tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70437380268111670492024-02-21T20:20:39.014-06:00The Baby IncubatorA surrogacy adventure.Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-7174687677983716422014-05-24T21:18:00.000-05:002014-05-24T21:18:02.185-05:00Postpartum: getting back to "normal"As a surrogate, the most common question received is, "Won't it be hard giving up the baby?"<br />
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Simply stated, "No. Not at all."<br />
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I can only speak from my experience, but I think most other surrogates agree that this couldn't be less difficult.<br />
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The mindset is completely different for this child and their family. The application process, matching with the IPs, medical screening, drugs, transfer, pregnancy. It is all for this new family. Conscious decisions are made and they are all so this couple can have the family they've been dreaming about and working for. <br />
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When delivery day came, I felt guilty that Michael and Jason wouldn't be able to make it to the birth of their little girl. I hated making that FaceTime call. As soon as Bunny was born, my husband, Justin, was at the warming cart taking photos and video to send to the new dads before their flight. After she was bundled up, Justin held her and it was reminiscent of the birth of our son. I was afraid Justin was beginning to become attached, which worried me. Then, he looked up at me, smirked and said, "We get to go home and sleep after this!" I laughed and knew he was back in reality.<br />
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I have to give Michael and Jason the highest complement: they are awesome dads. The anxiety and awkwardness of typical new parents didn't show. Besides Thea's beautiful wardrobe of dresses, it couldn't have been more clear how much love (and spoiling) this little girl is in for. I enjoyed the two weeks they were here and was happy to be a part of it all. It was priceless to see the family bonds form.<br />
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Dempsey and I met them at the airport to pick up the car seat they had borrowed from a co-worker (it really does take a village!). I was so nervous to see them go. In all honesty, I didn't want to meet them. I didn't want to cry in front of them. I knew I would be a mess and I didn't want them to remember me like that; I didn't want that to be my "goodbye."<br />
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At the end of our adventure, saying goodbye to the baby was easy. I was sad to say goodbye to her dads. For almost a year, our entire relationship was because of this wonderful baby girl. The contract, the transfer, the heartbeat confirmation, the sonogram and first meeting with Michael and Jason, the emails, the Skype and FaceTime calls and eventually the birth. All for her. And while I'm quite fond of her, I'm very fond of her parents and the relationship we have built. Surrogacy brought a farm girl from the middle of the US and a couple from the United Kingdom together - in what other world would we have ever met?<br />
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While they are thankful beyond words to me and mine for our help with their family, I'm ever gracious to them. They were always so kind and respectful to me and my family and I can't thank them enough for letting me experience their joy. Justin even said, "We won the lottery with them." I love my photo updates of Thea and am so excited to see a new e-mail from her dads.<br />
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So, at the fork in our road, I hugged each of them as they dragged their excessive baggage to the airport terminal. We kept it short and sweet. Luckily, my sunglasses helped me appear to be keeping it together. As I drove away, I turned up my Pop Hits and Technotronic iTunes radio station and tried to sing and shoulder dance to entertain my toddler. Tears fell to commemorate the end of a chapter in my life, but I hold so much excitement to have the opportunity to see them as a family.<br />
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<br />Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-64318951920572686302014-05-09T13:45:00.000-05:002014-05-09T13:45:49.766-05:00Parent Edition: a note from the new dads<div dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial; font-size: small;">
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...and quite an accomplishment it was too!<br />
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We arrived to see our wonderful surrogate and her family and our new family there too in the cot by the door! We had spent the last 24 hours flying from London to New York to Chicago and finally to KS. We arrived a day after the main event, which we understand was peppered with charming expletives. We asked if we could pick her up....it was so alien to us that this was it and we were dads. </div>
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<a href="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=859fbdd3bf&view=fimg&th=145c84fdcbb9ad4e&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-NGyRcZQWJV4vohBFqE-bWRgE3FgIBu2GpVJpOJdwcI2VLpv85pUmxRgCKXH9o65-mqs-mvrUNklK8zpqgoIDw6VMvZEux3bFS5x_5XYxNY00eJ3AnH2KYmgE&ats=1399658006025&rm=145c84fdcbb9ad4e&zw&sz=w912-h496" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="Displaying photo.JPG" border="0" height="200" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=859fbdd3bf&view=fimg&th=145c84fdcbb9ad4e&attid=0.1&disp=inline&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-NGyRcZQWJV4vohBFqE-bWRgE3FgIBu2GpVJpOJdwcI2VLpv85pUmxRgCKXH9o65-mqs-mvrUNklK8zpqgoIDw6VMvZEux3bFS5x_5XYxNY00eJ3AnH2KYmgE&ats=1399658006025&rm=145c84fdcbb9ad4e&zw&sz=w912-h496" width="150" /></a></div>
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And how wonderful to be dads slowly beginning to seep in.</div>
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Morgan's son had consoled our little bunny by telling her that it was ok, they would find her daddies when she cried and here we were. At last with our new love in our arms. We stayed at the hospital one night and in KS two more weeks. We had all the paper work done in a week, but enjoyed the time with our little bundle so much we didn't want to return to the real world. Jason also had to catch up on Honey boo boo and Dance Moms!</div>
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We are back now with no Morgan to support us, we had a scare when we found she had developed a rash to some horrid clothes some distant aunt bought her (straight to the bin), we had a breeze through customs on her US passport with a very excited border guard who's first words when we approached the counter was "Surrogate?" then "Congratulations!" and we have managed to register Thea at the local GP (oh dear how different the UK health service appears in comparison). </div>
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We have had lots of visitors but we are still making sure there is plenty of time for just the three of us....every day brings a joy, every day we are grateful to Morgan and our egg donor Amanda!</div>
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Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-48980791010661765242014-05-08T15:25:00.000-05:002014-05-08T15:25:01.209-05:00She's Here! I am a month postpartum. The beautiful family has come and gone and I am feeling small bouts of accomplishment. But I bet you want the details.<br />
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Induction was set for April 14, but clearly this little girl decided she couldn't wait that long to start the party.<br />
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<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1511748_10101576327274471_2219392385342256766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/t1.0-9/1511748_10101576327274471_2219392385342256766_n.jpg" width="300" /></a>April 4th, 6:30 a.m., my alarm goes off. I get up like any other day and eat my bowl of cereal. My hips are sore and feel like they have spread in the night and I seem to be experiencing a strange sensation in my lower pelvis- I think it might be contractions. Since there isn't much Capt'n Crunch left, and because I know I can't eat once I get to the hospital, I polish off the last bit of cereal. <br />
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I start getting ready like any other self-respecting woman, my makeup was fully intact, but my clothes were poorly matched, as the contractions were stronger by that point. After a call to my sister, the emergency line to my OB's office and a few text messages to co-workers I began to realize I was REALLY in labor. After I told the OB emergency line "My contractions are 2-3 minutes apart and are pretty intense," they said, "you need to go to labor and delivery, now."<br />
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It's not difficult to imagine the look of horror on Michael's face as he answers my FaceTime call (especially since I've never called unannounced). I hold a fake smile between contractions and tell him that I'm headed to labor and delivery and I'll keep them posted "if I'm really in labor." The only thing that he could mutter at the time was, "the soonest we can get there is tomorrow at 10 a.m." As I feel another contraction coming on, I tell him to do what he can with a big, fat, wincing smile.<br />
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My husband makes his call into work to make arrangements because his wife is pregnant and in labor (both of which were shocking news to unknowing co-workers...). We load up our son and head to day care, then to drop off my FMLA paperwork (thankfully I had picked it up the afternoon before!). Then, on to the hospital we go. In between contractions, I mention we should take bets on what I'm dilated to... but that was quickly forgotten by the next contraction. We get to the hospital and I snap at a sweet little volunteer lady and tell the maternity care coordinator that I will sign anything that they need me to and the answer to all of their questions is, "Yes."<br />
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Three or four contractions after arriving a little after 9 a.m., triage is attempting to get me checked in, despite my foul attitude. Despite several questions about an epidural, I was not able to get one. I was checked and dilated to an 8. Five minutes later, my water broke. Twenty minutes later, I delivered a beautiful baby girl. A day later her daddies got to meet the little princess.<br />
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<br />Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-49647042806692539012014-03-26T10:00:00.000-05:002014-03-26T10:00:22.605-05:00Managing the Details<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's amazing, how quickly a pregnant woman will stop counting up and start counting down to delivery day.<br />
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We are down to the final month. My last pregnancy was 2.5 years ago and I will verify that this child-bearing "thing" is for the younger crowd. Little Miss Bunny seems to be resting very low. There are times mid-walk I have to stop and kind of crouch over to get her out of a very uncomfortable and compromising position.<br />
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As you can imagine, two very excited parents are already packed and ready to fly! I have yet to pack my hospital bag, so they are making me look bad.<br />
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Almost all of the legal stuff has been completed. The Pre-Birth Order (PBO) was approved! That document will establish the rightful parents and will take my name off of Bunny's birth certificate once she is born. The only things now left to do will happen after she is born. What a relief it is to have very organized parents.<br />
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I had an OB appointment on Monday and am down to the once-a-week visits. I am dilated to a 1 and "about half way thinned out," according to my doctor. Let me just say, there are a few things one forgets and blocks out after the birth of a child; cervix checks are one of those. Since I grew up on a farm, I always related it to my dad preg checking the cows (just google it...). Those gloves go all the way up the shoulder, so that poor cow has it MUCH worse off than myself.Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-38838713141885162942014-03-11T14:40:00.000-05:002014-03-11T14:40:00.894-05:0034 WeeksI have five weeks left of being pregnant.<br />
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HOW CRAZY IS THAT?!?<br />
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Michael and Jason fly in to KC in one month. I'm excited to see them again and excited to help them set up their temporary apartment for their new family.<br />
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This little foot photo is a few weeks old. I'm sure it is bigger now and I can assure you it is much more tappy these days. During the ultrasound she was wiggly and playing with her other foot. Both of those little feet like to find their way into my ribs. She prefers me to use proper, upright posture - She's already so British.<br />Hopefully, she'll have (at least) a little bit of fuzz for hair. She was measuring in the 61st percentile for size. I like that; she's no behemoth and she'll still be healthily sized.<br />
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It has been such a relief to have such a boring pregnancy. Isn't that what everyone hopes for? Nothing to get nervous about and everything to go according to the plan. I do have a follow-up appointment with the neurologist this week. My CT scan was normal, so that is good news. Hopefully, those strange symptoms were just a weird fluke that will disappear.<br />
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Dempsey is finally noticing my sizable bump. I lifted my shirt to show him and he laughed and proceeded to drum on it a little while. He felt her kick last night and quickly pulled his little hand away. I suppose that would be weird if you weren't expecting it!<br />
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I may have thoroughly confused the poor child by telling him there is a bunny residing in that bump. However, it was pretty funny when he walked over to Justin and asked if he was also smuggling a bunny in his belly. My very audible laugh received a glare.<br /><br />
<br />Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-68537961143282993672014-02-03T10:00:00.000-06:002014-02-03T10:00:01.040-06:00Pregnancy Side Effects<br />
Pregnancy does weird things to a woman.<br />
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It can change her body, change her mood, change her life.<br />
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There are cravings, aversions and "side effects."<br />
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The strangest thing I've experienced while pregnant is sneezing. If I am hungry and take a bite of food, I will, inevitably, sneeze. It is the weirdest thing, and I've only met one other person that has experienced this phenomenon. </div>
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The other side effect I have had is "complex migraines." These aren't normal migraines - I have a dull headache, at best. But it is accompanied by "ocular disturbances," meaning that I get blurred vision on the right side of my field of vision. Then my hands, nose and mouth will go numb. I talked to my OB and my general practitioner about it and "complex migraines" is the answer I got. They last for about half an hour from start to finish and come very irregularly, maybe one every couple of weeks. </div>
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I love ice. I can't get enough of it. Apparently, ice is considered a "non food" item, which means I have <a href="http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/unusualcravingspica.html" target="_blank">Pica</a>. Some people suggest that craving ice may mean that I have an iron deficiency. In fact, I do. Just got the phone call to start an iron supplement. I'm starting to worry that chomping ice is becoming a habit rather than a craving. <div>
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Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-25012136904205575452014-01-28T14:12:00.000-06:002014-01-28T14:12:14.777-06:00Little known factThis is the real reason our pregnancy stuck...<br />
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In all honesty, as soon as I got up there, I thought, "WHAT AM I DOING! I am supposed to be taking it easy!" and immediately went and laid down.</div>
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I had a check up last Monday at 27 weeks. I passed the glucose test with flying colors, just as I knew I would. I did make the mistake of eating a huge "farm girl" breakfast before deciding to down my orange sugar juice. I was terrified I was going to vomit on the way to the doctor's office. Did you know you have to drink another one if you can't keep it down? What torture!</div>
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I gained 5 pounds, to which my amazing nurse quickly stated, "Oh my! She's gone through quite the growth spurt!" What a smart woman.</div>
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We also set the induction date! April 14 is delivery day! Michael and Jason have already {and excitedly} booked their flights and started packing. </div>
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Michael pointed out that there were only 12 weeks left. I asked him how that made him and Jason feel: "Terrified!" I thought that was a laughable moment. Mainly, because it is completely NORMAL! </div>
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12 weeks left!</div>
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Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-19930802158554531752014-01-16T11:33:00.000-06:002014-01-16T11:33:40.293-06:00Diva via Osmosis<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">I
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<span style="font-family: "Times","serif";">I'm starting to think nurture is winning
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times","serif";">We were at home and I was
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times","serif";">"Your belly just shocked me." </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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"I know, I think it was Bunny. She can be kind of witchy, sometimes."</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times","serif";">After a brief pause he followed up with:<br />
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"Well... it's not genetic, so maybe she got that way by osmosis..." </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-86802156968930237072014-01-03T13:11:00.001-06:002014-01-03T13:11:30.285-06:00New Year - Full of High HopesPregnancies are full of milestones.<br /><br />The fact that we just past Christmas and New Year is a measurable milestone. <div>
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<a href="http://f.kulfoto.com/pic/0001/0038/iqXgX37203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://f.kulfoto.com/pic/0001/0038/iqXgX37203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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At 24 weeks, I think Bunny is going to be a diva. As I was sitting at my desk yesterday, I stood up and could feel her stretched out to the max. As my center of gravity has shifted, it almost felt like my body was weighted forward. I imagine her looking like this kitten, all stretched out, comfortable and adorable, just more human-like and a lot less fuzzy.<br /><br />As of my last doctor's appointment, I have gained 11 pounds. Seems like GREAT progress! Hardly noticeable, that is, until I have to run up the stairs in our house. I shouldn't be getting so winded! I have plans to start exercising a little more regularly, because my leaf-raking regimen doesn't seem to be cutting it.</div>
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I actually have a noticeable and sizable bump. I have to get a photographer (i.e. Justin) because I just can't twist just right to get one of myself. "Vain," you say? Heck yes! I'm not going to have a toilet in the background because that was the only mirror I could capture myself in!</div>
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My next appointment is in a few weeks. I'll have my glucose test and may have a tentative induction date by then!</div>
Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-38494422614507925272013-12-09T08:59:00.000-06:002013-12-09T08:59:17.018-06:00Tap Dancer<br />
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<img src="http://blog.loveireland.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Riverdance.jpg" /> </div>
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I was in denial for a while.<br />
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It's undeniable now; Bunny is kicking or tap dancing like a Riverdance girl.<br />
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My OB told me I have a posterior placenta (meaning it's attached at the back of my baby tank) so it would be a little longer before I could feel her really clogging around (my words, not hers). At 20 weeks, let it be written, she made her presence known.<br />
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<a href="http://www.babyrazzi.com/files/2011/01/Product_Pic_Blended-1024x896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.babyrazzi.com/files/2011/01/Product_Pic_Blended-1024x896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.babyrazzi.com/files/2011/01/Product_Pic_Blended-1024x896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.babyrazzi.com/files/2011/01/Product_Pic_Blended-1024x896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.babyrazzi.com/files/2011/01/Product_Pic_Blended-1024x896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="http://www.babyrazzi.com/files/2011/01/Product_Pic_Blended-1024x896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://www.babyrazzi.com/files/2011/01/Product_Pic_Blended-1024x896.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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At 21 weeks, she is about 10.5 inches long and weighs just a little less than a pound. I'm still not that big out front, but definitely fitting well into my maternity clothes. The cold Kansas weather lets my bulky pea coat hide the extra me. That makes picking Dempsey up from daycare a lot easier without any extra questions about reserving an extra space for the Young family.<br />
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Hopefully I can get the <a href="http://bellybuds.com/" target="_blank">Bellybuds</a> out this week and start some Baby Mozart jam sessions. For those of you that don't know, Bellybuds are little speakers you stick to your growing belly to play music or other audio. I got them as a gift with my son and I think they are great. Dempsey is quite the music connoisseur and at age two enjoys Call Me Maybe, Robin Thicke and Miley Cyrus (referred to as "the broken girl...)... but only if these artists are singing with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEsPhTbJhuo&list=FLcoBLwM1iqN9OO8iw0bnItg" target="_blank">Jimmy Fallon</a> (truth be told, he really loves Jimmy Fallon).<br /><br />Our goal with Bellybuds this go-round, is to have Michael and Jason record their voices to play to Bunny. I've heard that Alice in Wonderland is currently in production. Until then, she'll be listening to Baby Mozart, the Lumineers, Mumford and Sons... and maybe Katy Perry... Or Jimmy Fallon if Dempsey has anything to say about it!Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-63160606777455950232013-11-25T10:19:00.002-06:002013-11-25T10:19:40.699-06:00Could it get any better?<b>Michael and Jason were absolutely fabulous</b>.<br />
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In the words of my husband (ye of little words), "They're good people."<br />
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While the visit was short, I think we jammed as much conversation in as possible in the day we had together. I had a headache from all the laughing by the end of the day, so I popped a Tylenol and chugged a water to cut it before dinner. It worked and dinner was great. I saw a look cross Justin's face as we went to a barbecue place and he was the only one that ordered barbecue. Truth be told, America's portion sizes are quite large, so Justin was really the only one that was hungry by the time we went to dinner.<br />
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Ironically, there were two [BRAND NEW] gay dads, just a table away, celebrating the new family member with their friends and family. I think it made the evening even more surreal. The scan made the idea of that little gummy bear (now looking much more like a Whippet or Greyhound - such a long spine...) REALLY REAL. Bunny moved, even shook that little booty, quite the dancer. The hospital tour was great, and my glances to Michael and Jason revealed excitement and terror all wrapped into one. We really are fortunate to be working with such an accommodating hospital.<br />
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I'm kicking myself for not getting any pictures of us together. I'm sure I could photoshop something together, but I just don't have the flair for that kind of buffoonery today. That means I will just have to snap that many more photos in April.<br />
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In case any of you were wondering, Bunny is a little <span style="color: magenta;">girl</span>! This will make pulling off a nickname like, Bunny a lot easier!<br />
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Congrats, Michael and Jason!Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-32954602658987390912013-11-21T14:40:00.000-06:002013-11-21T14:40:14.102-06:00One More DayMichael and Jason are in the air as I type.<br />
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By tomorrow we will have already been through our hospital tour and found out if Bunny will wear pink or blue (and tons of yellow and white).<br />
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Can you believe it?!?!Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-54700726547466982372013-11-13T14:01:00.000-06:002013-11-13T14:01:30.474-06:00Building AnticipationI've been a slacker in the blogosphere.<br />
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My apologies. I've been busy in the rest of my lifeosphere.<br />
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I've started my Master's. Finally. Now, in two years, I might be able to get a job where I can use, at least, one of my degrees. Maybe.<br />
<a href="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1391794_10101326161982721_2080486896_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1391794_10101326161982721_2080486896_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Michael and Jason are officially 17 weeks pregnant. CRAZY! Where has the time gone? I've been getting lost in the lull of no news is good news.<br /><br />I unpacked old and purchased a few new maternity clothes. I don't know if I wore these with Dempsey, but I've got to fit them in to my winter wardrobe; maybe with tights. Aren't they beautiful? <br /><br />I really wish I could have snapped a pic of the khaki pants that were in my second-hand tote (surely my sister didn't REALLY wear these horrid things). I STRONGLY DISLIKE khaki's because they've never been nice at accentuating my rump. But the maternity khaki's take it to a new level of figure abuse... it's just plain mean.<br /><br />In any case, I'm happy I will be enjoying Thanksgiving in some awesome stretchy pants. Maybe, I'll even let Justin borrow them. Just for lunch.<br />
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NEXT WEEK Michael and Jason will be flying over the pond to see their baby wiggle on the ultra sound screen! Oh, and of course, we'll find out if there is a he or a she residing in the baby tank. I've got my own suspicions, I'll let everyone else spend the next week guessing.Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-82419909952338559462013-10-31T15:26:00.001-05:002013-10-31T15:26:37.879-05:0015 weeks<br />
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No. I am not ready to post a photo of my figure.<br />
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The truth is, I just look pudgy. I'm not really "showing," but, instead, look like I filled up at the local buffet. My pants don't button (comfortably) and I don't mind belting them on. But do I have that beautiful pregnancy bump? No. More of a lump, if anything, but I'm okay with that. I still get to wear spandex!<br />
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/></a></div>
Bunny is about the size of an apple. Bunny still has a lot of ripening to do, but actually looks like a tiny baby.<br />
<br />
Someone asked how far along I was. They gasped and said, "I didn't realize you were that far." I hadn't really thought about it, but then I realized, I'll be half way in a month! AHHH!<br />
<br />
I guess I've been blissfully ignorant and going about my daily routine. It is after all the last day of October, that fact alone is daunting.<br />
<br />
I hope everyone has a wonderful, candy-filled Halloween. Justin is in charge of Dempsey's trick-or-treating as I have my master's class tonight. That little donkey will be getting his Hee-Haw on without me.Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-6434435700518674562013-10-20T14:52:00.001-05:002013-10-20T14:52:28.247-05:00Waiting for Kansas - a note from the intended parents<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a month till we fly to Kansas to meet Morgan and Bunny. We are all booked in for the flights via Chicago and arrive late Thursday for the scan and hospital visit on Friday. The trip could hardly be more exciting to look forward too even if we don't have ruby slippers this might be the most memorable trip to Kansas ever.<br><br>The strange thing is that it all remains rather unreal as Morgan is doing all the work and her family are giving all the on-call support. Several thousand miles from the action we are merely the pushy parents proud to show round a scan and aware that Bunny still looks like a still of the starship Enterprise. We have held back telling too many people not because we are superstitious or fear their input or response but more because this is the most precious thing possible and everyone we tell somehow lessens the perfectly wonderful story that Morgan and we share. So until the next scan we are keeping it a limited secret and that makes us smile every time we think what we have. All those still in the dark will have enough of the sharing once Bunny comes along. <br><br></span><br style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-20550914806266182332013-10-14T14:03:00.000-05:002013-10-14T14:03:29.274-05:00Smooth Sailing: 2nd trimester!It's been a while.<br />
<br />
The good news: I have nothing to report!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4991328662324643&pid=15.1&H=156&W=160" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4991328662324643&pid=15.1&H=156&W=160" /></a>I'm off meds and feel like a normal person, so it's nice to just live day-to-day, like nothing is happening. This is quite the switch from the beginning of the surrogacy journey, where there is only excitement. Now, it's just waiting. O, and by the way, second trimester!!! Exhale that heavy sigh of relief. As far as I'm concerned, it's all smooth sailing now!<br />
<br />
At 13 weeks, Bunny actually looks like a baby. YAY; that's great news!<br />
<br />
<br />Size of a peach, little bones forming, wiggles and might even suck a thumb! As for my body... well not all pants button and I'm in the market for a "good pair" of yoga pants that I can pass of as work slacks... That's not because my body has made huge <strike>mutations</strike> modifications, but because I really never want to get out of comfortable pants.<br />
<br />
Pretty soon I think we will be breaking out the <a href="http://www.bellybuds.com/" target="_blank">BellyBuds</a> to get those developing ears tuned in to daddies' voices. If you don't know what those are, they are awesome. I'll tell you more later.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEpKQoMJT8EKWZjy984qJgV2fa7A2b__9e0gKi-kfFBHemgkVczq7aSjxUvlCOoemsC7hALAXCnNEp3BKWr21eYY26fMc_tsTOhOuXRNDvUxZJcjMIf0AMoW51_Y0VBJodW2vwZ0EKEo/s640/blogger-image-1719456897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEpKQoMJT8EKWZjy984qJgV2fa7A2b__9e0gKi-kfFBHemgkVczq7aSjxUvlCOoemsC7hALAXCnNEp3BKWr21eYY26fMc_tsTOhOuXRNDvUxZJcjMIf0AMoW51_Y0VBJodW2vwZ0EKEo/s320/blogger-image-1719456897.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
Here is a glimpse of my weekend. Dempsey enjoys tinkering around in our "guest house." It's his play house, but it's my best attempt to sound fancy.Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-43756603765423317532013-09-30T15:44:00.001-05:002013-09-30T15:44:48.294-05:00The Thing About Naysayers...<br />
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</div>
<br />
...they suck.<br />
<br />
Often they shake your convictions and even your foundation.<br />
<br />
I've met little opposition to the surrogacy journey. I knew at some point I would, and that didn't bother me. I'm usually not up for caring much about what other people think.<br />
<br />
However, it stings when it is family.<br />
<br />
While the details aren't necessary, it is important to share why harsh words can make such a little difference in this journey. Michael's mum has been overjoyed by the whole prospect of extending the family. She is incredibly excited to become a grand-mum. Michael shared these kind words she had for me this weekend:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want to tell her how happy she has made my 2 boys and me. I want to say a big thank you to the whole family as it could not happen with out their help, so thank you all.</span></blockquote>
That, people, is the reason that hateful or insensitive insights don't matter.<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://dobrador.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/91057223687192296_uVtgWenI_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://dobrador.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/91057223687192296_uVtgWenI_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-70400793311597166642013-09-24T11:08:00.001-05:002013-09-24T11:08:50.943-05:00The best thing...The best thing about my surrogacy journey so far is that no one has asked me to step on a scale.<br />
<br />
No one.<br />
<br />
Not <a href="http://www.nefertility.com/" target="_blank">NEFI</a>, not my local monitoring clinic, not my IPs and definitely, not my husband.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs145/1102727990825/img/304.jpg?a=1111275068984" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs145/1102727990825/img/304.jpg?a=1111275068984" width="320" /></a>Clearly, that is not the best thing about the surrogacy journey, but it's a nice perk. I was expecting to be weighed, measured, poked and prodded. Basically, all of the prior stated is standard and routine EXCEPT weighing in.<br />
<br />
I think that will end today. I see my personal OBGYN and I think the first order of business, besides paperwork, will be a weigh in.<br />
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I've got an idea of what my starting weight was... so we will see if there has been much of a change. If my feelings get hurt, there may be a stop for ice cream on my way back to work.Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-58861960612912345772013-09-19T15:56:00.000-05:002013-09-24T11:09:29.551-05:00Grow, Bunny, Grow!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCB2yYACgJLrEOv5ZTZJPYMxu964TbJjk8QGGzRlPoYKLYwRvb9yQ5xlzDa2iNKR0L9sC2CwLkk0qX1tBkXV-0ga0b6gBtQBL0yrfiGC-crA-cvV0e7C4FQRPa2pkIK72KCQZbBM8lTA/s1600/9+weeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZCB2yYACgJLrEOv5ZTZJPYMxu964TbJjk8QGGzRlPoYKLYwRvb9yQ5xlzDa2iNKR0L9sC2CwLkk0qX1tBkXV-0ga0b6gBtQBL0yrfiGC-crA-cvV0e7C4FQRPa2pkIK72KCQZbBM8lTA/s1600/9+weeks.jpg" /></a>Bunny is growing!</div>
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It is almost unfathomable to think about how much this little bebe has grown in two weeks. Let's not get ahead of ourselves, Bunny is only the size of a grape - but that looks like a big grape!<br />
<br />
I came to a conclusion today. Almost an epiphany. It is hard to explain the relationship of a surrogate with her Intended Parents. Even harder to explain the relationship with the child. <br />
<br />
With my own pregnancy, I wasn't overly "ga-ga" over the idea of our little bundle of joy. Maybe it was more terrifying that exciting. I didn't make much of a big deal out of my pregnancy. I didn't tell many people and my mother and Justin both had to beg for the go-ahead to spread the good news. I loved my baby in utero, but I didn't get in a good bond until he smiled at me.<br />
<br />
I was thinking about how much Bunny had grown and how exciting that was. Of course, I always find myself sending pictures or video of the appointment while still in the parking lot.<br />
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The difference between loving your own child and loving a surrogate child is that when there is a milestone, you get so excited for the parents. You try to imagine which one will be the mother hen and which one will the spoiler. As creepy as it sounds, I find myself day dreaming of their future. I love seeing the excitement in their faces every time we Skype and I'm so thankful that we have been extremely successful thus far.<br />
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It is pretty rare that I think things are happening to me. I more often think things are happening to us - Michael, Jason and myself. More often, I refer to things as happening for them. This is their pregnancy. This is their baby. I'm just excited to be a small part of it. I think that is the main difference of being a surrogate mama.</div>
Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-33897868686811293172013-09-18T12:14:00.000-05:002014-10-28T15:30:08.816-05:00Moving along<br />
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<br />
Still nothing exciting on my end.<br />
<br />
However, Michael and Jason are relaxing in France. I got an email this weekend stating that they were planning on "driving down." <br />
<br />
Since I living in Kansas, I equate that with what would be a drive to Texas. That doesn't sound nearly as beautiful.<br />
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They are enjoying beautiful French countryside with sunflower fields. If I were to drive, I might be lucky to see a dead armadillo with a beer bottle propped in its puffy little hands. It just doesn't produce the same imagery.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1032/563675591_cc366b4d3e_z.jpg?zz=1" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1032/563675591_cc366b4d3e_z.jpg?zz=1" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRCSadPLsC5xvTQf6vm4qcmEof72ZceXGhPd7IZ3x2ka-wOeFiow" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTRCSadPLsC5xvTQf6vm4qcmEof72ZceXGhPd7IZ3x2ka-wOeFiow" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Or this?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
They checked in today with plans of visiting the village market. Apparently the weather there is beautiful with crisp night air; enough to need a fire. Meanwhile, back here in Kansas, I am expecting a high of 90 degrees. Never mind that two days ago it was 60 degrees and two days from now we will have a high of 70.<br />
<br />
Their is a fair at the village market and the semi-celebrity, Chicken Man, will be there. He is renowned for the quality of his organic Bresse chickens. What a man! If Justin and I don't work out this is who I plan on running away with.<br />
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<br />Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-17757270834141766202013-09-11T10:18:00.000-05:002013-09-11T10:18:31.563-05:008 Weeks<br />
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<a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/i/fetal_development/week8/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/i/fetal_development/week8/index.jpg" width="320" /></a>Uneventful is good.<br /><br />This week I get to skip the doctor's office. All of my hormone levels and ultra sounds have been superb, so I get a break this week... at least from the doctor's office.<br /><br />The due date for our little gummy bear is April 20, 2014, which just happens to be Easter. Baby shall from now on be referred to as, "Bunny."<br /><br />I'm sure Bunny is growing like a champ in that baby tank. Am I starting to "show," you ask? NO! I'm a healthy woman... you'll have to wait a while for any noticeable bump to form.<br /><br />Food aversions have mellowed as well as some of my nauseous tendencies. I seem to get really hungry, and then hardly eat any of my lunch. Considering I could be "losing my lunch," my appetite is hardly anything to complain about. Justin is already becoming worried about sympathy weight...<br /><br />I set up my appointment with my own OBGYN (HIGHLY recommended by my new-mom neighbor). It's still a couple of weeks away, but I will consult with her before finishing my monitoring appointments. Jason and Michael are waiting on pins and needles for an ultrasound date, so they can make travel arrangements. Needless to say, that will be the first question I ask.</div>
Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-65970805526585662092013-09-05T14:43:00.000-05:002013-09-05T14:43:37.854-05:00Little PeanutIt's Thursday!<div>
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That means it was testing day!</div>
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The nurse practitioner (who is amazing, by the way) said that this week baby looks like a peanut, but next week, baby will resemble a gummy bear, which, of course, sounds delicious to me. </div>
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Ironically, the two things stashed in my desk drawer happen to be peanut M&Ms and gummy bears...</div>
Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-14211419164354965082013-09-01T19:11:00.000-05:002013-09-01T19:11:14.251-05:00Meet the Parents<br />
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Due to technical difficulties with blogger, I have been asked to share this blog post from the intended parents. Hopefully this is just the first of many to come. Enjoy!</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">We have been keeping a low profile as really Morgan is the star here....but now that "we" are officially pregnant, we can't control our excitement as IPs any longer. So how did we get here... five years ago we took a career break and travelled the world for a year and half. We had time to reflect and time to plan for our future away from the pressures of work and the daily grind. On a garden square in New York we got engaged and on a beach in Koh Samui we decided to explore growing our family. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Fast forward through the rest of our travels, setting up a new business, buying a new home and researching surrogate options, we eventually met up with Circle and started the process that brought us to the news of being officially pregnant yesterday.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Once we had filled in the interminable paperwork and sought to understand how the journey would proceed, we got to the great bits...matching with our wonderful egg donor and our amazing surrogate. The matching was intuitive and we felt an immediate connection between ourselves and the two wonderful women who have helped us get this far. Words can't really explain how lucky we feel to have meet and been accepted by them. It was a nervous wait to see if they were willing to help us and it still is difficult to express how generous they have been to make it possible to arrive at this point.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Seeing the ultrasound yesterday and hearing the heartbeat was astounding. It brought tears to our mother's eyes and the still photo has been safely lodged in our wallets. There's a long journey still to go...Morgan has morning sickness, raging hormones, tiredness and more pills to take...we have to wait till our lives get turned upside down. I know we have the best of that deal but despite being an ocean away we are with her all the way.</span></div>
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Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-68320403382250942432013-08-31T12:39:00.000-05:002013-08-31T12:39:06.533-05:00Un Solo Corazón<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
One Heart!</div>
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One healthy heartbeat!</div>
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I work in a bilingual workplace. The wonderful Spanish speakers gave my brain a workout yesterday by really pushing my sub-par Spanish skills. I try to keep it simple when thinking about my responses to their questions. Today, I was happy to report back - Un Solo Corazón (and I even botched that simple phase. Thanks, Google Translate!)</div>
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Here is the healthy little baby from head to tail. Baby still has a LOT of growing to do, but this is a really good start!</div>
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Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7043738026811167049.post-51486094076874991342013-08-26T14:28:00.002-05:002013-08-26T14:28:34.172-05:00Something is Growing in there...<br />
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Sometimes it's strange what you notice.<br />
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I had one morning of nausea with Dempsey around 8 weeks. Other than the pregnancy test and the doctor telling me, I wouldn't have known I was pregnant.<br />
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But with this baby, I'm more in tune with the cause and effect. I know that my <a href="http://thebabyincubator.blogspot.com/2013/08/raging-hormones.html" target="_blank">hormones</a> have spiked. I know why I am so tired.<br />
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Yesterday, I was talking to Justin with exaggerated arm movements. I stifle an "Ow!" and proceed to see if there is a bruise on the side of my boob under my arm. "Of course there has to be a reason there is a painful spot on my boob - those things don't just hurt for no good reason," I thought to myself. Sweet Justin looks at me and says, "There's no bruise. Your mammaries are probably gearing up to become a milk factory." [that wasn't an exact, word-for-word quote, but you get the point]. <br />
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Oh yeah. I forgot that these two attention-getters have a purpose other than filling out a blouse.<br />
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I woke up this morning to what felt like a gut punch. My tummy was hurting. My guts had decided to clench up into a ball. I'm happy to report that I am feeling much better by mid-day. However, my cheerios were far less appealing, as were my peanut M&Ms...<br />
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<a href="http://www.usobserver.com/archive/june-11/images/COM-Apathy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.usobserver.com/archive/june-11/images/COM-Apathy2.jpg" width="152" /></a>My only steady symptom so far is apathy. It's hard to fake listening to a story I have zero interest in. I will not entertain a fake smile to a lame joke. And those baskets full of laundry needing to be folded? Well, until my closet is empty, they are not my concern.Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14369775707108601874noreply@blogger.com4