Growing big...

I have been very fortunate to see the babies quite a bit over the last month or so...they are getting so big - I love their little chubby cheeks and happy smiles!

This past week has brought lots of excitement. M is writing about our incredible journey...it will be very exciting to see how it turns out. We have also been interviewed for an interactive piece and had a fun photo shoot just the other day. And what a long and busy day that was ... but so much fun hanging out with everyone and especially the babes...they did so awesome.

It will be exciting to see how everything will turn out. The photographer has done some amazing pictures...really incredible stuff. Hopefully we will all get some photos to remember this day with.

Got Milk?...well not so much anymore..

My milk supply has been dropping over the last couple of months and it is time for me to stop pumping. I made the decision today as I only get a few ounces at each pumping session now.

It is actually making me really emotional to have made this final decision to stop pumping. Somehow it seems like end to a truly amazing experience ... but in my heart I also know that is a beginning of new things to come. And for the babies ... it truly is the beginning of a new and hopefully yummy exploration into the world of food.

I am very proud to have been able to feed sweet Baby V for her first 6+ months of life. I have pumped a little over 52 gallons of milk for her and her brother and judging on their lovely chubby cheeks - it has been well worth all the effort. ...Milk - it does a body good :-)

Mother's Day...

Happy Mother's Day to M!

Two years ago we started an incredible journey together. Today my heart sings as both M and I enjoyed a beautiful and sunny Mother's Day.

I feel so grateful for this experience. It make me feel so good that I was able to accomplish what I set out to do ... to help someone else's dream of motherhood come true.

Magnus, Olivia and Sebastian - you mean the world to me ... you make my heart sing! Every day I love you more than the day before and every day I feel the magic of watching you grow and learn.

Baby V ... you will always have a piece of my heart ... You are one special little girl and I know you are bringing so much joy to your mother.

Time flies...

Baby V is 6 months old on April 29 ... she is growing bigger and sweeter by the day. She has a beautiful little smile and along with her brother they are bringing lots of love and joy into this world. I feel so fortunate that I get to see them and watch them grow .. it is so amazing to watch their little personalities beginning to emerge.

I continue to pump for the babes but my milk supply is slowing down considerably ... good thing the babes are big enough to begin solid foods...exciting times!

Happy 1/2 birthday baby girl :-)

What a difference a year makes...

A year ago at this time I was driving towards Portland full of anticipation...excited nervous and hopeful. Little embryos were growing full of potential....now one year later, sweet baby V and her brother are here. I wish you so much love on your amazing journey in life.

What's next for me...who knows. I am working hard on getting back in shape now...I still keep up a relatively high caloric intake as it takes a good diet to keep up my milk supply. My diet is really healthy and I feel generally very good. Rio and I have started a new workout program....and my body is sore but slowly getting used to being challenged again. My goal for this summer is to complete a amateur triathalon.

I will also be making a change at work. I love my job and have great employment.. but I love my children more. I have decided to cut down my hours for the next few months and to stop completely before the children get out for summer break. They need me at home and I need to watch them grow.

...the one thing I know for sure....change is consistent! Here is to a new amazing chapter in life.

1 year ago...

One year ago I was on medications had in preparation for my IVF cycle....today a sweet little girl is bringing love and joy to her parents. How blessed we all are that the transfer was successful and the pregnancy went well. Baby girl and her brother are both doing wonderful ...

Thank you M&M for an amazing journey ~ you will always have a special place in my heart.

Visit...

Today I am going to visit M&M and the babies - it is amazing that they are almost 3 months old now...I cannot wait to see their little smiles.

We will be dropping milk off as well...my supply has gone down a bit but so far I am keeping up with demand...pump baby pump. I never thought about exactly how much you feed an infant....I nursed all three of mine and you cannot really know exactly how much they eat.. they just eat! Now that I am pumping exclusively, I have been keeping track of the number of ounces pumped and frozen to date ... to date = 3,117 (give or take a few)...really that is over 24 gallons of milk....wholly cow!! Moo! In addition, I have been lucky enough to nurse Baby V several times when we visit. Some find this a bit strange - but it truly has been so special for me. Pumping has also been great for my weight loss ... now if it could just work on my belly jiggles too that would be fantastic!!