I'm a terrible blogger lol

Yep....I suck. But really, I've had nothing to talk about! I don't want to bore people with random shit lol

From what I gather, we are still on for a possible Fall start to a sibling for Hazel. I am really looking forward to it and hope hope hope that this is a reality!! I don't talk to A and D much. I know they are busy with life. There was a time where not having a text or email from them, really bothered me. But as time has gone on, that has gotten a lot easier to handle. I find myself realizing after 3 months, that I haven't heard from them or had an update. Does it still sting a bit? Sure. But I just remember that I know that they still love and appreciate me helping them bring Hazel into the world and that as much as I don't have regular communication with them, I'm still important to them. Its become a lot easier.

When I entered into surrogacy, I didn't think it mattered to me whether I carried for a straight or gay couple...but I've come to realize, that I really want to help a gay couple to achieve their dream of being parents. I've read/seen so many amazing journeys through blogs and other things that have come up on FB and met several intended dads and I've just come to realize that helping a gay couple is what I truly want to do. I feel its important that the world sees that just because they are two men in love, doesn't meant they don't deserve to have a family!!! Love has no boundaries (something else I'm REALLY learning...that is for another post in itself... read up on Polyamory...eek...yes we can get more into that later lol) and its not for anyone to judge. Just because they don't have the "right" anatomy for baby making, doesn't mean they should lose out on the ability to be parents. And Ill argue this with anyone!!! I really hope that when the sibling journey is done, Ill still be healthy enough to carry again cause I know some great couples that need me!!!

I am in awe of a few of my surro sisters, who have been able to carry a few times. One in particular...Jenn. She is amazing, in my eyes. She is currently carrying twins for her IPs, who she already carried a baby boy for at the same time that I was pregnant with Hazel (we gave birth within days of each other). This is not just her second time either! Shes carried two others before working with this couple!!! I really am in awe of her. I have not had the chance to meet her in person, as she lives on the other side of Canada but I will get to Ontario one of these days and meet my favorite surro sister!!!

I know I'm all over the place here...sorry about that! Been a while since I wrote and so I'm not really in the groove yet lol

If you haven't heard of it already, there is a great group doing great things in terms of spreading the word on Surrogacy.Check out:  Surrogacy Together  They are hosting different events all over the US with a big bash happening in San Diego in August. I'm SUPPOSED to be attending the one in Seattle, but may not be able to. See, my dad had a heart attack in April. He ended up requiring open heart surgery and while he is doing really well now, hes still not really able to drive (that and his car is unreliable). My cousin is getting married in Alberta and will be having a shower here in BC so I am supposed to take my dad to it. While I really want my dad to go, I REALLY want to go to this Surrogacy event. In fact, I'm considering saying that I cant go to the shower...but I HATE disappointing my dad!!! Especially since I know hes going stir crazy being at home!! Anyhow, back to Surrogacy Together. These guys are great! Spreading the word on surrogacy...bringing people together to educate and excite people on this amazing way of building families! I'm currently awaiting my Surrogacy Together tattoos so I can join the photo campaign!!! Check it out! Like it on Facebook!!!

Also another quick shout out to this amazing surro and photographer. Shes recently posted about a beautiful birth she photographed...of an IM who caught her baby! Brings back so many emotions, remembering seeing A catch Hazel.  All I can say....AMAZING!!!

Anyhow, hope everyone is doing well! Ill try to post more (I think I've said that before). I love reading up on every ones lives and see all the beautiful babies who are now growing into toddlers!

We went to Disneyland...and more stuff! lol

Hello? Is anyone out there?

I know its been a really long time. Essentially, I haven't really had much to say (I know eh...me? nothing to say). But I really haven't. At least, nothing interesting.

Since I last wrote, Hazel has turned a year old. So hard to believe that she is already at this point 16 months old. We met at the Cactus Club...the place where it all started! If you recall, Cactus is where A & D and Miles and I first met. It was where we all realized, we were meant to meet each other. Funny enough, Cactus has life long memories for me. Its flagship restaurant is in the town I grew up in and I went their often. It was the place I had my first bowl of broccoli and cheese soup that spiked my love affair of the dish. I have an original cow decoration (paper mache...got it when they changed their decor from cow to more contemporary one. Its where I had my first "legal" beverage (I had been drinking there a couple years and our regular server had no idea I wasnt of age, until I told him it was my 19th birthday lol) then I met A & D and started my surrogacy journey and finally, got to celebrate my surro babes 1st birthday. I really enjoyed our visit...here are some pictures from that day.

A couple weeks ago, Miles and I surprised our three girls with a trip to Disneyland. It had been 3 years of saving and months of planning but we were able to keep our vacation to ourselves, before revealing the big surprise on monday when we woke them up nice and early, and made them do a puzzle saying "were going to Disney". It was an awesome trip (even though Braelyn complained the entire time about every ride "does it go fast?" "does it go in water?" " does it go up high?" She might as well have asked if it moved cause she didnt want to go on most of the rides. Grrrrrr. Either way, it was still a blast and seeing Disneyland through the girls eyes was a lot different then the adult eyes Ive seen Disney through. Here are a few pics!

Fell asleep from the airport to the hotel lol

Mickey ears a must!

Breakfast at Goofys Kitchen

They asked us if we were celebrating anything and it was our
anniversary so they gave us this!

In Mickeys House

One of the rare times Braelyn was truly smiling!

Bart burped and then blew his burp, in my face...then laughed ha haa

On Jurassic Park

This is the other time she was truly happy lol

Star Wars

Just me

Goofys Kitchen as well

So cute

Juli, very very upset that she is too small for this ride :

So this week I had to go to Vancouver for some first aid training.and figured I would text A to see if they wanted to meet for dinner. I was super stoked when she said yes!! We met at White Spot (cause thats about the only place they can take Hazel without a disaster....woohoo is she feisty! lol) And heres a picture from our dinner:

Pure sweetness right there!

So...to all my surro sisters out there...anyone reading this. Are you looking at finding new IPs? I have a great couple for you. I know a couple of guys who have been put through quite the ringer over the past few years while on their quest to have a baby. They finally are expecting one bean but were hoping to have another surro ready to go any time as they want at least 2, very close together. These guys are really great....and I would LOVE to carry for them. But I am committed to A & D for a sibling journey this year so I cant. But believe me....if after the sib journey, if they havent have their dream of another baby fulfilled, I will be knocking on their door. Anyone would be lucky to carry a baby for Y & Y and I would feel very blessed to carry for them. So...if you, or someone you know, would be interested in learning more, let me know! They live here in Vancouver and I think the would love a surro not terribly far away. 

Anyhow...thanks for tuning in. Hopefully by the end of the year...Ill have a heck of a lot more to say as I will be back to taking meds and getting knocked up!

Almost a year!!!

Yes...."The Hiz" is almost a year old. A YEAR!!!!!! Where does time go? I cannot believe that in 2 weeks, she will be one year old....it will be one year since I delivered a baby into the arms of her mother....it will be one year since I made someones dream come true by becoming a parent....one year since I made my own dream come true of becoming a surrogate.

On her birthday, Ill post again, a year in pictures maybe. But for now I just wanted to post an update since its been so long.

A month ago today, I went over and had yet another amazing visit with Hazel and A. D was working late so I only got a short visit with him when he got home. But I got to spend a good 6 hours playing and cuddling with her. I brought my youngest with me on that day and the two of them played together so nicely. I got lots of pictures and lots of snuggles and shared good conversation with A. It was such a nice visit. She was walking while holding onto furniture and she said Hi and momma and dadda while I was there. She is soooooo damn cute!


We brought with us some toys...she liked chewing on them lol



She loved my phone too





Nice and clean after her bath! More cuddles



Anyhow...its almost Christmas so I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope those of you still following me have a wonderful holiday filled with love, laughter and family. I hope those IPs out there still looking for a surrogate get their wish this Christmas and that all those surros out there who are cycling or pregnant have an amazing holiday and a healthy, easy pregnancy. Ill update on Hazels bday with a year in photos!




Went to Grouse Mountain for their Peak of Christmas events. Couldnt help but get a pic of the girls.



View from the peak!




Madison decorating the tree




Braelyn decorating





Sad and happy post

A few days ago, a young girl killed herself. Yes, thats what I am starting this post off with. This girl Amanada, had posted, just days earlier, a video about her story. How one day she made a dumb mistake and ended up getting bullied over it...moving schools...cutting...very tragic. She then killed herself and her death is all over the news and people are still saying horrible things...and other people are saying they would have helped her if they knew. Honestly, I find the whole thing f-d. I cant even explain it because I am having a hard time articulating myself properly. But I am beyond sad for what this young girl went through.
Madison has had some issues with people, since getting and iPod. We made her buy it with her own money (a used one, so not so expensive) and it it monitored by us. There are strict rules surrounding it. I look at it whenever I want and I know the passwords to accounts. I really do believe that we as parents, NEED to do this. Ive heard some people say "its an invasion of privacy" but you know what, thats crap. Internet and electronic usage, is a privilege, not a right. And there are responsibilities surround having them. While Madison is very responsible, and I have found her to be mostly respectful on chat or kik or Instagram, but sometimes comments are made from other kids, and on occasion her, that make me worry about an escalation into bullying. Sometimes comments are so snarky and rude, it makes me wonder, why these kids are even friends sometimes! Every second day, so and so did this and so and so said that...they hide behind these things and dont talk to their friends in person whey they have a problem. Ive tried many times to explain to Madison what can happen if shes not careful. Then this girls video came out. I decided to show it to Madison. At the end, I said  "Do you know what happened to her? She killed herself. And do you know where? Right here in our home town." Maddie was shocked. She cried. I said to her she needs to remember how something so small, can turn into something so bad. She said she would never think to kill herself. I said to her that Im sure Amanda wasnt born into this world thinking "Someday Im going to kill myself" Harsh? Maybe...but she needed it. She just didnt see how these comments, and remarks and simple photos, could go so bad.
Please parents...please do yourself and your child a favor. Monitor their actions on social media and messaging. Dont just pay attention to what your kids are doing but to the things other kids are saying to them and on their pictures.  WAY to many kids are going unmonitored (I know most of my daughters friends parents dont do this) and this is causing problems. I dont think many parents realize just how rude their children can be on these things....and maybe they are not even intending to be rude, but when you cant see or hear emotion, it can be taken as rude...and unless WE as their parents monitor it, we can not educate them on the RIGHT way to deal with things...such as, you have a problem with someone, talk to them about it...dont hide behind the electronic. It is NOT an invasion of privacy...and having these things are a privilege, NOT a right. Please please please....monitor your childrens on line activities!!! YOU are the parent and have EVERY right to know EVERYTHING they are doing.


Anyhow...now for the happy!
We got a kitten tonight! Totally surprised the kids! They had NO idea!!  He is sooooooo cute!! We haven't fully decided on a name yet, because Juli is at Grandmas house tonight and doesn't even know we got a kitty!! lol But Miles and I think Chewy is cute (yes, as in Chewbacca) and the older two seem to like it! Of course we have our Tasha dog but we have missed having a cat, and Im so looking forward to seeing what this little guy grows up to look and act like. So far hes spunky but also chill. Here are pictures of our little guy!

Lovin Life!!! Part 1

I havent written for a bit and yet I have lots to post! 

So I thought I would steal an idea from my friend Jeni over here on her blog. She had her daughters create a blog post, about what they thought of their family's surrogacy journey. So...I had my eldest daughter Maddie, write about her thoughts on our fams journey. So, here she is folks. My wonderful daughter, who I am very proud of. Shes a really great kid, thoughtful and kind and helpful. Shes a pretty awesome kid.

However....
I also have some pictures to post so after the below post written by Maddie, please, keep reading, because theres more in the next one!!


Hi, my name is Madison. I would like to talk about the journey my mom went through and how I felt. When my mom first asked my sister Braelyn and I, if it would be ok for her to become surrogate I first asked what it was. She had said it was when a women carries a baby for someone who can't have a one. I was amazed at what my mother said she wanted to do. "Yes!" I had said. I was so excited. A little while later we had met A and D and they had brought A's parents. We had a great dinner and they were all very nice. When my mom went to Seattle to get the embryo transfer, I would think to myself 'Wow. It's really happening. The baby that would one day make A and D very happy was being placed into my mother at this very second.' When my mother finally came home she showed us the picture of the embryo. The picture showed it to be be green so my first reaction was 'This baby so far is my favorite colour.' Later on, when the baby was big enough to kick, my mother had taped the kicks and sent them to A and D which I thought was very, very kind of my mom to do. When the baby was finally ready to be born, I had no idea because I was asleep. Later when the baby was born we went to the hospital. I was the first child who got to hold Hazel Grace Prinsen Naples. She was the cutest thing I had ever seen. When they took her away to give to my sister I wasn't pleased. She was that cute to me. I walked out of the hospital very, very happy to see Hazel and to see A and D so happy. Every time my mom shows me the picture of A catching her own baby, I want to cry. In conclusion I think surrogacy is an amazing thing to do. Not just to make the person your doing it for happy but to make you and your family happy. I think what my mom did was amazing and A and D are amazing. I would like to be a surrogate when I grow up.              

Lovin Life!!! Part 2

Ok...prepare for photo overload!!!! Seriously! Sine there are so many photos, I wont spend a lot of time writing lol Not much has happened lately other then the fact that I seem to be working non stop! Its probably for the best that I am, being that it looks like were going to have to get a new car...and soon! Otherwise...its trudging along!

We had our family photos taken! And I love them!!! I love how vibrant they are! Im so thrilled I chose to go blue! I hope you like them as much as I do!!!

So.... the family and I met up at this awesome lake near by, with A, D and Hazel!! We had a picnic and the kids went in the lake (I forgot my bathing suit!). It was an awesome afternoon!! Hazel is such a sweetie! We had lots of cuddles and I stood up as high as I could hike my shorts and she splashed and got me soaked but I didnt care! We had a blast!! She was wearing the cutest baby bathing suit EVER! And there is quite the story about how they managed to get it. Too funny.

Of course there are some photos from our afternoon together on a beautiful afternoon at Buntzen Lake!!! The sun was out, the food was great (I made an AMAZING potato salad...seriously, and Im not a big potato salad person...shocking since I LOVE potatoes...ok....a little off track...) and the company was even better!

My family <3 td="td">

Juli Anne

Braelyn Raine
 

Madison Aileen Ivy

My love and I

I love this one...Juju's face is priceless!

The loves of my life....so proud to be their mom.

Fun and quirky!

And here are pictures from our day together!!!

K...had to.

All of us together....self timer and lighting was terrible by that point!

Sweet Hiz and I

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this picture. I love how the light comes through the hands!!!

K seriously...how cute is this bathing suit??

Daddy was making faces at her behind me

Oh my goodness....PERFECTION ....the whole picture!

Hello to those who may still be reading my blog lol.. I know Im not very interesting anymore, being that I am not currently on a journey, but, life is still trekking away! Im am itching...yep...been itching for a while. I know A and D still wont be ready for a while, but I sooooo cant wait....most days lol. Well, I should say, most minutes of the day lol. I will admit, there have been a couple times where I thought, oh, can I endure that pain of delivery again. Thats really where my hesitation lies...that and that I wonder if getting pregnant again, is basically me testing fate. I often think about how incredibly lucky I am. Lucky that I have had 4 very successful pregnancies, which resulted in 4 very healthy little baby girls. How many babies can one person have, before the odds are against them and something goes wrong. What bothers me about this thinking, is that I am not normally the type of person that thinks negative thoughts. Maybe the reason for these thoughts, is because my good friend Gail, is pregnant and dealing with gestational diabetes. I am so incredibly proud of her for all she is doing to manage it. She tests several times a day, takes insulin a couple times a day and is on a pretty strict diet. But she is doing everything she can possibly do, to make sure that she and her soon to be baby boy, are healthy. Shes amazing.

Anyhow, enough of the negative talk. I realized that I had not talked about my daughter Braelyn when her birthday came around in June...bad mommy! So here is her shout out! What can I say about Braelyn....well, shes a red read...and she has ALL the stereotypical traits of a red head. Shes especially feisty.


Brae was born on June 15 and came out like a rocket. I knew I was in labor, but the L&D nurse, said it was Braxton Hicks...because they were not showing up on the monitor and she could not feel my cervix cause it was so high up. I kept telling her that I knew what labor felt like (this was my 2nd kid after all) and THIS was labor. Long and short of it, Miles was sent back to my moms place to watch our 2 year old, while she went back to work. Well, Miles got home, and my mom had just left with OUR vehicle (so she could get to work, open and get back when someone else came to relieve her) and it was at that precise time that Braelyn decided it was time for her to come. My doctor wasnt there and I had been sitting in a bath by myself when I knew it was time. I got out, yelled down the hall for the nurse and in barely 2 pushes, Braelyn came out....all 6 lbs 8 oz's of her. I ended up calling Miles a minute later and informed him his baby girl was here. About 8 minutes later, my Dr showed up...and she met in the hall with the nurse and read her the riot act. She had no idea I was even there and was incredibly pissed off at the nurse. She was NOT impressed. About a half hour later, mom, Maddie and Miles showed up and met Braelyn for the first time. Later on, the nurse did come an apologize to me, saying she had never, in 25 years of nursing, seen someone progress that quickly. She couldnt believe it. She was born small, but within 3 months, turned into the fattest baby. She was so round, and now to look at her, you would thin we starved her. Shes so skinny and shes actually just built that way. She will likely never have to worry about her weight. She didnt learn to talk like other kids and therefore needed speech therapy. When she started speech, she couldnt make certain sounds and everything really came out the same....a series of mumbles. She made leaps and bounds and now talks non stop lol. Anyhow....she is a beautiful 8 year old who keeps us on our toes. Shes got attitude and she makes up stories (aka lies) and has been giving us issues with stealing. But, we do what we can do, to make her feel loved...and we do love this monkey very very much....here is her life in pictures!

Just minutes old

Love this picture of her....so precious

chubster

Braelyn and her big sister

I love this pic of her...shes so innocent looking here lol

Vintage Brownie uniform.

                                                     

Selling Girl Guide Cookies

On her 8th birthday!( Dont mind Maddie in the background...it was tacky tourist day at school lol)