25 Random Things about Kelly

I did this activity a while ago when it went around Facebook . . . I am not going to edit it, since most is still true (except for my age, I'm 36 now. And the fact that I've completed my Second Surrogacy Journey, not just thinking about doing it again).

1. I'm a very loyal friend, if someone is messing with someone I care about (in high school or at the age of 34) I will take them out and not think twice about it.

2. Some people say I'm the funniest person they know (They've got a great sense of humor).

3. Some people totally don't get my jokes/comments (what's their problem?)

4. I thank "enter your deity here" everyday Girls Gone Wild wasn't around when I was younger and "going wild" . . . my breasts were amazing and I didn't mind showing them off every now and then, ahhhhh memories.

5. Being a surrogate mother was one of the most emotionally rewarding things I've ever done . . . and I think I may do it for just one more couple (It was that awesome)!

6. I worry that my daughter will grow up to be bitchy, so I've tried to talk to her since she started school about how to be a great friend and never say anything about someone that you wouldn't say to their face.

7. I'm used to being good at things, so when I'm not, I get frustrated and want to quit (I hate that about me).

8. I do too much and it's hard for me to say no when I know people need my help.

9. Every now and then, I look around at my house and family and wonder how I can have all of this? I still feel like I'm not an adult sometimes, like I was just in high school 3 years ago.

10. I want to punch people in the throat when they say something is "gay" . . . get a new fucking adjective, one that fits.

11. Did I mention I have the mouth of a sailor?

12. I have a dolphin tattoo and a butterfly tattoo- and apparently tons of women do- but I chose mine because I used to swim competitively and butterfly was my best stroke.

13. I had sex too early but wouldn't take back anything that I did in the past because it made me who I am today . . . . it helped me realize I wanted to teach other people that sex doesn't equal love and it's not something to be ashamed of or taken lightly.

14. I'm addicted to my computer, seriously, I am.

15. When I watch BIG LOVE I think about what it would be like to have other wives with me, and I think I could make it work.

16. I hate it when people use religion as fact in a discussion. I don't believe in God, so your argument holds no validity with me . . . but feel free to have your own beliefs- just don't assume everyone has your faith.

17. Speaking of which, If your god was so against homosexuality wouldn't it have been in his "Top Ten" . . so maybe people should use their "church money" to keep people who steal, murder, commit adultery and work on Sundays from getting married.

18. I am for equal rights- and no one can make me believe ANYONE should have any less rights than I do.

19. I'm glad we don't have any pets.

20. The three movies where I cried the hardiest (heaving chest, can't breathe, barely consolable) were Schindler's List, The Green Mile and Brokeback Mountain.

21. I'd like to teach full time at my college but SOMEONE won't fucking retire.

22. Songs on the radio "take me back" and sometimes to places and people I shouldn't think about.

23. When I read the description of a Scorpio, it is true (for me).

24. There is nothing wrong Masturbation at any age.

25. I don't want to lose my children, but I can't wait to see what kind of people they grow up to be.

I see your 25 and raise you 1 more . . .

26. I have a wild imagination. Sometimes I'll think about if a robber comes in, or if this happens- what will I do and I'll work out an ENTIRE plan in my mind about how I'm going to get my family out safely . . . .. did I mention we're sitting in Baskin Robbins?

It's a Great Day!

I am having such a marvelous day.

First of all, I'm coming off a high of spending a day celebrating my surro-girlies 2nd birthday (will post about that ASAP with pictures).

Next, not only did I get an adorable Thanksgiving Day picture from the guys but I'm in the process of making plans to visit "The Wonder Twins" (Gideon & Harper) in January when I have to go to Los Angeles for the California Gift Show to shop for my store, Ruby Q's.

FYI- The Wonder Twins is what I called Harper and Gideon during the pregnancy. I grew up watching the cartoon and since they were boy/girl twins, I couldn't call them "my girlies" or "the boys" . . . so the Wonder Twins it was.

"Wonder Twin Powers Activate, Form of a Fetus . . . Form of Another Fetus!"

Oh- and I actually ordered Holiday Cards, picked a photo from this weekend instead of stressing about a formal picture . . . finding matching clothes, hoping for no black eyes or facial scratches, don't care who's actually looking at the camera . . . much less stressful!

An Open Letter to Audrey Magallon, Surrogate Scammer

Dear Audrey,
How dare you hurt a couple this way. You are lucky that I am not in the same state as you or I would seek you out and KICK YOU IN THE UTERUS!
Sincerely,

Kelly Rummelhart
Surrogate Mom

********

In all seriousness, this is why I think it is very important to use a reputable agency as Intended Parents and as a Surrogate. My agency, Growing Generations, screens Surrogates and their partners medically and mentally. They do background checks on both the woman and her partner/husband.

Lastly, Audrey, I'm serious, you better hide that uterus if you see me . . . because my beautiful uterus (proven fact FYI) is stepping up to your cheating/scamming uterus and I think all my readers know who'd win that Contest. It's a Uterus-Off Y'all!


***UPDATE***
FYI- for those of you who don't know me, this is a joke. Now, I would think that would be a "no-brainer" but I guess not, as I received a comment about how horrible and sick I am. LOL! Whatever! I would never kick someone in the uterus . . . although, if I did- it would probably hurt her less than the hurting of the couple she scammed.

The SCAM that is Smurf's Village!

Okay, so this isn't really related to Surrogacy but I'm so shocked, I feel as if I have to warn as many parents as I know (or have access to).

Let me give you a little history . . . even though I have only purchased and used APPLE (MAC) computers since 1985, I do not own an iPhone yet. Once they make a deal with Verizon, I'm sure I'll be in line, but for now I refuse to pay money for a phone and then have to pay more money to use it with my provider. In September of this year, I received an iPad as a gift. Something to help me "make it through" the boredom that is Doctor Ordered Bed Rest. I like the iPad. It is fun and has lots of games for myself and my children too. Ruby loves the math flash cards, Preston enjoys Angry Birds and Sawyer loves Checkers. All these games were Free, as was Smurf's Village.

So . . . . . I found out last night while looking at my online bank statement that almost $70 was charged to my account from iTunes. Upon investigation, I discovered my 4 year old (who has played various games for months with no issues) had purchased smurfberries while playing the "FREE" game. Specifically, he purchased 1 bushel for $11.99 and 11 buckets at $4.99 each. Luckily he didn't click the most expensive option, Wheelbarrow for $59.99, because if he did, with the amount of times he clicked it, my total would've been over $700!!

Since this has happened, I have now learned that you can change the settings on your iPad or iPhone to deny In Ap Purchases. I did so immediately! Another thing that someone shared with me is that the iOS will keep you logged on for 15 minutes after you download the app. Additional purchases won’t require a re-entry of the password during this 15 minute interval . . . so you may want to not let your kids use your device until 30 minutes past an authorized purchase. I have also emailed iTunes to try to get my money back. I consider it an unauthorized purchase. Every time I've ever made a purchase, I have to put in my password. I have never made an IN AP Purchase, didn't even know it existed, so I assumed my kids didn't have access. I WAS WRONG.

Last night, I started googling about this very thing and have found I am far from alone! I have found others on Twitter complaining about their kids purchasing Smurf Berries too! I even stumbled upon a father who complained to the media because his son did the same thing. Since, there are other parents out there in the same boat, I've decided to start a Facebook Group, "I got SMURFED by Capcom!" It's a group for Parents who found out (the hard way) they need to change setting to "NO IN AP PURCHASES" on their iPads and iPhones because they were shocked to learn their children were making unauthorized purchases on their Apple products.

I am really hoping that Apple had no clue, because it seems very obvious to me that this is a BIG SMURFIN' SCAM! If it was an oversite, I hope they fix it quickly. When I read how Smurf's Village has outsold Angry Birds, I believe it . . . perhaps Capcom, the company that created the game, knows EXACTLY what they are doing!

BEWARE! Don't get Smurfed like me!

*****Update*****

Heard back from Apple and I will be refunded . . . "Please note that this is a one-time exception, as the App Store Terms and Conditions state that all sales are final." I hope APPLE speaks with Capcom about this or their iTunes Customer Service is going to be working a lot of overtime on this issue.


*****Update*****

Story got picked up by the Associated Press . . . since there have been tons of newspapers/websites/blogs picking it up . . . Here's a link to one of the stories- Bushels of "Smurfberries" cost parents buckets of cash

I also did a quick interview with KGO Radio in San Francisco and a quick blurb on the local news station (below)

Some of my Favorite Posts, Reposted!

I was looking through all my old posts (it's what I do the weeks following a Surrogacy birth) and several stood out as some of my favorite posts. What makes them my favorites? Well a few things . . . comment response, tickled my funny bone or just took me back to a really sweet time. I may make this into a tab on the side . . . . hmmmmmmm


Originally Posted on 4/22/09 My Uterus is Just Very Friendly! . . . proceeding with second journey.


Originally Posted on 11/6/2008 Shaved Legs and Memory Lane #1 - Ruby's birth/first birth experience aka Poop fest.


Originally Posted on 8/26/10 These are a few of my favorite things . . .


Originally Posted on 6/30/09 It's the Least I could've done . . . - recalling the Thank You BBQ George and Sanj threw my family where I got to meet their friends.


Originally Posted on 7/16/09 How to remember . . . - where I decide how to commenarate my Surrogacy journeys.


Originally Posted on 12/28/09 Where is all the Good PR on Surrogacy? - because it can be read enough.


Originally Posted on 5/8/10 It's Hard to Name Babies - and guess what? They went with one of my unused names! YAY!

NOH8 Campaign: WHY I POSED WITH MY UTERUS

If you remember, back in June 2010 I went to San Francisco Pride with two of my surrogate friends. One of the most eventful activities we participated in was the NOH8 Photo Shoot.

When we got to the front of the line, we introduced ourselves and explained why I was exposing my belly and putting the stickers on it. I am not sure if we were the first Surrogates to pose for photographs but just in case, I sent them pictures of us waiting in line and one from the Pride Parade. Later, I saw they posted it on their blog (towards the bottom). At the time, I told them I'd compose a "WHY I POSED" but never got around to writing it down. Well, I finally ordered copies of my picture and it arrived today . . . so I figured, I should take the time to complete it.

One day, it would be awesome to take another NOH8 photo with the my both my surro-families; 4 Dads, 2 sets of twins and the Surrogate that loves them all, me.

WHY I POSED WITH MY UTERUS

In the last 9 years I have given birth to seven children. Three are my own and four (two sets of twins) are babies I birthed for two different Gay couples. My Uterus is an Ally.

I consider my Surrogacy for Gay Men my own Uterine Activism. I feel strongly and passionately about Equality and figure, if I don't have tons of money to donate to the cause, I at least have a Uterus and Blog that can send a powerful message. I belong to HRC, make donations to organizations fighting for LGBT Rights, including Marriage Equality and posing for the NOH8 Campaign was one more thing I could do to let society and my own kids know that I SUPPORT GAY FAMILIES.

Please know that I will continue to "fight the fight" because no one has the right to tell my friends, the fathers' of my surro-babies or (many years from now) my own children that they can't marry whoever they LOVE. I pledge to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality in California . . . and I promise I will fight for your rights until the day I die.

*Natasha & Anjali 11/28/08
*Gideon & Harper 10/12/10

-Kelly & her Uterus

***** UPDATE *****

They have put it on their site . . . here's the direct link to mine CLICK HERE and if you want to read other people's stories CLICK HERE! I also have it below, so years from now I'll still have it, when the link isn't working anymore.

Repost: Scars Are Cool

I was checking out my c-section scar this morning and it reminded me of this post . . . so I thought I'd share it again.
Repost from January of 2009

All my surgical tape has fallen off (okay, some of it pulled) to reveal a C-section scar about 5.5 inches long. This is one of the things my OB, Dr. Knight will be checking this Tuesday at my 6-week follow up appointment. This got me thinking about scars in general.


The definition of the word Scar:

1. A mark left on the skin after a surface injury or wound has healed.

2. A lingering sign of damage or injury, either mental or physical.

I agree with the first meaning but I'm not quite "on board" for the second (regarding my own experience). When I look at my scar the last thing that comes to my mind is "damage or injury".

I look at My Scar and see a lingering signs of Hope, Joy and Family.

I'm not going to say I don't have any vanity, because I do, but I am a bit bummed that my days of wearing bikinis are over. This has nothing to do with the scar from my surrogacy pregnancy, it has to do with my belly from my own three pregnancies. The last time I wore a bikini was probably the year 2000. The scar is so low that even with a bikini on (when Hell freezes over) no one would see my scar. It's kind of a bummer because it could be a great conversation starter.

The subject of scars even takes me back to the night before our embryo transfer. I was watching The Replacements on TV while trying to "talk myself down" to administer the shots. There's a great line from the movie that comes to mind. The Quarterback is in a huddle trying to say something inspirational to his teammates before a win or lose play of the game. What he comes up with is . . ."Pain heals, Chicks dig scars... Glory lasts forever".

Well, the pain is gone . . . I'll have to get back to you on the other two! ;)