Surrogacy is a Team Sport

Happy Hump Day readers!  I'm not even going to apologize for my horrible lack of posting anymore - it's old news - I am a horrible, erratic blogger, and, I don't think it will ever change.  But hey, did you miss me?!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with joy, laughter, and lots of booze.  ;)  Our family had a very relaxed holiday; we enjoyed spending Christmas Eve at my sister's compound (our code name for her new, gorgeous, huge house).  Of course it's always such a pleasure to watch the kiddos open their gifts from their favorite Aunt Suzi, but, the real kicker this year was our dog eat dog version of the White Elephant Gift exchange.  Natch, my sister Jenna (the baby of the family) walked away with the hottest gifts of the swap, but, I held my own.  Check out my winnings below!

Even came with two cookbooks!  

Amidst the chaos of the holidays, Ashley and I didn't get our Christmas gifts to the post office in time for Christmas delivery...which worked out perfectly because WE'RE HEADED TO TEXAS!!!  Bean's anatomy ultrasound is on Inauguration Day this year (and natch, we have a layover in D.C. that day...go figure)!  I am so, so excited for this trip - I can't even tell you how much I miss Ashley and Benjamin (I haven't seen them since our transfer in September), and, I can't wait to meet Ashley's daughter Caitlynn and thank her husband Jason for supporting us in this most personal way.  So, our Christmas gift swap will take place during our visit.  Unfortunately, my eldest child has to stay home due to her cheerleading commitments, however, George, Gabby, Nick, and I are all headed down south, and, we can't wait!

Should I wear my rock star cowboy hat, or, spare myself the embarrassment?

First of all, I am so, so, so excited to see Ashley.  From day one, Ashley and I knew we had something special and that we weren't your everyday Intended Mother/Gestational Carrier coupling.  Our relationship is beyond "professional" or whatever people may think it is.  At this point, we are simply great friends (more like family really).  It doesn't feel like a Gestational Surrogate is carrying my baby; it feels like one of my best friends is giving me the greatest gift in the world.

What has me the most excited about our trip to Texas?  Honestly, there are too many things for me to list!  I love Ashley's family and can't wait to spend time with them; Ashley's even been kind enough to open up her home to us, so, we can stay up late gossiping, watching our favorite television shows, or just shooting the shit.  We're also hoping to visit the Alamo, which will be awesome, especially for the kids.

Of course, I'm looking forward to seeing how Bean is growing.  I can't wait to see Ashley's pregnancy glow, her growing waistline, and, I'm hoping I'll be able to put my hands on her belly to feel my daughter's precious kicks.  I'm also clearly excited to see my baby girl's profile on the sonogram - this may be the last time we see her face before D-Day, and, there's just something magical about that.

Surrogacy is a Team Sport

I came across this saying on a t-shirt today at All Things Surrogacy.  I'm seriously considering buying Ashley some goodies from this online store, however, I can't spill too many beans as my baby shower is coming up, and, I am in the process of putting together a gift basket to present to Ashley at the party (side note: this fiesta is a surprise, and, I'd like to keep it that way!).

Anyway, you may be wondering what my point is with this one.  Gestational surrogacy is a journey; it is not only the story of an infertile woman's dream coming true, nor is it just the story of a woman who is physically capable of creating a miracle doing just that.  With that said, Ashley and I came to a revelation of sorts this week.  What was this sudden awakening?  It's simple - we need to talk on the phone more often.

Over the holidays, Ashley and I naturally got caught up in our families' holiday celebrations, and, for about two weeks we only communicated via text.  As close as we are, this form of communication took its toll on us.  The one thing I hate about today's world of modern communication is that it has kind of lost its human factor.  Let's face it; it's very easy to misinterpret emails, texts, Facebook posts, Tweets...you get the idea.

So, long story short, Ashley and I spent a little too much time texting and not enough time talking.  I think both of us misinterpreted the messages the other was trying to send, and, we both instinctively put our guards up a bit.  We nipped that little ditty in the bud, but, it made me realize how quickly the "journey" can evolve to a pissing match between an Intended Mother and a Gestational Surrogate.  Thankfully, Ashley and I love each other too much for that nonsense; she had the cojones to tell me she was a tad annoyed, and, we addressed the issue right then and there.  I'm now more aware of Ashley's feelings, she's more aware of my flightiness, and, she's not afraid to call bullshit on it either, which is AWESOME!!!  Ashley is more than my friend; she is family to us, and, she's stuck with me forever whether she likes it or not!

Designing Bean's Nursery

It goes without saying that designing Bean's baby nursery has some unique qualities to it that don't necessarily apply to many other parents.  For starters, there is my job.  I am an Interior Designer...of baby nurseries.  The design of Bean's first bedroom is almost like a marketing opportunity for me, so, I definitely feel a bit of pressure in designing a "perfect" baby nursery.  In addition to the overall decor of the nursery, I want to incorporate Ashley into Bean's baby nursery as much as possible.  For instance, tonight while we were on the phone, I told Ashley I wanted to include a picture of her holding Bean in the hospital.  The next thing I knew, Ashley asked me if she could actually make that picture frame for me.  Bring on the tears!  I thought the photo itself was very special; the fact that it will be displayed in a frame Ashley made is just the icing on the cake.

If you can believe it, Ashley has a board on  Pinterest called, "Surro Baby Hope."  It's stunning, and, you can check it out here.

Clearly, Ashley is very crafty.  I've seen her crochet, wallpaper a wall in Caitlynn's bedroom using scrapbook paper (the final project looked like a patchwork quilt - I couldn't believe it!), make jewelry, take amazing photos...you  name it.  So, as I perused Ashley's "Surro Baby Hope" Pinterest board, I immediately fell in love with the beaded letter shown above.  The instant I said something, Ashley was on it...now Bean will have her own beaded letter courtesy of the amazing woman who gave her life.  How special is that?!  At that point, I began to cry so much I was snorting!

Hot Moms' Club Anybody?

And finally, I wanted to post some updated pregnancy pics of Ashley so you can see how Bean is growing and how amazing Ashley looks in the process!  Poor Ashley's had a rough go of it, but, you wouldn't know it looking at these pictures!  Check her out - meow!

Ashley and Caitlynn on Christmas (19 weeks pregnant)

Ashley at 20 weeks (halfway there!)...I think I look more pregnant than she does!

This is another t-shirt courtesy of All Things Surrogacy.  I'm thinking of wearing it to the hospital on D-Day.

Ciao for Now

I probably won't have much of an update between now and our sonogram on January 21st, but, I promise to take notes and plenty of pictures to give you the most thorough update possible.  Until then, stay safe, happy, and healthy!

Cheers!