A Little Of This, A Little Of That

Just following up on a couple things:

First of all, my first prenatal yoga class was last night and it was awesome!!  It was so nice to escape from the craziness of the real world for an hour!  The instructor was very thorough and also very cautious which helped me to feel comfortable.  My body felt so relaxed and loose after the class!  There were 7 of us in the class and all of the girls and the instructor were very supportive and moved when I introduced myself and explained that the babies I am carrying belong to 2 men from NYC!  I was the only one in the class carrying twins, but I was surprised to learn that there was another gestational carrier in the class!  What are the odds?!  She was 35 weeks, so I'm not sure how much longer she'll be coming to the class.  There were several girls there that I felt a real connection with, so I'm hoping to build on those relationships!

Second, lots of people have been asking if I am showing yet.  I still say "no", I am not, although I am definitely READY!!  I would much rather have babies showing than to have the "thick" look that I'm sportin' these days!  :) Lol!  If the research I've done is true though...I could start showing any time now!  I figured I would post a pic for you all so that you will be able to see the difference when it finally looks like I'm pregnant instead of just enjoying a few extra cookies!!  :)   It doesn't get any more form fitting than my yoga gear, so brace yourselves people....

8 Weeks!

Lastly, if you're up for taking a trip down memory lane.....  6 years ago tonight, Rick, Skyler, my sister Jill and I had just sat down at Chili's and ordered chips and salsa when I had the strangest feeling.  I froze in my tracks. My eyes got big,  I had to do a double check.  Yep, my water had just broken!  12 hours later, Savannah Faith came into this world!  The last 6 years have flown by, but they've been some pretty great years! 

Happy 6th Birthday to MY baby, Savvy!!

8 Weeks!

These babies are just getting cuter and cuter!  And they are busy growing bigger and stronger each moment!  It is amazing to think of just how hard these kiddos are working!

• The tip of the nose is present and the ears are developing both internally and externally.
• Webbed fingers and toes are poking out from the hands and feet.
• Breathing tubes extend from the throat to the branches of the developing lungs.
• In the brain, nerve cells are connecting with one another, forming primitive neural pathways.
• The babies have doubled in size again, and are now about the size of a raspberry.

Keep up the good work babies!  We are proud of you!



A Touching Story

I debated whether I wanted to share this story on the blog, and have ultimately decided that it's just a cool story, that really shows just what kind of people George and Farid are...

While the guys were here last week, we went to dinner with my family.  The girls were SOOO excited to see them!  We had their visit marked on each of their calendars and they were counting down the days to their arrival!  I think it is so cool that my girls love them as much as I do.

Anyway....at the end of dinner, they presented each of the girls with a bracelet.  Beautiful bracelets.  But the extra special part was that instead of just "giving" them the bracelets, they talked about how special each of the girls was to them.  How grateful they were to our family, for helping them start theirs.  How they wanted the girls to think of them when they wear those bracelets and to remember to live "in the moment".  Living in the moment is something that Farid feels very strongly about and I strive daily to follow that rule.  I will admit...not easy for me!  :)

My girls were silent, which is uncommon. :)  They were emotional.  They kept looking at their bracelets, twirling them on their wrists, and they really seemed to be processing this gift they had been given.  Needless to say, the bracelets were a hit, but I think the message hit them even harder! 

Obviously, this is a personal story, and that's why I wondered if I should keep it private.  But here's the thing...I think it's important for everyone out there to see that surrogacy isn't just about a surrogate and her IP's.  Surrogacy is about 2 FAMILIES, joining together for a common goal!  It's really quite beautiful, and life changing for ALL who are involved.

Farid and George are amazing men.  Those of you reading who know them, already know that.  I give thanks every day...my family has been blessed....our lives are better having shared this experience with George and Farid.

Ummm....I'm just realizing...that's a lot of  black leather jacket goin' on!!

Prenatal Yoga

Jeni's Prayer:
Dear Lord, If I could look this cute
with my baby bump,
 I would be eternally grateful!

During their last trip, the guys and I talked a little about yoga.  I did yoga a couple years ago and I really enjoyed the physical and mental benefits I experienced!  Alas, I haven't been since then, and have probably proceeded to lose all of my core strength and balance.  George and Farid have thoughtfully and generously offered to support a prenatal yoga class if that is something that the babies and I could benefit from.  I signed up for my first class next Thursday night, and I just can't stop thinking about it!  I am really excited to go, and re-teach this bod some strength, flexibility, and relaxation!  At our ultrasound appointment, the Dr. pointed out some of the aches and pains that pregnancy comes loaded with and carrying 2 babies certainly doesn't decrease any of those!  :)  I think that this Prenatal Yoga class is going to be just the ticket for us!  Healthy for me...and these precious babies!  Thank you, AGAIN, Farid and George for always taking care of us! 

 

Can I Get a Drumroll Please?

And now Ladies and Gentlemen......
The moment you've all been waiting for.......
I am thrilled to report that we have......




T-W-O  beautiful babies!
T-W-O  strong heartbeats!
T-W-O  very excited Daddies!

Baby A is measuring 6 weeks 5 days with a heart rate of  141 bpm.
Baby B is measuring 7 weeks with a heart rate of 152 bpm.
We are so blessed!

7 Weeks!

Wow!  Time flies when you're having fun!!  These babies are busy, busy, busy... growing by leaps and bounds!

• The babies have doubled in size since last week and are now 1/2" long and about the size of a blueberry.
• Hands and feet are emerging from the arms and legs.
• Eyelid folds partially cover the eyes, which already have some color.
• Tiny veins are visible through the parchment-thin skin.
• The liver is churning out red blood cells until bone marrow forms and takes over the job.
• The babies already have an appendix and a pancreas.
• The babies can now MOVE!!  (And we all know what that means!  I'm gonna be on the watch for any "fluttery" feelings!)

Is anyone else as blown away by all of these weekly stats as I am?  What a miracle!!!

Also, you may want to stay tuned folks....our ultrasound is this afternoon!  I hope to have some more pretty amazing news a little later!  :-)

Two Dads - Bringing Home Babies

I SO enjoyed this.  I just HAD to share it with all of you!  Enjoy!

Take Cover! I Might Explode!!

I feel a  bit like a can of Pillsbury rolls!   My jeans is gettin' a leetle tight!!!  The tighter they get, the more I fear the button is going to burst and injure someone.  Seriously...one could lose an eye!

No, I am not "showing".  No, I am not getting fat. At least I hope not!!  The best way to describe it is it seems that all of my available fat has slowly congregated around my middle!  Lovely.  Goodbye waistline...it was good knowin' ya!  :)  Instead of looking in the mirror and seeing fatness, I choose to see  a nice fluffy down comforter keeping those babies nice and cozy.  Some days I buy that image...others...not so much.  :)

Originally, I wasn't exactly looking forward to wearing maternity clothes.  Let's face it...fashionable maternity clothes can be hard to come by!!  But now I am fearing that they will be a necessity sooner rather than later!  Maybe I can get by with a Belly Band for a while!!  For those of you who don't know what a Belly Band is, it is one of the world's greatest inventions!  A fabric band that goes over your jeans and belly that allows you to wear pre-pregnancy jeans, unbuttoned, without finding said jeans around your ankles! Lol!! 

Yes, I know it is vain, but I want to look as fashionable as possible

 while I am pregnant!  A girl can still look good, even though

she's got a watermelon under her shirt, right?! 

So here's to my belly....and all of it's changing shapes over the next 7 months!



Meds Update

The countdown is on!!  Less than 4 weeks left on meds!!!  I guess I can't complain too much--I haven't had many side effects at all from all of the medication!  However, my backside has grown tired of the Progesterone!  Although I am not bruised, and I have managed to avoid the lumps that gross me out, I am really sore.  For so long, I was able to find a spot that wasn't sore, but alas, those days are over!  Ok...no more griping!

Currently I take 2 Prenatal Vitamins in the morning along with 1 Baby Aspirin and 2 Estradiol.  I take 2 more Estradiol in the evening and of course there's the bedtime routine of inserting 2 Prometrium which I have lovingly nicknamed "Jelly Belly's"!! (They look like Banana flavored Jelly Belly's!!!)

It is my understanding that at 10 weeks, they will begin weaning me off all of the medications, except the Prenatal Vitamins of course!

I must say...I won't be sad when they're gone!!  :-)

6 Weeks!

My goodness there is a lot going on at the 6 week mark!  Very exciting!

• During this week, the babies will triple in size to about 1/4 inch.
• Every minute, about 100,000 nerve cells form. Every MINUTE!!
• The eyes, nose, mouth and ears are beginning to take shape.
• The heart is beating about 100-160 times a minute...almost twice as fast as ours do.
• The intestines are developing and the bud of tissue that will give rise to the lungs has appeared.
• The pituitary gland is forming as are the brain, muscles and bones.

I am feeling great!  No signs of morning sickness....knock on wood!  I have never experienced morning sickness so I am holding out that this pregnancy won't be any different!  I am still pretty tired, which has been hard for me to get used to but that's ok...it's a small price to pay for growing 2 babies!

One more week until our ultrasound!!!  Eeeeekkkkk!  I can't wait!!  :-)

Pregnancy and Nutrition

I have spent quite a bit of time researching nutrition during pregnancy.  I like to think I am a healthy person.  I try to stick to healthy foods and avoid unhealthy foods.  I monitor my weight.  Like a hawk.  I am definitely not perfect....but I stick to the 90/10%  rule pretty well.  I have learned about how much weight I should plan on gaining during this pregnancy (gulp), and about when those pounds should be put on.  I thought I would share with you a little of what I have learned!  Keep in mind, I have been researching twin pregnancies because that's what we have here, right????  RIGHT??????

I should plan on gaining 35-45 pounds.  (Deep breath in through the nose, out through the mouth)  :-)  4-6 of those pounds should be in the first trimester.  Weight gain so far....2 lbs...so I'm right on track!  Then I can plan on gaining about 1.5 pounds every week thereafter. (Fanning myself while practicing previous breathing technique)  Lol!  I kid, of course!!  Clearly, weight gain is just part of this process and I feel confident that I am able to manage both my weight gain during this pregnancy, and my weight loss post pregnancy!  Another interesting fact I came across is that studies have shown that gaining 24 lbs. by 24 weeks reduces your chances of pre-term labor!  Obviously especially important with a twin pregnancy!! I'm planning on using the 24 by 24 technique!!!

Now...in order to gain weight, one's diet obviously must change.  Pre-pregnancy, I stuck to a 1200-1500 calorie/day plan.  This has changed just a smidge.  :-)  Technically,  I need to add 300 calories per baby to my daily intake.  Not to mention that 1200-1500 calories is not enough for a baseline when it comes to pregnancy.  I am now trying to get in around 2500 calories/day.  Needless to say...I am suddenly consuming WAY more calories than I am used to.  Now some of this is easy.  Instead of light yogurt, I eat full-fat.  Same with peanut butter, bread, etc.  I am still trying to stick to lean meats and fruits and veggies.  The extra calories add up fast...but still....it has been an adjustment for me as I add up my foods during the day!  I have also been so much more aware of EVERY ingredient that I put into my mouth!!  I am now a Whole Foods customer because I grew tired of label reading at the grocery store I usually shop at!!  I have been shocked and dismayed at the ingredient list in some of the foods that I have lived on for who knows how long!!!  I have been an avid label reader...but mostly I was just looking at calories/fat/sugar/sodium.  Now, I am preparing a meal for someone else's children...so things have changed.  They don't need anything artificial, right???  Give 'em the good stuff!  :-)

Since I didn't have a whole lot of unhealthy vices pre-pregnancy, there is not much that I have had to "give up" since becoming pregnant.  My biggest vice was diet soda.  I had at least one every day.  I know...shame on me...but I find it SOOOOO delicious!!!  :-)  Happy to report that I am now nearly 6 weeks sober!!  I gave up soda completely cold turkey the week before transfer!  I loved water before, but now I am drinking so much more water and that's gotta be good for me AND the kiddos!! 

I can see it now though....I'm gonna be offering big cash to the first person who brings me a Big Gulp full of Diet Coke post delivery!!  Haha!!

We're Baaaaaccckkkkk!

Mom and I had a fantastic weekend in San Diego and Las Vegas!!  Le Reve on Friday night was outstanding!!  For sure the best Cirque du Soleil show I have seen!  I highly recommend it if you're in Vegas!  Celine on Saturday was incredible.  She was gorgeous, and of course sang beautifully!!  Definitely a trip I will always remember.

While there, I definitely had a craving...I would say my first true pregnancy craving.  I wish I could say that it was for some fresh fruit....maybe some nice crisp veggies....but no.  It was for a Snickers Bar!  :)  I texted the guys a message something like this:  "Curses to whichever one of your babies is telling me to enjoy a Snickers Bar!"  Got this response from Farid. "That's gotta be mine!!  Save room for some White Chocolate Kit Kats...those are yummy too!"  Then heard from George.  "That must be Farid's.  Mine would want Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Peppermint Patties." :)  I love that I can share these moments with them!  I fought the craving for a day and a half before finally caving!  Yummmm.....

Mom and I got to thinking....technically, the babies have now been to Connecticut, New York, Colorado, California, and Nevada!!  Not bad for 5.5 week old babies, right???  :)  I can only imagine all of the places their daddies will take them once they are born!  Lucky kids, I tell you!

5 Weeks Today!

Hard to believe that we are already 5 weeks pregnant!!

Here is what's going on in the womb this week:

• The babies are about the size of a sesame seed.  Soooo tiny, yet crazy to think that just a week ago, they were the size of a grain of sand!
• This week the heart begins to divide into chambers and beat and pump blood. 
• The primitive placenta and umbilical cord are already busy delivering nourishment and oxygen to the babies.
• Tiny buds will appear where arms and legs will develop.

Heartbeats and Arms and Legs, oh my!!!  Human development is an incredible thing!

We had our 3rd and final beta today and our numbers were:  7421!
Our first ultrasound is two weeks from today, on the 21st!!  Sounds like the guys are going to try to be here for that and I couldn't be more excited.  Not only am I excited to see them, because I miss them, but I can't wait for them to see those perfect little heartbeats!!

In other news, I will be in San Diego/Las Vegas this weekend to see Celine Dion!!  This is a trip that my mom and I have had planned for about a year and we are VERY excited about it!  We have tickets to see Le Reve on Friday night and Saturday night will be Celine!!!  It should be a fantastic weekend and also the last "trip" that I have on the books at this point!  I feel like I have been traveling, traveling, traveling lately!  Whew!!!

If I don't get a chance to post until I get back, I hope everyone has a great weekend!  Do something fun with someone fun...that's what I'm doing!  :)

The Best Husband In All The Land!

I have to take a moment and brag on my hubby.  Rick, I know you don't like to be recognized, so FYI, now is a good time to close out of this post.  :)

I could go back...way back to when Rick and I met nearly 19 years ago, but I won't.  Rick has always done nice things for me, but I will stick to sharing with you some of his latest wonders.

• This is the man who supported and continues to support my desire to be a surrogate.  Let's face it. There are many men out there who wouldn't be comfortable having their wife carry children for someone else.
• During my stressed out moments, he has proceeded to reassure me that everything is going to go perfectly.  He says things always go perfectly with me....because I am different...because I am special.  (awwwwww)
• I have NEVER  received a single complaint when I have to wake him up each morning so that he can give me my Progesterone injection.
• Upon returning home from the transfer, I had a plethora of gifts waiting for me on my nightstand including a back massager, a candle, a Fit Pregnancy magazine, some chocolate.....
• The ONLY reason my house has been vacuumed the last 3 weeks is because Rick has done it.
• I came home from work on Monday only to catch him in the act of DUSTING.  Yes, I said DUSTING!
• I am constantly asked "Do you need anything?"  My water never runs out of ice, and if I have a craving...he is ALL over it!

I mean really, could I have it any better????  I am so fortunate.

LOVE you loads, Rick.

2nd Beta

I had a wonderful time in San Diego this weekend!  Jill rocked her triathlon!  It was so fun to watch!!  I will admit that it was a little chilly for us spectators...well actually it was a lotta chilly!  Great weather for the athletes though, so it was worth it for us cheerers to be cold.

I got home late last night and got up early this morning to head to work.  On the way to work, I stopped into the clinic for my second beta.  2 hours later I got the call from the nurse at CFA.  Our conversation went something like this:

Sharron:  "Well girl...you're really cookin in there!"
Jeni:   "Yay! What are our numbers?"
Sharron:    "2181!"
Jeni:   "HOLY CRAP!"
Sharron: (laughing)

That's right.  I said "Holy Crap!" to a nurse.  Shame on me.  I was in shock!!  I really wanted to have strong numbers.  The average twin beta at this point is about 800.  I was definitely putting out the 800 energy...looks like it worked....really well.

The most common response I've gotten so far is....Yep, you guessed it.    "Triplets??"
The 2nd most common response?     "No surprise.  You're always an over achiever!"  :-)  LOL!  I think it's funny that my family and friends know me so well and are comfortable giving me a hard time about my "over achieving". 

But let's go back to the triplets topic. 
Do I think it is triplets?  No.
Does George hope it is triplets?  Probably.  :-)

I feel so blessed...so proud....so happy....and of course, so grateful that it looks like we've got 2 babies in there!

I hope they're comfy. 

I think they are.

San Diego Bound

I am looking forward to heading to San Diego today for my sister Jill's (Spidey's favorite girl) 1/2 Ironman Triathlon in Oceanside! The weather looks like it's going to be gorgeous and I am excited about sitting in my lawn chair catching some rays, while Jill works her butt off!!  :)   I am so proud of all of my siblings who have participated in some pretty amazing athletic events.  My sister Joanie is an avid tennis player...plays like 8 days a week!  George gave her a run for her money the first time the guys came to Denver!  Better brush up on them tennis skills George... Joanie is planning on a re-match on your next visit!!  :-)   My brother Kenny likes just about any athletic challenge that includes the word "EXTREME" and markets itself towards people who could very well have lost their minds.  Long Distance (think 100 trail miles without stopping) running and biking are his specialty!  Extreme elevation changes and weather only make the adventure "more enjoyable" for him.  Crazy.

Me???? Well.....I cheer for them...... I enjoy me some volleyball here and there. 

Wow.  Seems so piddly compared to the sibs, huh?! 

Oh!!  I know!! I know!!!!  I am having babies!!!!!  For 2 fantastic guys!!!!!

Yeah....I'm pretty sure I've got 'em beat!  :-)


Have a wonderful weekend, friends!  Talk to ya on Monday!