I flew in yesterday alone. Ricky couldn’t come with me this time. I was a little sad but honestly a hotel all alone is kind of a nice thought as a mom. I brought two books and hoping to finish at least one. Last night I spent the night enjoying margaritas and wine with the girls. We laughed and laughed for hours and ate yummy food. It was a perfect night to keep busy and keep my mind off things. I got back to the hotel by like 10ish. I fell right asleep! (Thanks wine) 😂 I kept waking up all night though checking the time and having super weird dreams. I finally got up at 5 am and took a bath. This is a different hotel but also has a wonderful bath tub. I’m really going to need to invest in a bathtub for home. I got out and tried to lay back down. Surprisingly I fell asleep for another hour or so.
I got up to get ready and turned on my Christian radio on my phone. Almost immediately my favorite song came on and I sat on the floor and had a really good crying and praying session. Then the next song was even more impactful. I hate being emotional and crying but on things like this it’s all just TOO important. Im praying so so hard this time is it. This little girl needs to dig in deep so she can come meet us all in 9 plus months. She’s so very loved and wanted. I’ll include links to the songs if you want to listen. These are the order they came came on.
Im still surprised by how perfect the songs were this morning when I needed them most. Today our plan is coming back to rest and order room service. Watch tv or a movie or read or nap or anything we want! Karen is going to be here in like 8 mins so I need to get down stairs. I’ll update later when I can.
It’s too risky to get sick now! How sweet was this from the hotel. ❤️Such a fun night full of laughter and fun.
Now I’m back in the room. Transfer is over. I was STARVING after so Karen and I ordered room service and it was super yummy. I decided to nap after so I slept for almost 3 hours. 😂😳 That’s a hefty nap even for me. I have been on the pio shots now for awhile and it makes your body think it’s pregnant so I know it’s making me extra sleepy too. For some exciting news: I for the first time gave myself my own BUTT SHOT!!! I decided since Ricky couldn’t come that I would be brave and try myself. Actually it was SO much easier and better when I do them myself. I can’t believe after all these years and transfers I’ve finally done them myself. I think because I’m doing it the anticipation isn’t so bad. So woohoo for me. My butt is still sore and lumpy from the meds but the actual injection itself isn’t so bad now that I’m doing them. Just getting the angle part right is hard. I have to be a pro contortionist 😂.
So now we will wait and hope and pray this little girl is sticking in there. I believe Karen and I will test again before I leave but I’m leaving it up to her. As for now we are staying positive and hopeful. The baby girl embryo looked so so good. She was hatching a lot even the Dr made note of how great it looked.
Look I’m getting pregnant! 😂 Look at this little lady go! GROW BABY GROW! This is the video of the actual transfer. I know I’ve had people ask what they actually do. ❤️
Well I didn’t update after my last one. 😂 Sorry guys. My last appointment was last Wednesday my lining thickness was 14! Again I only need to be at a 10 anymore is just a bonus. So today when I went in I was at about 18 she said. This is even thicker then last transfer so I’m hoping this will be extra helpful for baby girl to snuggle in deep.
This week we went to the zoo and we had a great time with the kids. I tried to convince Ricky to take me and the kids to Disney this weekend before my transfer but he said no and when I looked up the parks we couldn’t even get in to the ones I wanted to go to. 😂 So I guess my idea won’t happen. Our Puppy Bo Bear is getting super big and still learning and eating all the things he shouldn’t. Like leaves, sticks, mulch and paper. Good news he’s so cute we love him anyway.
Im excited for my blood work to come back and see what my estrogen is at because I know it’s super HIGH. I can cry just thinking about crying. 😭 😂 I have cried watching silly tv shows and I almost cried at the zoo yesterday. I don’t even remember why that’s how emotional I am right now. The silliest things just put me over the edge.
I’ll wait for FCI (the fertility clinic) to call me today with their update and then on Monday I will be flying out to Chicago. Karen and I are so excited to try again I have everything crossed and so many prayers that this time it will work. I need to see a positive pregnancy test this time! If I’m looking for up sides I’ll get to go back to Chicago and see my friends and enjoy a nice hotel stay without the kids and Ricky. I will get to sleep in and order food or go shopping 🛍 on Michigan Avenue! I’m sure I will come up with plenty to do. I can also finish reading my book I started.
I’ll update everyone on transfer day. Keep the prayers and good thoughts coming our way!
This was last weeks at 14 for thickness Blood work from last week Today’s lining at 18ish 😍My sweet message from Ricky before my appointment today Look how big this dog is getting!
Today is the day I start meds again. I will be starting the Lupron shots again tonight. This is the drug that puts my body into menopause. So I get super rage and all the other stuff. Like night sweats, insomnia and other fun stuff. Karen said I can call her and rage whenever I need too. 😆
I will go for lining check and blood work for the next 3 weeks and then I will fly out on the 30th for our transfer on the 31st! So just 29 days until transfer. I’m really hoping and praying this little girl sticks this time. I’m going to make sure to tell Dr Kaplan to push her in a little deeper this time. 😂 I will stay a few days after like last time and we will test together again before I leave.
It really REALLY sucked last time testing together and not getting a positive but I also know just how incredible and exciting it will be if we test together and we do get a positive so that’s what I’m really hoping happens this time. Ricky won’t be able to go with me this time. I have mixed emotions about it. 😂 Down side he won’t be there to spend time with when I’m bored… He also will not be able to give me my shots. Karen said she’s going to be brave and do them! I know she will do fine. The perks of Ricky not going are I get to be in a hotel room alone! I can watch what I pick, eat when I want and nap and shop when I want! No husband to say I don’t think you need that do you… 😆 I mean does anyone really NEED anything?
My Birthday is 6/8 and I’m telling everyone all I want for my birthday this year is to get pregnant with Karen and Rodgers baby! Plus any other gifts people decide they must get me. Im a size 12 days at the beach kinnda girl. 😆 So hopefully God willing this transfer will work just fine and then on 6/10 will be our first blood test to check for beta numbers. They typically like to see around 100 or more. I’ve always had a big mix of numbers. Ellie was my lowest at like 70 something and then I have had some pretty high ones where I was like oh crap what if this little one split into twins! I won’t lie that’s always my big fear.
Twins would be exciting and I would do my very best but I would just worry selfishly about me not being able to work as much and honestly just keeping two babies healthy in there. I know I’m a pro with one! I’ll post a picture of my med calendar so you all can see how crazy and in depth this stuff is. I read it each morning and each night just to make sure I am doing everything properly. I don’t want to mess anything up.
As always thanks for the continued thoughts and prayers for the baby, parents and me! Don’t forget to pray for Ricky and my kids who have a bit of a crazy rage mom for a few weeks. 😂
Say it with me: This time is the right time, this time baby girl is going to dig in deep and my body is ready to help her grow. 🥰
Look at these beautiful flowers that arrived today. I was definitely surprised to say the least. The extra family/friendship I have gained from surrogacy is something I often struggle to put into words. The love and support I share with these 3 women are beyond what I ever dreamed or expected. We all share something most others will never understand. We have been together during some of the most important and exciting times of each other’s lives. We have also been together through some of the saddest and most difficult.
These women/families have literally seen me naked pushing out their babies. Poor Molly and Jon watched me bleed out. They have watched me cry and held me for epidurals. Let me squeeze hands while I was pushing and held my super heavy legs up. 😆
So often you hear of mean, jealous, gossiping women. We have all met women like this. I am happy to say I have created friendships and bonds with women that are 100% not like that! I love that through all my journeys I have built real life long friends. Molly was so supportive and excited when I helped Jenn! Now here Jenn is being so supportive when I try to help Karen. The exciting texts and calls for big days don’t go unnoticed. I love that we all share something that no one else could possibly understand.
I’m sad these women couldn’t carry their own babies but how blessed am I that I was able to meet them because of it. My life would be so very different without all these people in it.
Jenn these flowers mean more then you know. Your family and our friendship is such a wonderful gift to me and my family.
Molly and Karen have called multiple times sent texts and left sweet messages checking in on me. It’s all these things that make the hard times worth it. I know the exciting times are coming and all the sad hard times will be worth it. ❤️
People tell me over and over how wonderful or special I am. Seriously my hand to God I am the one to have been blessed beyond measure by these families I have helped. It’s indescribable. 🥰
Well I have been on my ivf drugs. Things are going well. I’m hormonal and crazy as expected with all the estrogen and progesterone. I’m definitely getting excited now. Today is our last ultrasound appointment to check lining and blood work. In the mean time we got a puppy last week and boy are we tired. He’s so sweet but man I forgot how hard puppies are. All the potty training and crying at night. Basically I have a newborn at home. 😂
Today when I got to my appointment they told me they didn’t have someone to do the ultrasound!!! Mind you I had this scheduled for OVER a month now. To say I was frustrated would be an understatement. I let them know it had to be done today so after some waiting they filled out a new order and sent me on my way to the hospital. I went straight there and the hospital staff was so kind and helpful once I explained how important it was to be done today! They called and were able to squeeze me in so I go back at 3pm today.
I called FCI and they were so nice and said for me to just make sure I ask what my lining thickness is today and let them know. On Tuesday it was 10mm so I know that’s already good. they need a minimum of 8 to do transfer so since I’m over that we are good. I will start the big butt shots next week. Eeek my poor butt is already dreading this. 😂
So I will fly out next Sunday morning and transfer will be Monday!!! We also got exciting news that Karen gets to come to the transfer with me now. That makes us both happy. It’s a really cool experience to see the baby/embryo go in so I’m happy she gets to see it now also. ❤️❤️❤️
I will be in Chicago for a bit after transfer for couch rest. Sign me up for this. 😂 I love napping and resting. I know Karen is planning some fun things for us while I’m in town and I’m excited to meet more of her friends. Plus I’ll get to spend some time with Molly and Jon and the girls. Im hoping the weather stays nice and I can do some fun shopping as well! I’ve been eyeing some cute new summer tote bags… 🤫 Dont tell Ricky! 😂
After my final appointment yesterday my blood work was all good and my lining was 12.2 so I’m perfectly fluffy and I’m praying baby digs in deep and I have a perfect little home for 9 plus months.
Hello everyone who has kept up since day one or welcome if you are new! I love that I can see that people all over the world have seen and read my little blog posts. It’s crazy to think that this all started 9 years ago. I hope by me being open and honest through all this it has helped others. I hope women who have struggled getting pregnant have felt encouraged, uplifted, joy and most of all seen!
Because of my journey to help others I have read so many stories of women who want nothing more then to be a mom. I have women reach out to me probably once a month wanting to know more about surrogacy and how it all works. I love trying to help in any capacity that I can. Infertility is a dark difficult place for so many women. I truly wish I could help everyone! I’m inspired by these women who speak up and speak out about the pain, discouragement and disappointment they face. I’m also sensitive to the fact that so many cry and suffer in silence sometimes. I can only try to imagine the way it all must feel. I’m truly sorry.
I hope that my choice to help will spark an interest in others so that they may also help someone somewhere. Obviously having babies for others is not for everyone and I know I’m a bit of an oddity for loving it all so much. But I also know there are others like me and even if you can’t do something like this you can be inspired to do things to help others and make this world a better more beautiful place. Donate blood or plasma sign up to donate a kidney. Check into bone marrow donation. Foster children who need love. (This is also on my to do list) 🥰 Donate time at animal rescues, food banks or women’s shelters. Help the homeless. Honestly the list could go on and on.
Now before I get too far off topic… As we all know I always say every pregnancy is my last pregnancy until well the next last pregnancy. 😂
After my last pregnancy I was definitely sure I would be done because of some of the complications I had at the end. While I know they were very common in pregnancy and somewhat normal. To me they were very scary and concerning since I’ve never had anything except basically picture perfect pregnancy’s and deliveries. (Minus one c section and breech delivery) 😆
So I was on the road to finding my new normal after pregnancy and babies have filled my last 12 years of life. Retirement was off to an okish start you could say. Until I got the call and was asked about coming out of my so called retirement and doing one more!
I know I know insert all the gasps, shock and confusion here. 😂
I know you are all thinking who asked? Before I always went through an agency and found these couples to help. I definitely wasn’t on a search this time. But sometimes life just works in fun little ways and things turn out perfect.
This time it was someone I considered a friend. ❤️ It’s funny because I only knew her because of wait for it…. MOLLY! My first Baby mama. Its just so crazy how the world works sometimes. Molly tried to get me to help her have a baby years ago before I ever even met Jen. The timing just wasn’t right. So then when the timing was right I was equal parts shocked, honored, excited and sad that she would ask me. I’ll get to the sad part later. I have had some fun times in Chicago on my girl’s trips! I can’t even talk about how crazy and fun our night on the town was. I partied HARD this particular night it was a treat for all of Chicago and the girls that were there! 😂 So after literally seeing me at my craziest party girl self you could imagine my surprise when she was still ok letting me carry her unborn child! I wish I was exaggerating a bit but honestly I’m not. I was a mess that night🤣🤪🤣
I was sad because I didn’t think I would be allowed or ok to be pregnant anymore. I mean 6 babies is a lot. Not like 19 kids and counting a lot but a lot none the less. I explained that I was old and wasn’t sure I would be allowed to help but we decided to ask Dr Kaplan anyway and just see what he would say. I was basically in shock when the nurse emailed me back a few days later and said that after going through my files he would approve me! I still had to go get a ultrasound done in his office though to check and make sure he thought my uterus was strong and healthy enough. So I went and did that. I was still a little worried even then that they may say no. Again to my surprise they said everything looked perfect.
So I guess my old trusty uterus may have one more in her. Haha Im still honestly a bit shocked this is all happening again. My 5th journey! I would be lying if didn’t admit I’m a tiny bit nervous too. I really really want to help them have a perfect healthy baby. So I would appreciate any and all prayers, good thoughts, well wishes for us all and the precious baby!!!! I hope this pregnancy goes smoothly and we have no issues at all. I’ve already been praying for the baby they will be preparing to implant in me via IVF. I hope she or he is perfect and digs in deep. I hope my uterus is strong, fluffy and the perfect little home until baby is ready to come into this big world and go home with mommy and daddy!
So the details are as follows…
We are finishing up our contracts now. Just 17 days until meds start! All the shots…. I can honestly say I’m definitely not looking forward to that part. 😂 Lupron rage, headaches and the giant butt shots. My poor butt is already sore just thinking of it. Ricky on the other hand I think will secretly be excited on my grouchy days to stab me knowing he can torcher me a bit and get away with it. Then on March 28th as long as everything goes at planned I will be in Chicago getting pregnant again! I’m seriously so surprised I’m even saying that again. I always have so much going on in my world and honestly I think I love it that way. It’s busy and mostly fun!
I know this was a long one. Thanks to everyone as always for all the love and support. Especially to Ricky our kids and my parents who support me through all my crazy life adventures. Plus all my other friends and family who always offer support and love for us all. I’m beyond grateful and appreciative for everyone. It seems fitting to me that when I began this all years ago I started in Chicago and with Dr Kaplan and now here I am all these years later likely ending in Chicago with Dr Kaplan. How perfect is that. 🥰
Without further ado I would love for you to meet my new IPs and friends who now already feel like family too. Rodger and Karen. My heart is bursting with excitement to help you both! What an incredible journey we have both had to get us here together. I just know it was meant to be.
All my meds are here!!! So many things to keep track of.
We got there just on time we got a little turned around lol. We got to wear great outfits lol. I was so SO nervous the night before. I didn’t really sleep at all and was so worried the whole way there. As soon as I walked in the doors and seen Molly and Jon I felt great!
I know this is all for this baby we all love so very much!!! Now I’m in the 2ww (2 week wait) we decided to just wait a few days and see how we all feel about testing early. (peeing on sticks) lol on one hand I can’t wait to test on the other I don’t want to be let down or more importantly let them down!!! Its just to much to process right now. I’m feeling great I stayed in bed the whole time and drank lots of water. I’m hoping to start feeling some signs soon! The baby was 6 days old and they magnified it 1000 times for us to see him or her!!! It was honestly one of the most amazing things I have ever seen! I’m hoping and praying this baby is digging deep in there for a long 9 months!!! That’s all I really have for now thanks for reading and please keep praying for us all!!!
AHHHHHHH I’m so excited!!!! Ok so my last ultrasound and blood work was today and all looks great my lining was 13mm!!!! That’s nice and fluffy they want you any where from 8mm to 16mm so I’m on track! We fly out sunday and get to Chicago at 4:20 then we head to the hotel! I’m sure I will not be sleeping ill be WAY to excited for the next day lol. Ill be on bed rest after too so we have lots of movies were taking with us. I’m actually really looking forward to laying in a hotel bed all day haha. I think after transfer I may just want to do a headstand the rest of the day lol. I also start pio shots on Wednesday and I have the best cousin in the world!!!! She’s coming over that night to show ricky how to do it thanks Barb your the best!!! I am also going to be drinking my pom juice and eating pineapple all week! The juice is supposed to help with lining and pineapple helps implantation. Thanks again everyone for all the thoughts and prayers and keep them coming!!!
This is a long one guys!!! We had a great time while here! The best part by far was meeting the future Mommy and Daddy!!! We had such a great time I was so worried what if they decided they didnt like me or we just were not a good fit for each other. We ate at the Tavern at the Park. I got there SUPER early I was just to nervous to wait at the hotel anymore lol. But once they got there it was great! We talked about friends and family she has a big family that she’s very close with! I think that’s so nice! Ricky got along great with the intended Daddy they talked about sports and crap lol. They really remind me of us he seems so laid back and more quiet and she seems more out going! I just can’t believe how well we match up I feel like we really have a lot of the same feelings about how we want all of this to go. We really just want what is best for the baby. The food there was so yummy and so was the desert and we had some champagne to celebrate! Ricky and I went to the Lincoln Park Zoo that place was so much fun the polor bear was my favorite part! After the zoo we went out for drinks! Before we leave we’re going to walk down to the Navy Pier and est at Portillo’s! Then its back on a plane to head home I’m excited to love on my kids but I’m sad we don’t get to spend more time with our new friends! Oh I almost forgot the best part!!!! Dr Kaplan said I have a beautiful uterus! And we got my calendar for transfer!!! Holy cow do I need to study this thing! Lindsay we have to buy me a planner like yours and you need to get me organized with it!!! As long as contracts are done by August 22 then I start my shots… scary right lol. So ill be back September 23 to get pregnant!!!! Woohoo I can’t wait to have a baby momma and daddy lol.
Ok so we made it were here!!! My brother Bobby took us to the airport and we were super early so we just ate and waited. When everyone started boarding we were the last group so we had to wait until they called us and we kept waiting and it got really empty and then they started paging us saying the plane was going to leave!!!! WHAT I swear we did not hear them say group 4!!! So we almost missed our flight after being two hours early lol. I also asked the man if we could have a window seat he looked a bit aggravated and changed it. When we got on the plane I was lucky to have a window seat but it was literally right on the engine!! It was the loudest plane ride ever lol. So I have about two hours untill we meet them and I’m relaxed in bed with one of my favorite movies ever anchorman! But I know I need to get up and start getting ready it takes a bit to make me look nice lol. Ill be sure to update you guys after! Thanks again for reading and supporting us in this amazing journey! Here is a picture of me on the plane!!!
My Bump, Their Bun 