My Uterus is Just Very Friendly!

Well, for those of you who don't know (I've hinted around a bit) it's official, I will be a Surrogate one more time. It is no surprise to any of my readers that I LOVED the entire process. It was wonderful! Heck, I've even had a few followers of my blog apply to be surrogates themselves! That was always part of my goal with the blog. When I started it over a year ago, I wanted to educate readers on the process of surrogacy in an entertaining way, let my Intended Parents (IP's) and their friends and family be right there with me through the entire journey. I think it was a success (check out the map to the right).

So the girls turn 5 months in a few days and I'm about to start again. I know some people think I'm crazy but I have several friends who are/were Surrogates and they totally get it! Can I get a shirt made that says, "It's a Surrogate Thing, You Wouldn't Understand" (ut oh, lots of thoughts flooding my brain) . . . maybe a Bumper Sticker that says, "I Break for IVF" or "I'd rather be getting knocked up in LA" or "Fertility Happens" . . . maybe one for my husband's car . . ."My Wife's Uterus is on the Honor Roll at Growing Generations"?? Okay, I'll stop! :)

Anyway- to get you caught up on my newest venture:

*Fill out (again) Application with Growing Generations- Check!
*Pass the Medical/Psychological Screening and Background Checks again- Check! Check! Check!
*Surrogate Insurance approved- Check!
*Paperwork signed- Check!

I was told by Growing Generations that the prospective IP's were given my profile. I was excited that this part was here but it's also like the first step in a job interview . . . what if they don't like my views? what if they make fun of my pictures? what if they hate me? and if that's the case, WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? Don't they know who I am?
SERIOUSLY?! :)

Well, good news, they loved (or was it liked?) me- Hello! Who are we talking about here- was there any doubt? . . . did they see how gorgeous the kids who spend time in my womb are . . . There are 5 adorable faces to prove the wonderful environment . . . it's like an exclusive spa . . . "Anyone, who's anyone came out of Kelly's uterus." (I'm envisioning Ruby, Preston, Sawyer, Anjali and Natasha with cucumbers over their eyelids and a towel wrapped around their head while they were In Utero).

So- the next step is going down to LA to meet them sometime in the next few weeks. At the Match Meeting you get to learn more about each other, openly discuss your thoughts/views on the upcoming journey, etc. I remember after Ricky and I met George and Sanj, we knew instantly that they were who we wanted to work with. We were sitting at the airport ready to fly home and we already called and left a message for Growing Generations telling them, without a doubt, YES!

George and Sanj do know about my next journey and are excited for me. We've discussed it a little bit, as much as I can at the moment. I know I've mentioned it before but as a former Surrogate, you almost have these feelings like you're cheating on your former IP's. It makes me wonder . . . is my Uterus Easy or just very friendly? I just want George and Sanj to always think of my uterus in the best of light . . . not as a big ol' uterine whore. I don't want to walk into a bathroom in New York years from now and see my information . . . "For a great pregnancy call Kelly's Uterus . . ."

I'll keep you posted on the progress. I don't think we'll actually do transfer until July or August- and that's if the Match Meeting goes well . . . which is great because that will give me a few more months to lose some more baby weight, before putting more back on- and ride a few roller coasters!

Have to Share this Picture!

Every now and then comes a priceless picture . . . so when I got this one, I almost peed myself! I am LOVING this picture, especially Anjali's (left) face! hahahahah!

I can't believe they'll be 5 months at the end of April, where does the time go?

Our First Anniversary . . . thinking Round Two?

I can't believe it but today is the one year anniversary of our embryo transfer! To remind you- here's the post from a year ago today!

What a difference a year makes . . .

Natasha and Anjali turned four months old today and are sleeping (sometimes soundly) in their own cribs instead of my womb.

I am also doing great. I had a busy day today and was pleasantly surprised when I arrived home to find a gorgeous bouquet of flowers from George and Sanj. The card said, "Remembering you a year ago." Are they awesome or what?

It's amazing to think about the journey I started a year ago. It was so wonderful, I can't imagine it going any better than it did. We met great IP's. We got pregnant the first try. It was twins. It was a healthy pregnancy with an easy birth. I didn't have any real sadness watching the girls go away with their parents.

The only interesting (weird) feelings were, "now what"? Surrogacy is amazing. You have a goal for a long time, it comes to fruition and then you're (for all intensive purposes) done. It reminded me of after my wedding to Rick. You plan every single detail for about a year and in one night, it's over. Of course the marriage is there and great but the "planning" part is over. Some brides get the wedding planning blues. The more Surrogacy blogs I read, it seems there is a bit of Surrogacy (planning) Blues too.

One of the first things I thought about after delivering the girls is how I could totally do that again. I almost felt sad I was 34 years old and couldn't help more than one more couple become a family. I realize that people who are not surrogates or who have not been blessed with families with a surrogate's help can't really relate to my thinking. Some people I work with and even some family members thought I, "got it out of my system" so why would I even think about doing it again. Well, they were not with me in that hospital room when George and Sanj's babies were born. They were not there when they arrived a happily married couple but left a family. No, I assure you, if you were not there or have not been through something similar, you can not relate.

To be honest, I was not surprised when Lynn, my Growing Generations Counselor, asked me in the weeks following the birth about if I'd do this again. We had discussed my feelings throughout the entire process, so of course this would come up. I remember thinking, of course! For me though, time is of the essence as insurance for surrogates goes up at the age of 36. Actually, even if time was "on my side" , I'd chose to do it sooner than later. So in later conversations with the Surrogate Coordinator, I told them that yes, I would do it one more time (before my beautiful uterus wilts) LOL! My only stipulation is that I wanted a few months of an empty uterus and did not want to be in my third trimester during Christmas this time around. She said she'd talk to me later. But I'll leave the rest of this for another post. For now, here's an updated picture of the FAMILY I helped create

A visit on girlies 3 month Birthday!

Since our 3 month visit with Natasha and Anjali had to be cancelled because of uncooperative weather, I was really excited when George and Sanj mentioned trying to get together when Ruby and I were going to be nearby.

Ruby and I spent the weekend in Santa Clara for a Dance Expo/Competition she was attending. She was done competing earlier than most, so we were able to have dinner with everyone that night.

Luckily besides great food, The Elephant Bar was very "kid friendly"!


And adult friendly


Anjali definitely won the award for Easiest Baby at a Restaurant


Natasha won the award for Cutest Baby being walked around a Restaurant


If I'm handing out awards, I guess I should give out a few more . . .


The winner of most adorable 7 year old holding a baby goes to my own Ruby Rummelhart


and the winner of the happiest 7 year old surrounded by her surro-family



It actually went quite well . . . it was the twins first dinner out and unlike when I'm out with my own kids, I was able to eat :) It was musical babies, everyone taking turns holding or walking a baby.

Here's me getting to hold Anjali



The night also reminded me how many shoes and socks I lost when my children were babies. Here's some cute little toes that arrived with both socks and cute little shoes

"Rain-Check", Literally!

Well, my visit with my surro-family had to be postponed. I'm a bit bummed but we're having quite the rainstorm and we all decided it was best to cancel the 3 hour drive in the rain and wind. We're trying to figure out a time in the next few weeks to get together. Maybe next weekend when Ruby and I will be down for a dance competition?

For now, here's an updated picture (above, left) of my surro-girlies, Anjali and Natasha at 12 weeks. Posted below are some reminders . . .

Here they are less than an hour old


Here they are, in my uterus about a week and a half before making their entrance


And here's a "Never seen before" picture of George and I in the room right after the Transfer of the embryos. Sanj is taking the picture.

I'll keep you posted!

My Surro-girlies are 2 months old!

Natasha and Anjali turned two months on January 28th. I'm excited I get to see them mid-February! I can't wait to hold them because last time, at the Open House, I was so busy I never even held them. George and Sanj say they are doing great, getting bigger and really starting to interact. At their last appointment Natasha weighed 10 lbs even and Anjali is up to 9 lbs 7 oz!



Here are some others pictures of my sweet ladies getting bigger!

Here's Natasha




and here's Anjali




Some more for you-

The "Better You, Than Me" Award

I'm sure you have all heard about the woman who just gave birth to a litter, uh, I mean 8 babies. I could not even imagine! What I find so extraordinary about this story, aside from giving birth to EIGHT babies is that this is the first I've heard about it. I mean, don't you think she looked really huge? Wouldn't someone have noticed? Clerk at store- "Hey you're huge! Due any day?" . . . Incredibly large bellied woman, "Actually I'm due in 6 months". (Clerk's mouth drops). Although, I bet she was on bed rest since they found out early in the first trimester so many embryos stuck.

Reports state that this same woman already has six children between the ages of 2-7! I know, I know! How did they all keep it a secret? My 2 year old tells people I have "boobies", my 5 and 7 year old will tell their teachers my business all the time. How did not one of her kids not "slip". Or maybe they did and no one believed them. Seven year old to 2nd grade teacher, "My mom's going to have seven babies" . . . teacher to student, "You and your crazy stories . . . I'm going to have 13 brothers and sisters, yeah right, now go to the Principal's office Mr. I can't tell the truth." Do you think she's kicking herself right now for being so quick to brush him off? Now some of you may have caught the number 7 . . . yes, they thought she was having 7 but in the delivery room there was an 8th one. How is this even possible . . . Baby A, B, C, D, E, F and G were seen and Baby H was hiding behind 28 arms and legs?

I just think it's crazy, 8 babies? If I didn't know any better I would think she read my blog and wanted to "one up me". SHOW OFF! (me rolling eyes).