visit 3 weeks ago...yeah....well at least I was happy about that. The nurse thinks I should be gaining more...I reminded her that I already had enough weight on me. lol And I assure you, I'm not starving myself....lol..I'm eating well....just nothing too bad for me. Sure I think that the throwing up in the evenings might have a little to do with it, but, its not as bad now. Anyways...so now they are stressing I meet with the nutrition dietrician. Trying to set it up right after my next OB appt. I would hate to have to make a special trip down for this.

Well, I was smart this time. I used valet parking, although it took me a few times to understand how it worked to get your vehicle back! I bet they were laughing at me. It only cost $7 for the 3 hours I was there...so much better then walking a mile to the parking ramp and paying less for parking. Parking in the ramp for that time would have been like $4-5. Anyways the valet parking is right in front of the Piper Building where the drs office is. :)

My little one spent the day with my neighbor friend instead of going to the daycare center in town. I went to drop off my application on Monday and was not very impressed with no one answering the door or in the office. You'd think the teachers would have answered the door. Oh well...you just lost my business! She had fun with my friend as she has a son just a bit younger then her and a kindergartner. So maybe it will just work out for her to go there, provided she's home and available. (Thanks Susi!)

Ok....so this summer my old reliable suburban decided to stop working...have no idea why...I think it just gave out...so I'm without wheels and must share hubby's truck. What a pain. It sits at his work all day so I am not sure why he makes such an issue of me dropping him off and picking him up. Its not like he's going anywhere...and its not like I need it every day. Anyways....then a few weeks ago, my computer freezes up. URGH like I need that to happen! Will have to get it serviced when $$$ grows on trees. lol so in the meantime I am using my cell phone to do most of my computer stuff....and when I can...use this OLD OLD computer we have set up in the basement. It actually isn't so bad down here because hubby is no longer a smoker. Speaking of smoking....come October 1st, MN is a smoke free state...well in businesses that is....which means, I can go back to playing BAR BINGO and not have to worry about the smoke! oh yeah! lol Oh....and the refrigerator stopped working in July but we unplugged it for a day and plugged it back in...and its been working ever since.... so that is THREE things to go wrong, so I'm hoping that is it for things breaking!

So are you ready to see some pictures????

Here you go.... sorry you will have to tilt your head to the right because this OLD computer doesn't have software for me to edit/rotate the pictures for your convenience.

First picture is Baby A's foot...toes are on top and her heel is on bottom. Baby B is her side profile. Baby C is waving his hand at us.

Well its been a long day and time for me to get the kids to bed so I can go to bed...yeah!!!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

September 4th, 2007 - The First Day of School

2007-09-04T05:45:00.000-07:00

Can you imagine what the first day of kindergarten will be like for someone having triplets??? lol My three oldest went back to school today. Thank goodness they are not triplets! I have one that started High School and one that started Middle School and the third one started 1st grade! So pretty neat having one child in each of the three schools! My baby and I just got back from seeing the kids off at the bus stop. Bus was on time and all seemed to go well. Little anxious to see how the first grader does with the bus. It's his first year since I was to worried about him and the others taking the bus last year. All the kids are bussed to the Middle School where then the Elementary and High School kids transfer! Ok...so its probably more scary for the parents!

Anyways...my almost 3 year old is upstairs watching Dora and I'm thinking I'm about to be sick! lol I usually stay in bed until 10 or 11 am so I get past the "morning sickness." I got up at 6 am to make breakfast for the kids. I think its not a good thing for this here preggo mom! lol

I am 16 weeks now...16 weeks and 2 days to be exact. The nausea isn't as severe but I still feel it at times throughout the day. In the late afternoon I still get sick but I usually feel tons better after that. I think I can feel the babies more...its more like a swooshing around in my belly feel. My next appointment is a week from tomorrow. I am looking forward to that appointment. I am still bleeding but the doctors aren't too concerned because they say its old blood. All I know its yukky blood and any blood is just freaky when you're pregnant. They said at my last appointment my cervix was nice and long and thick. So that is supposed to be good. Nevertheless, per dr's orders, I'm taking it easy. I'm up for a few hours and then I try to nap...its more like rest b/c the kids seem to talk to me when I'm sleeping, so that doesn't work. Since the kids are in school, I can't really nap because of the little one around. So hoping that won't be too stressful.

I visited a daycare center for the little one to go to when I go to dr appts and when on bedrest. It seems nice. I only visited one. I opted to go with a center so she can be around kids just her age, as opposed to a home daycare with variety of ages. Plus the center should get her ready for the preschool setting. When we visited, it looked as though we won't have any problems leaving her there and her being upset. Now hopefully she will potty trained. Strangley and oddly enough, she has taken to doing #2 on the potty but not #1. Go figure! Actually, ok, that is better, but NO diapers at this point would be nice. HEY imagine having to potty train triplets at the same time??? lol

Well, I just heard little one get down from the kitchen table so time to get off the computer and back upstairs.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

August 24th, 2007 - Just 177 days to go!

2007-08-24T19:23:00.000-07:00

Not that I'm counting the days. I'm actually not...more like seeing how far I've come! We are just crossing our fingers that all goes well to get me to at least 34 weeks and PRAY that there is not a snow storm to make things worse! 34 weeks will be in January 2008.

Had my OB appt on Wed. Nothing too exciting. Gained a total of 14 pounds at 14 weeks, 3 days. Babies were not remeasured since it was done the week before when I was in the hospital. They did do an ultrasound to make sure the babies were moving and there were heartbeats. Everything looked fine. My next appointment is Sept 12th. The drive to the hospital for the appt wasn't too bad. I think we got there in 1 hr 15 minutes. Maybe if my husband was driving it would cut off 15 minutes??? lol Parking stinks, plus you have to pay. I chose to park in the ramp to save some $$$. NOT GOING TO DO THAT AGAIN. I will pay for the valet parking in front of the building. The walk from parking to where I had to go was like MILES long not to mention a couple times we got lost in the hospital because we missed some signs! I can not imagine walking that when I'm further along. lol

I'm officially in my second trimester. The morning sickness is not as severe but after a few hours of being up and tending to the kids, I start feeling really tired and sick, so I'm greatful that I can take naps when I need to. The OB dr says I can't do all day activities because with the triplets I need to rest often...I do agree to that! I'm not on bedrest anymore since I haven't had any more problems with bleeding. Thank goodness. That was a big scare. Certain foods...just thinking about it, makes me queasy and sometimes sick. I can't do garlic...nothing with garlic...so no more Italian. Despite all this so far...I'm still wanting to do another surrogacy! lol

Oh I forgot to share a funny from one of my kids. When I got home from the hospital last week, my 6 yr old son greets me at the door and asks if I won a lot of money at the Casino! lol He thought I had been playing Bingo all day. He didn't think to ask his dad where I was. I said I was in the hospital. And he's like...oh, did you have a c-section? lol No, honey, I didn't. Then I told him what happened and then I turned to hubby and ask how his mom was doing and if he called her. His mom had major surgery that same day I was in the hospital. So, our 6 yr old says...oh, is grandma in the hospital having babies too? ROFL LMAO Grandma "monkey" as our youngest calls her....who is in her late 60's had a good laugh to that one! BTW, Grandma is okay. Thank goodness.

The kids go back to school the day after labor day. I'm going to have to look into the local daycare centers for the little one for when I go to appointments and when on bedrest. I realized that when I was on bedrest, I wasn't really getting rest because the little one kept sneaking in and waking me up. I think me being in bed so much is starting to take a toll on her and her wanting her mommy. I think going to daycare when I'm on bedrest will work well for her and she will be around other children her age...and I will get my rest and not feel guilty for her having to play by herself.

Well nothing too exciting going on right now. I'm off to bed now. Have a great weekend!

A Surrogate Mom

August 14th - 2007 - Had a Little Scare Today

2007-08-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

Ok...it was a BIG scare. You know how you have to always go potty during the night...a ton of times...when you're pregnant? It gets where I sometimes dream that I've gotten up and gone...ok...or I'm dreaming that I'm sitting there going...lol Ok, I KNOW some of you know what I mean. Well I was having that dream that I was going but this time was wierd b/c I could see myself sleeping...on the potty going! lol Ok...that's the funny part until I woke up realizing what was REALLY happening.

I woke up to blood gushing out. I actually was calm about it as it meant that maybe I lost one of the triplets, although I prayed that the babies were ok. Called the dr and since we just had a terrible storm and some major roads were flooded around the cities, I wasn't sure how long it would take to get to the cities...remember, it doesn't take 40 min to get there...now its over an hour and with roads out due to excessive flooding...well it was just crazy. It was decided that I needed to go to a local hospital b/c at 13 weeks there really isn't anything to be done if I'm miscarrying. I did need to be seen to make sure I didn't loose too much blood. So at 2 am I drove myself to Cambridge hospital and they admitted me to the maternity ward. Funny...there was NO ONE there having babies... just me with triplets and another gal with twins who wasn't there to deliver. It was a good laugh for the drs and nurses that day...what are the chances of having triplets and twins in one day...HECK...in a small country town!

I lost a lot of blood between arriving at the hospital and 6 am. It slowed down by the time I was taken down for an ultrasound at 8 am. WELL....we were all surprised to see 3 babies actively moving around and looking good. phew! Seems that there was a 2 cm hole that formed between the uterus and the placenta. So blood was leaking out. This is something that corrects on its own, via blood clotting and it heals over. Had I been further along, this hole could have caused the placenta to tear away, which then is not good. Anyways the dr says that this is common and few weeks of bedrest and rest for this to heal over and I will be fine.

DH missed work today and I am just not up to driving myself to my OB appt tomorrow. So that is rescheduled for next Wed, Aug 22 as DH taking another day off is not an option...unless of course he doesn't care if they fire him. lol Ok...so reschedule it is.

Anyways I think rescheduling my appt for next week will be good b/c then I will have another ultrasound then and can see how things are from today.

Ok...here is an update on the babies (as well as pictures). Baby B in these pics is the smallest one. I am 13 weeks 2 days. Baby A is measuring 14 weeks, 2 days with a heart rate of 157 beats per minute. Baby B is measuring 13 weeks 3 days with a heart rate of 178 beats per minute. Baby C is measuring 14 weeks 0 days with a heart rate of 178 beats per minute.

It was neat seeing how much the babies have grown and to see them moving, kicking, moving their arms and one of the babies was sucking its thumb!

When I was at the hospital they gave me something for the nausea and it was SO nice to not feel sick for a long period of time! Ironically when I went home at 6 pm tonight, the pill wore off and I was miserable again! lol :)

It was such a long day today and well, I'm ready for bed.

And relieved that the babies are ok. What a scary day!

Have a great day!

A Surrogate Mom

August 12th, 2007 - Dried Lemon Peels

2007-08-12T09:32:00.001-07:00

Thank you Rosita of Jersey for the Chinese Dried Lemon Peels to suck on. lol....I've swallowed a few of them...hope that's ok. Of all the stuff I've gotten from my IP and ideas for the morning sickness...the dried lemon peels are the best for helping me so far. I had morning sickness with all four of my pregnancies, but this I can truly say is the worse its been...probably because its triplets! :) I am 13 weeks and I'm tired/wiped out and yukky sick. I'm a bit miserable right now because between the coughing and the vomiting, my ribs hurt like crazy...yeah that's how bad it is.

August 1st, 2007 - 35W Bridge

2007-08-01T20:41:00.000-07:00

Just after 6 pm tonight, my husband wakes me up from my nap to tell me the horrific news...35W bridge collapsed over the Mississippi. It sent a terrible feeling through my body...pretty much like the day I watched the Twin Towers in NY collapse on 9/11. To think that 8 hours before the collapse of the bridge, my husband was crossing over that very same bridge after a job interview in the city! To think that last Friday, we drove over that bridge twice....to get to my appt at Abbott and to return to home. To think that this is the bridge that I am supposed to take to get to my OB appointments. My exit is the first after you cross over the bridge. I already was having anxiety that the drive from my home was 40 minutes....now it will take at least 90 minutes....SO not good. BUT the time and distance is nothing compared to what just happened to those people who where on the bridge when it collapsed.

What a terrible thing to happen. I watched the tv for 4 hours straight. I had to turn it off b/c I just felt terrible. Thanks to my friends in other states for the texts and emails. I am thankful that we were nowhere near there when it happened. Half our after it happened, I got a text from my friend in Indiana...wow...the news of this tragedy was everywhere. I guess, too, the gov't was making sure that it wasn't a terrorist act and assure all that it was not anything to worry about...it was just a structural accident.

My next OB appt is Aug 15th, so I will have to go by myself. NOT really looking forward to that. It will be a long day there too, so its not like anyone will go with me anyways. lol I'm supposed to have genetic counseling at 10 am, ultrasound at 11, and ob visit at 1 pm! NICE, eh? Well the ob visit and counseling were scheduled LAST Friday which we went to, but the office messed up things and rescheduled this appt for the 15th with my ultrasound! Let me tell you...I wasn't too happy.

Anyways...I am feeling yukky still and the morning sickness hasn't gotten any worse this week...still about the same. I feel totally wiped out and rest a lot. And you know that I'm not faking it because ONE...I missed a special night of Bingo at the Casino that I've been looking forward to all month (of July) and I have not been online very much other then to approve messages in my groups.

I just ran out of the preggo pop drops :( I have the suckers, but for some reason they suck! lol I really like the drops. Got to get some more!!! I will have cravings for fruit but then it makes me sick. Ok...pineapples and watermelon are no good anymore! lol Good on the watermelon b/c its a BEECH to cut up! lol I'm trying to drink lots of water but there is only so much water that I can drink before that makes me gag! lol The good thing though....I've cut down on fountain pop.... That used to make my stomach feel a bit better....doesn't really seem to do the trick anymore. :( Taco salad (not too spicy meat) makes me feel ok....I've been liking that.

Other then that, I am pretty good. I'm healthy, babies are too. I sometimes think I can feel them move but so not sure. WOW to think that on Sunday I will be 12 weeks along!

Well, I got to get back to bed b/c I really don't feel the greatest. I did want to get online and post, so everyone knew we were ok and NOT near the bridge when it collapsed. Thanks Friends!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

July 24th, 2007 - I've Been Released!

2007-07-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Friends!

Well heard from the fertility clinic. All babies are doing well and so I am now officially released to see my local OB. YEAH....another exciting event in this surrogacy.

Update on the babies: Baby A and Baby B are both measuring 10 weeks and 4 days, while Baby C is measuring 10 weeks. So considering I was 10 weeks and 1 day yesterday when the ultrasound was done, the babies are doing just great. ALSO after talking with the Perinatologist, they do not recommend reduction AT ALL!!! Very very interesting considering all we were told via the agency and their doctor experts! My unprofessional opinion is that it really had to do with the insurance not covering triplets.

There is no doubt about the fact that I am high risk because of triplets but I have faith in my doctors here to advise the IP and me what to do. ALSO Abbott is a highly rated Level 3 hospital, so the surro babies and I will be taken good care of.

I have my first OB appointment at Abbott this Friday morning. Got to cross my fingers that my hubby will be around to drive me there. :) I think if he just drives me once and I know where I'm going, etc, driving my big huge suburban won't be so scary for future apointments! lol Then I will have a genetic counseling and ultrasound in three weeks.

I think the ultrasounds are really neat. Not to mention seeing all three of them! Did I mention that they are all in their own sacs and have their own placentas? That is supposed to be all good!

Dinner at Red Lobster was good. I wasn't so sure how I was feeling before going b/c I got so sick, but I've been laying around so much that I just wanted to get out, as did my friend too....GETTING OUT WITH NO KIDS!!! We met a waitress there that had triplets who are now 16 years old! So that was neat and interesting. She delivered at 29 weeks because her water broke for one of the babies. I think we are hoping to get to 34 weeks which will be January. I have this fear that I will be delivering at 32 weeks which is two days before CHRISTMAS!!! That will be such a bummer to spend Christmas week in the hospital...although....I remember Christmas of 92 I spent at Presby hospital in Dallas, TX when pregnant with my first baby....it was for dehydration b/c I had morning sickness SO BAD! Anyways...it just seems typical of something to go wrong...it will be during the holidays! Right?! lol Well if it does happen over the holidays, the good thing is that my husband's family live here and hopefully they will help hubby entertain the kids.

Well hubby is at softball with our oldest daughter. It is way too hot out there for me to be out there, so he took her. I'm glad b/c I feel guilty and bad when I have to just drop her off and there is no one there to watch her play. LOL Probably b/c my parents NEVER ever went to any games that I ever played in. Oh well...just glad that hubby took her. And the kids are watching a new Veggie Tales movie and the oldest is playing Xbox 360 (of course)...so perfect time to go take a nap!!! :)

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

July 23rd, 2007 - 10 week Ultrasound!

2007-07-23T14:54:00.000-07:00

Hi!

There you go! Baby A, Baby B and Baby C as they have been calling them now. Today was our 10 week ultrasound with the Perinatologist. Baby C is doing fine, measuring a day or two behind Baby A and Baby B. Their explanation of why Baby C's sac is smaller is that the other two babies are taking up the space. Baby C has a good heartbeat and is growing the way it should be for how far along I am. Its just that Baby A and Baby B are bigger. So I guess no worries yet...unless they tell our dr otherwise. I have not heard from the fertility clinic about the results from this ultrasound.

So I have been referred by my local OB to Abbott Perinatology for my pregnancy, and I will assume that my fertility dr will be releasing me to them as well. The only bummer is that I will have to travel to the cities for my appointments. It wouldn't be so bad if I didn't drive a Suburban! lol I'm a good driver...just haven't driven in the CITIES in a few years since moving to the country! BUT the good thing is that I'm going to plan my visits so I can bring some good food home! lol We dont have anything good where we live...restaurants and take out that is. :)

OK....I still can not believe I'm carrying Triplets!!! Sometimes I sit here and think WOW. lol AND pray that the morning sickness will go away! Couple of more weeks and it should, right?!

I have been getting really sick lately. My youngest son says its because of all the pooping that the babies are doing in my belly. lol (ok) My youngest daughter sort of understands that there are babies in my belly from the pictures and from time to time she will YELL at my belly...HELLOOOO!!!!

oh...I have to run...my neighbor wants to go to Red Lobster in the Cities...lol....so I'd be crazy to say NO! BBL

Have a great day!

A Surrogate Mom

July 17th, 2007 - A 2 Year Old with a Scissor

2007-07-17T15:26:00.000-07:00

NOT good when she ends up cutting her hair...and its SO noticeable. Thanks to Fantastic Sam's in Cambridge (Tiffany), we were able to salvage her bangs. Will need to use clips on the sides until those hairs grow back! lol Out of 4 children, I can not believe the things that my little 2 year old does sometimes!!! She definately is a keeper!

Well my IP talked with the CEO of NewLifeAgency today. We will be grandfathered in. And while we should be happy about that, the coverage SUCKS. Ok...that is just my personal opinion. Only $50,000 maximum coverage is available, so expenses above and beyond that will be out of his pocket. So praying it won't be too much more then that. Expenses WILL go over $50,000. At least now, the Intended Parent is no longer faced with which of his three babies will have to be reduced.

And I am relieved too not to have to go through it. PLUS I can relax now and concentrate on getting my rest and helping these babies.

BTW maybe I should try to catch up with Michael Moore for an idea for his next documentary movie!!!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

July 16th, 2007 - WORD OF THE DAY: Perinatology

2007-07-16T12:24:00.000-07:00

Rescheduled my 10 week ultrasound with a perinatologist on Monday, when I will be 10 weeks and 1 day. I had to do it down in the cities...well close to it...Coon Rapids. We used to live in Coon Rapids, so I am familiar with the area.

I have been feeling so yukky from the morning sickness. I have the nauseous feeling 24/7 and I've got to learn that if the smell of what I'm making makes me feel SICK, DONT EAT IT!!! When will I learn! lol

Today I got some great things.... from my IP...preggo pops and preggo pop drops to help with the morning sickness!!!! YEAH!!!! I've tried a drop so far. I think I feel better...maybe a nap will help too! lol And from an internet friend, Tina, in my Mom RAK group...a huge bag of Swedish Fish!!! I haven't had them since I was a kid...so that was fun and yummy (no I didn't eat it all...yet). SO THANK YOU!!!! :)

No news on insurance or what my IP is going to do about the triplets. I believe he spoke with a specialist who of course is telling him the dangers I am in for carrying triplets. And like I said....if it was such a danger, why was I medically approved to carry multiples and WHY would the fertility doctor transfer 3 embryos. The fertility doctor even said the first two transfers...are you ready to carry triplets if it happens? And we said YES (and silently praying that it would be twins! lol) So now why would they say otherwise? YOU KNOW they are doing this because the insurance will not cover triplets. I think its wrong to use scare tactics on my IP so he will reduce. Yes, there are risks with multiples...risks that I agreed to from the very beginning. Like I said, I will do what my IP wants to do in the end BUT don't use scare tactics to make him make his decision.

Anyways....nothing new to tell....hopefully when my IP talks to NewLife Agency this week that they can figure something out so he will not have to abort one of his babies.

Off to take a nap while the kids go to the park with their big brother! (Got to love having older kids with younger kids!)

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

July 13th, 2007 - Why did God make stupid people?

2007-07-13T17:52:00.000-07:00

People are so quick to judge and make their stupid opinions and they just never get it b/c they don't take the time to understand. They just think they know it all...especially those God loving Christians who can be downright nasty with their judgements and opinions...

I tried to reach out on Cafemom.com and ask for help for my IP and me to help us find suitable surrogate insurance. I have never seen so many mean and nasty women...Christians ones too! Here I am trying to help my IP so he will not have to abort one of his triplets and people are judging me and him! HOW FRICKING STUPID to suggest that he adopt out his babies! We want to help him so he does not have to abort his baby, NOT adopt them out. STUPID PEOPLE. I was asking for help and I got judgements and terrible people wanting to take this man's babies....what a bunch of IDIOTS! I got to laugh at the referrals to WIC (women, infant and children which is an agency set up for nutritional and health concerns) DUMB.

And for the STUPID people who told me to lie to my insurance about the babies.... HOW STUPID IS THAT?! Commit fraud and go to jail? HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE?!

Ok....so contact prolife and similar groups. Ok....that really doesn't do anything. Oh wait...maybe it will give me a right not to have the abortion BUT My IP and I would STILL BE in the same FRICKING situation! NO INSURANCE BECAUSE I AM CARRYING TRIPLETS. STUPID STUPID STUPID!

AND stupid people emailing me to adopt this man's babies....do you not read??? He wants his babies...how many frickin times and ways can I say that??! People waste my time for not reading what I'm asking for or read what they want. URGH!

Stupid people just waste my time and suck up all the good oxygen in our world!

Thanks to the VERY few understanding people on Cafemom. Not all moms might agree with what I am doing and that is their right, but at least they have the maturity and respect about the situation.

Our insurance is through NewLife Agency. They are the ones who announced that surrogates carrying triplets will no longer be covered. So please stop referring them to me. My IP is hoping that NewLife will able to work with us for a better solution. I believe this is the first triplets case since their new policy went into effect March 2007.

My 10 week ultrasound is coming up in a week. Will have to reschedule it in the cities with a Baby Specialist (lol, I don't know how to spell the word for it) to see what is exactly going on with Baby #3. The last ultrasound showed it had improved from the previous one. So we will need to determine how that baby is doing.

My IP talked to the specialist that I was referred to as well. I'm not going to bother talking to her b/c it won't make a difference. She's going to tell me how my life is in danger if I carry the triplets. Well if there was any danger, why the heck would the fertility dr transfer 3 embryos?! I just don't need to hear it. They are paid to talk me into being okay with the abortion.

I am leaving the final decision up to my IP as they are his babies. He knows I do not want a reduction, if the babies are ok (which he agrees with too), but I understand and will comply with what he wants. I do not want to add more stress to him....or me.

It is very frustrating that all this is controlled by insurance policies. Very sad. I did send my story to Fox 9 News and supposed to be talking to them on Monday. I have reservations about it. The reporter wants a copy of my contract which I can NOT do b/c I would be in breach of my contract by doing so. I also do not want to bring the name of the agency I am working with into this. I'm afraid of the negativity for the Agency, as both my IP and I are happy with them. I really do think the public needs to hear my story and the dilemnia we are faced with the insurance. There needs to be something done, if not for me now, but for other Intended Parents and their surrogates in the future. Government needs to realize the need for health insurance for EVERYONE. Will have to take this weekend to think more about things and speak with the reporter on Monday.

Well, time to rest...have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

July 12th, 2007 - Happy Birthday, JR!

2007-07-11T22:35:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of my first born! He is 14 years old! WOW So hard to believe. He is the reason why I have considered becoming a surrogate. I was a 24 year old, single mom when I found out I was pregnant with him. Adoption was not even an option for me considering I was adopted myself. My adopted life sucked...and I wasn't willing to do that to my baby. I am very happy to this day that I stayed strong and raised a great son! Anyways, besides the biological father wanting me to abort, I had many offers of families wanting to adopt my baby. Funny how back then people assumed a single unwed mom shouldn't have her baby! After my son was born, we relocated to MN where we have been ever since. I look back at where I was then and thankful everyday to where I am in my life now....married and with 4 children. My husband adopted my son a month after we were married. :) Since everyone seemed to want my baby, I thought about possibly being a surrogate some day. Why not?

Who would have known...14 years later...here I am...carrying triplets as a gestational surrogate for a single guy.

Unfortunately, my first surrogacy has been a long one with road blocks....luckily my IP has only had to deal with one surrogate...ME....but has gone through 3 Egg donors...and after a year of having been matched, we are finally pregnant. For me, I thought I'd be matched up with my second family by now. So things don't always go the way you hope.

Things with the surrogacy are very stressful this week. When I completed my application, I stated that I would not reduce if I had three babies...I would continue with the pregnancy. The first couple I was matched with wanted to reduce, which was one of the reasons that I did not go with that first couple. My current Intended Parent and I both agreed that if I had triplets, that we would not reduce, unless there was something wrong with one or more of the babies. Reduce is another term for abortion. Just is supposed to sound better. I did not read my contract clearly and the part on Fetal Reduction is different then what I agreed with my Intended Parent. So I have no choice here, I will have to abort one of the triplets before I am 14 weeks. Oh...back up.... in the beginning of 2007, the insurance agency that the Agency uses, stated that they would no longer insure surrogates with triplets. So my Intended parent can not afford the expenses of me to have the Triplets. So basically now, one of the three healthy babies that I am carrying must die within the next 6 weeks....well 5 1/2 weeks. I wonder which baby will it be? Sad, huh?

How sad is that? For me, as the surrogate, I am not at all supportive of aborting one of the babies. While I am pro-choice on abortion, this is not something I would do myself unless there was something bad with one or more of the babies OR if my life was at risk. I admit, I only wanted and want to carry twins, which some have stupidly commented that then I'd be better off with Reduction/Abortion of one of the triplets. HELLO???? I don't think so. It is so wrong to kill a baby for financial reasons. How pathetically stupid is that? My IP acknowledges that we discussed not reducing, but what's he supposed to do now?

I basically have no choice here and will have to have this abortion done. I hope that it is done soon because I will start to feel the babies soon. I have no confidence in my IP or anyone finding surrogate insurance. I have no hope. I am not going to stress myself or my family anymore.

I prayed my hardest for baby #3 to grow and catch up with the other two. It was a miracle....and well look where the miracle took me and the babies. Do you think there will be any more miracles for us? I really have no hope. The Agency must act in the best interest of the IP since the insurance will not cover this. Maybe someone with more strength can pray for a miracle that an Insurance Company will offer insurance for a surrogate with Triplets!

Its been a long journey for me since I applied to be a Surrogate on 01/01/06! This journey has drained me emotionally....2 visits to CA with my husband (away from our kids), and three more trips to CA for 3 embryo transfers, where I had to figure out who would watch my children and make sure that their lives are not disrupted. Each embryo transfer took 4 days away from my children, missing their band concerts, games, etc. Worrying that my baby who sleeps with her mommy isn't wandering around the house looking for me during the night. Me wondering if my plane might crash in the snow storm, etc. Praying that the people caring for my children don't get in a car accident or something. Yes, my trips to CA were fun and all, but its really hard not to worry about my children while I'm gone. I do not like to be away from them...or my husband. Ok...so now...barely into this pregnancy and another problem.... Its starting to take its toll on me. I just want it to be over...the babies be born and this be the end of the journey.

Its hard to be a surrogate. I don't regret it and I will still consider doing it again...sort of....let's see how this ends. I guess what I'm trying to tell you here...it isn't really an easy thing...and on top of that the morning sickness is getting worse!

I think its the anger in me that is making me feel this way. Either way, I look forward to being 14 weeks along because I know then that at that time either one of the babies will be gone OR we will have insurance and 3 babies to look forward to in Feb! I don't want to deal with this.

So if you have the strength for me...pray for a miracle and help me get back on the right path of this journey!

Thanks,
A Surrogate Mom

July 9th, 2007 - 8 week ultrasound

2007-07-09T07:30:00.000-07:00

8 week ultrasound done! Baby #1 and #2 (the babies on the right) are measuring on time and both have strong heartbeat rates of 169. You really can't see the baby #2 in the pic...just the sac, but its there. Baby #3 (the baby on the left) is measuring 7 weeks and 5 days, so growing quite well since the last ultrasound 2 weeks ago WITH a strong heartbeat rate of 155. Unfortunately for Baby #3, the gestational sac is not growing like it should but miracles happen...we shall see what happens during the next 2 weeks. It was surprising even to see that Baby #3 had indeed grown and had a strong heartbeat. So Baby #3 is fighting to survive, so I hope you will pray for the baby. The ultrasound pic isn't the greatest but from the monitor I could see all three babies and their heartbeats.

Ok...heard from the dr's nurse. Ultrasound looked good...3 good babies. :) When I asked about baby #3 and the dr's thoughts on whether it will make it or not, they seemed not to want to say anything about it...as they did after the first one. After the first ultrasound the dr commented that the third baby would naturally reduce on its own. I think they must realize that the baby is growing and has a good heartbeat, so they won't tell me what they really think. So hoping that maybe when my CM talks to the dr's office he will find out what they really think.

Hopefully the prayers for baby #3 will continue to help keep baby strong. Next ultrasound in two weeks.

Last night was my last night of progesterone shots. Those shots I had to take every night. The only shot left is the E2V which is done every third night. So I had that shot tonight... I continue the progesterone pills in the am and pm, and the vitamins and estrace pills until I am 10 weeks.

Morning sickness hasn't gotten any better, although I just finished eating some gizzards done on the grill (yummy! lol) and some pasta salad with ham and cheese from Cub foods.... I really liked the salad...got to find out if anyone has their recipe. I've tried similar salads from WalMart and other markets but haven't found one that I liked. Anyways...feeling good after eating...yeah! lol

Well the kids just finished popping some popcorn...time to go watch movies and veg!

Have a great day!

A Surrogate Mom

June 29th, 2007 - Want to SEE???

2007-06-29T20:27:00.000-07:00

I figured how to get pictures on here!!! oh yeah! I dont know about you, but I've never seen an ultrasound of multiples before. So hope you find this interesting. The tech numbered the babies (the sacs). You can't really see much from this picture...well the babies which are smaller then peanuts do not show up when I take a pic of the pic. Baby #1 in the pic is measuring a day or so behind with a slow heartbeat, so we are saying prayers daily so that they baby will grow and get stronger. Baby #2 and #3 are measuring fine and have strong heartbeats. I believe in miracles...so anything can happen, right?!

I can not tell you how crappy I feel from having the morning sickness feel 24/7. I've also had a cold and cough...a cold and cough in the summer! Crazy! So the coughing hasn't really helped for sleeping. Luckily its summer vacation and the bigger kids and DH have been helping out a lot. Unfortunately, on top of the yukky cough and cold....my suburban is sick...lol Not sure what is wrong with it...just doesn't start. I'm not too anxious to see it work as the air conditioner doesn't work and I'm enjoying using my hubby's newer truck! (Unfortunately, hubby seems to think that replacing the suburban is more important then our family trip to DisneyWorld next year. We'll have to discuss that another time when I'm not so emotional, lol)

Now if that's not enough....the refrigerator which is just under 6 years old....decides NOT to work! great! Trying to get it to work before we have to pay someone to come and look at it. I actually wouldn't mind a new frig anyways....although you'd think a brand new frig could last at least 10 years!

Ok...what next??? How about the stove??? Don't get me going on how the burners only work when they want to. lol Well this is a very old FREE stove given to us last year...so I can't really complain too much....

Next.... ok the super nice John Deere lawnmower that my hubby had to have....guess his excuse for not mowing the overgrown grass is the lawnmower needs a new blade. He says without a new blade, the motor in the lawnmotor will be ruined. Am I gullable to believe that? Well he's getting a new blade next week! That's something affordable! lol It will be nice to not see those UGLY YELLOW weeds in the grass! URGH....to think we spent so much $$$ on lawn service the last two years to make it look nice...it just doesn't seem to matter b/c the neighbors don't weed their lawn and it blows into our lawn! URGH bet our neighbors on the other side just love us now! lol

I think that is about it for things breaking around here...at the same time! Actually things like this normally happen to us in the month of December! oh well, nothing I can really do about it now...we'll just deal with it one at a time!

Oh, some sad news...my local OB tells me that he will not be able to help me with triplets. Our high tech hospital is not equipped for other then singletons and twins! Ok, well I sort of new that...but I decided to take a nice long nap to see if that issue would go away. lol Luckily I found out that the same Allina facility can help me in Coon Rapids where then I could deliver at Mercy Hospital, which is where I delivered my baby #3 and #4. I used to go to the Coon Rapids Women's clinic when I had #3 but then our insurance changed. So I will at least be familiar with the ofc and hospital. ALSO the peri-natal drs are not too far away from the CR Women's clinic...and should the babies deliver before 34 weeks, everything will be in order for me to go to Abbot where they have the best facilities for high risk pregnancies. phew.... Well I'm not going to really look at relocating drs until after my 10 week ultrasound. Of course if baby #3 does not make it, I will be able to just stay in Cambridge, as planned.

Super thanks to my IP. When I flew out to LA in May, I put my surrogate charm bracelet in my suitcase which I checked. And it was missing by the time I got to the hotel in LA. I've been so bummed. BUT thanks to my IP, he's replaced the important charms for me and then some. I noticed that he did not replace the silver suburban....hmmm....I wonder if that means I will be getting the real thing now??? ROFL OMG, I am so just kidding. I thought that might be a nice laugh for him as he reads this. :) One of the new charms is one that has 3 hanging hearts for the 3 baby heartbeats. I have to take the bracelet to the jeweler to get some rings to attach them to the bracelet and then sodered so they won't fall off. I also received another charm from the agency. Its a stork! Anyways...I love me bracelet. Will have to take a picture of it and post it here another time.

Well time to get ready for bed. I have a big day tomorrow. Its "my day," meaning a day of bingo at the casino. lol Well I have tickets for the boat drawing and other fun $$$ prizes...drawings at 1, 3 and 5. Of course I have to be there for that! lol Play a little bingo and if I win, I will stay and play again in the evening. That's always fun...and a lot cheaper then playing the slots. lol I hope I win something in the drawing. I always try to. Oh yeah...and at the night bingo they are having a drawing for 7 $100 gas cards. So I guess I will have to stay for the evening Bingo session! I think I have a lot of tickets in that drawing too! Better chances for me for the gas cards!

Have a great weekend!

A Surrogate Mom

June 26th - The Next Day

2007-06-26T12:50:00.000-07:00

So my psych dr calls today. Asks me if I'm freaked (re: carrying triplets). lol I actually am not. I am just thankful it wasn't one. I know crazy! But hey...I said I wanted the experience of multiples. lol

I'm not sure if the babies can hear just yet, but my two little ones sang songs to my belly last night. They are so funny. They also said a special prayer for the third baby to grow and to get strong. As I watched my little ones, I thank God every day for my 4 children. They are so thoughtful and give me strength as we wait out the fate of the third baby.

This sort of reminds me when I was 9 and there was this baby born named Samantha. She was born with 3 holes in her heart and with down syndrome. The doctors did not give her more the 3 months to live. Samantha was placed in foster care with my family because her parents were unable to care for her with the medical conditions. Her parents and my parents (who ended up adopting her with her parents blessings) never gave up on this little baby. Samantha lived to be 7 years old. With a little hope and love AND a miracle, she survived. It might have been a short lived life, but we gave her a chance. Samantha who was born on July 12th, died Nov 8th. Coincidentally, my first child was born July 12th and my second child was born Nov 8th. Strange, huh?

Well, on a funny note...I pray that if I do miscarry, it happens at home and not when I'm at one of the kids' baseball games or at BINGO! Seriously, its really hard to leave the home knowing it could happen anytime...or will it?

Ok...time for a nap before venturing out to my daughter's softball game tonight. Have a great day!

A Surrogate Mom

June 25th, 2007 - TRIPLETS

2007-06-25T14:57:00.000-07:00

To think that I have been so worried since the beta that I was pregnant with just one!!! lol After the ultrasound this morning, I called my IP right away to say what I saw...and then went back to bed...because I've been so yukky from morning sickness and lacking sleep from being anxious for the ultrasound to see how many! So I sleep with my cell phone...just a habit plus it has an alarm on it for wake up. So the Fertility Clinic called and I was in a good sleep so I was probably not saying much...just that you should have the report soon and something about two babies and remember the nurse saying...good twins.... An hour later she calls and says "Honey, did you realize you have triplets?" huh? Oh yeah, I guess you're right. lol

Well one of the babies is measuring a day smaller and the heartbeat is not very strong. So time will tell on what will happen to the baby. There is a slight chance the baby will survive but the dr said to be prepared to miscarry. The other two babies are measuring fine and have strong heartbeats. While I really only want to carry twins, I will pray for the third baby. I'm not sure how it will be to miscarry again. Some probably think it will be better off if I miscarry the third baby which I personally think is a terrible thing to even say to me. The baby is alive right now and has a heartbeat. Give the baby a chance. If that was me, I'd hope that someone would pray for me to live. Yes, I was hoping that 2 out of 3 would take but we knew going into this that all 3 could take. It would have been easier if the baby had not heartbeat when doing the ultrasound. I will have my 8 week ultrasound on July 9th. So maybe we will know the future of the third baby then.

FAQ: Will I carry all three or reduce? No, I will not reduce unless my life was a danger, which it is not. Some surros have been through the reduction and its been no big deal, so others don't seem to understand or realize what goes on..or why I wont consider it. I am pro-choice and will admit that, but personally I don't believe in abortion for myself...on my body. The agency and clinic do not fuss about the reduction and are supportive of it. In our contract, the IP and I discuss the situation before hand...so the decision isn't made when its too late. We both agreed that we would not reduce if there were three babies, even though its more desirable to have two.

Ok...so not that there is nothing wrong with reduction but like I said, its something I do not wish to do myself. I am also going to share what a reduction is, so you may not want to read this now... Most people do not like to refer this as to an abortion but from my opinion there are a lot of similarities....especially the "unwanted baby being terminated." A long needle is injected into the woman's stomach, straight into the unwanted baby's heart. (Its sort of like an amnio, except that needle goes into the fluids NOT the baby). An ultrasound is used to monitor the unwanted baby, so you can see everything that is going on. So this needle goes into the unwanted baby's heart and stays there until there is no heartbeat. The needle is removed and they monitor the baby to make sure its dead. (Sort of scary when you hear about botched up abortions and the baby lives but with deformities.) The baby will then eventually abort or be absorbed by the other babies, or just stay there and be squooshed up by the other babies and come out when the other babies are born. They say if it comes out when the other babies are born, you will not even be able to recognize the baby. Nice, eh?

Also, when you do a reduction....who the heck do you pick? What if you pick the wrong one? Heck, I guess it doesn't matter...you'll never know. Well, I suppose if one doesn't think much of it and not consider the baby is a life or something, it makes it easier to reduce.

With IVF you just never know what will take and what won't. Do you limit your chances? It was such a hard decision after 2 failed transfers. You just never know and if the fertility dr thought all three would have taken, he would have advised otherwise.

Lastly, my dear friends, if you hope I miscarry the 3rd baby, please keep it to yourself. Don't tell me I will be better off. I dont care what studies/research say about carrying triplets because you know I hear from other moms with multiples who did just fine. I think if I was not fit to carry multiples, I never would have been accepted into the surrogacy program. I'M NOT A STATISTIC AND DON'T CARE TO BE REFERRED TO THEM. I would though expect some compassion and concern that this little baby with a heartbeat might not make it...give it a chance. Pray for the baby. These babies are not mine genetically but I am still the birth mom and I really dont want a baby to die in me..even if its considered unwanted. I'm sorry if you can't understand that.

On a happier note here...I am grateful for the two babies that have strong heartbeats and hope that they do well should anything happen to the third baby. I am doing well. I am very tired and rest a lot. Food doesn't seem to agree with me a lot but my daughter has been making me peanut butter sandwiches or ham sandwiches with mustard...and that seems to be agreeing with me. :) The morning sickness has mainly been in the evenings but I have noticed that that the last couple of days I wake up feeling it too. I can't brush my teeth in the morning or I get really sick. I crave fountain p0p....so I've been doing lemonade with a shot of sprite. I can not tell you what an inconvenience it is to these fast food places to do half and half...I could see if it was during the busy times, but usually its late evening that I want it... lol I guess I will just get my exercise by getting out and going into Holiday and pouring my own!

Ok...I have to run now, I just realized we are supposed to be at my son's bball game. BBL

A surrogate mom

June 20th, 2007 - Dinner Last Night

2007-06-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

So last night, we stopped in town for dinner at our favorite Chinese Buffet place....where they know you and the kids ages and what we drink each time....even the take out order that we place before we leave because hubby and oldest son can't get off their butts to join us for dinner. (They are playing their xbox 360 online, of course.)

I am thinking I am going to have to wait until after my first trimester to eat Chinese food b/c lately right after I eat it, I just feel gross! lol

My now 6 year old (his birthday was June 13th) says to me at the restaurant... "Mommy, do you think the food you are eating are falling on the babies?" It was too funny and sweet. I think the regulars there get a kick out of my kids and the things that they say. So then someone asks him, how many babies are there. He's like "probably 2 or 3, its hard to say right now." lol Bet that gave everyone something to talk about!

Anyways, thought I would share that with you. :)
Happy Happy Hump day!
A surrogate mom

June 18th, 2007 - 5 weeks and 1 day

2007-06-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Yes, that's right...I'm finally pregnant. The 5 day transfer produced 9 embryos, all in excellent condition. So 3 embryos were transfered on May 30th. Stayed at the Beverly Hilton which was really nice there. Came home on June 1st. On Day 5 after the transfer, I got my first positive home test on a cheapie test. The EPT and digital did not pick up the positive pregnancy until Day 6 after the transfer. So that was a relief. Had my Beta test first thing on June 9th. My HCG level was 207....this is good although I was hoping for a little higher number. Per the fertility clinic, anything over 100 is a positive pregnancy. 200+ is possible multiples, so crossing my fingers for twins. I highly doubt all three took because of the HCG level, but what do I know? That is just my unprofessional guess. I know I will be bummed if it is just one as I've been hoping for the experience of carrying twins. Time will tell.

My 6 week ultrasound will be the morning of June 25th...I'll actually be 6 weeks and 1 day. They dont like to do ultrasounds on weekends on women during their first trimesters due to lack of doctors available and the fact that miscarriages are more likely during the first trimester. Techs are not allowed to tell patients what they see. So 7 more days before I will find out how many babies I am carrying.

I will have additional ultrasounds at 8 weeks and 10 weeks. Then after that time I will be released to see my local OB. It is just finally exciting that I am pregnant.

So how am I feeling? Well tired. Sometimes I dont feel pregnant...not that I really would feel anything. lol I had a bunch of PMS type cramping here and there, which is normal. My surro friends say its the embryos burrowing into my uterus...told this to my husband and he's relates that to maggots...nice, hubby! (He thinks he's so funny!) I also experienced some spotting a few times...so that was freaky but the dr says that was fine and reminded me that they told me it happens. My friend who is my children's pediatrician says she's heard that the spotting is common with multiples, which is something that I also heard from my surro friends. I tend to feel like crap after I eat Chinese food and Chipotle! lol Nothing bad...just that might be something to not eat while pregnant. lol I love Chinese food and Chipotle. We don't have Chipotle around here anyways, so I only have it every 2 weeks when I bring my daughter to her dad's every other weekend! I dont feel morning sickness other then a little in the evenings.

I'm still doing the progesterone shots every night. My butt is very sore so it hurts with the poke. I do the e2v shots every third night still. I guess I continue to do this until 10 weeks. I also take a new pill at night called Estrace. Thankfully its sooo small compared to the HUGE prenatal vitamin I take every night. And if that's not enough to take...there is still more that I have to do.... I have to take progesterone pills in the AM and PM... Now that's everything that I'm taking! Let me tell you...there is a lot you have to do as a surrogate. I am just thankful that I can do my own shots and they are all into my butt.

So I think I have you all up to date. Its been so busy here now that the kids are out of school and they are busy with baseball and softball. Kids are all doing well. Not bored yet but they sure are making a mess of the house...its been pretty hot during the day so if they aren't in the pool, they are inside. Thank goodness for central air!

So I will check in sometime Monday evening and give you an update from my ultrasound.

Have a great week!!!
A Surrogate Mom

May 26th, 2007 - Going to California

2007-05-26T20:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone!

I leave bright and early on Tuesday morning for CA. The dr said we can do the 5 day blasto transfer. YEAH!!! I hope my IP still does 3 embryos for the transfer. I want to make sure we have twins!!! (The greatest thing about being a surrogate...I can experience a twins pregnancy without having to keep them.)

I'm excited because I feel confident with us doing the 5 day transfer. There were 9 eggs received from the egg donor and found out today that all 9 fertilized! So that is exciting for my IP.

Looking forward to my trip to CA and relaxing for 2 days after the transfer. I go home bright and early on Friday!

One of the perks of being a surrogate is that you get to stay in a nice hotel during the transfer. The usual hotel in West Hollywood is under construction so I am staying at this nice hotel in Beverly Hills! That should be fun. Will have to tell you about it when I come home. I wish I could bring my 10 yr old daughter, as we like to go places together. It will be hard to be away from the kids.

My IP says we'll have sushi and Korean bbq when I'm out there. I'm sooo excited because since going to CA, those are my two favorite foods!!! Oh...that and an everything bagel with cream cheese and sliced salmon!!! lol

Well nothing too exciting going on other then getting ready for my trip. Sticky thoughts for us, please!!!

Have a great Memorial Day Weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

May 19th, 2007 - I have a beautiful uterus!

2007-05-19T21:16:00.000-07:00

LOL The ultrasound tech said that to me yesterday morning and while I thanked her, I couldn't help laughing about it later as I told my husband and my IP. It made my IP's day hearing that. I think his sister knows now too.

So, I had my ultrasound yesterday. First I have to say KUDOS to Laura, the ultrasound tech at Cambridge Medical... It is very nice to go to an appointment where people are nice and friendly...rather then when you sit alone in the waiting room or waiting in the exam room where you can overhear people complaining about their jobs and personal life (I know you know what I mean, lol) Laura definately is a sweet person and I definately will request her for future visits. :)

Well I am ready for the embryo transfer next weekend! I measured at a 12 and had that triple layered/lined? pattern in my uterus. lol gosh I forget what its called. At first I panicked b/c Laura said I was measuring about a 1...and let me tell you...I was a bit freaked since I need to be between an 8 and 14. Guess it really depends on the measurment used. Phew.... so I was ok at a 12. Then I was a little panicked again when I realized that my OB wasn't in the office that day so the results were sitting there. The triage nurse in Clinic E for that day was SUPER wonderful for going out of her way to make sure the results of my ultrasound and lab were faxed to the fertility clinic in LA. Sorry I dont know her name to give her kudos.

I dont know my lab results but I am assuming my levels were where they should be. I've been good about taking my pills and shots (as I did the other times too). :)

Today the ED had her ultrasound and I guess she's not ready. She is supposed to have another ultrasound on Monday/Tuesday. The nurse said Tuesday but then said Monday, but I didn't want to ask her to clarify. So we shall see.

My CM called on Friday and left a message that the calendar gal said we could go ahead and make travel arrangements. Sort of glad that hasn't been done because I hate to get out there to have to wait another day or two. So guess we will wait until we hear whats happening with the ED. I guess I probably will just call on Monday as I'm anxious to actually know what to expect as hubby isn't around right now and so I need to make arrangments for the kids.

Trying not to stress about anything. lol like that is possible. It drives me crazy when people say "oh don't worry" lol I just want this to take this time. Anyways...I said I was trying not to stress...so no worries. Right? lol

So nothing exciting going on here...just getting my house in order before I leave for CA. Will post again when I hear more...

Have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

May 13th, 2007 - Happy Mother's Day and Drugs

2007-05-13T11:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to my Mom Friends here! Hope you are having a great day. My day is just like any other day, just as was my 39th birthday last Sunday! Yeah, I might be whining, but I'm not complaining. lol Well really its just a boring day as we have no plans. But that is ok, I am enjoying the quiet time until the kids start fighting! lol The kids are being extra good b/c our oldest as baseball practice at 5 at the nearby park, and I promised the other 3 to let them go there too. DH's mom and dad went camping for the weekend, so its not as if we had to go anywhere.

Have to share a little funny from our 5 yr old. I started my E2V shots on May 7th and I noticed the next day that it looked like I got bit by gnats or something. There were red spots. I didn't think much of it until I went to take my shot on the 10th. So I mention to my husband, it must have been a reaction to the shot but it goes away and doesn't bother me. I didn't relate it to the first times I've taken them. Anyways, my comment to my husband was I think the red spots are from the drugs. My 5 yr old comes to me, looking very concerned and says "Mom, you can't be having a baby for IP because drugs are very bad." He just amazes me with his smartness! I asked him why is that? And went on to tell me things that can happen to the baby when you take drugs. So after a big hug to my 5 yr old, I told him how proud of him that I was blessed with such a great child. Then I explained to him that I am taking fertility drugs to help me get ready to carry the babies for IP. And reassured him that I would never take bad drugs ever...never have, never would and never will. Just got to love the things my kids say!

Well, had an ultrasound on the morning of May 7th to make sure all was well as I did not get my period right after stopping the BC pills on May 4th. Funny...I got my period hours after the ultrasound! oh well! My next Ultrasound and lab work will be May 18th. This is also about the time the ED should be going in for her ultrasound to see where she is at for the egg retrieval. Probable egg retrieval is May 22, 23, 24. So its getting closer to transfer date. 11-14 days before I leave for CA. I am pretty excited.

My IP still hasn't discussed doing a blastocyst transfer yet with the dr. So actual transfer day will depend on whether the dr will do it or not. The agency says that some dr won't. I dont see why not unless not many eggs are collected. Crossing my fingers for lots of eggs! :)

My next shot is tonight. Still doing ok with doing them myself. Never thought I could ever do it...especially with how long the needles are!!! lol Its comforting to have a big butt so I dont have to worry too much. lol

OH, I forgot to mention that I ran into another problem with the Lab. They are refusing to service my dr's orders because he is out of state now. Of course it hasn't been an issue in the past year but since I've been having so many issues with them and made complaints...now this. No worries. My local OB at the clinic has been more then willing to work with me and they will process my fertility dr's orders and fax results for me. I can not tell you how appreciative I am of my OB and his nurses. I was also thinking that running all this through my local OB will be a plus for when my fertility dr releases me to my local OB when I complete my first trimester. My OB will be up to date on what I've been doing during the first trimester.

WOW May 18th is only 5 days away! I guess you can expect another update from me in just 5 days! And before I know it, I will be on a plane againg for CA!!!

Have a great day everyone! Especially the MOMS!
A Surrogate Mom

April 30th, 2006 - NFL Draft Weekend

2007-04-29T09:32:00.000-07:00

Every year my husband is glued to the tv all weekend when the NFL drafts are on. Is yours? I guess the Vikings drafted someone good. Wonder if that will help the team this year? Anyways...tomorrow starts a new venture for my husband as he begins a new path in his career. OTR Trucking. He will be in training for 5 weeks. He will stay at his parents' during the week and come home on weekends. With gas prices so high here, that will really help. We're lucky that his parents only live down the road from the facility. We are excited for this new venture as we will no longer be paying $1000/month in insurance premiums for insurance that barely covers anything! Can you believe we paid that much??? With this new company, hubby and dependants are covered 100% with no premiums! What a relief for us!

It will be a hard couple of weeks for us not having hubby/daddy around, but I will be busy with the kids. Our oldest is playing baseball for the middle school and inhouse...so after I pick him up from school sports, its off to inhouse ball! Our oldest daughter hasn't even heard from her softball coach yet, so that will be starting soon. I'm sort of hoping our little one has forgotten I was going to sign him up for ball...lol I might wait until summer time and set him up for something during the day. I think that might work better.

So where are we with the surrogacy??? Right on schedule!!! I started a new pack of BC pills last night and will take the last one on May 4th. I begin my E2V shots on May 7th, and have my first ultrasound that morning to make sure everything looks ok. I have another ultrasound & blood work scheduled for May 18th to make sure I'm ready for the embryo transfer. The ED passed her medical screening, which we pretty much knew. yeah! My tentative transfer dates are still May 25-27, but that will be determined by the actual egg retrieval day and if the ED is early or on time. My IP is considering doing a technique called blastysis which means that embryo transfer will be 5 days after egg retrieval...rather then 3 days. This is our third and final attempt at IVF...at least with me as the surrogate, so I'm praying for sticky sticky sticky whatever you call it...lol I look so forward to being pregnant with TWINS! :)

Please help us by thinking good sticky thoughts for us and hopefully in JUNE we will have some good news to share!

Have a happy Sunday!
A Surrogate Mom

April 14th, 2007 - We have a match!

2007-04-14T08:48:00.000-07:00

WOW, that was my post from a YEAR AGO.... "We have a match!" April 14th 2006!!! I had hoped to have been preggo and done by now. I guess its not always like that, huh???

Well, yesterday my IP and I received our calendars. Tentative transfer dates May 25, 26, 27. My IP is considering some blasto-something which means a transfer date like 4-5 days after egg retrieval. A technique used in international countries. I think they do that because the chances of taking are higher? I'm not sure. All I know is that I hope that this takes, as this is our third try.

Was surprised to hear we have a calendar already. Test results aren't back on the ED but they said that they don't anticipate any problems. At least we can get in cycle. I'm thinking the ED must have had her period and called it in. Good to know she's on the ball....nothing like the first ED. The second ED was good...the embryos just never took. Not her fault or mine. Anyways...everyone called me yesterday....my IP, then my CM and then the calendar lady...and the CA Pharmacy. So it was one exciting day.

So I should have some more bc pills and cycle meds next week. I have to continue taking BC pills until May 4th. So when I finish the current pack then I will start another one....its actually nice when I do that...nothing like stopping my period!!! (What the heck was god thinking to make women go through that?! lol) May 7th I will have an ultrasound to make sure I have no cysts and whatever. May 18th will be my ultrasound to make sure my lining is ready and stuff. The ED's egg retrieval is tentatively May 22, 23, 24th. So 3 days after actual egg retrieval will be the transfer!!! YEAH!

So that's whats happening! I just hope for a successful transfer!

Have a great weekend!!!
A Surrogate Mom

April 1st, 2007 - April Fools Day!

2007-04-01T09:33:00.000-07:00

Well, a common joke for me would have been to say I'm preggo, but probably NOT a funny thing to post here!

Yesterday I spent the day at Hinckley in hopes of winning a Pot Of Gold. Here I was thinking this is great...I have 25 tickets for this drawing. WELL, the thing you put your tickets in was just PACKED. And with my luck...ummm....my name was never called all day! lol BUT it was fun because you won't believe what I played all day....BINGO...matinee and evening session. lol DH gave me $50 to play and won during matinee (and some slot machines in between) to play for the evening! While I had fun...I didn't win during the evening session...I had hoped to b/c today at Mille Lacs (sp?) is a $100 buyin to play all day! URGH....had I only known sooner! lol Yes, I love BINGO. The gals that work at the Hinckley Bingo (Jean, Linda, Christie, Kimberly, Michelle) are awesome....so if you ever find yourself there....say HI to them. I will definately miss them now because Baseball season begins April 9th!! I'm giving up BINGO until the Fall/Winter as the kids aren't in sports then....

The kids are on spring break this week. Then the next 5 months I will be busy with the kids' sports. My oldest already has school practice starting April 9th. Sadly, he didn't make travel but he will play In-House and he is ok with that. I think I'm more bummed.

DH is waiting to hear if he got this new job. He drove to Duluth on Friday to fill out an application and talk with them. It will be a big career change and an adjustment to our lifestyle, but its for the better. I hope he gets it. The only drawback is that its 5 weeks of unpaid training. Is that crazy?

Anyways...enough about me... where are we at with the next IVF? No tentative dates. My IP's ED has her medical screening on the 4th. After the results from that we can get rolling. I'm basically hanging out taking BC pills waiting....waiting patiently. My IP seems real excited with his choice. He was very impressed with her psych eval and the genetic screening went well.

So...that's all I have to tell for now. Hope in a couple of weeks I can share some more!!!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

March 14th, 2007 - Shocking News!!!

2007-03-14T16:33:00.000-07:00

My 13 yr old (who will be 14 in July) decided to clean up the toys in the living room and put them away for the little ones! And if that isn't a shock...he even got out the vacuum and vacuumed not only the living room BUT THE HALLWAY and his bedroom! Shhh...I see he is still picking up stuff in the other room... Who would have guessed?! Well it really made my day that he did that and is still picking up. WOW...I really do have a good kid!

Talked to my IP today. He has a new ED and is very excited about her and her background. Good sign! Our CM now has to set her up for all her appointments and in time I will be flying out to CA again. I hope the ED can come in soon and we can get our cycles in sync. My cycle just started today (fun, eh?). I am hoping that I don't have to start BC pills until my next cycle, as I'm trying to loose some of the weight that I gained since starting the pills and fertility drugs.

I hope that this time will work because it is my last try, per contract, and then I'm done. It does really stress me out b/c I have wanted to be a surrogate so badly...and hope to be able to help others after this one. The fertility dr said that it wasn't my fault for the two failed transfers, nor was it the ED's eggs, but this would be his last try with me as a surro. So got my fingers crossed.

Anyways this has got to work because I can't have an incomplete charm bracelet!!! lol

Well, time to make dinner for the kids before Amerian Idol starts! (which, btw, none of this years contestants stick out for me yet)

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

March 9th, 2007 - Day 10

2007-03-09T08:33:00.000-08:00

Had my beta test today. My score is 0.4 so the second IVF did not work at all. Of course the lab did not fax over the results, so now the clinic needs to verify. The clinic will call me back and confirm that I need to stop all meds.

My CM says today, I invite you to empower yourself to call the clinic and find the answers. For some reason, while he tries, its just wierd talking to him.

I feel bad enough that this is a second fail IVF and know my IP has been pretty anxious about having a baby. The waiting just sucks. I get to try one more time, provided the dr doesn't feel that it could be my fault that this isn't working. So will just cross my fingers for the best. Just please don't tell me not to feel bad as it discredits how I feel.

Well, the good thing, while I have not heard from the clinic, is that I'm pretty sure we won't have to wait for me to go through anything like last time. My unprofessional guess is that the eggs weren't good enough. 25 were taken, only 9 fertilized, 2 fertilized ones were bad. We used 3 the first IVF. And the last 4 for the 2nd IVF only 1 looked like it would take. I still would like to rule out that it could be me. My IP is going to start looking for ED this weekend. I think he will go with an ED who has been proven to have good eggs.

Anyways, I guess I will "empower" myself and get on with my daily routine...maybe I should treat myself to some Bingo tonight! ROFL Yeah, that's right....that always makes me happy...that and the awesome yummy food that my IP pampers me with.

Got to run and pick up the kids from the sitter.
Have a great weekend!

A Surrogate Mom

March 3rd, 2007 - Day 4

2007-03-04T00:21:00.000-08:00

Well today is Day Four. Only six more to wait for the Beta test to know if I am preggo or not. I received my 20 home pregnancy strips in the mail today. Wasn't expecting them until Monday or Tuesday of next week. Of course, I tried one. It was negative. Too early to really detect with these. I am hoping that I might get a good result around day 6 or 7. The Dr had said that usually Day 8 is the day to know but he waits until Day 10 to do the Beta Test.

I'm not sure I feel anything (you know, preggo signs) yet, although I do feel fat from all the good food I ate while in CA!!!

My trip home from CA was fine. Worried that my flight would be turned away from MN due to the snow storm. After our plane landed, all incoming and outbound flights were cancelled. I was sooo lucky. The drive home was 2 hours, but not as bad as I thought it would be. The snow was so bad on Thursday when I came home that even the kids' schools were closed by 1 pm. School was closed on Friday too. Even hubby didn't go to work that day. We had a lot of snow where we live. Thank goodness for great neighbors with 4 wheelers and plows! (Something that my darling hubby will have next year!) Hubby's dad has a really nice one and will be buying it from him. :)

My hubby and I went to play Bingo at the Casino tonight. A first! lol My friend couldn't convince her hubby to go with us. BUT it was a nice night of Bingo and dinner for hubby and me. I did remind him that we would be going out again for our wedding anniversary...with his parents. Their anniversary is March 31st and ours is the 29th...of course, they have been married over 50 years. I sort of lost count. Anyways...its been a few years since we've actually done much with his parents around this time. DH's parents want us to move closer to them...and we want to move to CA! Such tough decisions. If better opportunities come by moving to CA, we will for sure go and drag his parents with us, if possible. I think my husband has gotten over wanting to move closer to the cities. Sort of stinks now because the kids and I have been looking forward to it. Oh well. I have a really nice OB here in Cambridge. I am hoping that with him, things will be good for me having the baby (BABIES) here.

Well its late and I need to get to bed. Promised hubby I wouldn't be on the computer tomorrow until I have cleaned the last kitchen counter off and removed all the STUFF that has accumulated in the dining room! lol Its pretty bad. I'm surprised he's never said anything about it...at least where he demanded it gone! lol Anyways...I'm tired of it and its going! :)

Have a great rest of the weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

February 28th, 2007 - 36 hours bedrest

2007-02-28T16:03:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends!

Well my flight out of MN on Monday went well. They had to de-ice the wings before take off so we were 1/2 hour late coming into LA. The weather has been SO nice here compared to MN. It will be sad to have to return to MN tomorrow. I miss my kids and hubby tons so I am ready to go home.

The transfer was on Tuesday, Feb 28th at 7:40. The actual transfer took place at 8:40 am. They transferred the last 4 embryos. The dr isn't concerned about multiples as he thought only one of the embryos looked very good. Sort of makes me sad because I have been hoping for twins. BUT I guess we won't know until later. So hoping those not so good embryos give a good fight to stay. Ok...but not all 4. I will carry 3, but 2 is good. lol Ok...just getting pregnant and having 1 good baby will be enough. :)

My beta test is March 9th. I am hoping that it will be a day of good news. I ordered pregnancy strip tests off of eBay. Hope to get them by Monday as thats when I'd like to test on my own. (Its too hard to wait for the actual date.)

Sad news...found out that the agency I am with is not going to have a retreat this year. I was so looking forward to that as well as used that as a great incentive when I referred others to the agency. Now that just sucks! Hoping that the gals will spread the word and contact the agency and DEMAND a retreat! lol

Well, good news is that I'm enjoying my 36 hours of bedrest. My IP is the best host and I've had the best meals! My favorite breakfast item is an everything bagel with cream cheese and sliced salmon...with capers and onions! So yummy!!! Monday we had Korean BBQ. Tuesday we had these awesome burgers from Red Robin, then dinner was sushi! Today I had Brazillian BBQ. So I have been well cared for. I can't believe how much I've eaten. We dont have this type and kinds of yummy food in Cambridge, MN! lol

Speaking of bedrest, I'm off to go take a nap. This laying around all day makes me very tired. :) While I am able to nap at home (thanks to a great hubby), its nice napping here b/c there are no kids to wake me up.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

February 23rd, 2007 - And down came the snow!!!

2007-02-23T20:08:00.000-08:00

Its sooo cold out and the wind is blowing fiercely! AND its snowing! Now to keep our fingers crossed that its over by Sunday!

Not that I was too anxious to have my blood drawn, I was at the lab by 7:45 am (scheduled for 8 am) and at my ultrasound appointment by 8:05 (scheduled for 8:45 am). The ultrasound went well. My lining measured at a 12. The clinic said they want me to be at least at an 8...so thats perfect! And something about a triple something pattern. lol I'm not sure I want to ask...maybe I should google it (endometrial pattern - triple layer).

Here is a link to something I just read on the internet about the thickness: http://www.acubalance.ca/node/508

The clinic called to say that my labs were good. I didn't ask for levels. I guess I should have asked. oh well. The lab was to test Estradiol and Progesterone levels. Lab and ultrasound were good, so we are set for embryo transfer on Tuesday. The embryos will not be thawed until they know I have gotten on the plane. I pray that they thaw without any problems. Crazy that you can freeze embryos and that they can live through it. All I know is that I hope that this takes this time. I am pretty psyched to do it now. YEAH b/c its COLD and Snowing and well 70 degrees and sunny in CA, sounds really nice right now! :)

I have to do my E2V shot every third night and tomorrow I will add the progesterone shots. The progesterone shots are nightly. I'm surprisingly doing ok. I think some of it has to do with having a big butt! lol

Well I guess thats it. I might as well go get my shot done now!
Have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

February 22nd, 2007 - I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane...

2007-02-22T09:05:00.000-08:00

Well I guess we will just take a chance and fly out on Monday. I just hope that I'm not stuck sitting in the airport all day b/c of the weather. BUT then again, I really don't want to leave sooner because its hard to be away from my family. Just waiting to hear from my CM on my itinery.

Well the skies are clear right now. Snow should have started today....but I bet you, it will wait to closer to my fly time!

The local weather is on now. They are saying if you are planning on getting out this weekend, do it by noon Friday. Heaviest part of storm will be Fri night to Sat am and Sat Night to Sun am. Flurries on Monday. Expecting about 14" of snow each day! Ok...that's the maximum amount. lol

OK, we shall see what happens....

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

February 20th, 2007 - Snow, Snow Go Away....

2007-02-20T17:26:00.000-08:00

Come back another day!

SNOW!!! I live in Minnesota and well its going to snow whenever...even when you hope it doesn't! I am supposed to fly to CA on Monday BUT seems like MN is getting ready to face a snow storm this weekend. Sunday is predicted to be the biggest day of it all...snow, rain...into Monday. Not good for transportation, especially into Monday.

SNOW!!! It got me thinking, since I've been living in MN since 1993...I realize that I might not get onto that plane on Monday. I might be booked for it but I could be bumped. So, I guess I truly am a "What if?" person. Called the fertility clinic....what happens if I dont get on the plane Monday??? I guess you dont thaw embryos like we do with the meat we plan to use that night! Take it out right before you need them! lol The embryos left are scheduled to be thawed on the 26th, meaning if I am not there on the 27th in the AM for the transfer, the embryos will be no good! URGH...Like I need that stress. They suggested I fly out before the storm...urgh. They said to talk to my IP and see what he wants to do.

So talked to my IP. Seems like it will be okay to come out sooner. The baby...ok, she's 2...has to be watched 24/7 and dh is a bit worried about that for the extra days. I think they will survive (I hope, right?). I think the tentative plan right now is to fly out Saturday morning, which means two more days away. I'm a bit hormonal right now (I wonder why? lol) and little sad to be away for so long but I knew something like this could happen. I'm so used to dragging at least my 10 yr old daughter with me for support but that isn't an option. She has school anyways. oh well. I will survive.

Waiting to hear from our CM to see about travel arrangements. I guess its time to get my house and kids in order. Hmmm...tomorrow...lol

Besides I'm tired. Oh...and its a shot night....looking forward to that! lol (not)

Have a good night!
A Surrogate Mom

February 19th, 2007 - Presidents Day

2007-02-20T07:55:00.000-08:00

Does anyone even celebrate this day or know why we do? All it seems to be is a big shopping sale day and government workers get the day off. I dont remember seeing anything in my kids school work about it. Nevertheless it was a nice day at home with 4 kids....which I might add that I said...IF YOU DONT STOP BICKERING WITH EACH OTHER, I"M NOT GETTING OUT OF BED. So by 2 pm I thought I better get out of bed before my husband came home and was jealous that I stayed in bed for 12+ hours. lol

Well today is going to be another venting day for me. I've been trying to make my appointment for the ultrasound on the 23rd. They say that they have not received the order. The clinic gal said she was sorry and was faxing it, which was last Friday! Ok...so they say that they didn't have it. Mind you, the clinic was suppose to have sent it Wed/Thurs according to my CM. The clinic said they forgot and were sorry. So anyways, call today and try to make the appointment. They say they have no order! HELLO?! urgh...well I received my copy in the mail, finally on Saturday, so I faxed the order over while on the phone with them. Got an appointment for ultrasound and lab now. THANK GOODNESS.

2-20-07 update. Radiology calls me to set up my appointment. They received the fax on Friday but think the new gals didn't know it was an Order as its not like orders they have there. (HELLO...and they can't read???) Well I tell her that I made the appointment yesterday.

You know what gets to me is that people don't seem to be hard workers like my parents used to be. Everything is an excuse for their mistakes or blame it on someone else. I am so tired of the problems trying to get simple stuff done like the Ultrasounds and lab work. SO tired of them saying they haven't gotten the faxed orders when they really have them and the employees have no idea what to do with them because it doesn't look like an order. whatever! Why are they so incompetent?! Yes, I could have patience but I shouldn't have to deal with stupid stuff like this. If I made an excuse for my business, you know that customer would be all over me!

As we get closer to my next transfer, I really don't look forward to dealing with this local clinic that I am going to. I've been pushing my husband to make a decision NOW about relocating to the cities so we will be closer to better facilities. That will be so nice.

Ok, time to move on.... I have a pregnancy to look forward to! :)

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

February 15th, 2006 - Happy Valentine's Day

2007-02-15T13:48:00.000-08:00

lol, that was yesterday! I hope you all had a great day. I think the kids came home from school with more CANDY then they do at Halloween! Then, what does mom and dad do? Give them more. We didn't do anything special here. Just another ordinary day.

I survived my 2nd shot by myself last night. Didn't do too bad. No blood, lol. (Meaning I didn't hit a few veins on the way in, lol) While it takes me a bit to get the courage to do the shot on my own, I am fine with doing it. Its nice not having to depend on anyone but myself to do it. This will also help too when I go to CA for the transfer, as I will have to do shots every day.

My CM called today. He's been really good at keeping in contact with me and my IP. He says that he will be making the travel and hotel arrangements next Tuesday. Usually they do it a week before, but Monday is President's day, so they have off that day because the entire building is shut down. Nice. lol

Anyways, its getting exciting again to make plans for travel for our next transfer. I've got everything ready for this trip. Got a ride to the airport from a friend and hubby can pick me up when I come back. Got a friend to watch my kids as well as do my carpool for the four days I will be gone. phew...its a relief. The kids are excited because "dad" does things differently when "mom" is gone. lol hmmm...I"m not sure if that is good or bad. Nevertheless, it will be a good time for the kids with their dad.

Now if I only could get my u/s appointment made on the 23rd. Still trying to get that done.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

February 13th, 2007 - The Second Transfer

2007-02-13T06:54:00.000-08:00

Hi there!
Found out that our tentatively scheduled transfer date is Feb 27th! How exciting. I have to do an ultrasound on Feb 23rd to make sure that I'm ready and then we will be ready to proceed. :)

Well I hope that I get in for my ultrasound. The fertility clinic insisted on mailing the request to me. BUT my local clinic wants it faxed from the dr. I really wish it wouldn't be so difficult at times. I dont see why they just don't fax it so I can make an appointment now and get childcare taken care of for the kids. I will have to contact my CM to take care of this.

My first shot on my own was ok. I hesitated about 10 min and after looking at my butt in the mirror, I had enough! LOL Poke it in and there, its done! phew! Next one...Wed.

So we will anxiously await for the next two weeks to fly by and before I know it, I will be in CA again.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate mom

February 10th, 2007 - Happy Days Are Here Again

2007-02-10T12:16:00.000-08:00

Wow, I haven't posted since January 19th and even that day I was just passing time! lol

Well, I got it!!! TODAY! I got my 2nd period since my D&C on Jan 5th! YEAH!

Tomorrow I will begin my E2V injections which I will continue to do every 3rd day. I will attempt to do the injections on my own. OMG its TOO COLD out to even think of having someone else do it for me. lol Good reason to do my injections! lol I think I can do it. It wasn't too bad that last week that I tried and did it on my own.

No word on when we will do a transfer. On Monday, the gal who does the calendar will contact me, so I should know then. Since we are not coordinating with an ED this time, I wonder if it will happen sooner??? I looked on my first calendar and it looks like the transfer was 3 weeks from when I got my period. So soon.... :) Now to patiently wait for Monday to find out.

DH has not found a job in CA yet. A couple of good ones but the salary is not close to what he makes here. With the surrogacy, the option of me working is not going to happen. So we must depend on DH. We have found a place closer to DH's workplace and will know if we can make the deal work and walk away from this house. We shall see.

OMG I am SO excited...hopefully before I know it, I will be on that plane to warmer weather! lol

Also for my dedicated followers, I think I am going to do things a little different with this transfer. I will only give updates about my surrogacy through my blog. So if you IM for updates, please understand if I refer you here. It was very hard for me to get IM and emails from people asking me about the pregnancy and well, then I had to go into explaining the miscarriage, etc. I also found that being open about this surrogacy, I really don't like to talk about it with "everyone." I know everyone is interested and I hope that you will come here to read. I don't mean to whine or to be rude about it, but I'm sharing this in hopes that you can understand and respect my feelings and requests. I'm very excited about what I'm doing but its also very emotional for me at times. I rather just post my feelings and things going on. The time after the transfer is a bit stressful because you want a successful pregnancy...and a viable pregnancy. My IP and I agree that when they say you really shouldn't talk about a pregnancy until after the first trimester...You Shouldn't. It was very exhausting for us and then to find out it was not a viable pregnancy...bummer. BUT I will posting on my blog here. I guess what I'm saying, I won't be posting on my mom groups or with my friends on how I am, what's going on, etc BUT you can follow it here in my day to day diary. :)

Well keep us in your prayers that we have a successful transfer, that the frozen embryos left thaw and stay together...and that I will be reporting happy news in a few months!

Thanks everyone!
A Surrogate Mom

My Highlights from 2006

2007-01-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

My Highlights from 2006:

Completing an application to become a surrogate at 1 am on New Years Day.
Getting hubby his big screen tv and xbox 360, which gives me 10 years of me saying "Honey, now remember who got you your big screen tv and xbox 360...." Got to love married life!
Flying to California with my hubby for my screening to be a surrogate and being accepted into their program. It was also our 6th wedding anniversary, so it was an even nicer trip.
Flying to California again with hubby to meet my IP (intended parent that I am a surrogate for) that I was matched to work with. Plus meeting one of hubby's online gaming buddies, Shadow. (Thank goodness he was normal, lol)
Flying to California again to attend a weekend retreat for Intended Parents and their surrogates at a posh West Hollywood Hotel. And then we all went out for Gospel Sunday Brunch at the House of Blues on Sunset Blvd. GOTTA LOVE IT!
The plane ride home from the retreat with some surrogates that I had just met.
Flying to California again with my child #2 and #3 to stay with my IP and his family...and for our first IVF transfer. We spent a day a Disneyland.
My new hobby: bar bingo, bingo, and bingo at the Casino in Hinckley.
Recruiting 7 friends to join Pampered Chef in August (12 total recruits for PC in 2006!)
Child #1's major ear surgery.
Child #1's 2 Grand Slam hits!!! (What a proud mom I am!)
Child #1 & #2's band concerts throughout the year.
Child #3 starting Kindergarten.
Child #4 turning 2 and talking.
The friends that I've made via the yahoo groups, Ryze and MySpace.
Lastly, being thankful every day to have my husband and our 4 healthy & happy children. Thankful for being a full time stay at home mom. Having my husband always be there when you've had a bad day or people treat you like shit! True to his word, he's always there for me.

I would have to say the ULTIMATE highlight of 2006 for me was the weekend retreat in CA (see June 2006 entry)

I'm looking forward to a great 2007!

Looking forward to a successful IVF and a baby or two for my IP.
Being able to attend the annual retreat for IPs and surrogates this summer!!!
Plane ride with Holly & Crystal...lol
Another successful baseball season for Child #1.
Figuring out how to get Child #2 to Softball, Child #3 to TBall and Child #1 to baseball (he plays two teams) this summer.
Making new friends, building my home business with team members and customers.
Spending time with my family, including a trip to DisneyWorld with just hubby and the kids...after I have the baby/babies.
Lastly, winning the Powerball or even just the jackpot coverall at Bingo!!!

January 17th, 2006 - Post Op

2007-01-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

Hi there!

Had my post op today. I'm fine. Sort of glad I didn't have to get checked. lol OB says that the tests came back that there was pregnancy tissue present. Had hcg levels checked and it was under 2 so I am considered no longer preggo!!!

HURRAY!!!

So now to wait for my period and at that time I hope we get a transfer date! Hope its soon because its REALLY cold in MN and a trip to CA sounds nice. :)

Per my OB's opinion, having a D & C doesn't increase or decrease my chances for the IVF unlike all the opinions of everyone. Everyone seems to have opinions! lol I will just stick to what my/our drs personally tell us and what my IP thinks.

DH hasn't found a job in CA yet. There are quite a few jobs but they don't pay very well. I'd like him to look into working in the entertainment industry...construction set crews or whatever they are called. No idea where to even start looking or how to look. Would love feedback if anyone is in the industry.

With DH looking it gets me antsy to see what types of jobs I could do, but then I remember, work is not an option during this surrogacy. Such a nice thought! lol I do wish maybe I could get a case manager position at the Agency or another Surrogacy agency. I think I would prefer that then going back to work as a counselor/social worker within the welfare system. Something to consider...later on.

Well will let you know when I get my period! lol You all will be the third to know! (IP the second, me the first, lol)

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

January 6th, 2007 - The Day After

2007-01-06T13:58:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

Had my D&C yesterday. I'm fine. I slept a long time but I think it was from having general anestetia (sorry, not a common word in my vocab, lol, but you know what I mean). I do feel fine. I had a huge headache that I didn't think would ever go away! I was sore yesterday but fine today. (A little discomfort but fine.) I had a prescription for Tylenol with Codeine but didn't pick it up. Glad I didn't because that would have been a total waste of $$$. I took some extra strength Tylenol and was fine by the time I woke up at 1 pm today! I chose a general rather then local, so I would not be awake during the surgery. I have heard way too many stories from people who have gone through it, so general was the way to go for me.

Well now its time to move ahead and get ready to do it again. Yes, I am ready and pray that the next transfer takes. In the meantime think sticky thoughts and hope that my IP will have babies in time for Christmas 2007!!!

Will update here as I get info on a new transfer but it might be a while as I must go through two cycles before we can begin. (BTW, cycles...I mean periods, lol)

Have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

January 4th, 2007 - Ugly Betty

2007-01-04T11:10:00.000-08:00

OMG what a fun show! I still have yet to view the first episode. I kept missing the start of the Ugly Betty marathons!! lol Its on tonight and I can't wait! Did you know that you can watch full episodes of all these ABC sitcoms at www.ABC.com? Its pretty neat, provided you have FAST internet. lol So I'm working on upgrading our slow dsl version!!!

Had my pre-op this morning. The two little ones were funny...but good during my appt. The 5 yr old asked if I was getting a shot..NO. So every time she did something, he'd say...remember you said no shots. lol They read books and were good and it was a happy experience. lol Don't you hate when you go to the dr office and there is someone always there with annoying loud kids? Kids that don't listen? I am greatful that is not my children who do that. (yet)

Day surgery just called. Have to be there at 12:30 for 1 pm surgery time. I have an option of local or general anesthesia. Gonna opt for the general so I'm knocked out during the process. The local goes in your spine and not too much into that. The general will make me groggy and whatever...like I care? It will be Friday and my hubby will be home to care for the kids. Why not take advantage of them pampering me at home?! lol

Before I go, I would like to invite you to my email mailing list. You can sign up below in the box. Please include your first and last name and email, ok? Include your mailing address if you wish a catalog or mailing fliers when they come out. My lists are private and the service I use does not give out any of the information that I collect. It is all for my use. So I hope you will sign up for my mailing list. Thanks!!

January 3, 2007 - There is an end....

2007-01-03T15:19:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Met with my OB today. We discussed the options that the fertility clinic mentioned. The decision was to do a D&C on Friday, with my pre-op in the morning (Thursday). My OB said had I considered the shot then he would have requested that I have a second opinion. So it felt good that my ob and I agreed on the D&C. I guess the shot is something that they use with cancer patients and something that is used in my situation too but my OB would not do it for me, either way.

When I did arrive at the clinic and checked in, there was an order for me to have another hcg test done. I guess they are not used to someone questioning procedures, but I just could not justify paying for it if I was there for a consult to have a D&C. So I went straight to talk to the dr. His nurse said I had to do it but I explained that I felt in unnecessary and wanted to verify with the dr that I needed it done. Everyone seemed crabby, btw. lol Seems they were overbooked and everyone was irritable. Oops...I apologized if I was a pain but I just feel responsible to avoid unnecessary procedures/bills for my IP, kwim? Well they apologized to me. phew! Anyways...so I think the visit went well today.

Why are we doing a D&C after I miscarried a month ago? Well as stated in previous posts, my hcg levels have seemed to stayed in the 200s and not zeroing out as they should....especially after 4 weeks have gone by. So my body thinks its pregnant and if I were to take a preggo test, it would be positive. I need to have zero HCG in my system. So basically, as stated before, its a chemical pregnancy and/or there are remaining tissues left from the embryo. They had hoped nature would take its course and via miscarriage things would go back to zero. So now its time to do a D&C which should do the trick.

So all in all, it was a good day.

A Surrogate Mom

December 31st, 2006 - Happy New Years

2006-12-31T19:16:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to everyone.

I wish you all a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2007!

Hi Everyone!!!

Can not believe a year has gone by since I signed up to be a surrogate!!! I guess it hasn't been that long with my IP since we were only matched last May.

I hope that 2007 is a good year for my family and his....and he will be blessed with a baby or two (or three)!!! LOL I just had to add that last comment b/c I know it will make him laugh when he reads that. Well I pray for two healthy babies for him in 2007! :)

My new years resolution for 2007? LOL I remember my parents used to make us write something every year and I thought it was the stupidest thing to do. That is probably why I never do it now. But like any other day, I'd like to give up drinking pop (mainly the caffeine) and cut out the fried foods. As far as exercise is concerned. I think I should make it a habit to use one of the dusty exercise equipment I have downstairs every morning. :) Forget the walking...this is MINNESOTA!!! No way! Ok...at least not during the cold months! Sure am looking forward to my next trip to LA!!! Its cold, snowy and wet here....hmmm....and my IP is away on vacation where its nice, warm and sunny!!! Lucky him!!! And I thought I was the one to be spoiled here!!! lol j/k

So do I really have a new years resolution? Nope. Do you???

DH, the kids and I are staying home to celebrate the new year. Fun food and munchies and movies!!! Got to love it. :)

Well, time to get back to the family!

Have a wonderful and safe New Years!!!

A Surrogate Mom

December 29th, 2006 - 211

2006-12-29T09:19:00.000-08:00

Hi!

It was a long night but I got up at 7 am...warmed up the suburban and went to the hospital for the second time this week to have a beta test. My little 2 yr old had the sickies and so I had to bathe her, change the sheets, wash the sheets, make the bed in the middle of the night. Why is it that her daddy can sleep through her sobs and stuff. He had no clue that she had been sick and I was up with her, as it lasted a few hours. Since I was still up at 5 am, I made his coffee as he was getting up for work then. The dork thought I just got home from bingo and the casino!!! (I actually got home at 11 pm, thank you!) Anyways, my little girl is ok. I think her daddy and big brother gave her a little bit too much pop, juice and cookies...all the stuff I don't like her to have. Well the juice is ok, but in moderation.

So, my hcg level is at 211 today. Not good. The fertility nurse says its either a chemical pregnancy or tissue still left from the miscarriage. Nevertheless I have been referred to my local ob to decide if a d & c needs to be done or a shot of Methotri.....something lol If I was local to the fertility clinic then they would have opted for the shot. I spoke with the local ob nurse and told her that I've had enough of the beta tests. I want it to be over. The lab insists on taking the blood from my right arm and its just sore. You can even see the marks from previous draws! I dont think I want the shot which will help to zero out the hcg because it means continue trips to the lab. Just want the d & c done so we can get on with our lives and begin a new transfer.

There are so many pros and cons of the d & c. At this point, I have still been bleeding on and off since the miscarriage...somedays more so then others...like its never going to end. Basically, as I have been saying, I have had enough...do the d & c. When I talked to my local OB on yesterday, he had stated that if the numbers didn't go down significantly that was an option.

So I have an appt to see him on Wed to discuss the next step. Sure looking forward to it!

BTW, I won at Bingo last night. Shannon and I decided to check out bingo at the casino (www.GrandCasinoMN.com) and what a blast! Of course we split the winnings and played the slots for a few hours! Can't beat a free night of Bingo and slots! Just love it! They have a non-smoking section too which is great...so I will be able to play there when I am preggo!!!

Well I got to run now. Have a great day!

Hugs,
A Surrogate Mom

December 28th, 2006 - 220

2006-12-28T21:54:00.002-08:00

Hope you all had a nice Christmas. Ours was nice. Saturday at DH's parents house was bearable and no drama!!! What's up with that?! LOL The kids had a great time.

Ok...so Tuesday I had another beta test done. 220 (it was 228 last Tuesday). So my fertility dr is having me tested tomorrow. If its not gone down, then they will give me an injection. I wonder WHO will be doing that since they are in LA and I'm here. My OB called today and he said to come in Tuesday, get tested and if not better then they will consider a D & C now. I was so tired that I didn't remember to mention that my fertility dr was going to do something tomorrow. Either way, I hope something is done SOON because I really am getting tired of the waiting. I want something to be done so I can start getting ready for a second transfer. Its been almost a year and its frustrating...LOL and the only thing happening is that I'm getting older!

I know I know. PATIENCE! Well I bet my IP is anxious and tired of waiting...lol...you just don't know it.

Well just got home from playing Bingo at the Casino and then some slots. lol I won in Bingo so it paid for my night and then some. That's the way to do it! Better get some sleep. Will let you know what happens tomorrow.

HUGS,
A Surrogate Mom

December 28th, 2006 - 220

2006-12-28T21:54:00.001-08:00

Hope you all had a nice Christmas. Ours was nice. Saturday at DH's parents house was bearable and no drama!!! What's up with that?! LOL The kids had a great time. Santa didn't come to the Knack house this year...and you can bet he will NEVER forget again! lol DH's parents never did the Christmas stocking thing and its been an issue forever and since DH controls the checkbook...there was no Santa. BUT on Christmas eve the kids were excited to hang their stockings and DH never felt so bad!!! Serves him right! Well they seemed to get over it with our explanation that Santa gave us $$$ so we could get everything on their Christmas list! And so they did. :) Anyways...can't believe his parents didn't do stockings! wow

Ok...so Tuesday I had another beta test done. 220 (it was 228 last Tuesday). So my fertility dr is having me tested tomorrow. If its not gone down, then they will give me an injection. I wonder WHO will be doing that since they are in LA and I'm here. My OB called today and he said to come in Tuesday, get tested and if not better then they will consider a D & C now. I was so tired that I didn't remember to mention that my fertility dr was going to do something tomorrow. Either way, I hope something is done SOON because I really am getting tired of the waiting. I want something to be done so I can start getting ready for a second transfer. Its been almost a year and its frustrating...LOL and the only thing happening is that I'm getting older!

I know I know. PATIENCE! Well I bet my IP is anxious and tired of waiting...lol...you just don't know it.

Well just got home from playing Bingo at the Casino and then some slots. lol I won in Bingo so it paid for my night and then some. That's the way to do it! Better get some sleep. Will let you know what happens tomorrow.

HUGS,
A Surrogate Mom

December 22nd, 2006 - 228

2006-12-22T08:44:00.000-08:00

Ok. I spoke with the nurse from my local OB. My score was 228. It was not a significant decrease as hoped for. Stated that I will retest at 8 am on Tuesday, Dec 26th. Local OB made an order in addition to my fertility dr's order, as we have been having problems getting the final report sent to my dr. YES, frustrating! OH and I finally remembered to ask my fertility clinic to state on the order that I could call in for the test results. So at least if they don't send the report STAT as stated, I will know the numbers and can report verbally.

The good news... DH and I decided to move back to the cities until he can secure a good job in CA. Moving back will make him closer to his job plus I will go back to the OB clinic that I used to go to PLUS deliver in the hospital that I had my last two children in. UNLESS, of course, DH finds a job in CA and we move out there. :) Now if only I could get preggo!!! lol

Good news about DH's job. While work will probably cut back because of the holidays, the guy above DH is retiring today and they are not replacing him. So hopefully this will mean DH will be working more hours. OMG that would be awesome because I really can't enjoy being a SAHM when he's here with me during the day!!! lol

Well the kids are in school and the baby is with my friend this morning. Its nice and I'm getting some stuff done here...yeah!!! So breaktime over. :)

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

December 20th, 2006 - Five Days Until Christmas

2006-12-20T21:38:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays!!

Had my blood test on Tuesday (yesterday) and my hcg levels are going down. I can't remember what they said my level was but for the sake of having a number, lets just say 224. So its gone down some but not a big drop since last Tuesday. The clinic hasn't told me much about what they think but that I will be tested again next Tuesday and they will let me know more then. Ok, even though its quite frustrating. I don't see why they just don't do something to make all the hcg go away. lol Too simple probably? lol

Well I hope next Tuesday will bring better news.

Some of my other surro mom friends have gone in for their transfers and gotten preggo on the first time, so its making me feel bad that I didn't get preggo the first time. I think I feel a little jealous...feeling like everyone else is luckier then me. This waiting makes me feel like I'm in a rut or something. There's nothing that I can do right now to help this surrogacy along and I feel like I should be doing something. I just can't wait until we have some hope for a new transfer.

I'm not too much in the Holiday mood, so I will be happy when its over. The kids are excited plus looking forward to seeing their grandparents on Saturday. I wouldn't mind it but DH's family are huge chain smokers. I wish I could say I was preggo and couldn't be around second hand smoke. They are RUDE SMOKERS too. They don't care if you are still eating...they light up their ciggys. Thank goodness DH has quit!!!! Its nice to not smell of SMOKE!!!

Well, 5 days left until Christmas. DH will do the shopping for the kids on Friday...payday! I always buy stupid crap...so I leave all that to him. :) Less stress that way. lol

We will be up late Christmas Eve because "Santa" will fill the children's stockings and put up the Christmas tree! That's what he's done the last 8 years because then the little ones and the dog(s) didn't get into the tree and presents. Since our little one is just 2, we will carry the tradition on another year or two.

Hope all is well with you and you survive this holiday healthy, happy and ??? warm? lol Loss of words there!

Night,
A Surrogate Mom

December 13th, 2006 - 284

2006-12-13T09:33:00.000-08:00

That's my HCG level as of yesterday, 284. Will have to have another test done next Tuesday. My level needs to get back to zero. Once at Zero, the fertility dr, IP and I will discuss the plan for our second transfer. So its the waiting game again, and you KNOW how I do with "waiting!" lol

Thank you to the wonderful thoughtful emails to my post on Dec 6th. I do realize that miscarrying the baby was not my fault and things do happen for a reason. I think its only natural to have thoughts as I did in situations like that but I do know that it wasn't something that I did or didn't do. Whether its a planned miscarriage or not, it truly is a heartbreaking ordeal for all those involved to have to go through. And I hope that anyone going through this has a good support system to get you through this, or at least know that there are many resources out there for support.

Thank you again for the support to get through this and for sharing your stories. My heart goes out to the women who have tried so hard to get pregnant. If I had more years, I would try to help as many people (men and/or women) to have babies that can't.

My journey as a surrogate has been long so far and we are only getting started!

A Surrogate Mom

December 13th, 2006 - Where Everybody Knows Your Name

2006-12-13T07:52:00.000-08:00

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got.

Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot.

Wouldn't you like to get away?

Sometimes you want to go

Where everybody knows your name,

and they're always glad you came.

You wanna be where you can see,

our troubles are all the same

You wanna be where everybody knows

Your name.

You wanna go where people know,

people are all the same,

You wanna go where everybody knows your name.

Lately I have been feeling like "Norm" when I go out to play Bar Bingo at the various different country bars...you know...where ever the coverall jackpots are big! lol Every night and day there is some type of bar Bingo to go to...but I've been hitting the ones on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday (if no church, lol...great alternative to church), Thursday and sometimes Friday! At first I thought it was a gambling addiction but I really can say that it isn't because I don't have the finances to support a gambling addiction! I've been pretty lucky to win big at this Bingo stuff and then I can play for days off the winnings! After being home all day with the kids, its a nice break to get away...of course we only go when its a big pot...so its not all the time...just seems like it. lol Anyways...I don't have a gambling addiction and I can say NO without any problems...so far (lol). J/K, really...no addiction. I just like to go and be around friends. PS...I also do not smoke or drink.

But let's get back to "Norm." Sunday was the Christmas pageant at the church I have been a member of for just over 2 years. The first two years, I went religiously every Sunday and was there every Wednesday to help out with Logos and Confirmation...and nursery for Alpha on Sunday nights and basically whenever I was asked to help out. I've sort of lost interest in going every Sunday because I just can't help but feel like an outsider...in my own church! I "know" a lot of people at church. I KNOW they "know" who I am. Ok...back to Sunday...so I got there an hour early b/c I have learned in past years that you have to if you want to sit up front and see the kids. So I'm sitting in the third row from the front on the right. When I arrived, there were people in the first three rows on the left that I know from church and our children's schools...I smiled towards them and ok...its not like they invited me to sit with them...although they did invite another family who we "know" to sit closer to them... they did the "look the other way" thing...whether it was intentional or not...it happened. So I sat by myself, across the aisle from this group. No one said anything to me. I had the entire pew row to myself.

It gets better, mind you. The entire church FILLS UP and I'm still the only one in the darn pew!!! Ok...I might be a little fat b/c of having babies, but I'm not ugly. I am a nice person and never had bad words with anyone at church or the school. Oh...and I don't smell, and well I was wearing jeans and a fleece pullover from College. People NORMALLY will fill in the empty spots up front, KWIM? But not the pew I was sitting in. I was far from being a stranger. I'm not the type of person to brag about myself or talk about other people. I have a home business but I don't ever bother anyone about it...you know...to buy something or have a party. So no reason to avoid me, that I can think of. So why was it that I sat all by myself in this pew....third row from the front???

Well the pew in front of me was getting packed by this one family and they tried to squeeze 2 more adults in but just couldn't do it. lol The two eventually sat on the other end of the pew that I was in. After the program started, an older couple like my parents age, sat in the middle of the pew finally. It just was amusing to say the least.

So where does "Norm" come in? Well, last night I went to Bar Bingo in a town 14 miles from here...a town I dont know anyone but knew that the jackpot was $1500. I walk in there not knowing anyone but everyone sitting around the bars and the few tables who recognized me said "HI (and my name)" WOW am I in Church? Oh, wait its a BAR! I realized that there were people who I've seen at other places but didn't know, greeted me as well. I also realized that some people who said my name I didn't know and they knew it. So I was introduced to them by other people sitting next to them that knew me. I was introduced to another couple who I've seen but never knew their name. So now I realize why I have been at the bars more frequently...the people I meet at these different bars have taken the time to just say HI, have some nice conversation, as well as to invite me to other things happening around town...just like any good friends would do. Not once in the two years at my church has anyone asked me to do something with them or "hey, lets get together with the kids" and actually do it.

Trust me, I have gone out of my way to participate/volunteer in church to get to know the other members...even invited them to do things, etc. No one has ever called me. (LOL, doesn't that sound pathetically sad???) My kids and I...or just myself, will walk into church events and look for a place to sit and not once has anyone invited us/me to sit with them. I would really think something was wrong with me but its just a church thing...I'm not liked in God's House...well this particular one...but I can walk into a bar, of all places, and feel like NORM "where everyone knows your name."

Church and God are important to me. I just choose not to flaunt it like some people who need to remind us they are Christians, etc I find that some people (my bar friends) feel that church is a clique of people and its about donating our money. When I first attended this church, I loved it because the sermons were uplifting and I could relate in many ways. The sermons set me up for the week of the things I needed to be more aware of, things I need to work on changing in my life, how I can help others, how I can do more for my family and for God. I didn't care about how many friends I made, etc. The people were nice and are nice. They just aren't very open to letting outsiders in...its just so hard to break into their circles. Maybe they don't realize it, but I wish they would. Yes, one of the great things about our church is that the senior pastor plays the drums during our services sometimes. I think that is kewl. Church can and should be a great place for everyone to come together, but sadly I don't see that happening.

I just love the lyrics to the Cheer's theme song. Its so fitting for my life...for my life with my husband and kids...for my husband. Well, in the end, I know its not just me and my life doesn't just revolve around me making friends at church. I've dwelled on it and now its time to move on. I am looking forward to moving with my family to begin a new adventure in our lives, meet new people, get to know another part of the world and to see what our future brings.

Have a wonderful day!

A Surrogate Mom

December 10th, 2006 - Happy Sunday

2006-12-10T11:57:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

It's so nice and warm here in Minnesota! Unbelievable! Nice to know when we go to the Christmas program at church in couple of hours, we won't be freezing ourselves to get there!

I am doing well. With it being somewhat warm here, I've been out in the garage decluttering and getting rid of things to sell at the flea market. DH got rid of his Vikings Shrine/Memorabilia stuff. Wonder if that stuff will sell as the Vikings somewhat SUCK this season. lol I'm slowly getting rid of all the material things that I have collected and done nothing with. I was thinking that when we get to CA and find a permanent home, I will start collecting new things! (Oh great! lol)

Went to see a local OB on Friday. No internal exam, thank goodness. Too late for a D & C. Will wait until Tuesday when I have my hcg levels tested. If the numbers are elevated then a D & C might be required but do not anticipate that at all. I am pretty confident that my body has cleansed itself from this. I will be happy when my HCG levels are zero so we can begin again. Keep forgetting to ask if this miscarry would be considered my first period or not. LOL will make my IP remember to ask!

Nothing much more to report. Pretty boring right now in my life. Hoping that things go well that we can plan another transfer fairly quickly. Wish us luck!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

December 6th, 2006 - Something I forgot to say....

2006-12-06T18:58:00.000-08:00

One of the feelings that I have about this miscarriage is what went wrong? What did I do? Did the sushi I ate effect this? I crave Coke Cola, which I limit to one a day...did the caffeine effect this? What can I do in the future to make the transfer work, etc. Or if it wasn't me...what about the embryos?

Unfortunately my doctor hasn't said anything. I just wish there was an answer. KWIM?

Before this, I've had 4 easy pregnancies, no abortions, no miscarriages. All 4 healthy babies. So it makes you wonder why this did not take. Its frustrating to know that the surrogates that I've met in the past year got pregnant the first try...so, ok...why not me? Then I do know a few others who didn't get pregnant until the 2nd or 3rd try. Ok...well I hope it works the 2nd time because I'm going to start stressing too much!

Well, will work on getting myself all better to begin for a second transfer!

Night,
A Surrogate Mom

December 6th, 2006 - Thank You!

2006-12-06T17:52:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all the nice emails. It has been very helpful to hear from other moms who have gone through a miscarriage before.

I am doing fine, as is my IP. I think we've been able to get through this because we pretty much knew in the beginning that it wasn't good, so it was not a surprise. I was told that I would have to miscarry on my own. So that is why we have been able to deal with this. It was the physical part of the miscarriage that was a bit freaky, as I said before. I think what hurt more were some insensitive remarks that I dont feel like most women who miscarry because it was not my baby. HELLO? I sometimes wonder what people are thinking when they say stupid stuff like that. You know...sometimes its just better if you don't say anything at all. While I have no legal rights and biological ties to the baby/babies, I am the birth mother. I help give life to these babies and in the end I will give birth to them. I do have a heart and I feel for these babies whether they are mine or not. I'm just a stronger person in dealing with the loss and I am dealing with it in my way. I'm sharing my feelings and telling it how it is because people shouldn't assume they just know how it is. People can "empathize" with me if they too have suffered a miscarriage, but you can't know what's going on in my head or how I should feel. I know people might mean well but please don't tell me I don't care or don't feel as bad as a woman who looses her biological child.

lol I think this falls along the lines of NEVER EVER ask a woman how far along she is...because knowing your luck...she isn't pregnant!

Well, what next? On Friday I will go see an OB here in town. On Tuesday I am supposed to go in for blood work to check my hcg (the pregnancy hormone) levels. My levels need to be back at zero to begin another transfer. The good thing about the next transfer is that we do not have to coordinate with an ED. Its just me and my cycle. I will also be able to do my own shots! lol I can't remember if I mentioned that I finally was able to do it! It isn't too bad after you get over how LONG the darn needle is. lol Thank goodness for having a nice padded butt! I think that helps! :)

DH hasn't heard back on any of the jobs that he has applied for. Its sort of frustrating because I know he wants a change from what he's doing now. We all are anxious to move...even the kids. My oldest hasn't been happy since we move to this country town two years ago, so he is very willing to move to CA. I sure hope that he is happier then. The other two are excited too and well, the baby doesn't really know.

All I know is that I can't wait to move and be in a home that has a working oven! LOL I sure do miss being able to make snacks and stuff for the kids...or have a nice oven baked meal!

Well, time to call it a day. I've napped quite a bit today but I still feel I could get more sleep!

Thank you again for your support and prayers!
Hugs,
A Surrogate Mom

December 4th, 2006 - The Next Day

2006-12-04T19:16:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Well I can safely say its over now. I miscarried yesterday and what a mess! I've never miscarried before so the sight of all the blood sort of freaked me out. Otherwise I am ok. I can't believe all there was and I think I am going to insist that I have a D & C done...mostly because it was gross and I really want to make sure its all out. I had to use a plunger in the tub! Unbelievable. I just thought it wouldn't stop. Emotionally, I am ok with how things turned out.

Today I feel ok. The nasea (sp?) has gone, so thats good. I was only about 7-8 weeks along and the baby hadn't grown. So I'm glad we were not further along when this happened. I think had I been further along it would have been tougher to deal with. I'm still somewhat tired, emotionally and physically...some of it too is DH's final decision to relocate our family to CA. It would be great if DH could find a job pretty quickly so that we'd be in CA by the time of the next transfer. Now that would be nice.

I didn't hear from the clinic today which is strange, as they usually return my calls. hmmmm DH just said they called after I left for Bingo tonight. lol

Well, its late and the little one is getting into my mess on my desk, so its time to call it a day.

Have a good week!
A Surrogate Mom

December 2nd, 2006 - IF My Kids Can Whine, So Can I!!!

2006-12-02T16:19:00.000-08:00

Woke up today feeling just miserable. Definate case of morning sickness. The kids ate all the darn crackers in the house, so nothing to make me feel better! Had to get my daughter to basketball by 9 am and wait there until she was done. Drove down to the cities to put $15 on the CC just so my oldest could play Final Fantasy on XBox 360! Was so happy to be back so I could take a nap and not feel nausea. You'd think after four kids that I'd get used to the feeling. lol The nap helped although I missed out going to Bingo with my neighbor. :(

I think my body is getting ready to miscarry as I noticed I started to spot again. I'm having cramping too. So hopefully once this happens, I will feel better. I really haven't wanted to do much lately.

Ok...I really don't have much to whine about other then feeling yukky. But one last thing...it drives me crazy how "rude" and "tacky" people can be. People that don't even know I'm doing this surrogacy will pat my stomach and ask me how far along. Hello, you idiot, I'm just fat! Why do people do that? Its not that I'm terribly fat...I do have my belly from having my last baby....um...two years ago. If you don't know a person is pregnant or not, then don't say anything....because its probably none of your business. lol ok...I'm done with that subject!

I just realized that my darling husband went and got some groceries...got me my own box of saltines and a ton of tv dinners so I wouldn't have to cook. I suppose it would be rude of me to tell him that the idea of having tv dinners makes my stomach turn! I wish it wasn't so cold out or I'd go to the grocery store. lol Got to love it that he tried!

Well, I'm off to pick up the house a bit and maybe take an evening nap or something. lol

Have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

November 30th, 2006 - It's Over

2006-11-30T10:25:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone!

I am sad to say that they've pulled the plug on this transfer. I guess it was not a heartbeat afterall. Thus since no heartbeat was detected, there is no baby to be. All meds were stopped on Tuesday and we will wait a week for my body to get ready to miscarry. If that does not happen in a week then I will have to find a local OB to go to. In the meantime I'm feeling morning sickness 24/7 but more strongly at night. I guess I hadn't anticipated that and feeling as I do. Emotionally I am ok and don't forsee anything more as a result of ending this pregnancy. It just wasn't meant to be. I know that my IP is hoping for a miracle that baby might be there. It really is a hard decision because both my IP and I still wonder why my levels can be so elevated and there be no heartbeat? The sac is measuring way small and that is not good. The clinic stated that 6 weeks is the mark they use...if no heartbeat is determined at 6 weeks then the process is ended and we get ready for the next transfer. For me, I wish we could have waited until 8 weeks to determine a heartbeat. We are working with a very reputable clinic and I have much confidence in our doctor, so I am ok with the final decision.

So what next? I will hopefully miscarry on my own within the next week. If not, I will go to a local OB for a D&C. Some say that either way a D&C will help for the next transfer. Will have to ask my fertility doctor about that. The clinic says I must have two periods before we begin another transfer.

There are only 4 embryos left, which are also frozen. They are excellent, very good and 2 good. Dr states that when they thaw that there is a possibility that they embryos will not stay together. So I guess that means I could fly out there for the transfer only to find out that the embryos are no good. So my IP is wondering what he should do. Do you get another ED or take a chance. To think that we thought this was going to be a simple easy process.

My concern is that I want to be a surrogate and if these transfer don't work...is it my fault or the embryos? The standard, I believe and as stated in my contract, is to try 3 transfers with the surrogate and then its over. So if it doesn't work, then I can't be a surrogate for anyone? I guess I could talk to my CM about it. Well hopefully it won't come to that. I pray that the next transfer will work for us. I think in previous posts I might have mentioned that my IP told me that we had an increase chance of the transfer taking the second time. Well I think that is incorrect.

So what am I going to do? Well, I think I've gained about 20 lbs since March when I started on birth control pills and hormones. So I am going to work on loosing that weight and then some. I am going to cut out drinking pop...well at least pop with caffeine...and fried foods! I have read that it might help to cut the caffeine and fried foods out. We can't afford junk food at home, so I dont have to worry about that stuff. lol I'm also going to start walking a little bit each day on the treadmill since its way too cold here in MN to even walk out to my suburban! lol Ok...I'm exaggerating but its just not walking weather here!

Anyone watch All My Children (AMC)? I have been watching it for years. Anyways, its interesting to read the homophobic posts on the boards at www.AllMyChildren.com Just goes to show that the community needs to be educated. There were some ridiculous, ignorant posts, such as "for every 1 new GLBT viewer to AMC, they will loose 4 regular AMC viewers." How the heck would they even know that??? Give me a break! Well, its all very interesting and will be interesting on how AMC chooses to go with this issue. While it is really to help AMC ratings, I hope that this will help educate others about the GLBT community.

Here is a link about this:
Daytime TV Character Tackles Transgender Issues
"Zarf" is the first transgender character to grace a soap opera.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=2684725

Well that's all I have for today. I need to go get a little nap in before I have to pick up the kids from school.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

November 28th, 2006 - Do You Believe In Miracles?

2006-11-28T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hi!

Had my ultrasound today. Was able to see the yolk sac a little better then 4 days ago. Possible view of some fetal pull...hmmm...no clue what that means but I think that's good. Heartbeat was very very hard to see between the pulsing of the blood vessels, but pretty sure there was a heartbeat. Must wait for the radiologist to review the pics and contact the clinic with the results. I will probably be having more ultrasounds in the days to come, as well as another beta test to see where my levels are at...but will have to wait to hear from the clinic.

I still feel we won't see anything real good until around 8 weeks. Just my opinion from having 4 of my own children.

Well I hope that we will find out that the transfer did take and we will have a baby. Its been a pretty stressful few weeks not knowing...still not knowing. I am more hopeful though...ok...today I am. :)

Thank you to my IP for the beautiful silver angel charm. Got it on my surrogate charm bracelet! What a nice surprise!!! Love it!!!

Well, my husband came home from work today...early...so early, my baby and I were still snoozing on the couch...our morning ritual after the other 3 kids leave for school! (That's the joy of being a SAHM!) He's bummed and irritated with his job...while its a great job that he's had for a few years, they just can't seem to give him the hours and jobs are cancelling left and right. And well...its really hard on us when we have only his income to depend on. I feel bad for him because I know how much this stresses him. We had talked this past summer about just packing up the kids and moving somewhere to begin a new life for us. Then his job offered a job change/promotion, which seems to have fizzled out and never happened. So dh has decided to go back to his job search in/around Temecula, CA. I am hoping that he finds something that will make him happy...and busy.

The thought of moving to CA is exciting and hope that this time it can really work out. I know too that this would be such a plus for my IP since he lives in CA. And if moving to CA doesn't find happiness for DH, we can always move back to MN.

Well, that's it for now. Must get some things done before I pick up the kids from school.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

November 27th, 2006 - It's Monday!!!

2006-11-27T09:03:00.000-08:00

Well, I'm not sure what to make of this but my HCG level was elevated (15,000) which has the doctor surprised after Friday's ultrasound results. The dr said it wasn't looking good and it was time to stop...but not until we check my levels. Well, surprise, surprise. Not getting my hopes up too much. I do not have any good feelings on how I think this might go. So guess we will just have to continue to wait and see! I can't help but wonder if there is a problem with the baby. I hope not. I do hope that I'm pregnant! Heck, I'll even give up my hopes on having twins...just having ONE baby will be happy news!!!

Tomorrow I am to have an ultrasound to see if they can see a heartbeat. It will be 4 days since the last and I wonder if it will even be there yet. I hope so. In my experience, my ob has done my ultrasounds at 8 weeks to determine heartbeats and number of babies. I was 6.4 weeks along as of last Friday.

Well waiting to hear back from radiology about an appointment for tomorrow. They haven't received the fax and they are all booked tomorrow. So they will have to get back to me.

:) Until tomorrow!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

November 25th - 2006 - A month until Christmas!!!

2006-11-25T09:03:00.000-08:00

I had my ultrasound yesterday. Results aren't good and on Monday I will have a beta test to see if there is a change in my levels. This will be the last step before we stop all meds and get ready for another transfer. Since there is a sac, they just want to make sure there is no baby before they stop this. I am at 6.4 weeks and the sac is too small and there is no heartbeat. Its not looking good and there really isn't hope left that this transfer worked.

I will have to ask them if they can tell why the transfer did not take.

So will hope that Monday we can move on and start a new cycle for the next transfer. I hope that we can get the transfer in before Christmas as the clinic shuts down for the Holidays.

Wish I had better news but will continue positive thoughts towards a successful transfer soon!

Hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving holiday!
One month to Christmas!!! :)

Hugs,
A Surrogate Mom

November 18th, 2006 - WHAT'S GOING ON????

2006-11-18T18:42:00.000-08:00

Where does time go? Have you been wondering what the heck has been going on with me??? Its been a stressful 3 weeks for me.

November 5th - Had my first beta test and the results were disappointing. 31

November 7th - had my second beta test and not much of improvement: 64

Anything over 100 for my first beta test would have been a good pregnancy. Dr said the numbers were very bad and didn't look good...but anything could happen...so there is hope.

My third beta test was 229...ok getting better but not a very strong pregnancy. URGH ok...so am I pregnant or not? They say I'm pregnant but a good pregnancy, no. BUT I have to go for a 4th Beta test now. Well the 4th beta test is 1093. So now I'm confused.

Ultrasound was done yesterday. I am just over 5 weeks along. The tech did not make me feel confident about the entire procedure. I am schedule for another ultrasound on November 24th. Anyways, one sac was found, no heartbeat. It was really early to see anything. Was lucky to see the one sac. The nurse from the clinic says that it is measuring smaller then it should be, but didn't say if that is good or bad. I figure its not good if its too small.

Its so frustrating for me and I doubt anyone can understand that or the feelings I have. So easy for them to say relax and time will tell. Yeah, well thats easy to say but it would be nice to know "yes" you are pregnant and "yes" everything will be ok.

I do hope that the next ultrasound will bring miracles and we find out that at least one of the three embryos took. If this transfer did not take, then all fertility drugs stop and we wait for my period. Once I get my period, then we will begin working towards a new transfer...but I hope that the ultrasound on Friday will bring us good news.

Well, despite the stress and waiting phase, I am doing well. I am healthy. Have not caught the colds that the kids have picked up from school. I still have headaches from time to time, but not as severe and frequently as in the beginning. Guess that means my body is getting used to the drugs.

I had a little stress today. Realized that while I might have a lot of shots in my bag, that doesn't mean I have enough meds! Since I have another person giving me the shots, I didn't realize I had enough for one more shot after last night! I won't be able to get more overnighted to me until Tuesday! Luckily I have enough of the pills that I can double up on until I can get more meds for my shots. Ok...good thing...this means that I dont have shots again until Tuesday! lol a little break for me!

Well, I hope that gets your caught up with where I am. :) Got my fingers crossed for better news next Friday!

Have a great week!
A Surrogate Mom

October 30th, 2006 - My Baby Turned 2 Today

2006-10-31T11:28:00.000-08:00

WOW...time flies...and 6 days until Beta Day! lol

Had a nice uneventful day with my baby, as the kids were in school all day. We just laid around...Ok, I did, while I watched my baby play.

I did buy a box of Early Response EPT for early detection...comes with 3 tests! Will wait until Thursday to try one. :) These were recommended by other surros. I know that it might not work before the beta but it can't hurt to peek right?

ANyways, took the kids out for dinner to celebrate baby's 2nd birthday. Went to their favorite Chinese buffet place. The staff made a special cake plate with for baby and put a candle in it...and sang her happy birthday. Classic look from baby....what the heck are you doing, as she backed away. lol It was cute...as well as nice of the place.

And ended the day by getting my shot from my church friend.

A surrogate mom

October 28th, 2006 - Is It Time Yet?

2006-10-31T11:17:00.000-08:00

LOL wish it was time for the beta test. But it was time for the kids and I to go back to MN. We missed home, but it was sad to go. The first thing my son said on the plane...I miss (IP). The kids had such a great time in CA with my IP and his sis and BIL.

I forgot to mention.... IP's BIL has an xbox 360 and so my son was in heaven b/c at home he can not touch his dad's 360 or his older bro 360! So the kids got to play the 360 during this trip.

AND the shots...I couldn't do it...couldnt give them to myself! Luckily, IP's sister was daring enough to do them for me. My husband had to do them for me tonight because we got back home at 11 pm! Too late to get someone to do it. He survived it...as did I. Will continue to have the gal from church do the injections for me. :)

Well...I guess nothing else to report. Guess its just another waiting game until the next step. My baby turns 2 on Monday, Halloween is on Tuesday, kids church activities on Wednesday, children well check ups and Annual Lutefisk dinner on Thursday, and then...Beta Test on Nov 5th!!!

I'm exhausted...back to get some rest!

A Surrogate Mom

October 27th, 2006 - The Day After The Transfer

2006-10-31T10:55:00.000-08:00

Well, technically bedrest ended at 8 pm PST time. Its hard being a mom and lay around doing nothing. My IP is pampering and spoiling me...with food. Its sort of like when you overfeed the gold fish and then they are floating on top of the water!!! lol j/k I know I have eaten such great food but by the end of the day, I was so full of food that I couldn't even eat a S'More that the kids made for me...I was like...TAKE IT AWAY! lol I'm not complaining b/c I loved every bit of food I had...so yummy!

It is very nice for me to have stayed at my IP's house rather then at the hotel by myself. I really think that the agency should consider having the surros have a spouse or friend come with them to the transfer, rather then be alone. I guess that's why I wanted my daughter to be there with me. I do know of some surros who's IPs have suggested bringing their spouses along. So maybe just having that option. I know my husband could not have gone because he stayed home and cared for our other 2 kids.

I also like that my IP was able to be here for the transfer, as I know that IPs can not always attend.

Talked with my IP about the ultrasound. Doc likes to do them before releasing surros to their own ob's but for those who live far, just have them done locally to them. We like Doc so IP will have me fly out there for the ultrasound. It will be a quick trip but, personally, I feel my IP will appreciate seeing the ultrasound live. I know when I saw the heartbeat of my first baby, it was exciting, facinating...and made it real for me. I know it will be like that for my IP too.

Well...another day closer to Nov 5th!

A Surrogate Mom

October 26th, 2006 - The Transfer!!!

2006-10-31T10:43:00.000-08:00

Finally the day has come and gone! It was a quick procedure and a long day of resting. From 16 great looking follicles, came 25 eggs....and in the end 9 embryos. What a neat process. Seeing pictures of the embryos was even neater. IP choose 3....2 excellent and 1 very good....and crossing our fingers for TWINS!!!! very low chance of triplets...8% chance, I think.

The procedure, as I said, was very quick...and not painful at all. Its bedrest for 36 hours and continue with my injections until further notice. Interesting...I am considered 2 gestational weeks along now. On November 5th I will have my beta test to confirm pregnancy and if negative, then will be redone on Nov 7th. If it is positive, then an ultrasound will be done to confirm the heartbeats. And the estimated due date: July 17th, 2007!!! WOW Doc says that on the 8th day after the transfer we should know but they do the beta test on the 10th day to be accurate. hmmm....not sure I can wait until the 5th! lol

WOW....to think I have three embryos in me...its sort of wierd while at the same time, quite exciting. I sure hope they take. :)

The kids are behaving and having fun hanging out with IP. I know my case manager was probably worried about us having them there. We assured her...no problems. I'd get my rest. :)

Well, time to call it a day!
Sticky thoughts,
A Surrogate Mom

October 25th, 2006 - Ultrasound & Disneyland

2006-10-31T10:29:00.000-08:00

What a day!

Got to experience LA morning traffic at 6:30 am. Makes me appreciate my life as a SAHM. I sure do not miss that traffic stuff! Appt at 7:30 am...and well Doc rolled in after 8 am... I think the ultrasound ran about 1 minute? Good thing though...I was all good to go for the transfer tomorrow!!! Double booked for the appt tomorrow, but the day is at least finally here!

My IP, the kids and I went to Disneyland. It was an awesome day. My son was just the right height to ride on the big rides, so that was a relief. My daughter's best ride was Splash Mountain and the picture that captured the moment only supports that! lol The cashier gave her a disney pin for having the best facial expression to come through in a long time! We all had a good laugh...and a picture to remember! As for my son...all the rides were the best for him. When he called his dad, he just talked a mile a minute. So glad that my IP invited my kids to join me on the trip. They had an awesome time. About 7 pm the kids were getting a bit cranky, but I bribed them with hot chocolate and cookies to stay around for the parade...you can't miss the parade! They just loved it and that was the perfect ending of a day at Disneyland. (Then there was the wait for the tram back to our car!)

Wanted to go out for Korean BBQ but the kids were just exhausted, not to mention we were pretty full from all the yummies we ate throughout the day.

We did have Jack In the Box...my husband's favorite! Will have to tell him...as we do not have JIB in MN. :)

Well, off to bed and try to get some sleep before the transfer.

Sticky thoughts for tomorrow!
A Surrogate Mom

October 24th, 2006 - Leaving for LA

2006-10-24T05:14:00.000-07:00

WOW, so much has happened since my last post that I haven't found the time to post sooner!

Leaving in 4 hours for the airport. My 2 kids are excited. Am sad to leave my baby but my oldest woke up not feeling the greatest, probably from lack of sleep. I think with the excitement of the two kids going with me and us trying to pack probably kept him awake. This will make it easier saying goodbye to the baby though. It will be like we are going to the store...just won't be back for five days!!! lol Funny...I'm worried about DH and Son watching the baby...and dh is worried about me loosing the kids at Disney.

Yes, we are going to Disneyland tomorrow! Can't wait. Never been to DL but have been to DW many of times....just not in a very long time.

I had my ultrasound on the 19th, everything looked good except for the fluid that showed up. urgh! They say that happens sometimes...just hope it does not delay the transfer. Will stop by the clinic on the way to DL and have another ultrasound. Hope it has gone away or if not, hopefully they can make it go away! The transfer is set for Thursday...just no time yet. Guess depends on the embryos.

The second ED has been so much more reliable here, so that has been a plus. She had her ultrasound on Oct 16th and they said she had 16 great looking follicles. (lol, do you know what a follicle is??) On Monday (yesterday), they were able to retrieve 25 eggs! WOW Well hopefully the transfer will take the first time. All my friends are praying STICKY THOUGHTS for me. I just don't see why it shouldn't as I've been doing all that I'm supposed to.

Last night I tried to be brave and give myself my injection, since now its everyday and I'm leaving for LA. Did not happen! Thankful for my neighbor for being home last night. She's a nurse; so I lucked out. I'm not sure what I will do when I get into LA tonight. I think our plane arrives just as they close. :( Well, my IP said his sis can do it for me. OK, as long as it isn't me doing it! lol

I'm a little concerned about the weight I gained while being on birth control. :( Ok...it really bothers me. Maybe its the stress that is causing this too???

Well I have to get running here. Got a few errands to do before we leave for the airport.

Sticky thoughts!
A Surrogate Mom

October 14th - Saturday Night at Home With the Kids

2006-10-14T17:07:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful evening! The kids, ages almost 2, 5 and almost 10....they are coloring pictures and laughing and chatting. DH and our oldest, 13 yrs old, are online playing their xbox 360s. Now if everyday could be like this! In efforts to get the two year old from drawing on the walls, I have given her a notebook to color in whenever. She is very proud of her pics and is walking around showing us. And probably in a bit, she will sneak away and draw on the walls in the hallway or one of the kids' bedrooms! DH and I decided we will wait to paint the walls when she breaks this habit. None of the other kids ever drew on the walls.

I bought 15 pails of cookie dough this week! Anyone need any?! I wanted my 5 yr old to get some free stuff for selling. And then couldn't leave out the 10 yr old who is selling it too. Guess I will be donating some to the church!

Had my third shot yesterday. All seems to be going ok. I have been having headaches though. Went to the chiropractor today and I think that might have helped. I will go a few more times before the IVF transfer. The chiropractor says that it will help ready my body for the IVF as well as help my body to adjust to the hormones that I'm taking for the IVF. All I know is that I felt good. The chiropractor was really nice too. Looking forward to more appts. AND praying that this really does help the IVF take the first time. My ultrasound is in 5 days and I am pretty anxious to see how that goes. Guess that day will be here before I know it!

Well off to make some dinner for the kids. Have a great weekend all!!!

HUGS,
A Surrogate Mom

October 9th, 2006 - Columbus DID NOT Discover America!!!

2006-10-09T08:27:00.000-07:00

So why the heck are they still teaching that to the children in elementary school? This morning my daughter said that her 5th grade teacher is teaching the wrong information. From the day my children could understand I have made sure that they understand that Columbus was a bad person. The Indians were living in "America" when Columbus happened upon them. You can't discover something that is already there! Columbus and his men slaughtered the Indians...so I prefer that my children not be taught otherwise. The joys of being a parent and wanting your children to be educated the correct way!

Anyways... I survived my first injection on Saturday, with the next dose tomorrow. I am glad that I have someone doing it for me. She poked my butt and I didn't even realize it was over!!! Ok...hope the rest of the injections are like that too! lol I've had a headache since the shot but not sure if that is the cause or what. The prenatal vitamins don't seem to make me sick like others have, so thats good.

Nothing too exciting going on this week. Got to get my newsletter done by Wed as our meeting is Thursday! Got Logos on Wed and I've volunteered in the kitchen for Oct and Nov. Its not too bad. I actually like it rather then watching the kids in the nursery. Speaking of nursery...on Sunday evenings my daughter and I volunteer in the nursery for Alpha. Kids are great this time around, but there is this cute, well-behaved baby that urpies non stop...ok...a lot where he really needs a bunch of spit rags...he only has one. Well he urpied so much last night, the smell in the nursery just made my stomach turn and feel so sick. lol Imagine how it will be when I'm actually preggo! lol Anyways just had to vent there...it was gross! lol Next week I will bring the lysol!

Will post again when I have something new to tell!
Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

October 6th, 2006 - Have a great weekend!!!

2006-10-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

Well tomorrow is the day!!! Just called Dr's office and they said I do not need to have an ultrasound done tomorrow. So got that cancelled. BUT tomorrow I do start my prenatal vitamins and my first injection! Yes, I'm looking forward to it. lol This just means another major step towards becoming pregnant! I am so excited.

Probable Egg Retrieval is in just over 2 weeks...ok, 16 days to be exact. lol We will know actual retrieval in 10 days. And then we will know when I will fly to LA. My two kids that are going with me are way excited! And I got good news today too. The gal I carpool with will be able to help me out with the other two kids while I am gone. Yeah!!! Its all working out. :)

Looking forward to a busy weekend. Need to start and complete the MOPS monthly newsletter that I've been putting off. Work at the flea market. Been working real hard at home to declutter and get rid of stuff. OH SO HARD...lol Sunday nights, my daughter and I volunteer at church watching kids in the nursery. Looking forward to that because the Women's Guild (I think, lol), make a full meal for the group we do nursery for...and of course, we get to eat too!!! YUMMY!!!

Well if you dont hear from me for a few days, its b/c the shot in the butt has made me sore! LOL

Have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

October 2nd, 2006 - Three More Weeks

2006-10-02T17:49:00.000-07:00

...but who is counting?

I was just looking at my calendar. If all goes ok, the kids (2 out of 4) and I should be flying to LA... WOW We are all excited.

On Sunday morning news there was a feature on IVF. One of the interesting things mentioned was that women who do not exercise have a 40% more chance of getting preggo via IVF then women who do exercise. I guess no exercising for me??? lol

I am going to have to find more info on this. Has me curious now.

Nothing more to say today. Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

September 30th, 2006 - CHICKEN

2006-09-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

LOL

Ok...had my telephone conference call to get me started on my injections. UMMMM...the needles are sort of long!

So, not sure I can do it myself and DH won't do it. lol So much for his support! lol

Ok...called my church and found a couple of retired nurses who are members of the church. YEAH....well for the 5 shots I have to do in October...I got 4 out of 5 covered. Need to find someone for Oct 13th! Anyone interested??? lol

I tell you, I can not wait... Oct 16th is the ED's ultrasound, so then we will have a more exact date for the transfer. I hope all goes well. I am a bit stressed...you know...worrying for the sake of worrying. Hoping that when I have my ultrasound on Oct 19th, that my lining will be thick enough for transfer. STICKY THOUGHTS everyone...pray for sticky sticky! lol

I dont know about my IP but I am totally excited now. Its hard to believe its finally that time! Next Saturday I will have my first injection as well as start my prenatals. I can't wait for the prenatals because my hair is getting long and I want to get it cut before I leave for LA. Going to donate it to Locks of Love. :) Oh...so the prenatals always make my hair grow more. :)

BTW, I know my IP is way excited...he's been looking at airfare already for me to come back out there!

Well...I will write again after my first injection...unless for some reason I dont get my "friend" on the 5th or 6th.

Have a great weekend!
A Surrogate Mom

September 25th, 2006 - Three Months Until Christmas!!!

2006-09-25T14:19:00.000-07:00

WOW, time flies doesn't it??

Today is the last day of my last BC pill in the pack. Need to remember to go pick up my last pack of BC Pills. I only need to take for 8 more days and then I will be done with BC. Before I know it, I will be flying out to LA to get preggo with another guy's baby/babies! LOL Just love saying that...its a great laugh! On Thursday I have my telephone conference call to go over the injections and stuff. Hopefully the kids will cooperate and behave during this time.

My kids are angels!

ROFL

Well, nothing to exciting to report.... think and pray stick thoughts for me!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

September 15th, 2006 - Exciting Times 3

2006-09-15T21:48:00.000-07:00

That's how I feel today! Scheduled my ultrasounds today for Oct 7th and 19th. I was able to schedule them locally so I dont have to fly out to LA for that. Actually...trips to LA are fun...just hard to leave the kids now that they are in school.

The pharmacy in LA called today too. They are sending me stuff overnight...so will know what it is tomorrow.

I tell you...the last two days have brought so much excitement that I am just emotionally drained. I'm having all good vibes and feel real positive about everything going smoothly from here on...ok...at least thru to the transfer.

I pray that we get preggo with the first transfer. I'm afraid if I don't, that I will have let my IP down. I know you just dont know if it will take and how many will. We have met other IPs and Surro, where it took them one try, while some others went through 2-3 transfers...even more then 1 surro! So I think we are doing good...on our second ED...and as I told my IP...I'll be his only surro...so no worries there. :)

Well, thats all to report today. Its Citywide Garage Sale this weekend. So hoping it brings good traffic through the flea market where I'm set up at. I have tons of stuff at my home...just need to bring it up there. Anyways...so better run and get to bed...need to get up early!

Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
A Surrogate Mom

September 14th, 2006 - We've got a CALENDAR!!!

2006-09-14T20:02:00.000-07:00

YEAH!!! The waiting has paid off and we are moving along... The nurse at the fertility clinic emailed me my calendar b/c I just couldn't wait for the mail to come with it! Isn't email great???

Well...looks like I will stop taking BC pills on 10/4 and then start the fertility drugs... Probable transfer between 10/25-10/27!!! Can't wait!!! Another trip to LA and my IP promised me canollis!!! My fav! (one of my many fav, lol)

This is way exciting! Can't wait. I will also start taking prenatals on 10/7...looking forward to that b/c my hair will start growing quicker! I have been growing my hair (for the second time) to donate to Locks of Love...so maybe by October I will be ready to cut my hair too!!! :)

Well I am just emotionally drained now...or maybe because with the kids in school, I am running around with my 23 month old and no naps!!! lol I miss the kids all being home!!! lol

So this is just going to be a short note tonight...night!!!

Hugs!
A Surrogate Mom

September 6th, 2006 - Kids are in school!

2006-09-06T21:25:00.000-07:00

Yeah...the kids started school on Tuesday, with no problems. Child #3 has Kindergarten Orientation tomorrow and then he will officially start school on September 11th. So Sad. lol I miss having the kids at home...I honestly wasn't ready for them to go back! Funny...in a few years I will have one child in every school: Primary, Intermediate, Middle and High Schools! That will be fun when it comes to going to each child's open house!

Whenever I have special moments with the children as well as individually...I think of my IP and how he will experience similar moments with his children. How lucky he is, as well as how lucky his children will be to have a parent who loves his children even before they are born. Something to think about it...we are so lucky that there are options like surrogacy and adoption. (just some babbling thoughts there)

Tonight I just sat playing with child #4 who will be 2 in Oct. She is such a joy...happy, laughing, loves to cuddle, loves to sing, dance. She's growing up so quickly. Anyways...every night we sit at my computer and look at pictures of her sis and brothers...its as if its her first time seeing the pictures. We sit and sing songs together...talk and laugh. And I just hug her for making me one happy mommy. And as I sit there hugging her, telling her how much I love her, how cute she is (btw...she is VERY cute, lol) and greatful to God for having her...I see my IP log on and think that someday soon he will have a similar moment...hopefully with twins! :) In time.....

Speaking of time.... My IP now calls "my thing".... "my friend" LOL just makes me laugh every time! So I got my friend on Monday! :) Called the clinic on Tuesday...was sort of bummed that the ED wasn't ready...of course, not her fault...but for me, it means another pack of BC pills. BUT its getting closer... I think that our cycles should be in sync after this time. We anticipate a transfer late October or November. Hmmm....will I make it to the annual retreat or not? lol oops...focus...

hmmm....I'm at a loss for words right now... oh no! lol

Until the next time...
A Surrogate Mom :)

August 25th - Exciting News

2006-08-24T22:10:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Received a call from my IP today. The doc from the fertility clinic said the ED came in and things are looking good. The doc is very happy and impressed with this ED too; so things have happened for a reason. I am very excited for my IP because I can just imagine the stress this has been for him. So things are all coming together. YEAH!!!

Additionally, my IP said the ED's cycle is in about 2 weeks! Hmmm....so is mine! Well ok close to it. I'm still on BC to control my cycles, so this pack of pills will end September 2. Then my cycle will begin. My unprofessional guess on a September transfer looks like the third/fourth week of September. hmmm....should we wager on this???

My IP and I want to have the babies before the annual retreat! lol (I think we had too much fun our first time going!) Hey, did you notice I said babies??? We are hoping for twins!!!! I tell you...I really want to go through that experience.

Well its exciting that this is going to be happening soon. The good news today has renewed that excitement! Time will go fast now, I hope. We have a lot going on in the next week. My two oldest have open house on Tuesday. I dont know why but they now call elementary school... Primary Grades (K-2) and Intermediate (3-5). So that's three separate Open Houses. Luckily I just have to go to the Intermediate and Middle School ones...of course, the schools are at opposite ends of the town. Next year, I will have one in Primary, Middle School and High School!!! and the year after that....preschool, primary, middle and high! WOW....

Anyways, I am just rambling. Its storming right now and there was a terrible burst of thunder and lightning...so I need to run and hide under the covers....I just HATE storms. That last one just shook the house. Scarey!!! lol

Well, have a great weekend!!!

A Surrogate Mom

August 23rd, 2003 - Nothing New Yet

2006-08-23T21:16:00.000-07:00

Hi!

Nothing too exciting to report right now. Just waiting.

I did receive my charm bracelet from the Agency last week. I was SO excited to receive it. The first charm on it is a 4 leaf clover. Throughout the surrogacy I will get other charms to signify important stages. I had seen another surrogate wearing hers at the retreat...so I have been waiting for mine. I'm so excited about it.

Can't believe the kids start school in a few weeks. I will miss them for sure. I'm one of those moms who just loves having them at home...never wishing for them to go back to school. Took my oldest daughter school shopping in the cities. That was a fun day. So one down, two to go. Then the baby will be last after the others go to school. :)

Well, I have about 10+ days left of my cycle, so maybe there will be a good update at that time.

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom

August 12th, 2006 - Good News, Bad News

2006-08-12T08:53:00.000-07:00

Good News: Today started a new cycle for me!!! Was thinking I'd text message my IP but he's spending the weekend with friends...lol...and I dont think its as funny as the first time I did it knowing he was in jury duty. :)

Bad News: Was thinking we'd have the transfer take place the week of Labor Day, but the first ED didn't work out. But when there's bad news...there's good news to follow!!!

So...the Good News... I won't miss the first week of the kids school, especially with child #3 starting Kindergarten!!! My IP, who is a school teacher, won't miss the first week of school either. The clinic seems to think that we can still have a September transfer. IP & I are keeping our fingers crossed for September. IP's new ED is a good match and looking forward to working with her. LOL I guess I don't work with her, but I know my IP is happy. I feel the excitement again of getting ready for the transfers, ie the shots! lol

Well, that's about it for today. DH took the boys to the Game & Gun Show...you know that hunting stuff and ... entering Joe into some contest. LOL I forget what its called...but its where the dog runs down the dock and gets scored on how far he jumps into the water! Wish I could have gone but I have to clean and it wouldn't be much fun pushing the stroller around there with the little one. (Also just an excuse for me.) Actually, it would be neat to watch Joe compete. oh well. Better get the house picked up. We have three church camp counselors spending the week with us. Looking forward to that.

Have a great weekend!!!
A Surrogate Mom

August 8th, 2006 - The Excitement of Waiting

2006-08-08T05:52:00.000-07:00

Hi there!
Well I was feeling sort of bored...only because this waiting is hard because I'm so excited to get pregnant! BUT yesterday my friend in San Diego passed her screening with the agency and is waiting now for her match. So that is exciting for me to "wait" with her to hear about her match. Brings back the excitement I had when I received the file on my IP. My IP and I are such a good match and have become fast friends...hard to believe we only matched in April and met in May!

Tomorrow I will finish another pack of BC pills! Yeah!!! So the ED (egg donor) should almost be ready too since our cycles are pretty close. That is exciting just to know that....to know that when she starts her cycle we will all be ready to transfer approximately 17 days later!!! (I think thats what they said, lol) Crossing my fingers that all goes well and we get preggo in Sept!!!

Well I'm off to do some work, while my 4 kiddies are still fast asleep. I'm back to doing a little data entry (processing rebates) at home for Young America and similar companies. I'm doing a new platform for them and its SO easy, so it makes the process that much easier...to do and to watch TV at the same time! lol Got to love these at home opportunities!!!

Have a great day!
A Surrogate Mom