I was day dreaming the other day and The Sound of Music came in my mind, so I figured I'd do a little post . . . minus the " . . . Cream colored ponies and crisp apple strudels . . "
These are few of my favorite things, about Surrogacy
* Reading the Profile of the Intended Parents . . . how they met, describing each other (for George and Sanj I loved reading about their wedding!)
* Having a great Match Meeting- you leave just knowing this is the Couple you're going to help turn into a Family.
* The Excitement when your meds arrive . . . something is finally happening!
* Telling the IPs that you're pregnant . . . and that your "high number" may mean twins! (I'm 2 for 2 on this one!)
* Witnessing the IPs hear the heart beat or see their embryos/fetus' on the ultrasound for the first time.
* Being able to Blog about my experiences.
* Seeing how excited your Intended Parents are . . . and how nervous they get as you approach the due date.
* Finding out what the genders are . . . hearing the Ultrasound Tech now call them the IP's son(s) or daughter(s) . . .
* Meeting Other Surrogates who "totally get it" (Thank you Facebook and other Blogs!)
* Feeling that you are making a difference in several people's lives. including your own.
* Seeing people's reactions when I tell them I'm a surrogate- and the conversation that follows.
* Having the IPs meet and spend time with my kids- that way they get to know me better and also my kids can see, first hand, that two men can love each other and have a family if they wish.
* Being able to educate people on Surrogacy (answering questions, blogging, etc.)
* Babies!!!!
* The look on the Parent's faces in the delivery room as their child/children make their entrance.
* The tears shed by the grandma and other family members moments and days past the birth . . . including the hugs and thank you's for helping make their sons the parents they deserve to be.
* Having my kids meet the babies in the hospital . . . a great lesson on giving and what makes a family. Plus, Ruby loves holding babies! :)
* Being able to go home and not raise additional kids :) - i.e. wake up for feedings, changing diapers, etc.
* Getting email and phone call updates on how things are going, including pictures and visiting my surro- families . . . . whether it be for days, weeks, months or years.
* Knowing that even after the birth, we will always be a part of each other lives, even if just by a memory of the wonderful and exciting year (or more) that we grew a family.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Over 20,000 Hits!
Woot! Woot! We finally passed 20,000 hits. Now, I know it's taken us a few years to reach it but we did. I also know that there are blogs that get over 20,000 hits a day but I'm a little blog, so cut me some slack. I also don't have enough time to put together one of those blogs with all the coupons . . . now those get traffic! LOL
For now, I'll continue to talk about surrogacy and hope my blog spreads by word of mouth. So if you enjoy it, feel free to pass it on!
For now, I'll continue to talk about surrogacy and hope my blog spreads by word of mouth. So if you enjoy it, feel free to pass it on!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Back to School brings back memories!
My kids go back to school in a few weeks, so we've been procrastinating the event that is Back to School shopping. Don't get me wrong, I actually like shopping for school supplies . . . that is once it's all bought and at home. Even though it's been about 18 years since I graduated high school and about 11 years since getting my Masters, I still love seeing pens, pencils, binders, protractors all lined up. It takes me back to when I was in school. I got to relive this for the five years I used to teach high school (before Ruby was born) . . . buying stuff for my classroom, decorating it, figuring out seating charts, etc. Ohhhhhh, I get excited just typing about it. And believe it or not, there's a certain part of Surrogacy that makes me feel the same way . . .
Getting your Meds! Of course I hate taking all the injections, I'm not big on shots at all. Remember back to my first time? But there is a certain excitement you get when your FedEx box full of needles, hormones, alcohol swabs, band aids, etc. arrives. It's a lot like Back to School Shopping. Years ago, I'd take all my stuff out and lay it out in front of me. I'd anxiously unwrap everything and take the price tags off. Put all the school supplies in my new back pack- ahhhh so fun! I'm sure you can see the organization of the 12+ weeks of shots is very similar!
I remember in my first journey, I had my Meds shipped to my work (it had to be signed for) and couldn't wait to get home that night. I tore open my box and layed it all out on the table. Separated everything, made sure to read all the directions and proceeded to organize it by bag. By my second journey I had happened upon another surrogates blog and she had a picture of how she organized her Meds. I LOVED IT! I knew that was exactly what I was going to do the next time around. It was organized and even better I could daydream about getting my Meds . . . laying them out . . . and then putting them in my brand new organizer. I'm almost getting goosebumps reliving it all now! LOL
Well, here it is . . . a Surrogates "Back to School" Shopping if you will
All of my Surrogate readers are going to relate, I'm sure. The rest of you, just take my word for it. I know that when any of my Facebook Surrogate friends mentions her Meds arrived, there seems to be quite the celebration and remembrance by the rest of us. Sure, part of it is the Back to School organization fun but the other is the excitement of your journey really getting started. It could have been weeks or even months since you applied to be a surrogate, got screened, got matched, etc . . . but your Meds arriving really shows that soon, you will be helping create a family . . . and that is WAY COOLER than a bunch of graph paper, pencil sharpeners and high lighters!
Getting your Meds! Of course I hate taking all the injections, I'm not big on shots at all. Remember back to my first time? But there is a certain excitement you get when your FedEx box full of needles, hormones, alcohol swabs, band aids, etc. arrives. It's a lot like Back to School Shopping. Years ago, I'd take all my stuff out and lay it out in front of me. I'd anxiously unwrap everything and take the price tags off. Put all the school supplies in my new back pack- ahhhh so fun! I'm sure you can see the organization of the 12+ weeks of shots is very similar!
I remember in my first journey, I had my Meds shipped to my work (it had to be signed for) and couldn't wait to get home that night. I tore open my box and layed it all out on the table. Separated everything, made sure to read all the directions and proceeded to organize it by bag. By my second journey I had happened upon another surrogates blog and she had a picture of how she organized her Meds. I LOVED IT! I knew that was exactly what I was going to do the next time around. It was organized and even better I could daydream about getting my Meds . . . laying them out . . . and then putting them in my brand new organizer. I'm almost getting goosebumps reliving it all now! LOL
Well, here it is . . . a Surrogates "Back to School" Shopping if you will
All of my Surrogate readers are going to relate, I'm sure. The rest of you, just take my word for it. I know that when any of my Facebook Surrogate friends mentions her Meds arrived, there seems to be quite the celebration and remembrance by the rest of us. Sure, part of it is the Back to School organization fun but the other is the excitement of your journey really getting started. It could have been weeks or even months since you applied to be a surrogate, got screened, got matched, etc . . . but your Meds arriving really shows that soon, you will be helping create a family . . . and that is WAY COOLER than a bunch of graph paper, pencil sharpeners and high lighters!
Saturday, August 7, 2010
A little bit of a Vent . . .
Okay, so now that I'm calmed down I thought I'd share something from my comments section. I received a Comment that came in under my Gary and Tony have a Baby Post. I will copy and paste it here, along with my response and then discuss it . . .
Anonymous said...
If Your not attached to them then why not let them be a family without you? (Does the doctor from your own children births still hang around in your family pictures?)
And why all the pictures anyway? Are you going to be an AUNT to them???
Seems funny to me!!!
8/3/10 10:51 PM
To which I replied in the Comments Section:
Kelly's Uterus said...
Anonymous- If it seems funny to you I'm assuming you haven't followed our journey from the beginning and just stumbled upon this or a few posts.
When I gave birth to their girls, I was invited to their future wedding . . . I get emails and phone calls from George and Sanj and get invited over often. And yes, actually (smart ass) I am going to be an Aunt- at least that is what George and Sanj would like. If George and Sanj wanted to be a family without me, I would think they would sever contact. I was told in our match meeting that they wanted a relationship that went past the birth and things haven't changed.
Why so many pictures? Well, because I have lots of followers who would love to see how the girls are growing and have been with our journey since March of 2008.
Oh, and for the record Dr. Task and Dr. Knight don't hang around in my family pictures because they were my doctor and nothing more . . . I saw them once a month for 10 minutes . . . they did not become friends and they certainly didn't put their life in danger to help me create a family. I hope this answers your questions
8/3/10 11:12 PM
Now I was a little mad when I read this although it was very obvious to me that they are not a regular follower or didn't take the time to read the last 2 years of posts because if he/she had, they would see that the relationship I have with George and Sanj is a bit different than some other surros have with their Intended Parents. I sent George and Sanj a copy of the comment and my reply and they also thought it was ridiculous. I also reminded them that if/when it ever comes up that they need me to not be around as much, to let me know and I will gladly follow their wishes . . . to which they joked that they would, " . . . sooner tire of each first, silly! . . ." LOL
George even sent me an email about how he would've responded if he was me (the surrogate):
"Dear Anonymous, thanks for your comment and your interest in my writing. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is bringing so many wonderful things to so many people who otherwise wouldn't be able to have families. I am honoured to play my part in all of this.
Different surrogates are motivated in different ways, and as you can tell from my articles, I want to help the world. I had no idea that my first time as a surrogate would not only fulfill that dream, but also introduce me to a couple of people that I wanted as friends. And I can say on behalf of Sanj & George they feel the same way.
The whole process could have been at arms-length, more of a transaction. Instead, I have more people in my life that I care about, and they do too. Our families have become close. I don't want to imply that this happens to all surrogates and to all intended parents. It may be the exception. But no matter how you meet new people and are drawn to them as friends and family, it is a blessing."
And it's comments like this from George and Sanj that tell me that the relationship our "extended" family has is exactly how we want it to be. If Anonymous wants to think it "seems funny" or thinks I should "leave them alone to be a family" he/she obviously hasn't had a powerful relationship like ours and that saddens me.
Anonymous said...
If Your not attached to them then why not let them be a family without you? (Does the doctor from your own children births still hang around in your family pictures?)
And why all the pictures anyway? Are you going to be an AUNT to them???
Seems funny to me!!!
8/3/10 10:51 PM
To which I replied in the Comments Section:
Kelly's Uterus said...
Anonymous- If it seems funny to you I'm assuming you haven't followed our journey from the beginning and just stumbled upon this or a few posts.
When I gave birth to their girls, I was invited to their future wedding . . . I get emails and phone calls from George and Sanj and get invited over often. And yes, actually (smart ass) I am going to be an Aunt- at least that is what George and Sanj would like. If George and Sanj wanted to be a family without me, I would think they would sever contact. I was told in our match meeting that they wanted a relationship that went past the birth and things haven't changed.
Why so many pictures? Well, because I have lots of followers who would love to see how the girls are growing and have been with our journey since March of 2008.
Oh, and for the record Dr. Task and Dr. Knight don't hang around in my family pictures because they were my doctor and nothing more . . . I saw them once a month for 10 minutes . . . they did not become friends and they certainly didn't put their life in danger to help me create a family. I hope this answers your questions
8/3/10 11:12 PM
Now I was a little mad when I read this although it was very obvious to me that they are not a regular follower or didn't take the time to read the last 2 years of posts because if he/she had, they would see that the relationship I have with George and Sanj is a bit different than some other surros have with their Intended Parents. I sent George and Sanj a copy of the comment and my reply and they also thought it was ridiculous. I also reminded them that if/when it ever comes up that they need me to not be around as much, to let me know and I will gladly follow their wishes . . . to which they joked that they would, " . . . sooner tire of each first, silly! . . ." LOL
George even sent me an email about how he would've responded if he was me (the surrogate):
"Dear Anonymous, thanks for your comment and your interest in my writing. Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) is bringing so many wonderful things to so many people who otherwise wouldn't be able to have families. I am honoured to play my part in all of this.
Different surrogates are motivated in different ways, and as you can tell from my articles, I want to help the world. I had no idea that my first time as a surrogate would not only fulfill that dream, but also introduce me to a couple of people that I wanted as friends. And I can say on behalf of Sanj & George they feel the same way.
The whole process could have been at arms-length, more of a transaction. Instead, I have more people in my life that I care about, and they do too. Our families have become close. I don't want to imply that this happens to all surrogates and to all intended parents. It may be the exception. But no matter how you meet new people and are drawn to them as friends and family, it is a blessing."
And it's comments like this from George and Sanj that tell me that the relationship our "extended" family has is exactly how we want it to be. If Anonymous wants to think it "seems funny" or thinks I should "leave them alone to be a family" he/she obviously hasn't had a powerful relationship like ours and that saddens me.
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