A Few Pics to Share :)

This is the sweet little man that I was lucky to carry. Isn't he a beautiful baby? :)

It took me a while to get settled into my room but my nurses ROCKED!!

Can you believe this view of Long's Peak? This was taken from my recovery room window.

This was also taken from my recovery room. The building closest to the center of the pic is where my OB's office is. I must say that it is extremely convenient for it to be so close to the hospital.

A Miraculous Journey Finally Comes Full Circle

Have you ever done something that made you feel so good inside that you can't seem to get it off your mind-it just keeps replaying over and over so that you constantly seem to have a silly grin on your face? Well, I can certainly say that is my case. I have helped two lovely people achieve their goal of becoming parents and it feels really good knowing that I did so. Baby boy was a long-time project for them but now their time has finally come. He is now where he belongs. The past few days have been a whirlwind but I will try to remember the details as best as I can.

First off, it all started at the OB office this past Wednesday (12/26-11am). I had been having contractions before I got there that seemed to be 4-6 min. apart but then they had pretty much stopped when I arrived at the office. My regular OB had just resigned that past Friday so we were a bit nervous to see who the new OB would be. It turned out to be perfect. Our new doctor was fun and outspoken. She supported us wholeheartedly and we enjoyed her demeanor. She checked me and I was between 3-4 cm/70% effaced. We were offered the opportunity to go ahead to the hospital at that point. That thrilled us so we headed on over and got checked in (the hospital is just a 3-4 min. drive away). As I was dealing with someone from the hospital to get my paperwork done, my water decided to break a little bit. I am so glad it waited until I was there! The OB showed up a little later to check me out and then she decided to break the floodgates even more. I began having pretty good contractions after that. I chose to labor through them naturally. They had all kinds of cool things to help me cope with the pain-a jacuzzi tub, a rocking chair and a birthing ball. My nurses were fabulous too!

Later that evening, my cervix began to stall at 6cm. My OB decided to help me along by putting me on pitocin. I believe that was around 5pm. I got into the jacuzzi and breezed through the pain for awhile. Unfortunately, I ended up getting too hot because I stayed in there so long. I got back into bed and felt nauseated. It really didn't help that I was starving by that point, lol. They let me have a smoothie and some crackers. At some point after that, I got checked and the OB was worried about the baby being sunny-side-up (face up instead of face down). That is never a good thing as it makes labor/delivery much more difficult. I ended up asking for an epidural after 10pm that night. It just all became too much pain to take. I must say though that it was wonderful laboring naturally for 12 hours beforehand. I didn't do that with either of my own kids (I got the epi immediately with both of them, lol) so it was cool to feel labor for once. It was definitely a miraculous thing to experience.

Anyhoo, my epidural wasn't exactly the best. I could still feel everything. It just made things a bit duller than before. I began pushing sometime around 11:30pm and it was extremely exhausting. They had my hubby play tug-o-war with me using a blanket so that I would push involuntarily. I hated that! After Clayton trying to pull my hands off, I told them I didn't want to play that game any more. He then moved up to my side so that he could coach me through to the end. Baby boy was born after an hour of pushing. It was really hard for me to deliver because I could actually feel him coming out. That was a new experience for me and let me tell ya, it isn't painless, lol.

On to the good stuff-Baby boy came out looking like a C-Section baby because he was so perfect. His head was perfectly rounded and his skin tone was good. I was so proud and I know that the parents were too! You guys won't believe this but my IM got to deliver her own child. It was so cool. They got her all suited up and she caught baby boy as he was delivered. She then cut the cord and took him down to the nursery for his first bath. Cool, huh? How often does a mother get to watch and then deliver her own biological child? :)

So that is the story in a nutshell. I am so glad that I have had the opportunity to do this and I am elated that I helped create a family. I have had a lot of people ask me recently if I was bothered to see baby boy go home. My answer is a definite no. I knew from the beginning that the child was not mine and that he had loving biological parents waiting for him. I have stayed detached and it doesn't make me sad to see him go. Being a gestational carrier was my purpose and it is now completed. I have no regrets at all. If they decide to try for a sibling for baby boy, I am totally onboard with them.

The Surro-babe Is FInally Here!!

Baby boy was born just after midnight today. I had a fabulous experience but I will have to wait and update when I get my laptop (I forgot it at home). Stay tuned!

BTW-He was a surprising 9lb. 2oz. What a big guy!!

Monstrosity

Since I haven't edited all of my Christmas photos yet, I figured that I would give you guys a taste of just how large I am now. Today I am 38 weeks 6 days along. I thought that baby boy would already be here by now but he is still hanging in. I need to find a way to encourage him out at this point. His parents really want to meet him and I am ready to be able to sleep on my belly again.

BTW-Like my Christmas jammies?

My Little Monkeys

Every year we get a visit from Santa's elves on Christmas Eve. They leave the kiddos a note saying that they better get to bed soon because Santa is on the way. Along with the note comes Christmas themed jammies for each of us. We never see the elusive elves though. They just ring the bell and disappear before we open the door. It's such a fun tradition. :)

I hope that you all have a wonderful Christmas Day tomorrow. We are a bit bummed because we have no family here with us this year but we will be okay. We will likely head out to the theatre to see the Chipmunks in the evening. It'll still be fun holiday for us.

And no, in case you are wondering, I still haven't had the baby. My IPs are patiently waiting here in Colorado for him to arrive. Hopefully it will be soon!

Feeling blah...

No, those aren't stretch marks (they're veins). Ewww, huh?

Well today makes 37 weeks and 3 days preggo for me. Not much further to go! The past few weeks have went really well but today was particularly bad. I felt nauseated and out of breath pretty much all day. It wouldn't have been so bad if it wasn't also our 8th wedding anniversary. We were going to take the kiddos to a sitter and then go out for dinner but that didn't happen. I just didn't feel good enough to go. I hope that this means labor/delivery is just around the corner (my intended parents are waiting in Denver for me to call anytime now). I had a massage last night at Aveda and she hit all the right pressure points to help me along. Maybe that is why I have felt cruddy today? Maybe she really did give me a little jump-start? I have no idea but I do have another massage scheduled for next Sunday and I really hope to not make that appointment. We shall see.

***Sorry the pics look a little wonky. My camera battery was almost dead (which made them blurry) and so I played around with editing software to change the colors and to make the second one soft. They aren't great but hey, at least I posted them. ;)***

Our new stockings :)

Whoo hoo, UPS just dropped these off on our front porch. They are so cute!

Who needs icicle lights when you can have the real deal? Also included-a Christmas tag post.

Here's a few monster ones on my neighbor's roof.

This is the big window in our foyer. You can see Clayton's icicle lights strung from the gutters and then the real icicles over top of the lights. Cool, huh?

We have gotten a lot of snow since last Friday (~7 inches is still in my backyard) and we are getting more tonight. I thought that having snow would be wonderful until I realized that life continues to go on here regardless of the snowfall. It really stinks. When I see snow, I think of snow days back in NC where the whole town shuts down and you can sit around with a cup of hot cocoa by the fire. Having even 2 inches meant that school was out and everything was closed. Man I am really going to miss that. I abhor going out in the snow to take Hayden to school. It doesn't really help that my 4-Runner is only 2 wheel drive. We have never needed 4 wheel drive or snow tires until now. Geez....

Cousin Renae tagged me for a fun quiz so here are my answers:

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I like to do both. The mix looks good under the tree.

2. Real trees or artificial? We have an artificial tree. I am allergic to real ones.

3. When do you put up your Christmas tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take your tree down? I like to take it down the day after Christmas. Sometimes we let it slide until New Year's though.

5. Do you like eggnog? Yes. Our milk man brings us the most delicious nog ever straight from the dairy. Yummy!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I remember getting my first real telephone from my Aunt Judy and I thought that was soooo cool. I was finally able to lock myself in my room and talk to my friends all day long without even having to get out of bed, lol. I think that I was 11 years old.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? No.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Emerson-he doesn't really seem to like anything unless Hayden tells him what he likes, lol.

9. Easiest person to buy for? Clayton-he loves getting gifts and it is usually pretty easy for me to get him something good.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever got? A luggage bag. My parents bought me one when I was in middle school and I was less than impressed, lol.

11. Christmas cards or e-mail Christmas Cards? I mail them every year.

12. Favorite Christmas movie? A Christmas Story-you'll shoot your eye out!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? August

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Not that I can think of.

15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? Cranberry Bliss Bars from Starbucks, Hickory Farms cheeseballs and smoked sausage, Aunt Judy's peanut butter balls, Christmas cookies, Christmas candy, etc.

16. Clear light or colored light? We have colored on our tree for the kiddos. If it were up to me they would be white. Clayton fought me tooth and nail on that one and I let him win. He says that because the icicle lights are white that the tree needs to be in color so that it stands out in our front window. I can see his point.

17. Angel on top or Star? We have a cute red star on top.

Now who am I going to tag??

1. Krista 2. Joanna 3. Rhea

November Design Team Layouts for 3 Scrappy Boys

This is my best friend Tracy. I miss her incredibly. I forsee a trip back to Asheville soon so that I can see that new baby of hers. ;)

These are my first 2 ultrasounds for this surrogacy when there were 2 babies. They were done back in May.

These were my first positive tests from the surrogacy. I began getting faint positives at what would be the equivalent of 8 days past ovulation and got my first digital positive at 8.5 days past.

Lots of Updates

Hey guys, I know I am a complete slacker when it comes to my blog. I am usually so good at keeping it updated but life has been crazy lately. I am now 36 weeks and 1 day preggo so I am a bit tired to say the least. Hubby needs to take a belly shot for me tonight so I can post it here. I got checked on Tuesday and I am 1.5cm dilated and 50% effaced. Yay! My IPs are getting really excited as we wait for the baby to make his arrival. I predict it to be 12/13 but it is all up to him. Since neither one of my kiddos made it to 39 weeks, I don't think that this one will either. Hayden was 38w6d and Emerson was 37w6d. They were both over 7 pounds so I can't imagine how much bigger they would have been if I was one of those poor moms that goes beyond their due dates. Egad.

Anyhoo, Clayton has been going nutso trying to get our outside lights up. Poor guy had lots of issues with lights not working and snow to deal with. Unfortunately, our house faces North and the front never gets any sunlight. We got snow a week or so ago and it lingered until yesterday because it couldn't melt. It's a good thing that it finally did because we are supposed to get more soon and Clayton would never be able to get on the roof, lol. He did a great job, huh?

We are going to go get Clayton's Christmas present today. He has been wanting a LCD tv with a surround system. I found an great deal online today for a 46" Sony Bravia tv plus an awesome Sony surround system. It even includes free shipping. We are going to pick up the system but have the tv delivered next week (unless he finds something better tonight). The cool thing is that our house is already completely wired and ready to go for the sound system. It won't take much to install it. :)

My design team term at 3 Scrappy Boys is now drawing to a close this month. I have been on the team since October 2006. I am a bit sad but relieved at the same time. I really need a break and now is a good time to do so. The new gals that were chosen are awesome and I know that they will represent Cindy and 3SB well. I can't wait to see their monthly creations. Congrats to the new ladies!! BTW-I have some new creations using the November kit and will try to get them uploaded soon. The kit was so bright and funky. You can't help but love it. ;)

December Layouts for The ScrapRoom

E checking out his stocking-Christmas 2006

Our house back in NC-2006

Our tree and mantle inside our home back in NC-2006

Look at what I just got and an explanation as to my whereabouts

After fighting with Clayton for over a month about which vacuum to buy to replace our old one, I finally bought the one that I wanted-a Dyson DC17 Animal. In fact this one cost alot more than the one that I was originally wanting but I ended up getting a steal of a deal on it. I had a coupon code through Linens N Things that gave me 20% off my entire purchase and I didn't pay for shipping either. It made this better model only $40 more than the pink one I was looking at (normally it would be $150 difference). I couldn't resist. I used it last night and I am amazed at how much crud it got out of my carpet. It is almost embarassing! I gotta say that I love this thing. It is so pretty. The top of the canister is a dark and shiny purple and the rest of it is titanium. Who would have thought that they would ever make pretty vacuums? Because of the great coupon code, I went ahead and got the new Dyson Root 6 DC16 Handheld Vacuum also. This little doo-dad looks like the perfect device to clean up the occasional spill of cereal from our kitchen floor. Unfortunately, the store was out of these when I went to pick it up but they are shipping me one out today and I didn't have to pay extra for that. Yay!

Where have I been?
I know I have been bad about updating lately but I have been sick as a dog. I have been diagnosed with sinusitis, bronchitis and pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel. Fun stuff I tell ya. :P

I'm Dreaming...

of a White Thanksgiving. LOL

Sneak Peek at the December kit for TSR

I made this one using the Fontwerks kit. Don't ya just love the cute Santa jammies that my kiddos are wearing?

Sorry for the delay in posting these

Belly pic taken at 32 1/2 weeks (11/10/07)-See my belly button sticking out?! I have never had that before. Oh well, at least I don't have any stretch marks. ;)

32 1/2 weeks preggo

Can you believe how big I am? I am really beginning to wonder just how big this little guy is going to be. I have pics of me 2 days before giving birth to Emerson and I was about the same size that I am now. Eeek! Also, I have never had my belly button pop out before so you know that this little guys is sure packing on some weight.

I have a couple of pics below from E's 3rd birthday party from last weekend. He had a blast and I am so glad that he enjoyed himself. Hayden was jealous and is now asking all the time when his special day is going to get here, lol.

E blowing out his candle

E loved opening up his gifts

Happy birthday to my sweet baby boy!

Emerson trying to hold up 3 fingers, lol

I can't believe that my baby is now a 3 year old. Wow, time sure does fly. Now that we are done with bottles, pacifiers, diapers, bibs and onesies, I just don't know how to feel. I love the freedom of having older children but I sure do miss having a sleeping baby to hold and snuggle. The only thing that deters me from considering a third child (other than Clayton, lol) is the loss of freedom that new mothers have to deal with. That and the fact that I don't ever want to go through diapers again. :P

Tonight we went to Chuck E. Cheese's to support a school fundraiser for Hayden's pre-k. Both kids had a great time but Clayton and I were not impressed. That place is always good for catching some kind of virus. You better believe that I had a bottle of hand sanitizer that we used frequently, lol. After I decided to blow that taco stand (so to speak), we headed to the grocery store to pick up the food items needed for Emerson's party on Saturday. I plan to make homemade barbecue like we have back in NC, some fatty mashed potatoes and chocolate cupcakes. Clayton's Dad and Wife will be coming as are his Grandmother and Sister. I will be sure to post some pics.

BTW, we didn't let E open his gifts today. He will be getting them all at his party. He didn't really seem to mind though since his Daddy gave him a Shredder figure from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He was preoccupied with him for the evening. If he only knew the goodies that were awaiting him! ;)

The ScrapRoom-November Kit Layouts

My Big Boy (Pre-K 4's Class)

I just got Hayden's school pics back and I must admit that I am a bit shocked. He looks so much older all of a sudden! It is crazy. Also, I have no idea how he got such dark features. Yea, brown hair is dominant in my family (Clayton's family seems to be more blondish) but his eyes are so dark that they are almost black. Most of the people in my family are light eyed and so are Clayton's relatives. His skin is even darker toned than ours. Dontcha just love that cute dimple? I think that it is adorable but dimples don't run in either one of our families. If Mission Memorial hadn't of made us keep him in the room with us after he was born, I would swear that he had been switched, lol. He is a fairly handsome little guy and though he may not look like us, we'll still keep him. :P

October Layouts for 3 Scrappy Boys

I had a blast using the October kit from 3 Scrappy Boys. My Mind's Eye makes some of my favorite lines so I was thrilled when I found out that Cindy would be using them in a kit. This is the boyish kit. There is a girly kit available also. :)

Our Ninja Turtles

Emerson in ninja action

Hayden tried to avoid the camera but we threatened that he couldn't go trick-or-treating without letting me take a few shots, lol.

Hayden's loot

Emerson was thrilled to make it back home as he was super tired and cold when he returned. He was one happy boy when he finally got to sort all his loot.

This year Clayton decided to make the boys' costumes. He even made their shells (even though you can't see them in the pics). He is so clever. Hayden was Raphael and Emerson was Michaelangelo. They did turn out better than the costume at Target but he did go through a lot of work to make them. I would rather spend the $20 each than to take all the time he had to create them, lol.

Outdoor Halloween Decorations