A month already?! OMG!

Wow does time go fast!!! Little Hazel will be one month old tomorrow! Its hard to believe that she has already been on this earth for a month!!! She hasn't gained much weight and still looks like the day she was born! lol Shes keeping her parents on their toes for sure... apparently she likes to get upset in the evenings and not let them sleep much. But... that's the wonderful thing about being a surrogate...I don't have to worry bout that! LOL

I am still pumping and last week, took a big cooler FULL of milk to her. The milk filled the cooler to the top and there wasn't even room for ice packs or anything. It should last her quite a while, which is good because I'm likely to start weaning off. I went away to a Girl Guide camp last weekend, and I went from pumping every 3 hours to pumping when I had time (at times it was 5 and even 7 hours between pumping....8 hours on the last day when we got stuck in Victoria due to high winds and the ferry being cancelled!) So now, my supply has been going down. Part of me is ok with that, part of me is sad. I really HATE pumping. I despise it actually. It sucks. Ok...TMI moment...my nipples hurt like a mother f-er!!! Seriously...the pump is not kind to me (I am extremely sensitive). But, I love being able to provide her with so much milk. Dropping off that cooler full of milky goodness, made me so proud of myself. Not only is it good for her, but helps keep the cost of buying as much formula down. It would just be nice to not have to take my pump with me if I know I'm going to be longer then 3 hours...and it would be nice to not wake up with hard boobs...and it would be nice to not feel the tingles all the time. I go back to work on Feb 9th so we will see how much of a pain in the butt it is to pump there and if it is, then Ill start to wean off.

Anyway...here is a picture of me and babe last time I saw her (a week ago) and Rebekah over at http://rebekahrose.blogspot.com/  did this questionnaire on her blog. I did one at the beginning of the journey but thought it would be fun to do it again!

Love her hair!

Name: Darshan Aileen Andrews
Birthday: May 14
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Where were you born: North Vancouver BC Canada
Where do you live now: Maple Ridge BC Canada
How many times have you moved: In my whole life...um Ive lived in 7 homes in my entire life that I remember (since I was 4 basically)
Hair Color: Dirty blonde/brown.
Eye Color: Hazel basically...brown some days, green others.
Tattoos: I have 4 tattoos. My first is a celtic love knot to symbolize the love for my kids, second was a fairy on my leg, third is a piano and music on my back and fourth is the word "cara" on my foot...a matching tattoo with my best friend that means "friends" in Gaelic.
Piercings: Just one hole in each ear.

*Favorites*

Color: Purple all the way
Food: Sushi is my fave. Never met a potato I didnt like.
Candy: Hmmm...this one is touch. Im not huge on candy necessarily  (I prefer chips) but I do like reeces peanut butter cups, and twizzlers.
Movie: Dirty Dancing would be my favorite...along with Ever After. I also love 50 First Dates, The Wedding Singer, 30 Year old Virgin and all the Harry Potter and Twilight Movies.
TV Show: I watch WAY too much TV lol. My current faves would be Greys, Private Practice, BONES,True Blood The Finder (awesome new show) Game of Thrones and Grimm
Actor: Dont have a favorite...
Actress: Ditto
Favorite Author: Hmmm....I really dont read a lot...but I do like John Grisham and have all his books. Also love the Twilight Books and House of Night books.
Band or Singer: Bands: Spirit of the West, Leahy,Great Big Sea, Three Doors Down. Singers: Keith Urban, Bob Seger, Natalie MacMaster (although shes not a singer). Im also loving Lady Antebellum right now...big time.
Song: I dont have A favorite song...I have many lol Currently loving Lady A's Owned the Night. 
Holiday: Halloween
Season: spring
Day of the week: Sunday...if I have to choose one lol...
Store: Superstore (sad eh? but only because I can buy everything I need there, not have to go anywhere else and its cheap lol)
Restaurant: Oh I dont know... any sushi place lol
Sport: to watch? Hockey I guess.
Animal: Birds I guess....mainly Eagles
Flower: Gerbera Daisy

*Have you ever*

Danced in the rain: not really
tripped and had an embarrassing fall: Um yah...lets not revisit that
smoked: Ive smoked cigarettes here and there...I dont mind PrimeTimes
got drunk: Hells yah...just on wednesday in fact! lol Ok...I wasnt drunk, but more tipsy..really tipsy lol
gone skinny dipping: No.
been in a car accident: Yes...under a semi truck...broke my hand. Ouch. That was 3 year ago.
been in love: Yep!
met the President: No.
met a celebrity: Not any big time celebs but a couple of not so big ones lol
cried over a movie: Yes
laughed so hard you cried: many many times
cried for no reason at all: I am a woman! lol

*the last*

thing you said: Thanks babe (when hubby threw some rolls of toilet paper down from the upstairs for the down stairs bathroom...he was going to bed so Ive been by myself with no one to talk to since then lol)
thing you ate: A handful of pecans
song you heard: Hahaha...Medium Pace by Adam Sandler....long story lol
movie you saw: In the theatre? Um...I dont remember lol been a while. At home, Im watching The Year Dolly Parton was my Mom on VOD right now 

cd you bought: a James Taylor Christmas album...who buys cds anymore? lol
book you read: currently reading Game of Thrones....just finished Ellen Degeneres Seriously...Im kidding book...it was in my bathroom lol

phone call: Erin I think
im: Wasylyna (a fellow surro)

person you yelled at: probably one of my kids

*This or that*

pepsi or coke: Pepsi.
mcdonalds or burger king: McDonalds
chocolate or vanilla: Chocolate
tv or movies: TV
colored pencils or markers: Colored Pencils
sun or moon: Moon
day or night: night
pants or shorts: Pants
long sleeve or short sleeve: Short Sleeve
n'sync or backstreet boys: both suck equally
burgers or hot dogs: burger
rock or rap: rock fo sho
aim or phone: Phone
romantic comedy or thriller: romantic comedy
waffles or pancakes: Belgian Waffles
peanut butter or jelly: Peanut butter (natural)

*Others*

do you believe in love at first sight: yes and no
have you ever wished upon a star: no...well maybe when I was a kid
what other language (s) do you speak: none
if you dyed your hair what color would you dye it: Red
if you could change your name what would you change it to: I like my name...I wouldnt change it.
what's the weather like right now: Rainy as shit
what instruments do you play: Piano...I also played the drums a lot, but never took official lessons.
do you talk to yourself a lot: Yep

best place you have visited: Um...Vegas? lol Ive never really gone anywhere.
best day of your life: Hard to choose since all three of my childrens births were the best days...and my surro babes birth as well.
worst day of your life: the day I was in my car accident probably. Ive been fortunate not to have really bad days
pet peeves: people who walk slow or dont walk single file on a busy sidewalk
what are you most proud of: Being married for almost 10 years and having 3 beautiful kids. Being a surrogate.
what is your goal for this year: Help my middle daughter to learn to behave and get all of us on board with helping her to figure out her place in the family (shes struggling with figuring that out and when she does, hopefully her beahviour will change)

The Liebster Award

Wow! What can I say! I was nominated for the Liebster Blog Award! I feel very honored!! Thank you so much to Bobbie over at  http://paradykes.blogspot.com/   I so enjoyed following their story...carrying a baby for another couple, and now trying for another one of their own. Im very much looking forward to following them on this next journey!!!

The Liebster Blog Award is an award for bloggers with less than 200 followers who deserve more recognition. 

Liebster is a German word that means ‘dearest’ or ‘beloved’, but can also mean‘favorite’. The idea of the award is to bring attention to blogs with less than 200 followers.

The Award comes with a few rules. You’re supposed to:

§ Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them

§ Reveal your top 5 picks for the award and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog

§ Post the award on your blog

§ Bask in the love from the most supportive people in the blogosphere – other bloggers

§ Hope your recipients pass the award to their 5 favorite blogs to keep the love flowing.

So....here are my top 5 pics. It was a very hard decision because A) they are all so great, B) my favorites in particular, have been nominated and C) Most of the blogs I follow were around the same time frame as my journey so they might not have as much recent activity....but here they are...including one blog that has nothing to do with surrogacy, but she is an amazing writer and I highly recommend her books!!!!


http://rebekahrose.blogspot.com/   Rebekah is carrying twins and has a great blog all about her journey as well as some nummy recipes!


http://anitaviljoen.blogspot.com/  A great writer right here in my own town! I work closely with her and consider her a "sister" that is...in Guiding!


http://dougandbill.blogspot.com/  Entertaining blog!

http://gestanotherday.blogspot.com/ Another one of the surrogacy blogs of faithfully followed!!!

http://timingandluckfortheirbaby.blogspot.com/  Another special surrogate!


Thank you to all these bloggers and all the other ones that I think are amazing (but have already been nominated) for giving us a glimpse into your worlds!!!...those would be  Jeni over at http://lovemakesafamily2011.blogspot.com/  Kevin and Jeff at http://3rdstreetnw.blogspot.com/   and of course Bobbie at http://paradykes.blogspot.com/

Done and done....

Well, this journey officially came to an end on Friday, when I went to the lawyers and signed the affidavit, releasing my rights to Hazel so her parents can petition the court and vital statistics to amend her birth record to declare them as her parents. It seems so surreal that its all over. I had no issues signing the papers, in fact it felt great knowing that under the eyes of the law and government, she will legally be her parents as she rightfully should be and I think that them having to jump through all these hoops just because another woman carried the baby is stupid. But that's a whole other post lol

I am still struggling a bit with the lack of communication, I wont deny that. I have a shit tonne of milk stored (and I mean a TONNE), and I don't know if they want it. I'm happy to continue pumping if they want the milk...but am just fine stopping as well if they don't. I'm feeling a bit out of place right now, like I don't know what my roll is right now (other then wife and mother). I've spent the last year being at the center of this journey, regular communication, being pregnant and people knowing I'm pregnant and having that segue into a conversation about surrogacy and being a surrogate. Then you give birth, and you don't have a baby so no one knows that you have just given birth and what an amazing thing you were a part of. You want to scream from the rooftops "Guess what I just did!!?!", you want to talk about it to everyone you meet....but how do you segue into that? You just feel out of place....trying to find whats normal again.Trying to figure out how to live the normal life you lived before entering into the world of surrogacy. Then on top of all that, not knowing how things are going with the family you helped create, makes things really difficult. Its definitely not what I thought I would struggle with, if I struggled with anything. I thought if anything, I would struggle with not having a baby at home (and even then, I've never really worried about that).But THAT definitely is not an issue lol I am quite thankful to get a full nights sleep thank you very much lol. I had one day that was particularly hard....and then that evening, I got flowers delivered to me by A's parents, with a beautifully written card, so the timing of that was good...I needed that...since then, its gotten better and I don't feel as anxious...I guess I just needed that day to cry and be a little sad. Anyhow, I feel like maybe I'm not articulating myself properly and rambling as always. I just want to make it very clear, that I am not suffering baby blues, ppd, or anything like that. I am actually very happy and quite enjoying this time with my family that I have off work right now. So please, don't worry about me. I am simply trying to find a new "normal" and trying to figure out where my place is right now. I don't want to bug the new family, so I'm avoiding texting and emailing them (even though my fingers are itching to lol). I guess if they want to talk to me, they will. I just hope that that's sometime soon cause I miss them already and could really use an update and pic :)

10 days old

Well, little Hazel is 10 days old (well...its after midnight so I guess shes 11 days old now lol). I saw her on Friday and got some cuddles in with the Cuddly Wrap. Anyone who knows me, knows how much I LOVE the wrap. I think its the best thing EVER to carry your baby in. I especially think its great for intended moms who wish to have skin to skin with their baby as much as possible, to facilitate a bonding experience. Anyhow...I took my wrap to A and D so they could use it for Hazel and I had her in it on me for a bit...then we put it on A and they had a good cuddle in it as well. Both mom and babe LOVED it (and whats not to love...really). Here are a couple pics of me with Juli in the wrap. I just love it and have to share!!!

10 months

1 year old

2 years old

I have been pumping like crazy. I have never been a huge producer so I wasn't expecting to get a lot. But, apparently, my body decided to do a good job this time (maybe my body just prefers pumping to nursing) because I'm getting a lot of milk. Now, I didn't get anything for 3 days. Literally nothing. I would pump and it would be dry...not even colostrum. It was discouraging because I would feel like I was getting some, and then nothing would come out. Finally I started getting some and when she was 5 days old, I was able to take about 25oz of milk to her. Then, when she was 7 days old, I was able to take another 25 oz. So, I doubled my production. Now, I have stored in my freezer about 80oz of milk that I have pumped since Friday evening!!!! Its now Monday night (or early Tuesday, however you want to look at it lol...its 1am OK! lol) and I have 80oz!!!!! I am very excited by this....can ya tell?! I feel really good that I have been able to pump so much milk for her. For her first 4 days of life though, she was only on formula so when she got my milk, she got a little gassy apparently and didn't drink it as fast as she had been drinking the formula. Her mom realized though that she needed to mix the formula and breast milk and gradually introduce it, since she was so used to the formula. Hopefully she tolerates my milk OK. If it turns out she doesn't, there is this great way of donating to people right in your community. Human Milk for Human Babies is a great way to connect with moms who are looking for breast milk for their babies so if you are a pumping mom reading this right now...or you have milk stored in your freezer that you will not be using, check out the site, go to the community pages and find the city near you.  http://www.hm4hb.net/   I have a friend who already connected to a mom in our community. I think its great!!!!

My first milk delivery!!! Yes...I was dating them Dec not Jan lol

Anyhow, the big question I keep getting asked is how am I doing. And when people ask, its not that they are asking how am I doing physically in my recovery after giving birth, but how am I doing mentally. I know that when people ask me that question, they really mean "Do you have the baby blues". While I really appreciate the concern, its a little annoying lol. For the record....I feel great! Both physically and mentally. I do find that I get a little tired when Im doing too much. My body has no problem telling me to slow down, and I do. I dont want to bleed any longer then I have to and I know that rest is essential to reducing the amount of time you bleed. Mentally, I feel really good. I am so happy that Hazel is with her parents. I have no regrets doing this surrogacy, in fact, I am really looking forward to the next journey!!! Yes, you read right. I would LOVE to be pregnant again lol If there is anything I am "sad" about, its that Im not pregnant anymore. I dont feel like I am missing out on having a baby at home. I just miss being pregnant. I LOVE being pregnant!!!! Feeling the movements and knowing I have life in me...its amazing!! I would say the only thing I am feeling that is not what I expected, is anxiety. Its the only way I can describe it really. I feel anxious that I dont know how things are going with them. And not just with Hazel, but with the three of them. I felt like when I was pregnant, I could text them or email them any time and know I wasnt bugging them. Now....I feel like I dont have a good enough reason to text them. They dont need to "check in" with me! Its not my business really. Maybe I worry a bit that they wont keep in contact. I dont know. Well, maybe I do know that thats what it is. Its been my main worry through the whole thing...that they would drop off and I wouldnt hear from them anymore. In my heart, I know that wont happen...but I still fear it. And if thats what I wanted in a surrogacy, then I would have been clear about that...but thats not what I wanted. I feel like they are a part of my family in a way...and even if they dont feel that way about me, I understand. I just cant help how I feel. So, it would be very devestating to me to lose contact. So maybe thats where the anxiety is coming from. I just saw them on Friday and yet, I miss not having contact. And now Im reading that and realizing, I look like a stalker LOL. Anyhow...Im rambling and I should just shut up now. If any of my fellow surro readers is reading this and cares to comment on the anxiety thing (as in, tell me its normal LOL) then that would be great!!!
For now...here is a pic I took on Friday of me and Hazel....damnn shes cute!!!

Well...its been three days (hard to believe actually!) And I basically spent today laying in bed doing absolutely NOTHING! It was great!!!! My husband is seriously the best husband on the planet. He went through this whole journey without so much as a complaint. He helped me when I needed help, he supported me with whatever I needed and was there for the amazing birth, holding my hand, and just as emotional as the rest of us. He truly is a gem. Today while I did nothing, he kept the kids in order, brought me my breakfast, lunch and dinner in bed, and did whatever else I needed. I just needed a day to lay down and let my body heal...the more relaxing I do, the less bleeding I had and the quicker things heal up so I decided that today was that day that I would just do nothing, and my amazing husband allowed that to happen for me!!! I love you Miles...you really are the most amazing man and husband anyone could ask for.

While I was doing nothing, I put together a little video of the journey...I hope you all enjoy!!!

Shes here!!!

Well...the threat of induction was all little Bunnyhop needed to hear, because she decided to make her own way into the world without the induction!!!

So like I said in my previous post, I had a sweep in the morning. Well, I think it did the trick!!! Late in the evening, I started feeling crampy so I went to bed "early" at midnight...knowing I likely wouldnt sleep long before I was awake again (Im a late owl so midnight is early for me). Around 1am I woke up feeling like, ok, yah, Im in labor. Around 2:30 I got up and couldnt go back to sleep. I texted A and D and let them know that we were in labor and not to rush, but they should make their way out here. They arrived close to 4am. At around 6:30, the contractions were close together enough to call the midwife (Susan) again and see what we should do...and it was decided we would head to the hospital to be checked. We got there just after 7 and I was only 4cm dilated, but the waters were bulging in the cervix. She could rupture them to get things going, but I decided lets just hold off the 2 hours and see how it goes. Susan was now officially on holidays and Sylvia took over. I was super happy because Sylvia delivered Juli and I love her!

So after two hours I was checked again, and still 4-5 but she had moved down quite a bit. I knew that laying around wasnt going to do anything so I walked the halls a bit...and the contractions were coming really steadily and harder and stronger.Things started to really pick up and the pain was getting to the point where I knew, it was close. I started with my "Im almost there" sounds that everyone who has seen me birth, knows all to well! lol
So...Sylvia checked me again and sure enough I was fully dilated with a bit of a lip and the waters were bulging big time. The best way to get her out...break those waters, although I was welcome to wait. But at that point I literally said "Well lets get the f-ing show on the road then...break it!" So, she did and with the next contraction, I felt the urge to push. I could feel her RIGHT there. I should add, that there was ALOT of water. I mean ALOT! I could feel it puddled around me and I soaked my socks. Sylvia told A to come closer and get ready to catch her baby. I was holding onto Miles for dear life while hes trying to snap pictures (at my request). A was prepared to see head crowning and the slowish arrival, but I (and Bunnyhop) had other plans. I was ready to get her out!!!And she was ready to come out. One good push and I yelled "Here she comes!!!!" cause I could feel her head coming out and Sylvia telling me to stop but it was too late! I felt down and at 10:49am I could feel the rest of her body sliding out of me!!! And after her, a geyser of fluid. There was SOOOOOO much fluid! Everyone said it was like she came out the end of a waterslide, like literally. A was soaked...her jeans were totally wet! She shot out like a rocket lol. Her mom caught her and held her to her chest...at which point I finally looked down and opened my eyes and saw the most amazing sight. A looking at me and grinning ear to ear...everyone crying...and little Bunnyhop being snuggled skin to skin with her momma. The nurse goes to hands me the scissors and asks if I want to cut the cord, but I was like "no no! thats her daddys job" and she gave the scissors to D who cut his babes lifeline to me.  She wasnt crying or anything. Just wide eyed and looking around.

After a few minutes snuggles, they went over to the warmer and got her measurements and weight. She was 7lbs 3oz (A had just guessed she would be 7lbs 4 oz so that was a pretty good guess!!!) and 20"long. They gave her her K shot and she let out the most pathetic little wail...the loudest she got the entire time we were there. She was just so calm.The new mom took her shirt off and they bundled babe and her up together in a warm blanket and they had some good skin to skin time together. Soon after, daddy finally got to have some skin to skin as well. Then, it was my turn to hold her. I had just finished being stitched up and was all settled into my nice ice maxi pad and mesh panties...oh the mesh panties!!! lol  It was so surreal to hold this baby who had been growing inside me for the last 10 months. She was just amazing!! Absolutely beautiful!!! What was really cool, is while they were examining the placenta, it was discovered to be a 2 lobe (I think thats what she called it) placenta. It had a main part and then like an off shoot. When held up, it looked like a heart!!!! How cool is that!!!!
I snuggled with her a bit before giving her up to her waiting grandma. Next thing you know, there is a room FULL of people. Soooo many people came at the same time! All of Bunnyhops family came to see her. It was amazing to see all that love for her!!!As if I didnt know that doing this was just the right, perfect thing to do...seeing all that love for someone only an hour old just solidified that feeling.

Miles, my mom and my best friend Erin went out and got me sushi....yum....best meal (especially after being offered hospital Sheppards Pie yuck). And people came and went. We spent several hours in the labor room, hanging out and holding babe. After eating, Miles went home to get the girls so they could come and see the baby. All three were just in love with her. Madison and Braelyn each held her...Juli was enthralled with her. It was very very cute. After my dad arrived and my parents left, I got ready to go home. A and D took Bunnyhop to their room on the maternity ward down the hall while I got ready and after, my little family and I made our way down to their room to say goodbye. The girls huddled around her bassinette...just in love with her and I got my last cuddle before leaving. She was wide awake and alert. She is just so beautiful! Things got emotional again as I was leaving. Her parents thanked me again for doing this, we all cried, again. And I left the hospital with my little family, feeling really good, happy and filled with joy and love.

I feel soooo incredibly blessed to have been able to do this. Seeing the look on A's face when she had her baby in her arms, was incredible. It was what I was waiting for this whole journey. I thought lots throughout this journey about what it would be like when she came and was handed to her parents. I never once cried at the thought of "giving her away" (as some people put it) but often did at the thought of seeing her being held by her mom. There was a time when she didnt know if she would even live to have children and now, here she is, a mom. And seeing her hold her baby girl for the first time was just the most amazing thing ever.

Well...its been a long day and Im pretty tired. So...off to bed I go now. Thanks for all the warm wishes I have received! I hope you enjoy my birth story of baby bunnyhop...also known now as Hazel.

My dad said I look like an add for Vancouver Tents and Tarps lol Thanks dad!

Right here....THIS is what I was waiting for!!! That look!!!

All of us!

My girls and I and little Bunnyhop that they also loved for the last 10 months!

Miles holding her!

Isnt she beautiful!!!She was scratching her face so her momma put some socks on her hands lol

Last cuddles before going home!

Induction tomorrow!

Well...I went to the weekly midwife appointment last night and my BP was up high so I was asked to come back this morning and have it checked again.....still high. So she did a quick sweep and stretch and off I went to the hospital for NST and bloodwork.

Midwife consulted with OB who said we should induce as the BP wont get better, it will only get worse so to lessen the chances of further complications, the decision was made to induce using Cervadil. When, was the question. My bloodwork showed everything for the most part was normal. Platelets were at 135 and normal is 150 so they were a bit low but everything else was fine. After 4 hours of being at the hospital, the OB had left it up to the nursing staff to determine if we should do it now, or wait until the morning (depending on staffing, people in labor etc). They decided to wait until the morning when they have 5 nurses on. So...I will call tomorrow morning around 7:30....and unless they had a bus load of people come in, Ill be going in at 8am for the induction. However...I kinda dont think Ill need it. Hours later, Im feeling more painful contractions, that are not like the braxton hicks Ive been getting. I think the sweep did what it was supposed to do. Ive lost my plug (well I lost some of it yesturday and the rest today) and Im thinking that things are moving. My IPs are sitting on the edge of their seat, waiting for news!!!

So...the  next posting you see from me, will be of the birth story!!! Fingers crossed and ELVS to me!! lol

No news lol

Sill pregnant! She was welcome to come up until yesterday....now, shes not welcome to come until after boxing day lol. In a way I'm kinda happy she didn't come yesterday after all, since today I have a butt load of thing to do to get ready for Christmas. Although all the housework I'm doing, could put me in labor lol Lets hope not! I would like to be home tomorrow, enjoying breakfast with my hubby, kids and parents, opening up gifts, and lounging until we have to venture out to my aunts place for dinner. Usually we have Christmas dinner here at our place, but my aunt is having it at her place this year so that I don't have to being that I'm hugely preggers!!!

Getting lots of braxton hicks, and she has definitely moved down further. I walked into work yesterday and a co-workers jaw dropped to the ground...she had never seen anyone drop so much. Imagine if she had seen me the night before (she had the night before off) cause I actually dropped more over night and even those that I worked with both days were like, yah, you've dropped more since yesterday lol. My boss has me on the schedule next week. Im assuming I wont be there lol but Ill keep working until I cant.

Anyhow....just wanted to quickly update since Im sure a couple people might want to know lol I am still in fact pregnant and looking forward to having Christmas with my family and not in the hospital!

From my family to yours, I hope you all have a really wonderful Christmas and Blessed Yule filled with love, family and magical moments!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Madison, Juli and Braelyn

38 weeks and counting!

So we are 38 weeks and still pregnant lol. We told miss bunnyhop that she needs to come on the 23rd....and if she doesnt come then, then she has to wait until the 26th or 27th lol

And there are a few reasons why the 23rd would work. A) Its not Christmas!!! B) Hopefully this would mean I would be in labor on the Thursday, which means Im done work lol C) The midwife we would like to deliver is on call D) A will have her work finished up for the holidays and D will have finished his job and doesnt start his new one until 10 days later...giving him 10 days to be at home with momma and babe! and E) since they are done work, they can be packed and ready at A's parents which is much closer to me then where they live. So....hopefully she heard  her momma and I telling her to come on Friday!!! Lets just say, that I will be doing what I can between now and then, to get things started (aka: spicy food, walking walking and walking....and a romp or 2 in the sack with the hubby lol)

We had our midwife appointment tonight and my BP was holding steady at where it has been. The midwife said it looks like for now, this is my new normal so we are content to just wait....geesh, kinda feels like the classic surrogacy "hurry up and wait" phase again!!! lol Ive gained 1 pound this week, putting my total weight gain at 21lbs and while babe measured 38 last week shes measuring 38 this week and I know her head is down further cause sitting down sometime requires spreading my legs more lol so shes definitely measuring fine.Still moving like she was 10 weeks ago so thats good (well, good in the sense that shes healthy, bad in the sense that she does it more when I have braxton hicks contractions making things VERY tight lol). Speaking of these BH....I never had them with my own pregnancies so its so weird having them this time! My belly gets so tight and then its like babe says "wait a minute! Your crampin my style here uterus!" and she proceeds to push her ass out so Im lopsided (since she likes to lay on one side). Since this happens so frequently, Im sure I have a bit of a bruised rib lol Little bugger!

Anyhow...since there is nothing new to report Ill leave you with some pictures a friend of my took. Hopefully A and D dont read this (I actually have not asked if they do, but they have never mentioned it) cause Im framing one as a Christmas present to them!!

Oh and on a final note....amazing fellow surrogate Jeni has started a Facebook page dedicated to being "a place where people can learn, gain support and share about all the beautiful ways families are created". Like her page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Love-Makes-A-Family-2011/328123507198112 

I think this is my favorite!

I have this in black and white too and will be framing it

Love this photo!!!

Still pregnant! lol

Yep...tomorrow will be 37 weeks and Bunnyhop and I are still hanging out together. I am coming down with a cold now which really pisses me off because the last thing I want at this point, is a cold. Really! I mean, the whole pregnancy, not sick at all...and now, right at the end, when I could go into labor ANY time, I get a cold?!?! WTF?! Seriously?! Not cool mother nature!!! Not cool at all!!!  I could handle getting sick if it were not for the sore throat. Thats really the worst. Bunnyhops mom is also sick so maybe its the universe making us in tune with each other lol

Other then that, how am I feeling? Pretty good for the most part. Tired of course, and ready for this little one to make her debut. I feel ready. I picked up some cinnamon cramp tea to be brewed for when Ive delivered (it helped so much last time with the cramping pain) and have been thinking about the things I want to take to the hospital. While my plan has been to labor at home for a while (like a long while lol) I think Ill end up in the hospital earlier since I cant imagine people in my house right now in the state it is in lol. Ive had the nesting feeling, but none of the energy to actually do any cleaning and god knows my kids and hubby dont do much (unless I freak out and I dont have the energy for that either). So since I see myself being in the hospital longer, I would like to get a bag together to make things more comfortable. I think Ill get that together tomorrow so that its ready for Tuesday, in case my BP is up and I end up being induced. I feel like she could come anytime, but since I keep thinking shes not going to make it till Christmas, shes probably going to be late if Im not induced lol Lets hope not. While I know her mom and dad would like a little more time, what a precious Christmas gift it would be if she came before and got to be with her family for the holidays?!!

Tonight I had my work Christmas party and we were to wear our best ugly Christmas sweater. It was a blast! I didnt win any prizes but I think I had a pretty good sweater! Hope you like the pictures!

Kids decorating the tree

Me and my ugly sweater! (There are snowflakes on it too)

37 week HUGE belly!