Retired or Not….

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.

Ultrasound 2 with blood work!

Today was my second ultrasound and my uterus looks great. I have the triple stripe! Other ivf moms and surrogates know what this is and it’s a good thing 😂. Basically my body is doing what it’s supposed to. I’m still taking Lupron injections each night and taking estrogen pills 3 times a day! It’s all coming together.

I can’t believe 2 weeks from today we will be putting in a tiny baby embryo. I already love this little guy or gal! I also purchased some pregnancy tests today when I was at the store so I could do some early testing before my hcg blood draw. They only had 8 so I got them all! 😂 I may check target’s selection out when I go get my coffee pods later. I’m pretty picky about the tests I like. I actually love the cheap 88 cent ones from Walmart.

They have thicker red lines so I feel like even when they are super faint you can see a bit of a better shadow on them. Things are getting exciting from here on out. Also the lady behind me today at the checkout line seemed to have no idea about social distancing. She got so close I had to ask her to back up! I’ve never understood people who get so close that you can basically feel them breathing on you. Anyway this is all until next week then!

Only 8 tests I obviously need more.
This was before she moved even closer to me and I asked her to take a couple steps back! 😳

Today was ultrasound day.

Today I went for an ultrasound to make sure my body was responding well to the meds. I also get to start some estrogen today! This is great news because the Lupron makes me have hot flashes and be extra grouchy. The estrogen will level me out again and they will begin building my lining up to where they want it to put baby in. We have about 3 weeks before transfer now. The shots have been going well I’m basically a pro at them since I’ve done this 3 times already. I’m already excited and thinking about pregnancy tests and baby kicks. My next ultrasound is next week and I’ll do blood work with that one also. Until then I’ll keep praying for baby and my body to do what it needs too. let’s also pray for Ricky dealing with my slight mood issues and hot flashes. I’m stealing blankets and then kicking them all off. 😂

Just a silly pic!

I’m freaking out!

Ok so they still can’t read my medical records from 2010!!!! So my agency emailed me and said if my doctor would talk to them then they think it may be good enough. I’m so worried my Dr is AMAZING and very supportive of this whole thing so I’m pretty sure she will be ok with talking to there dr but I’m still worried what if she dosnt I mean I’m sure this is a little beyond the call of duty… I just love this couple so much and don’t want anything else to screw it up!!! I mean everyone else seems to get matched right away and be on there way to taking meds and transfers. I hope my doctor is ok with all this. Ill try to keep everyone updated as much as I can please keep praying for me!!!