5 Months

Here we are at 5 mth with baby Lily!

 

Demi Birthday

Robin came in town for a sono appt on Friday and came to Demi's build a bear birthday on Saturday.  Lily now has her first two build a bears to welcome her when she arrives.  Demi picked out the pink bear and Momma Robin picked out the longhorn.  She is going to be one spoiled little girl.

Thanks Robin again for coming and sharing Demi's special day with us!  You are truely part of our family.

It's A Girl!

Wow, I haven't updated in awhile but IT'S A GIRL!  Robin is very excited and plans on naming her after her mother who passed away.  Her name will be Lillian Mary and Robin will call her Lily!

Congrats Robin on a baby girl!  Can't wait to meet her :)

More to come
Shyana

Daxton's Birthday

Yesterday was my sons birthday party and Robin came to visit.  It was really great to see her and introduce her to my family and friends.  The day was supposed to be a fun filled day outside in the sun with two bounce houses and swimming.  However, mother nature had a different plan for us.  It rained and rained and rained.  Here in Texas, we always want rain but never get it.  It just happens to rain on the one day I didn't want it to.  Owell, the kids still had fun.  We ended up having the party inside and they just ran around like crazy kids.  Robin was able to see the kids playing with others and be apart of Daxton's special day.  Even though things didn't turn out as planned, he still had a blast.  Robin enjoyed getting a chance to sit down with my family and friend to learn a little more about my family.  Everyone was excited to finally put a name with a face because Robin has become such a big part of our lives lately.  My family and friends loved her, just as I expected and says she fits right in.  They were happy to finally meet her and tell her congrats on the baby.  Thanks Robin for the Iron Man and Captain America toys.  Dax loves them!  And thanks again for coming.

 Happy Birthday Daxton!

WE ARE PREGNANT!

We are officially PREGNANT! 

Robin is over the moon with excitement and I couldn't be happier for her.

Our beta numbers are seen below.  Beta numbers are HCG hormone levels during pregnancy.

At 9 days it was 70.8

At 11 days it was 176

Amazing Day

Today was our embryo transfer and it couldn't have gone any better.  Robin and I were a little nervous before the transfer but ended up relaxing more as we arrived at the office.  We transferred one perfect graded embryo.  Because this was round two for both of us, we knew what to expect.  For example, instead of slamming the water to get a full bladder, I simply sipped on that water to get the same result.  Last time I was absolutely miserable and this time was very manageable until my time was up.  Some of you may not know what I am talking about so let me explain.  You are required to arrive at the office with a full bladder and then after the transfer, you have to basically lay upside down with your feet up for another 20 mins.  Its kinda hard to have a full bladder for that long but today was great.  We didnt have any problems at all and it was just perfect!

 Here is the medical team who has made this possible for us to continue our journey together. 

They are the BEST!  Thank you Jennifer & Dr. Kathy

This is where the "Magic" happens.  First baby picture on the screen beside us.

Our #1 supporters!

My husband Donald and aunt Kristina

Thanks for sharing this special day with us......for the second time.

In the surrogacy world there are good luck things to make you have a successful transfer.  Not sure if it is true or not but after having a failed transfer in June, I am willing to do anything to get Robin her baby.  I read somewhere on the SMO (Surrogate Mothers Online) website that some of the girls clinics would give their surrogates dark chocolate after the transfer.  So me, Robin, Kristina and Donald all shared a dark chocolate candy bar after the transfer.  I also heard that McDonald's fries on the way home from the transfer is good luck too.  So once again, we all stopped and got us some McDonald's fries.

Lastly, eating pineapple.  I will do that a little later today. 

Overall, this has been such an amazing experience so far and we are just getting started.  I will do blood work on Sunday Aug, 12 to confirm if the transfer worked or not.  Whatever the outcome, good or bad, I am very thankful to have met Robin.

Off to bedrest for the rest of the weekend while my hubby spoils me :)

I will keep yall posted, more to come

August 3rd......It's Gonna be a Good Day

Some of my levels were off by a few days so they had to push my meds back.  Our new trasnfer date will be next Friday, August 3rd.  We are very excited and can't wait for next Friday to be here. 

In the meantime, Robin sent us a "Goodie Box" for me and my family.  It had lots of fun stuff in it for all of us.  She is the best! 

Thanks again Robin

Please keep your fingers crossed for us!

I will keep yall posted, more to come

Round 2.....Bring It On!

Here is the schedule for our new calendar

July is going to be our month!

My Calendar:
June 29 - Start Lupron
July 3 - Last BC Pill
July 13 - Sono & Estrace
July 24 - Sono
July 26 - Start Progesterone
July 31 - Embryo Transfer

More to come, I will keep yall posted

Bad News

Yesterday Robin and I got a call no IM (intended mother) or surro ever want to get.  We had a negative beta.  That means the transfer didn't take and I am not pregnant.  It is a terrible feeling and I cant imagine how Robin is feeling.  I tried my best to keep her spirits up because I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.  We knew when the Dr told us she only wanted to transfer 1 embie that we only had a 60% chance it would stick.  I know in my heart together we will get her the baby she has been waiting so long for.  We might be taking the long road but thats ok, its what is at the end that matters. 

We are going to get back in the game right away.  I stopped taking my meds yesterday and now just waiting for "aunt flow."  In a few days I will start over on all the meds I've been taking and we will receive our new calendar.  We are hoping for a late July transfer.  If all goes well, the baby will be due in April.  April is a good month.  I have lots of dear friends b-day in April, including my hubby.

More to come, I will keep yall posted

Today is the Big Day...Transfer Day

What an amazing day!!

Robin flew in this morning and met us for lunch before heading over to the clinic for our trasfer.  I was so nervous that I couldn't even eat lunch.  I was not nervous about the procedure itself b/c I have done it before and its no biggie.  I was more nervous that it wouldn't take and I dont want Robin to go through that.  I know how much this means to her and only want success on the first try.  Fingers crossed! 

I got Robin a Noah's Arch snow globe with "May this be a Joyful Journey" engraved as a gift between she and I.

                                                 

 

Robin is a great support system, Love her! During the transfer, Robin was at my side the whole time and it was breathtaking to witness her seeing them put the "little embie" in.  After a few tears, high fives and whoo hoo we did it, she went out to the waiting room to get Donald and aunt Kristina (Robin's best friend) to come join us in the small celebration room.  Which was really just the exam room where I had to be for the next 15-20 mins or so.

Hi Kristina, nice to meet you.  Please excuse me laying upside down, half naked and complaining about wetting the bed.  First impressions, you gotta love them.

Overall, the transfer went great.  We transferred one perfect graded embie and now I am home to lay around for the rest of the week.  My hubby got me my favorite food on the way home from the clinic so I ate plenty of food as soon as I got my comfy fat girl pants on.  No worries Robin, I really do eat, I promise!  My hubby also got me lots of movies to watch while I lay around.  He is the best!

She "Knocked Me Up" today
Redheads have more FUN!

Official Tranfer Date is.....

June 12 @ noon!

Yea, we have less than one week before we are pregnant. Robin is going to fly in that morning to be there for the transfer. We are both so excited! It has been a long time coming and now it's finally here.

More to come on transfer day, I will keep y'all posted

Shyana

Med's for Days

I went to the Dr today to have a sono done after taking Lupron for a few weeks now.  Everything looked great so my orders are to decrease Lupron from 20 units to 10 units daily.  I will start Estrace today which is in pill form.  I will take 1 tablet daily for 4 days and then I will increase it to 2 tablets daily.  After 4 days of 2 tablets, I will increase Estrace again to 3 tablets daily.  I will have another sono on June 5, to confirm the actually transfer date and to be able to start Progesterone injections. 

3 more weeks until the transfer!!

I will keep yall posted, more to come :)

Let the Fun Begin

So we got our official calendar. I will start my little Lupron belly injections tonight. Those are easy breezy :) My last BC (birth control) pill will be on Tuesday. That is very exciting news because it has been making me feel really sick. I feel nauseous when I get hot, feel nauseous when I get cold, feel nauseous when I eat and feel nauseous when I don't eat. So that part of the calendar makes me very happy. I will get a sono on May 25th to let me know if I can start Estrace pills to thicken up my cervix.  I will also have a sono on June 5th to confirm the transfer date and possible start my big Progesterone butt injections. Those hurt :( . At this point, we have an estimated transfer date to be June 12, 13 or 15.

Woo Hoo, we will be pregnant in a month. It's very exciting! I'm ready and I know Robin is more than ready. Robin has such a big heart and deserves a family to share her love with. She is going to be an amazing mother and this time next year she will be celebrating her very own Mother's Day with her own. I'm very thankful to be able to share this experience with her.

Thanks to all who are following us....it's going to be a breathtaking journey!

Keep you posted, more to come

The wait is Over.....Contracts are Done

Thanks to everyone for crossing their fingers to speed up the contract phase.  Contracts are done.  We should get "THE CALENDAR" sometime this week.  Yea!

I got my big box of meds last week.  Only surro-moms would be excited to get a big box of needles.  Yes I know we are crazy but it is very exciting to know our journey is about to start.  Starting the meds means the trasnfer will be soon.

More to come.....will keep you posted

The Waiting Game

I went to the clinic today to do my last sono screening to get ready for the meds.  We are waiting for our contracts to be done before we can start meds for the transfer.  So at this point, it is just a waiting game.  As soon as we finalize our contract we can start the meds and transfer will be 4-6 weeks prior to starting.  The clinic said that if we get contracts done by next week then we will be on schedule for an early June transfer.  I transfered June 8 with the twins and my due date was at the end of February.  It worked out great b/c I was at home for summer break during my first trimester.  Especially during the morning sickness part of the journey.  It's nice to be home during that time.  Call me crazy, but from my experience being pregnant, girls make me sick.  Boys not so much. 

Need everyone to keep their fingers crossed that our lawyers get on the ball and finish our contracts so we can get started.  I would love to be able to spend the first trimester of the pregnancy at home while I'm on summer break.....just incase Robin has a little girl!  LOL

I will keep yall posted.....more to come :)

Post by Jeni - Surrogate's Point of View

I found this on another girls blog and it looked like good information to share with my followers. Click on the link below and it will take you to another blog written by a surrogate named Jeni. This is her point of view of being a surrogate. It is very interesting and very true. I could've said it any better. Thank you Jeni for writing this and thank you for allowing others to share.  Very well said!

http://lovemakesafamily2011.blogspot.com/2012/03/surrogates-point-of-view.html?spref=bl

Medical Screening

I want to start off by saying I have the best intended mother ever.  Robin is so sweet.  She called me last night to wish me luck and let me know she would be thinking of me at my appointment today.

I finally got the pleasure to meet Dr. Kathy (IVF Dr) today.  We started off my talking about all my previous pregnancies.  Since I carried my two children full term and carried the twins pre-term, she recommended transferring one embryo instead of two.  There is still a small chance the embryo could split into two and become twins.  I have carried one and I have carried two, either way it doesn't really matter to me because I enjoyed both pregnanies.  Although I would have to admit, carrying the twins was a little more challenging for me.  My goal is to carry a healthy baby to full term because I was very disappointed when my water broke with the twins at 33 weeks.  After visiting with the Dr. and her staff, off to do the medical screening.  She did an internal sonogram where she looked at all my "goods" then I had a hysteroscopy procedure done right after.  She said everything looked perfect and she would call Robin with the results.  From my experience with this IVF stuff, you never get out of the office without getting poked by a needle.  So with that being said, I had blood work done before I left.

So where do we go from here, you ask?
We have to get all the legal stuff handled and then I will start my wonderful shots to get my body ready for the transfer.  It will not be too much longer and Robin will be expecting her very first baby.  Yea!  I am so excited to be able to share this amazing adventure with her.  As Demi would put it, "I am very thankful my mom is sharing her tummy with Robin"  LOL, she is a funny girl!

All in all, everything went great.  We are continuing to move forward in the journey and that much closer to helping Robin's dream of having a family come true :)

More to come, I will keep yall posted

Meeting in Person

Febrauary 25, we met Robin for the first time in person.  I was extremely nervous but as soon as I saw her and we started talking all the butterflies in my stomach went away.  She brought Demi a horse toy and Daxton a lizard toy to play with while we were having lunch.  She also had a picture book to share where she lives on the ranch, some of her family/friends and of course her animals.  My family and I really enjoyed seeing the pictures.  Demi and Dax already feel very involved in this journey, just from the small toys, the picture book and Robin paying attention to them.  They are very excited about me doing this and talk about Robin all the time.  This is just the beginning and I can already tell this journey is going to be much different than the previous one.  Not just for me but also for my family.  We had a long lunch but it was great!  We got to ask any questions to one another and share stories back and forth.  It really felt good to sit face to face and talk about how excited we were about this journey.  Robin lives in Texas and plans to be very involved with this pregnancy.  Our next step is for me to have a medical screening done so they can let me know when I can start my meds.  Doing the meds is actually the hardest thing for me through this whole surrogacy adventure.  It's just for a short period of time so I just have to put my "big girl panties" on and do it.  It is well worth it in the end. 

I will keep yall posted, more to come....

  

I'm doing it again!

Well as most of you may know that I delivered surro twins January 8, 2011. It was such an amazing adventure in my life that as soon as I had them, I was already talking about doing it again. I wanted to give my body some time to recover and now its time for round two. Instead of going independently, my dear friend Kendra referred me to a wonderful agency that she worked with in the past. Being that I've done this before, I knew exactly what I wanted in this next journey. Donald and I looked at many couples (8 to be exact) and I was not completely satisfied with any of them. Just when I thought I was being too picky, the agency asked me if I was willing to work with a single mother. Of course I am, I was pretty much raised by a single mother so I had no problem with that at all. The agency sent me her profile and the first thing I noticed was that she had red hair like me. Good vibes so far, I thought to myself. Donald, the kids and I sat down at the dinner table and read through her whole profile together and the vibes keep getting better and better. I just knew in my heart that this was the one I had been waiting for. She was absolutely perfect for me and my family. Everything that I wanted in my next surro journey, she wanted too. We had so much in common. For examples: she is a country girl, animal lover, loves to travel, and big believer in fighting back for cancer. Now I had only hoped that she felt the same way about me. After looking at my profile we both wanted to move forward. The next step was a phone interview. The phone call was only suppose to last about 15-20 mins and I think ours went way over an hour. Apparently we both talk alot when we are nervous. Needless to say, we definitely hit it off. My 2nd surrogacy journey has now begun. I was super excited and couldn't wait to meet her in person. More to come...