A year already?!?!

Thats right! 1 year ago, I had a perfect little embryo placed into me. 10 days later, we got a positive beta. Crazy. Shes now 3 months old!!! Never in a million years did I think 2 years ago, that I would actually get to fulfill my dream of being a surrogate! Then came the amazing day I was asked by A and D to be their surrogate.
Heres where Hazel started....crazy.

Perfect little blast!

 My life has changed because of our journey. I would like to take a moment (again) ask you to check out this great blog. Jeni's recent post talks about having pride in our surrogacy journeys. She talks about sharing her knowledge and story. Im really glad she wrote about how much she shares with people because I too, like to share my story. I like to share my story with ANYONE who will listen. Sometimes I think, gosh, I talk about it too much. Then I think, nah...everyone likes to hear about such an amazing thing. So I talk about it some more. At this point, I almost dont mind if people think I talk to much about it lol. I love to talk about it anyway. Ive had some people say "I hope you dont mind I told so and so that you were a surrogate". I totally dont mind! I want people to know! And I wasnt a surrogate...I AM a surrogate. And a damn proud one. And Jeni...thanks for yet again, an amazing post. You continue to wow me! I truly am in awe!

Anyhow....so the girls are on break and we went to the aquarium last week. Heres some pics. Youll have to read till the bottom to see a new pic of Hazel! :)

Easter morning

Jelly fish are super cool

Us

Juli

Maddie

Braelyn

Me

How cute is she!

3 months already!

Wow...its hard to believe that Hazel is 3 months already!!! I know...Im a couple days late, but I just havent had the time to sit and write...and I didnt know what to write either...still dont lol.

I have to say, things have gotten much easier. I remember about the 2 and 3 week mark, I was in a weird place. Not ppd but a little sad that everything was over...not knowing my place...and just feeling like I didnt know what to do with myself. I was struggling with how to cope with no longer being on this journey and wishing I could be a fly on the wall in A and Ds apartment so I could see and know how they were doing, all the time. At three months, things have definitely changed. I no longer feel sad or hormonal (ok, well the hormonal part is a lie lol). I dont worry about her or them and I am no longer upset that I dont hear from them. Im happy.Im proud. And I cant wait to do it again!!! I love telling people about our journey and how Hazel came to be. It really is my biggest accomplishment (besides my own beautiful children of course!).

I received a beautiful letter a couple weeks ago from A. While I know that I mean a lot to them, I think reading it from her was what I really needed and it helped a lot. Its a private letter so Im not going to share all the details, but one particular line made me cry (well, the whole thing made me cry) but this one line is particularly beautiful so I thought I would share:
"I wanted to to be able to tell my baby that she was born into this world by the generosity of the human spirit and that she is a gift to be celebrated and that her birth was a miracle. Because of you and our egg donor...I will be able to tell her that story."
Ok...is that not beautiful??? I think anyone would find the beauty in that sentence. Isnt surrogacy amazing?!

So, Ive been working 2 whole weeks at the new job and loving it. The people are super nice and Im really getting the hang of it. Its been hard this whole, getting up early and out of the house, commuting up to an hour and a half every day (depending on traffic)...and then an hour back home (more depending on traffic). I cant believe I am actually saying it....but I look forward to working the evenings where I wont have to worry about rush hour traffic. My first day on the phones, I got a commendation! Came in the next day to an email (I think they call it a "Bravo") which totally made my day. Things are looking good...I just hope I get on permanent!!

Well...here is the latest recipes Ive made!

Monkey Bread

Monkey Bread:

1/2

 cup granulated sugar

1

 teaspoon cinnamon

2

 cans (16.3 oz each) Pillsbury® Grands!® Homestyle refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1/2

 cup chopped walnuts, if desired

1/2

 cup raisins, if desired

1

 cup firmly packed brown sugar

3/4

 cup butter or margarine, melted

I used Grands Cinnamon Rolls because I couldnt find ones called "Homestyle" . Open the cans of rolls and separate each roll. Cut each one into 4. Mix together sugar and cinnamon and put in a ziplock. Place cut pieces of dough into the bag and toss to coat. Arrange dough, walnuts and raisins in a sprayed bundt or angel food cake pan (I dont have a bundt pan so it went in an angel food cake pan).  Combine the brown sugar and butter and pour over.

Bake at 350* for half an hour or so. Cool in pan for 10 min, then turn upside down onto a plate. Serve warm.

Pan Quiche

Ingredients:

A dozen eggs

milk

onion

mushrooms

black forest ham (or cooked bacon if you prefer)

Parmasan or cheddar cheese (depending on preference) 

Fry up the onion and mushrooms. When they are done, toss in the ham to crisp it a bit.

While the veg is cooking, crack all the eggs into a large bowl add milk (sorry...I eyeball it...maybe half a cup?)  and whisk the shit out of it. I use a Braun mixer with the whisk attachment. Either way, you want it whipped really well. I also add pepper, parsley flakes and garlic powder while Im whisking. Pour the egg mixture over the veg and turn the heat down really low (you dont want the bottom to burn before the middle is cooked). Cover and keep an eye on it. You want to be using a fairly deep pan as it will fluff up. When its done, sprinkle some cheese over top, replace lid until it melts. When its ready, cut like a pie!

Delish!!