Surro Babe: 35 Weeks!!

Today is: March 13, 2014

How far along: 35 Weeks 2 Days!!! 33 Days to go!!!

Total weight gain: 9lbs

Baby is the size of: A Honeydew Melon

What is going on with this baby: Baby Girl doesn't have much room to maneuver now that she's over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (about the size of a honeydew melon). Because it's so snug in your womb, she isn't likely to be doing somersaults anymore, but the number of times she kicks should remain about the same. Her kidneys are fully developed now, and her liver can process some waste products. Most of her basic physical development is now complete — she'll spend the next few weeks putting on weight.

Baby is a: GIRL!!!

Maternity Clothes: Oh Yeah, and loving it!!

Sleep: Eh... I am waking up around 3x a night to go to the bathroom and my hips are killing me. 

Movement: She is a Mover and loves to kick my ribs. She is mostly active in the mornings and late afternoons.

Symptoms: I've been getting some energy back but some days I am completely exhausted. I have been getting really bad acid reflux and the Zantac 75 is helping a little. I have been getting a lot of Braxton Hicks lately. My Dr. prescribed me Vistaril to calm my uterus down. They have been helping a lot.

Food Cravings/Aversions: A lot of Fruits and Veggies. Cheerios. Ice. Lots of water!

Best moment(s) this week: 
Finding out when the parents are coming!

I'm looking forward to:

OB Appt on 3/19

The Mommy To Be gets here on 3/31

The Dad To Be gets here on 4/10

Surro Babe: 28 Weeks!

We have arrived at the Third and Final Trimester!!! The parents are getting excited, as am I!!

Today is: January 22, 2014

How far along: 28 weeks - 83 Days To Go!!! (give/take)

Total weight gain: 2lbs

Baby is the size of: A Large Eggplant

What is going on with this baby: By this week, baby girl weighs 2 1/4 pounds (about the size of a large eggplant) and measures 14.8 inches from the top of her head to her heels. She can blink her eyes, which now sport lashes. With her eyesight developing, she may be able to see the light that filters in through your womb. She's also developing billions of neurons in her brain and adding more body fat in preparation for life in the outside world.

Baby is a: GIRL!!!

Maternity Clothes: Oh Yeah, and loving it!!

Sleep: Eh... I am waking up around 3x a night to go to the bathroom and my hips are killing me. 

Movement: She is a Mover and loves to kick my ribs. She is mostly active in the mornings and late afternoons.

Symptoms: I've been getting some energy back but some days I am completely exhausted. I have been getting really bad acid reflux the past week and nothing has been helping.

{23 Weeks}

Food Cravings/Aversions: I have been craving V8 juice and fruit. 

Best moment(s) this week: 
Getting to see Surro Babe at our Amnio Appt.

I'm looking forward to:

OB Appt on 1/29

3D U/S on 2/11

83 Days until the Due Date!!!

Surro Babe: 18 Weeks!

Things sure have been busy! Good, but busy!

On Tuesday, I had an Amnio done to determine if the baby has any abnormalities. We also get to find out the gender when we get the results next week! So I decided to put a Gender Poll up on the right hand side! So make sure you vote!!

Back to the Amnio... Holy Crap that hurt! It was one of the most uncomfortable things I have ever had to do. The feeling and pressure was pretty intense. All I could do was close my eyes and breathe. My friend was there with me and rubbing my arm. From what the Dr said, the fluid looks great and we should have the results back within 10 days!

 

 Babe's Long Legs!!!

Today is: November 14, 2013

How far along: 18 weeks 1 days

Total weight gain: 0lbs

Baby is the size of: A Bell Pepper

What is going on with this baby: Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long, and he weighs almost 7 ounces (about the size of a bell pepper). He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

Baby is a: I am thinking GIRL :) We will find out next week!

Maternity Clothes: oh yeah...

Sleep: Eh... I am waking up around 3x a night to go to the bathroom and my hips are bothering me. I have been getting Calf Cramps/Knots in my right leg for the past week that are killing me. 

Movement: I have been feeling movement more and more each day!

Symptoms: I've been getting some energy back and I am able to start eating other things. 

Food Cravings/Aversions: 

Best moment(s) this week: 
Getting to see Surro Babe at our Amnio Appt.

I'm looking forward to:

My IM getting here next week!
Taking her to get an elective 3d ultrasound!
Having our Gender Reveal Photo Shoot!
OB appt with my new OB.

Nuchal Translucency Appt.

Today I had a First Trimester Screening/Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound. Surro Babe actually gave us a few good Profile Shots! We never get any good ones because this little jumping bean is always moving and grooving! The Nuchal Fold looked great and the Downs/Trisomy 18 results came back NEGATIVE!! Surro Babe is also measuring 2 days ahead!

Here are a few pics of this adorable little Surro Babe!!

Surro Babe was constantly putting its hand in its mouth! It looks like its blowing bubbles!

My son things it looks like Iron Man here haha

Have a great week!!!!

Surro Twins: Week 7

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, then you know that my IP's are going to have TWINS!! If you don't follow me, well now you know!! I had my first ultrasound appt on tuesday and we instantly saw 2 babies!! We noticed that there was a 3rd sac, but it was empty. All in all, the babies are doing great and measuring on time!! Baby A's hb was 104 and Baby B's hb was 114. I am going back on wednesday for another ultrasound :)

Today is: August 30, 2013

How far along:  7 Weeks

Total weight gain: 2lbs

The Twins are the size of: Blueberries!! 

What is going on with the Twins: Hands and feet are emerging from developing arms and legs — although they look more like paddles at this point than the tiny, pudgy extremities you're daydreaming about holding and tickling. Technically, the twins are still considered an embryo and has something of a small tail, which is an extension of their tailbone. The tail will disappear within a few weeks, but that's the only thing getting smaller. Their Twins have doubled in size since last week and now measures half an inch long, about the size of a blueberry.

If you could see inside your womb, you'd spot eyelid folds partially covering her peepers, which already have some color, as well as the tip of their nose and tiny veins beneath parchment-thin skin. Both hemispheres of their babies brains are growing, and their livers are churning out red blood cells until their bone marrow forms and takes over this role. They also have an appendix and a pancreas, which will eventually produce the hormone insulin to aid in digestion. A loop in their baby's growing intestines is bulging into her umbilical cord, which now has distinct blood vessels to carry oxygen and nutrients to and from their tiny bodies.

What is going on with me: I'm still pretty nauseous and really tired. The belly bloat is in full effect. Zofran is keeping the food in my belly. 

.

Babies are: ???

Maternity Clothes: Yes.

Sleep: It's getting better but I am still tossing and turning. My hips are aching.

Movement: Too soon.

Symptoms: Nausea, Fatigue, Achy Hips, Frequent Restroom Trips.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Slowly, I am able to start eating more. 

Best moment(s) this week: 
Finding out that my IP's are going to be parents to TWINS!!

I'm looking forward to: 

- Another ultrasound on wednesday!
- Being done with all of these shots!

Surro Babe: Week 6

Yes, I know I am a day late... I also had to recalculate my due date since it was wrong. I guess I am 2 days farther along than I thought!

Today is: August 26, 2013

How far along:  6 weeks 3 days

Total weight gain: none!

Baby is the size of: a Sweet Pea.

What is going on with this baby: The nose, mouth, and ears that they'll spend so much time kissing in eight months are beginning to take shape. If you could see into your uterus, you'd find an oversize head and dark spots where their baby's eyes and nostrils are starting to form. His emerging ears are marked by small depressions on the sides of the head, and his arms and legs by protruding buds. His heart is beating about 100 to 160 times a minute — almost twice as fast as yours — and blood is beginning to course through his body. His intestines are developing, and the bud of tissue that will give rise to his lungs has appeared. His pituitary gland is forming, as are the rest of his brain, muscles, and bones. Right now, their baby is a quarter of an inch long.

What is going on with me: I'm still pretty nauseous and really tired. The belly bloat is in full effect. I was prescribed Zofran for my nausea. It is keeping me from getting sick but I still have the worst nausea.

.

Baby is a: ???

Maternity Clothes: Yes.

Sleep: It's getting better but I am still tossing and turning. My hips are aching.

Movement: Too soon.

Symptoms: Nausea, Fatigue, Achy Hips, Frequent Restroom Trips.

Food Cravings/Aversions: Anything really. The only thing that I can somewhat keep down, is instant potatoes. Everything else comes right back up :(

Best moment(s) this week: 
Scheduling our U/S!!

I'm looking forward to: 

The Ultrasound tomorrow!!!!

Surro Babe: Week 4

I can't believe that we am currently FOUR Weeks Pregnant :) I will now start my weekly stats for my IP's! Since they can't be here for the pregnancy, This is a great way for them to stay connected to their Miracle!

Today is: August 11th

How far along: 4 weeks {due April 20, 2014}

Total weight gain: None.

Baby is the size of: A Poppy Seed!

What is going on with this Baby: This week marks the beginning of the embryonic period. From now until 10 weeks, all of your baby's organs will begin to develop and some will even begin to function. As a result, this is the time when she'll be most vulnerable to anything that might interfere with her development.

Right now your baby is an embryo the size of a poppy seed, consisting of two layers: the epiblast and the hypoblast, from which all of her organs and body parts will develop.

The primitive placenta is also made up of two layers at this point. Its cells are tunneling into the lining of your uterus, creating spaces for your blood to flow so that the developed placenta will be able to provide nutrients and oxygen to your growing baby when it starts to function at the end of this week.

Also present now are the amniotic sac, which will house your baby; the amniotic fluid, which will cushion her as she grows; and the yolk sac, which produces your baby's red blood cells and helps deliver nutrients to her until the placenta has developed and is ready to take over this duty.

What is going on with Me: I should be going in for more blood work this week to make sure the numbers are doubling! Then I get to schedule the first ultrasound!

Baby is a: ?? We still have a little ways to go!

Maternity Clothes: No, but they sure do look comfy!

Sleep: I'm up every few hours and I have been tossing and turning..

Movement: None yet!

Symptoms: 
- Waves of Nausea
- Completely Exhausted
- Very Tender Boobs
- Belly Bloat
- Mood Swings

Food Cravings/Aversions:
- Ginger Ale is my life saver.
- Craving Fruits and Veggies.

Best Moment(s) this past week:
- Telling my IP's that I am pregnant with their Miracle :)
- Finding out our Beta #'s!

I'm looking forward to:
- The first ultrasound!!!
- Finding out how many babies are in my belly!!


xoxo,

Results and Exciting News!!!

First off, lets get through my last three labs results :)

Week One:
Progesterone - 0.7
Estradiol - 15

Week Two:
Estradiol - 97

Week Three:
Estradiol - 392
Uterine Lining - 12.8 w/ Triple Stripe!

So everything on my end looks great and my uterus is ready for a baby! Today was hopefully my last day of Lupron! So I should be starting my PIO and Inserts tomorrow!!

Big News...

Our Transfer has been bumped up!! S the schedule is as planned, unless anything changes: My IM has her Egg Retrieval on Thursday, so please send positive vibes her way! I was told that we will be doing a 3 Day Transfer, which means that I will be leaving on SATURDAY!! That also means that the Embryo Transfer will be on SUNDAY!!!!!

You have absolutely no idea how excited I am! I will also be meeting my IP's face to face on Saturday or Sunday!! I got my IM a special something for our journey.. Pretend like you didn't read that last sentence, IM ;)

So there is the exciting news!! I leave for LA in FOUR Days!!!

Moving Forward!!!

Yesterday, I flew to LA for my Re-Evaluation :)

I got to the airport around 6:45a and my flight didn't leave until 8:10a. So I walked around and tried to calm my nerves :) I got a sweet email from my IP's the night before saying to relax and have a nice time. It made me feel better!

Once I got to LAX, my Caseworker picked me up and we headed to CFP. We got there around 10:45 and my appt wasn't until 11:30, so we were able to check in early and I went back for blood work and urine test. I have a pretty little bruise now... At around 11:15 I was called back to the room and was told to get undressed from my waist down. About 5 minutes later, the nurse came in and told me that I needed to get weighed. I wrapped a blanket around me and I went to get weighed. I'm not back into the room 5 minutes and she comes back in and says "You're gonna hate me. We have to go and get your height now.." I just laughed..

{In Surro Land, this is known as the Weenie Wand}

After all of that, my Dr came in and we chatted. He was very happy with my weight loss {YAY!!!}. We talked a little and then he started the Sonohysterogram. This time I didn't really cramp! He said that my lining is absolutely perfect and that I need to start taking Prenatals. So I have finally finished all of the screening and can now move to CONTRACTS!!!! We just have to wait for all of the blood work from dave/myself to come back. That should only take about 5-7 days.

It was now off to see the nurse for my Meds!!! I got a bag full of Prenatal Samples. The one that everyone likes was gone, so she is going to order me some! I was told that I will be taking Birth Control Pills {BCP's}, Lupron, Estradiol {Delestrogen} & Progesterone. So once I start my cycle/period {CD1}, I need to call her and I will start BCP's on CD2. After that I will begin the Lupron Shots for 7 days. Then its the Estradiol Shots every 3 days. Then I do Labs & u/s of my lining. Then its on to Progesterone. I am so confused but my nurse is amazing and is going to send me detailed instructions for everything along with my calendar!!

I am so excited that things are moving!!!!!

Scheduled!

I scheduled my Re-Evaluation/Medical Appointment with Dr. this morning!!!

I will be heading back down to LA on Thursday the 16th! I was able to schedule it on Dave's day off that way we don't have to have anyone watch the kids.

I will be flying out in the morning, go to my appointment, grab some lunch and then fly back home. During the appointment, I will be doing the following:

- Sonohysterogram - Ultrasound of my Uterus.
- Blood Work.
- Find out what medicines I will be on.
- Learn how to give myself my Injections.
- Ask Questions, Get Answers!

I am a little torn since the 16th is also D's Open House at school {first one since he is in Kindergarten} but Daddy will be there :) Since I work in the classroom 2x a month, I get to see everything they are doing for open house, so that makes me feel a little better.


Next week can't come soon enough!!

Just a little setback...

So we have ran into a tiny set back.. 

I was supposed to fly to LA one day this week to do my Re-Evaluation with Dr., but it looks like he is completely booked for the week. So what does that mean?! I have to wait for my next cycle, which should be around May 8th.

I had only done half of what was needed because of the whole weight thing. But I get to do all of this all over again with my new Dr.

My Medical Evaluation will include: 

Medical History
Pregnancy History
Blood work
Sonohysterogram - Ultrasound of the uterus.
Explain all of the meds and process
Give me a lab slip for D to do his blood work..


Psych Evaluation will include:

MMPI-2 (or PAI) Test - roughly 340 T/F questions. None of them are right or wrong because it is a personality test.
Talk about why I chose Surrogacy.
Misc Questions.
3-4 hours for everything


So here is hoping these next few weeks fly by! I don't think I have ever wanted my period to start so fast.. Like.EVER! #SurroProbs! 

The only thing that sucks is that my Anniversary is right in the middle of this crazy cycle.. May 12th is our 6 year wedding anniversary :)

Hope everyone has a great day!!!

One step closer...

So it looks like I will have to go back down to L.A. for a Re-Evaluation & Blood Work at the IVF Clinic and then do my Psychological Evaluation. I wish I didn't have to fly down there, but the new dr wants to see me.

I should be flying down some time next week... Eeek! I should be getting a call from the clinic on monday to schedule the appt.. This is just one step closer to getting a set date on our transfer!

So as of right now, I am just trying to tie up loose ends and figure out a plan for the kids next week. I am hoping that I can fly down on Thursday since its Dave's day off and I wont need to have anyone watch the kids or pick them up from school.

The IP's and I have started emailing back and forth! It was a sweet surprise when I checked my email yesterday and saw the first email from them... I was finally able to email back this afternoon. It has been a busy few days..

XOXO,

Good News/Bad News....

Well, yesterday was a very, very long day.. Flying to LA and back was tiring enough.

The plane ride there was very uneventful. A quick one hour flight. When I got to LA I was driven to CFP for my Medical Evaluation. When I got there, I had to fill out paperwork and then get my blood drawn and give a urine sample. One of the girls from my agency met me there and stayed with me for the whole appt. We then went in and talked to the dr and went over all of the medical questions..

When we got into the exam room, I had to have a pap and then she did the Sono/Ultrasound. The whole procedure was pretty fast but I did cramp up during and a little after. My Uterus looks great and my ovaries look good too! After all of that, I get dressed and go do my height and weight... This is where it gets a little depressing.

I need to lose some poundage..

29 pounds to be at the max BMI for this IVF clinic..

So where do we go from here?! I was told that things will be on hold until I get the weight off. The Owner of my Agency will talk to the IP's and see if they want to wait for me to lose the weight or move on. I am praying that they wait. The transfer will possibly be in February  so I have about 1 1/2 months to lose the weight and be ready for meds. I am confident that I can lose this weight. I am just hoping that my IP's see that I am working on my weight and want to work with them. I will know their decision next week. {praying for good news}

So after that, we went to lunch and I soon found out that my Psych was cancelled and put on hold too. So I got dropped of at the airport 3 1/2 hours before my flight and just prayed that time would pass by quickly so that I could be home with my family. I'm not gonna lie, there were quite a few tears shed last night. I waited until I got home to break down. I just felt so defeated and mad at myself.

So starting today, I have better meal plans and exercise routines ready. I am going to prove to myself and everyone else that I can do this! I had no idea that I had gained that much in such a short time. Time to rev up my metabolism, lose the weight and try to grow a few inches too!


Love & Prayers...
Breanna

Medical and Psych Evals!!

Tomorrow, Tomorrow!!!

It felt like this day would never come! So, I am flying to L.A. tomorrow to do my Medical Evaluation and possibly my Psych Eval. {trying to get everything into one trip} I am so anxious and excited for everything to move along!!!

I just want to say that my Caseworker is absolutely Amazing and I am so glad she is here with me every step of the way! She just gave birth and is still answering all of my emails/texts and calls! I am also thankful for my husband and my dad! My dad is going to watch all three kids for us while I am gone and D works. I am so lucky to have such supportive people in my life!

So here is what I should be doing tomorrow:

My Medical Evaluation will include: 

Medical History
Pregnancy History
Blood work
Sonohysterogram - Ultrasound of the uterus.
Explain all of the meds and process
Give me a lab slip for D to do his blood work..


Psych Evaluation will include:

MMPI-2 (or PAI) Test - roughly 340 T/F questions. None of them are right or wrong because it is a personality test.
Talk about why I chose Surrogacy.
Misc Questions.
3-4 hours for everything.



After all of this is done, we will move onto the Contracts in early December!


Love & Prayers,

Breanna