8 Weeks Left...But Who's Counting?!

As I sit here this afternoon enjoying a bowl of cut up apples and yogurt, I think how amazing the cooler temperature feels. Especially with the breeze! It's heavenly. I'll take more days like this for sure! Summer is in full swing with all the activities going on. One child is off to camp and the other one will soon follow. Both are finishing up baseball with the Jr Giants. Before I know it school will be in full swing again.

Today I thought I would answer a few questions that seem to be coming up frequently related to pregnancy, health, and surrogacy.

How am I feeling?
Amazing! Sure, there are a few aches and pains but nothing I can't tolerate. I truly have been blessed this pregnancy.

How much weight have you gained?
Yep, been asked a few times. Really it's not that bad. At 32 weeks I'm only up 14 pounds but the doctor's office has been consistently 2 pounds heavier. It's the great scale controversy. I suppose if I have to take the extra two pounds it's still not that bad.

Have you had any major cravings?
Nothing requiring a midnight run to a special store for food. I just know what foods taste best. Lots of fresh food. Honestly it's what makes me feel the best. Watermelon and Chipotle are so delish! No, not together, gross. I do miss my coffee. I'm finally able to have a cup every now and again but it still doesn't taste great. Let me preface this with I am NOT a beer drinker. Can't stand the taste however the hubby drinks it and let me tell you that every time he poured one, the smell of it was soooo appealing! Thankfully the allure has passed.

Does the baby kick a lot?
Yes but she seems to wiggle more. The movement comes in a couple three movements at a time and then she stops. It's almost like she just needs to get comfortable and moves accordingly. I've had very few nights of her keeping me up.

Do you know what you are having?
Yes, it's a girl but I quickly follow it up with, but it's not my baby. {Insert-I'm a surrogate}It usually takes a moment to register with people but they are usually very receptive to the concept. I try to let people know immediately that she is not mine because I work with the public and I don't want to mislead them in any way.

Is it your egg?
No, I am just the extreme babysitter. The embryo was created and placed inside my uterus. I have no biological relation to this little person. I believe that is what has allowed me not to get attached to her.

Are the parents excited?
Yes, the family is thrilled that they will have a new addition soon.

Will the mom and dad be there when you deliver?
Of course the family will be there. After all this is their child.

Are they excited?
Um, I'm pretty sure they are! Who wouldn't be excited for a new addition to the family? I'm excited for them too. I can wait for them to meet their little one.

How does your family feel about it?
My husband has been very supportive through it all. He knows this is something I've wanted to do for a very long time. My children are full of questions and love watching my belly grow. I don't think I would do this without their support.

Would you be a surrogate again if given the chance?
This is one I've contemplated a lot recently. As I don't yet know the full outcome of this pregnancy experience I cant make a solid decision. So far this is my answer: Yes and no. I've been very blessed throughout this whole process. Working with this family has been amazing. I don't know that I would be so lucky again. What if it didn't work out as well with another family? I love being pregnant and I have enjoyed every moment of this journey but even it I did decide to go through with this again I don't know that I could get the husband on board. He has been very supportive but there is a certain level of sacrifice to one's normal life routine. Also, he has a really hard time seeing me in any kind of pain or discomfort especially anything that he cant help with. I don't know that I could put him through that again. For now I am embracing every minute of the journey and know that this will forever be a part of my life I will not soon forget.

9 Weeks Left!

As the pregnancy transitions and the end is quickly approaching, I am amazed at how well I feel overall. I've really had very few complaints. Of course my body is growing another human being so there are bound to be aches and pains as muscles stretch and joints loosen. That's just part of the process. If I were to choose one annoying consistent symptom that I've suffered from it would be a stuffy nose. Yes, it really is a REAL side effect of pregnancy. Go figure. I remember being stuffy towards the end with my son's pregnancy but didn't know at the time that it was due to pregnancy. Something about increased levels of estrogen hormones in my body that cause more mucous in the lining of my nose. It should clear up after Little Miss is born. Simple remedy really!

Currently, heat is my Kryptonite! Literally! When I'm inside I'm happy as a clam but the second I get overheated,  the fingers and toes begin to swell and I wilt.  I feel like Violet from Willy Wink. You remember, she's the one who swelled into a blueberry and was rolled away to be squeezed! I've never experienced a summer pregnancy and I have to say that when I get hot, I get cranky. Who knew!? I've heard of this "cranky condition" in many pregnant women but until now never understood it. I have a whole new respect fo those who have gone before me! I'm normally a pretty patient, happy, and easy going person but the mix of heat and pregnancy have made me very intolerant of everything and everyone. Working through pregnancy has been a breeze though because I'm in AC all day! It's wonderful but venturing out even on my drive home is uncomfortable. Hoping this heat wave ends sooner rather than later. Lots of water and lots of watermelon until cooler days!

The Braxton Hicks contractions have begun. That's a sure sign the end phase has begun. So exciting. I forgot how tight they can get. Nothing painful but certainly gets my attention. Another thing that gets my attention is the constant moving this little one does. She seems to nestle into my left hip a lot. The family is getting a "kick" out of watching my belly move. My son was laughing hysterically the other night. He put his ear up to my belly to try to hear the baby and all he heard were the gurgles from the water I had just consumed and promptly got kicked in the side of the head. Ironically my son has been the most enthralled with little miss. He pokes at her to try to get her to move and talks to her. Sweet kid. My daughter has a more sarcastic humor about it all. She swears there is an alien in my belly about to burst out at any moment.

Recently I found a great blog called Birth Without Fear. It is full of inspirational birth stories and positive support. Its wonderful to have this positive aid along the way. Along with all the positive stories found online I've found a common thread of what pregnant women endure hearing form others that are negative. While pregnancy is a time to celebrate new life, women often times become very sensitive. I myself have heard a few comments from others. Especially other women. While I do not consider myself sensitive to many of the comments, I find it ironic that we as women boast about building each other up in regards to strengths,  abilities, and looks but when it comes to pregnancy how quickly the filter fades. I am not one to get easily offended because I am confident in who I am and what I am doing. But I am more aghast at the lack of thought before words are spoken between women. 

Right now though my focus is on getting through these last nine weeks with ease and grace...and lots of watermelon!

30 Weeks!

Let me start by saying that this post is bitter sweet. While I continue to enjoy and celebrate a pregnancy that is going smoothly and know that a family is going to have a new little blessing soon, I write knowing that a dear friend has suffered yet another miscarriage. I don't understand why some little soles have to leave this world sooner than others. My heart is so heavy for my dear friend knowing her struggles to conceive. It greatly saddens me for those who strongly desire to have children of their own yet can not for what ever reason! It's such a reminder to me that I've been greatly blessed with two amazing children and know that they have been placed in my life for a very special reason. I continue to hope and pray for my dear friend that she will some day soon be able to experience the joys of parenthood!

As for this pregnancy, Little Miss Wiggles is just that, wiggling all the time! I've had a few crazy episodes of her spazzing out with a series of kicks and jabs but nothing that has been painful yet. Only once she has woken me up from a nap and once during the night. I think she spins quite happily in there. My belly seems to be a different shape every morning depending on how she moves. I also think she is shy...because every time I try to have the family feel her movements, she settles right down. Go figure.

Lately, I have been devouring blueberries, watermelon, and pineapple. Also loving grilled egg plant with fresh tomato slices and melted provolone. Of course all meat (except fish) has been seasoned with chipoltle...cant get enough of the stuff!! Yum! Thinking I need to up my protein intake as I've been craving lots of carbs but when I have indulged in the carb goodness, it doesn't satisfy. And thank goodness for our little tea shop in town. What a wonderful assortment of organic teas they offer. Grandma's Garden is my favorite and makes a lovely ice tea which in this HOT weather is completely necessary!

The running/jogging days are for sure over! Certainly because it's so hot outside now but also because I tried a few weeks ago and, nope it was a no-go! BUT, I still have aqua aerobics. Exercise during pregnancy has been amazing. I'm a huge advocate for it. The benefits are countless. Hoping that once Little Miss is born I can start running again and possibly attempt my first 5K next 4th of July!

Now that I am at the 10 week countdown point, a whole new thought process has begun. I had my first moment of, "oh, yeah...gotta do the labor thing again!" Yikes! Wondering what the circumstances will be leading up to the wonderful day. I've had several pregnancy dreams where the labor was so fast that the family couldn't make it in time. More of an unpleasant dream really. While I can only hope for a quick labor and delivery I would definitely be sad if the family couldn't be there for the special event. I know that this day that is quickly approaching will be full of emotions! While I can not wait for her to meet her new family, I know it will mean the end of my journey with her. I am just enjoying the little time I have left with her. I hope that my children will be able to meet this sweet little one and say their goodbye's so they have closure too.