Monday, September 16, 2013

23 weeks with TWINS

We just got back from a wedding in Canada. It was fantastic!! I did pretty well except the flight home my legs were really bothering me. I'm still getting around fairly well but bending over is just about out. I also have to sit down once or twice when I am getting ready for work in the moring but still manageable.

The babies are moving quite a bit more so we can't wait to see the dads in a week and a half so they can feel their babies!! Our next appointments are September 27th and then we fly out to L.A. I really haven't had anything in the way of contractions except a few minor braxton hicks so assuming everything is looking good! It seems to me I'm doing much better versus this time last time so crossing my fingers it stays this way. The scale this morning after our weekend away says I'm up 20 pounds overall but that might be a little inflated. I'm hoping it evens out closer to the 16 pounds I was at on Friday:)

Thursday, September 5, 2013

21 weeks 4 days with TWINS

The dads came to town and we had our doctor appointments on Friday. Both babies are measuring a few days aheadand weigh 15ozs at 20 weeks 5 days. I'm up 14 pounds so far which isn't bad but I'm actually measuring 27 weeks!! AAck!! I'm starting to feel the babies move on the outside and my husband is able to feel them too. We are heading to LA to meet the parents at the end of September so we can't wait to share that part with them.

At our last appointment the doctor mentioned that one of the babies has a side insertion on his placenta. Nothing to be concerned about yet but they will keep an eye on it.

Other than that I'm feeling great. I have actually had energy the last few weeks but do tire out very easy. I can still move around without too much trouble so I am enjoying that while it lasts:)

Cervix is at 4cm, down from 4.8 from a month ago. I am dilated 2cm, but my doctor isn't concerned since the inner cervix looks so good.

We talked about possible induction dates considering when our OB is on call. He is so amazing we would hate to miss him. There was some talk about December 19th, although this is 36 and 1/2 weeks so this would probably only happen if there were some complications. Our hospital doesn't like to schedule them prior to 38 weeks. Otherwise he isn't on call until Jan 1st. I would be 38 weeks and 3 days. Not the worst thing in the world but man I know how miserable those last few weeks are..lol. I delivered at 37 weeks 1 day last time with the twins and I was READY.

We loved being able to share in the dads excitement. They got to find out they are expecting 2 boys:) I actually found out at 16 weeks and we decided I'd keep it to myself so they could be surprised when they got here. We gave them a few boy newborn outfits, bibs and a train book to celebrate. They also got our kids T-shirts and hats for the older ones and bears for the little ones. The dads are so thoughtful. We also got to witness one of the babies kicking the other one in the head on the ultrasound while he tried to push his brother away with his hand. Yep, these are boys!!

We can't wait to visit them in C.A. They are arranging a pregnancy package for me at the SPA Saturday morning of the trip and a party with their friends Saturday evening. I also can't wait to see their baby room!!



Thursday, August 22, 2013

Half way there!

I can't believe we are already half way through this pregnancy. It is flying by. I am 19 weeks 5 days. The due date is January 11th but considering it is twins the latest I will still be pregnant is December 29th.

I have been feeling really good considering..lol. Restless legs and heartburn seem to be the worst of it so far. Oh and the exhaustion. It seems like it lasted forever. I've finally had a few weeks where most days I have had some energy. I'm enjoying it because I imagine by next month I will be starting to waddle around:)

Next week the dads come to town for a visit. We are so excited to have them here. We have the 20 week ultrasound, MFM appointment and OB appointment. This will be their first visit to our home town since the viability ultrasound was actually in K.C. I'm really happy that they will be meeting both doctors and we will be touring the hospital. They will also be meeting our kids for the first time. We will see how that goes...our kids will either be amazing or horrible...there is no in between:) But I know our kids are excited to meet them so I'm glad this is working out.

So far this pregnancy seems much less stressful. I think it helps having been there, done that with being pregnant with twins. I was so worried/excited last time not knowing what to expect with every little thing as well as with the surrogacy. This time although I'm still just as cautious I'm able to relax and just enjoy it more. I know very well the risks associated with twins and am hoping to avoid many of the complications that can happen but from experience I know there is a chance everything will be just fine. And I feel more confident that I'm doing everything I need to be doing so if/when something happens we will just take it as it comes.

Except when I'm thinking why the H#LL did I think I could carry twins again!!! It isn't for the faint of heart..lol. Give me a few weeks and I will be whining and complaining!!

I also love the surro community that has surrounded me and continues to grow from these amazing women that I now call my friends. I used to make fun of my husband for having internet connections through twitter/tumbler and would laugh when he would talk about his "friends." He reminds me all the time that I have to eat my words!!!! These women are courageous, loving, supportive, hilarious and everything we all need to get through this crazy thing called surrogacy when most IRL just think we are off our rockers. I know I've made another type of family that I will never grow out of regardless if my womb decides it has had enough.







Wednesday, July 24, 2013

PREGNANT!!

I haven't updated this for awhile so let me catch you up!!

Matched with amazing IFs from California. My husband and I really enjoyed our time out there and getting to know the dads. They are so excited.

Screened on Valentine's Day.

Transferred April 27th of two perfect embryos.

Crazy high betas...so nervous one of the embies split.

May 28th TWO heartbeats confirmed!! Pregnant with twins...AGAIN!! Both dads are over the moon with excitement. They were able to attend the appointment so it was extra special.

Today 15 weeks 3 days pregnant.

Weight gain 5 pounds.

Feeling little flutters but nothing regular yet.

MFM NT scan looked perfect. Babies are right on track.

My first OB visit was Monday and my OB hugged me and is so excited I'm back and doing it again. I think he loves it as much as us. Of course it helps that my husband makes him laugh:)

The guys are coming down at the end of August for the 20 week appointments and will meet our OB and our MFM. Afterward we will do the hospital tour and NICU tour.

They also want to have us back to Cali at the end of September but need to arrange their work schedules. So we are waiting to get the go ahead for that.

I have been feeling great. No morning sickness and everything seems to be on track. It is kinda fun comparing how I am now to my blog during my first surrogacy. I need to keep this up more!!





Friday, December 28, 2012

Waiting

We spoke with the social worker yesterday. It was fun talking about our last journey and what we are hoping for with this one. Although it seems weird trying to narrow down who we will be matched with. I hate excluding anyone but the social worker was like, geez lady help me out here! Well, not really but she was getting a little flustered because each time she thought she had a direction to go in we would change it up. The thing is whether they are gay or straight, black or white, single or married or spar everyone is deserving of being a parent. So to say no to any particular group seems weird.

We did say no to international. It worries me too much to have the parents that far away and possible language and time zone barriers. Oh except Ireland because that is where both my husband and part of my family came from so having an excuse to visit there would be great. That was my compromise with my husband:)

At the end of the call the social worker stated she has a couple from California that everyone was raving about that they had in mind for us. I still have to finalize and sign off on our commitment letter but it is exciting having a hint of what is waiting for us. The waiting for them will probably seem a hundred years longer than these next few days for us though. But so excited, will they like us, will we like them..oh crap this means needles again, etc. :)

Wish me luck!

Friday, December 21, 2012

I'm back

I just got confirmation that I was approved by the IVF doctors to jump back into the surrogate world. I now have a screening call with the social worker to update my profile next Thursday and they will also talk to my husband. Last time his interview took longer than mine, he was so excited about the process:) This gets us closer to matching! I was hoping to be matched by Christmas but this should only put me a few weeks behind that. I would love to transfer around March or April but know it is hard to predict timing on these things!

Monday, November 19, 2012

What's next

It's been 9 weeks since the babies were born. I have 2 friends that are getting ready to be matched this week. One of them was slightly ahead of me and the other is a first time GS. If you had asked me when I started previously I hadn't given any thought to a second journey. I just felt excited and happy to be given the opportunity to help out a family. Now, watching them has got my husband and I excited to think about another journey for ourselves. I have submitted the paperwork. Not much to do at this point since the earliest I could transfer would be March but I'm hoping to have everything done and maybe even match by the end of December. We all know how long these things can take and it would be great to have everything in place:) 3 months is an optomistic view of screenings, contracts, syncing cycles, starting meds, etc. etc. so I can't wait!