Again?

Last week I got an email from the owner at the Agency. (Love this agency...they are the best!) Well she was asking if I was considering another journey, she had a potential match if I was. I would be lying if I said I had not thought about it. I don't know if I am ready to close the door on this part of my life. I have been so lucky to have the 2 journeys that I have had. I know that. I just don't know for sure if I am done. I feel like I should know if I am done. Like I would be 100% certain that that was it. I'm not, though. I don't  know why? I emailed the agency owner back and told her maybe its not the best time for me just now, since Mark is away and I did hope to visit the twins in Sweden this summer. Can't go out of country if I am in contract -either cycling or possibly pregnant and it surely isn't fair to ask a set of IP's to wait for me.
After I sent that email, I felt like that was it. I felt empty inside, it was weird. I don't know what will happen, but I am just going to let this play its course for now. Maybe it's just time I need. We'll see.

Overdue Update

(Wow! It has been way too long since I have been here, huh? Well, I have lots to update with.

Elsa and Vince awaiting their baby boy's arrival

                                
Baby "L" was born via scheduled C section on December 16th at 7:50 am. We scheduled the surgery earlier than my EDD to allow us all to be home for Christmas. I was 38 weeks and 5 days along. He weighed 8 lbs 2 oz and was 21 inches long. He had a head full of dark hair, bright blue eyes, and a nice set of lungs, too!

Happy Birthday, "L"!

My OB and the rest of the hospital personnel were amazing. She has supported my choice to be a surrogate  since I began seeing her in 2009 and has continued to take such great care of me. Big props to Dr. Qureshi and her staff! 




They bent the rules for us- they allowed Mark, Elsa and Vince to all be in the OR during the surgery, which is pretty unheard of. The standard is 1 support person in the OR, so to be able to have Mark there for me and Elsa and Vince both able to witness his birth was great.

Waiting to go into OR 

After the birth, they had their own room, which was great so they had time together with him, since they had family that flew in for the birth. I know Elsa was very happy to have her mom here to lend her some great new mommy tips! Unfortunately I was on a separate floor, so I was not able to see him until Friday  because I couldn't get out of bed for 16 hours post surgery and he couldn't leave the floor he was on. My recovery has been going well. I was up and out of bed as soon as I was allowed to be. I wanted to get moving because I know that is the start of a good strong recovery. I was discharged on Saturday, two days after the birth, as was baby "L". They were able to fly out on the 22nd, just in time to get settled in back at home for Christmas. Baby "L" had since developed a bit of colic. Elsa was trying some different things, and hopefully he is doing better now and letting Mom and Dad get a little more than 2 hours of sleep at a time.

Elsa and Vince and myself with baby "L". 

            

Me holding him for the first time

My bunch with Baby "L".

 

My hubby Mark and I with Baby "L"

Our Visit

As I mentioned in my prior post, my IP's (whom have allowed me to use their names!) Elsa and Vince, came out to visit with us this past weekend. We had a GREAT time with them.
Mark and I met up with them on Friday morning at our ultrasound. We had an hour long session where we got to oohh and ahhh over this little guy bouncing about in 3D. As tiny as he is right now, we were still able to see fingers and toes, ribs and spine, and of course his beautiful heart beating away. (We all got to hear it, too). It was the first time Elsa and Vince were able to listen to their baby boy's heart beat. ♥ It is such a magnificent sound. I still get teary-eyed every time I hear it. The appointment was wonderful and  Elsa and Vince have arranged 2 more ultrasounds for later on in the pregnancy, when he's a little more plump and we can start to see more of what he will look like at birth.
After our ultrasound we had lunch together and chatted for a while. Vince had some work to do, so we parted for the afternoon, but planned dinner together.
That evening, Elsa and Vince came over for pizza. They were able to meet our four kiddos, my parents, Pat and Brant, my youngest sister, Jane and her daughter Emma. We had such a great night just hanging out and talking. Vince got suckered into a game or 2 of chess with Blake, Elsa had her ear talked off by Gracie, Shawnie was enthralled by the fact that Vince flies a plane, and Abbie was excited to say she knows people from California.
They brought a gift for the kids...I thought that was so sweet and thoughtful of them....an educational gift (their words!). They bought our children an iPad. OMG! (Abbie's words!) Needless to say, they all love it. They are having a blast and believe it or not they have been sharing it very well. They generally split their time in 30 mins. intervals and I haven't had to break up any fights over it. :-) Shawnie and Blake started to research what makes a plane fly, as they promised Vince they would. Gracie found the library and has started to explore other languages. I found her trying to learn German. LOL. Abbie is all over the place with it. She is our little techie. She'll teach us. It's such a wonderful gift...they really shouldn't have! But the kids truly are enjoying everything about it!
We had such a wonderful time. We can't wait to see them again! Here's a couple pics...

My IP's Vince & Elsa, and my parents Pat and Brant

Somehow, Blake's guitar made it out and Vince showed the little ones what he knows.

17 weeks and moving right along

It seems like this pregnancy is just flying by! I am 17 weeks already! WOW! Still feeling good. Haven't felt movements yet. I thought maybe I might have a couple weeks ago, but now I'm thinking I had bubbles in my belly because I haven't felt them since. According to What to Expect it could still be a couple weeks until I experience his flutters and kicks. 
An exciting note...E and V are coming to visit this weekend. We have talked about doing a non-medical ultrasound while they are here so they can see their little guy in action. I am so happy they are able to make it out and visit!
Here's a shot of my belly at 16 weeks.

Appointment today

I had a routine OB appointment this morning. Everything looks good. I have gained 5 pounds at this point (since the start of cycling). The little man's heartbeat sounded wonderful. We have an Ultrasound in 4 weeks with another routine appointment.
Last week the blood work portion of the NT scan came back normal. Everything is moving along so smoothly...QUICK...but smoothly! I ♥ the second trimester. Meds done, sickness gone, energy back and hopefully the pregnant glow will come along soon! ;-)

NT scan 13 weeks

Today I am 13 weeks. We had our NT scan and it looked wonderful. The measurement was 1.64, well within normal range and she said nothing looked out of the ordinary. She gave lots of pics of this little one. Believe it or not, we were able to see the sex of the baby-See below. I have also added my first belly pic (taken today) since my waistline is expanding!

CONGRATS E & V!!!! We are so thrilled for you!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend....&

V...Happy Father's Day!!!!

Feeling good again...

The wave of morning sickness has finally gone away. I have been feeling good again! I find myself getting a bit tired in the afternoons. Sometimes I'm lucky enough to catch a small nap before picking up the kids from school. Sometimes, not so lucky.
I have stopped the PIO injections per Dr. Nelson's orders. YAY! I still take Progesterone via capsules and the Estrogen shot every 3rd day. My hips are pretty happy!
Here's a pic of our last ultrasound. It was 9 weeks 5 days. Baby's hearbeat was still a nice and steady 174 bpm, and measured perfectly at 9 wks 5 days. You can really see the limbs and head starting to form ♥