Beginning of a journey... completing the contract ...yikes

Our contract has been long underway - but is it finally done and I hope that we are all satisfied with the outcome. I just mailed mine off to my attorney and hope to see a fully executed one back before long.

I was not exactly sure what to expect when I received the first draft .. boy it is long! I was doing a lot of reading and re-reading ... legal lingo is a language of its own. There was a lot of ground to cover and lots of different scenarios that hopefully will never see the light of day.

Negotiating a contract is never alot of fun - but we are done with that part now and can move on to bigger and better bellies ... I mean things! In the end, we all wish for an uneventful pregnancy and a wonderful experience for all.

Day 4 of meds

I am feeling better today. I think my body is getting used to this "new stuff". I also talked to a nurse at the clinic and she said to try Tylenol for the headache....wow that helped so much and I felt ten times better after a dose of Tylenol. I guess I did not realize how bad my head ache was until it went away! Anyway it is going well with the Lupron injections - I am getting used to giving them to myself. Olivia walked in on me today and she was mortified that I was about to give myself a shot...the kids hate shots - I think all kids do. I am not a big fan myself but these are all worth it.

Day 2 of meds

Today is day 2 of the medications and I really do not feel very good. I think my body is making adjustments to the doxy and the Lupron...I think that I have a cold coming on too. I have a cough and I am very sneezy. Sebastian has a cold - maybe he is sharing with me!

Second injection went well.

Starting medications

The day has finally arrived ... I started my medication cycle today. We have waited for this day for a long time now and I am really excited that we are starting this journey.

Rio and I will both be taking doxycycline for the next ten days and I also started on Lupron tonight. The Lupron will work to suppress my natural ovulation cycle and is common in IVF transfers using donor eggs. I will be giving my self the injection in my belly - luckily this first round of needles are small and thin!!! I put ice on my belly for a bit before doing the shot and it went in smoothly...one down many more to come!!!

Why...

People often ask me why I decided to be a surrogate and although there are many reasons why - the most important one to me is the miracle of seeing the world through the eyes of children. Children are amazing and mine have enriched my world in ways that I cannot begin to describe. I love them so much and treasure every day that I spend with them.

To be able to be part of bringing the gift of a child to someone who truly longs for that is such an incredible feeling. I hope and pray that our transfer will be successful and that M&M will soon be enjoying parenthood.

I loved being pregnant. I had three wonderful pregnancies and enjoyed every moment of them...well ok maybe not EVERY moment ... but most! I love the feeling of the first little flutter of movement and later being able to see the babes moving around. I feel strongly that my family is complete but I do not feel "done" with pregnancy. Being a surrogate will allow me to help a wonderful and deserving couple achieve parenthood ... and I will get to enjoy being pregnant.

Some have stated that "they could never give away their child"....and to them I say - "I am not". This little miracle that I hope to carry deep inside me very soon is not mine - it is that of a wonderful set of future parents who have dreamed, wished and prayed for a miracle for so long. This baby will not have any part of my biology - I am just providing the warm belly for it to grow strong and healthy. This child will always reside in my heart but it will live a life with a family who truly longed to welcome and embrace children into their lives.

M&M - I will treasure this journey with you. Life is a miracle and I feel so fortunate to be a part of a miracle waiting to happen.